(Pistols & Revolvers) POST WAR/German P-38......Good/Bad?

[Grimace]

I am tempted to purchase one of those POST war Walther P-38's, would you consider them reliable, was quality control better, worse or the same for pre & wartime production pistols. Opinions wanted, or just good general discussion on the subject.

My FFL has em' for $285 and they look NIB.

I know they are selling via catalog for about $20 less (dont forget transfer fee's<$30-$50> & shipping charges<about $30> apply when you buy online/via catalog) but, i dont mind paying a lil' extra when i can handle and see what i am getting.

[ 11. December 2002, 19:18: Message edited by: GunnFixr ]

[Herr Walther]

That price is a good buy. Have you checked prices on Earl's Repair Service website for the same handgun? His prices will make you want to buy two or three at $285.00

They are reliable 9mm Walthers. There were two different variations of post-war P.38's.

The early models did not have a hexagonal steel pin through the frame that helped strengthen the frame. The later models did. This mod was started sometime after October of 1978 as that is the year P1 that I have and it has no pin.

There were some different names applied to the post-war P.38 as well. There was the P.38, P.38II. and P1. The P1 being a police issue variant no different from it's commercial cousin except for roll marks.

Trigger pull is heavy, but not as bad as on war time models. Still very accurate with 124gr ammo and the action is very smooth because of the lock-up configuration. I've never seen a P.38 stop running unless 147gr was being tried. Stay away from that ammo. They don't seem to care for it. The P.38 was desinged to use 124gr.

Magazines are plentiful and Nill makes some outstanding factory wood for them. Everyone's collection ought to have at least one P.38 or P1.

BUY!

(Mod's, this needs moving.)


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"It was people who upheld their duties to their office, the constitution, and the public by opposing Hitler who were called traitors"
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"...a historian asked what had happened to the German people for them to accept a criminal government. Unfortunately, nothing needed to happen. In nations across the world people accept government crime."
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"In democracies as well as dictatorships, subordinates illegally obey their rulers. Subordinates who remain true to their oaths of office by opposing their rulers are rare."

[This message has been edited by Herr Walther (edited 07 August 2002).]

[denfoote]

I have one . A Bw P1 from 1980 came NIB un issued. Durn nice piece. Accurate too!! It's better than my friend's AC41!!! I got it on the last round of P1 imports a year or so back.

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For ye, breathren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

IThess2: 14, 15, 16

[Ed Stirling]

P-38s are some of my favorite guns. I sometimes just get them out to look at them. Mine are all steel frame guns from the War, but I shoot them sometimes.

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"they tell us that we are weak--unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard is stationed in every house? Three million people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us"..Patrick Henry, 1775.

Remember..the man who wants to take your guns is your ENEMY!

"Those who beat their guns into plows will plow for those who didn't"

"In politics, IF it happens..WE planned it that way.."FDR

"A gun-free zone is the most dangerous place in Amerika"

Allegedly, foreign muslims did the terrorist damage on 9/11, so why are American Christians losing their Constitutional Rights?

[Cornbread2]

Centerfire Systems has them for $199.97 if you buy five or $219 if you buy one or two.

They list them as Excellent to new condition.

[dave]

About a year from now, everyone who didn't buy one of the Walther P-1's is going to be kicking himself.

These are first rate, high quality guns. A bit outdated by today's standards, but still a nice gun to own.

Back in the late 90's a wave of Walther P-4's came in. These are an updated P-38, which were also German Police issue. Most were in excellent or better condition, in the box, with a spare magazine and a military holster.
As soon as they sold out, prices went way up.
I had two like new ones, and like a fool sold them to friends.

If I had the cash I'd buy at least two of the current wave of guns before the good one's are gone. In a few years from now I could double my money on one.

[Grimace]

CORNBREAD2 wrote:"Centerfire Systems has them for $199.97 if you buy five or $219 if you buy one or two.
They list them as Excellent to new condition."

I know this, thats what gave me the idea, but $219 isnt accurate, if your going to buy sight unseen, you, in most cases, want "hand select"(@$10 additonal) ......price is now: $230, dont forget transfer fee: (i get @ $30 a pop', some charge $50) price is now: $260 Now add shipping, price: $276 actual. So, for a measly $10 more ($285 @ my FFL's shop) i can see it before i buy it, and know EXACTLY what i am getting, that and my FFL has done me many a favor, so giving him $10 vs. saving myself $10 is better value in my opinion.

[Southern-Shark]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Grimace:


I know this, thats what gave me the idea, but $219 isnt accurate, if your going to buy sight unseen, you, in most cases, want "hand select"(@$10 additonal) ......price is now: $230, dont forget transfer fee: (i get @ $30 a pop', some charge $50) price is now: $260 Now add shipping, price: $276 actual. So, for a measly $10 more ($285 @ my FFL's shop) i can see it before i buy it, and know EXACTLY what i am getting, that and my FFL has done me many a favor, so giving him $10 vs. saving myself $10 is better value in my opinion.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Better yet tell him you will give him $265 for it.

-SS

[Cornbread2]

I only live about 70 miles from Centerfire. You don't need a FFL to buy them at that price if you go there.

They will bring you two or three to pick from at no extra charge.

It is worth the drive to go there if you are reasonably close.

I have spent a lot of money there over the years. They are nice folks and they are honest. If you have a problem with something they will take it back no problem.

[Grimace]

i envy you cornbread, centerfire has some nice stuff.....but, i am a "mail order" customer when it comes to them. So i couldnt do as you say. Amazing what a differnce location makes, Due to being out of state, i am forced to pay about $50 more + hassle, for what another can get for listed price minus the hassle.

[Spieler]

I bought a Manurhin (France) P1 manufactured for the West Berlin police a few years ago and it is one of my favorite pieces! It has proven to be accurate and reliable and I thoroughly enjoy shooting it. I too am interested in acquiring one of the newly available P-38s and am hoping that someone will have a few at the next show in S. Atlanta next weekend (Aug 17-18).

[Tikka]

Have seen a number of the Centerfire P-38's.All have been excellent.Spare mags are a good deal also.
Waiting on one with my birthmonth and year.

[Wayne]

I just got back from centerfire and they tell me they will be out of P1s by Monday afternoon. They also said they did not expect any more so nows the time to get it. Between the 3 they brought me to look at + some other people were looking at they were all very nice. Most of the boxes were marked unissued.

[denfoote]

I just took mine to the range this weekend. How does 2in groups at 15yds grab ya!!!??? Mine has a nice big white dot front sight that works very well with my middle aged eyes. Heck, I'm giving serious thought to actually carrying this gun for CCW!!!

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For ye, breathren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

IThess2: 14, 15, 16

[vicg1]

I just ordered 5...
and the hand pick isn't for quality, merely manufacture date...