Wartime P38 vs Post War P38 and P1

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Beadwindow

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Hi,

I tried to use the search engine to find out about the differences between the wartime P38 pistols and the post war models, both P38 and P1. What are the significant differences between these models. Are the alloys used in the post-war models inferior? How practical are these guns for a causal collector of military surplus who wants a pistol for shooting?

Thanks in advance,

Frank
 
I own a P1 since two years and I love it...
the main difference is post war guns have alloy frames and have a much nicer finish especially when compareds to the late war P38.
a great value for a $300.00 investment.
 
You can find lots of info on http://www.p38forum.com/ I have P1 myself and have fun with it. Many people advice to buy post-war P1 with so-called "hex pin" made to strenghten the alloy frame. There are also versions with the "fat slide". You will see the pictures how they looks like on p38forum.
 
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Beadwindow said:
Hi,

I tried to use the search engine to find out about the differences between the wartime P38 pistols and the post war models, both P38 and P1. What are the significant differences between these models. Are the alloys used in the post-war models inferior? How practical are these guns for a causal collector of military surplus who wants a pistol for shooting?

Thanks in advance,

Frank
Click to expand...

The postwar P38 and wartime P38 are just about identical except for the alloy frame.
P1 started out the same as postwar P38, in the last rendition a reinforcing pin was added to the frame to help prevent cracking, and also a heavier slide was used, and better sights (bar/dot).
You can see the pin just forward and above the trigger guard, the heavier slides have serrations in front of the safety as well.
Tradex has a couple of sales on right now.
http://www.tradeexcanada.com/
Here is one I got from them a while back.
P1crop.jpg
 
What would you guys say is better for a first time purchase, a 7.62x25 tokarev or the p38? Surplus tokarev ammo is helluva lot cheaper than 9mm.
 
You got to love this site! I come back just over an hour after my initial post, and there's detailed answers ot my questions.

Though not quite as cheap as my Yugo M57 (9mm Tok), these sure look like an interesting pistol at a reasonable cost and I'll be looking further into them.

Would these be a good option for a friend who's interested in getting their first pistol? What would you people suggest.

With Regards,

Frank

PS. As for whether a Tokarev or P38 is a good first purchase, I guess it depends on how many crates of Tok ammo you're able to stockpile. I might become more of a hit or miss item in the future, wheras 9mm will always be around, even if more expensive. On the other hand, 9mm barrels are available for the Tokarev as well.
 
nabiul said:
What would you guys say is better for a first time purchase, a 7.62x25 tokarev or the p38? Surplus tokarev ammo is helluva lot cheaper than 9mm.
Click to expand...


Maybe now, but for how long is the supply, I would personally stick to 9mmPara, it is also mazing how much power is in the 7.62x25 bit of a shock when you first shoot it thinking is like 9mm.

You may consider a newer more modern pistol, may give more satisfaction, the pennies saved may end up in disappointment, I like my P1 shoot for fun, not much else.
 
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I was just offered tonight a 1941 P38 in good condition with holster. Any idea what going rate is for wartime one? I suspect early war is better quality than late war.
 
My advice for using a P1 with alloy frame would be to use only commercial ammo...or known relaods...
I used military ammo in mine and the frame and locking block broke...I had to replace the frame for a war time steel frame. Some of the mil ammo is way up the scale of power...the old Browning GP35 could handle this mil ammo without trouble. I also saw a Sig frame break the same way...
J
 
Colin said:
I was just offered tonight a 1941 P38 in good condition with holster. Any idea what going rate is for wartime one? I suspect early war is better quality than late war.
Click to expand...

Depends on condition but generally early = better. First thing to check is whether all the parts match including the magazine. On these early P-38's, there are many individually numbered parts.

If you check p38forums.com they have a lot of information, including the rarity of different variants.

A holster in good condition alone can sell for $150.
 
Hitzy said:
The postwar P38 and wartime P38 are just about identical except for the alloy frame.
P1 started out the same as postwar P38, in the last rendition a reinforcing pin was added to the frame to help prevent cracking, and also a heavier slide was used, and better sights (bar/dot).
You can see the pin just forward and above the trigger guard, the heavier slides have serrations in front of the safety as well.
Tradex has a couple of sales on right now.
http://www.tradeexcanada.com/
Here is one I got from them a while back.
P1crop.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks Hitzy, you've provided an explanation for something that has been puzzling me for quite a while.

I own both a Walther HP and a P1, and I was wondering about the reason for this extra pin I had noticed on the P1.

Also, I couldn't figure out the difference between a post-war P38 and a P1. I now know what it is.
 
I've never shot one but the price and condition of the currently available P1 pistols is appealing.

On thing I wonder about, though, is that the barrel seems "loose" in the slide both when the slide is locked open as well as when the slide is closed on an empty chamber. Does the barrel tighten up when the slide is closed on a cartridge? How do they shoot? Are they capable of good accuracy or only so-so accuracy?
 
Also the P-1 has a chrome lined barrel.

FWIW I ran severl to destruction on the range. Never broke a frame, but cracked slides, barrels and locking inserts.
 
7.62/25 is a really cool round ,especially some of the hotter ones but it is more like a powerful revolver round than what you usually see in a pistol.
One off the coolest guns for it I think is the C 52. It has the neatest roller delay action and is 100% machined parts. I am not sure about Canada but they are cheap in the US. A better choice than the Tokarev for a 7.62/25 weapon.

I think the P-38's and P1 are a great investment as anything WW2 and Nazi associated even if not strictly made then is going up in value. I could b wrong because I only saw a second of it but it looked like Tom Cruise was racking a P-38 on a table in an ad for his new movie.
 
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