Thinking of getting a P1 Walther - Got one last night on GB

[majspud]

I've been thinking of getting a P1 Walther for a while now. This is so I can have the experience of shooting a P38 more often, while not risking my mint 3/44 cyq (Spreewerke).

Can you shoot hotter/heavier/SD loads out of a P1? I limit my original to the light 115gr Winchester White Box FMJ/RN ammo.

T

 

[JuergenG]

Look for a late specimen w/ reinforced frame (post 1975) and slide (post July 1968).

 

[magoo]

I have one in very nice shape of only shot it a few times. Have to pull it out of safe.

 

[Picton]

1966 specimen on the classifieds right now for short money... I'm not affiliated with the seller and not interested myself, but if you're in the market...

 

[majspud]

Thanks; we've talked. Earlier 10/65 piece w/o reinforcement.

T

 

[magoo]

I pulled my out of safe date under P1 Kal 9mm is 9/77 importer is pw arms I picked up a black flap hoster with it

 

[majspud]

There's three on GunBroker from $375-450; 11/77, 11/81, and unknown. All reinforced. One with holster, another with two mags. Need a buyer for my Beretta first.

T

 

[MJ1]

There are still plenty of all steel HP and East German police guns out there, many have new barrels from $250 to $350

Good luck

 

[daekken]

There are still plenty of all steel HP and East German police guns out there, many have new barrels from $250 to $350

Good luck

Any good info on what differentiates an East German one? East Germany has been a research interest of mine for a while, and I was thinking of getting an East German Makarov at some point (passed on the last chance I had, which I regret). I didn't think E. Germany used many P1s and would be interested in more info.

 

[majspud]

Here's the one I got on GunBroker. West German Army marked (Bw - Bundeswehr), 11/1981 production, reinforced frame and slide, bright and not flat phosphate finish, discreet import mark on front strap. Full rig with spare magazine and 1963 holster. One magazine phosphate, one magazine wartime P38.

Not regretting this; but a nice, matching byf43 with a discreet import mark on the front strap sold for only $150 more than the P1.

Seller's pics. Now I need a proper shoulder rig for concealed carry.

T

 

[daekken]

Very nice. Looks like you can cross that one out of your sig!

 

[majspud]

Very nice. Looks like you can cross that one out of your sig!

Done.

Also got a box of 2,000 fps. 50 gr. Liberty HP SD rounds.

T

 

[majspud]

Juergen,

When did the Bundeswehr retire the P1? What did they replace it with; a Beretta, as the U.S. did?

T

 

[MJ1]

Looks like you did well then.

 

[majspud]

Any suggestions as to what would be a good carry load for this? I am partial to Liberty; I assume it will feed well.

What would be a good limited penetration round?

T

 

[daekken]

Any suggestions as to what would be a good carry load for this? I am partial to Liberty; I assume it will feed well.

What would be a good limited penetration round?

T

I'm partial to Speer Gold Dots and Federal HST in 9mm. I don't think either are +P so I would assume they could be OK for an older firearm.

 

[majspud]

This one is not that 'old' at November of 1981. Also, it has the reinforced frame and slide.

T

 

[mac1911]

Any suggestions as to what would be a good carry load for this? I am partial to Liberty; I assume it will feed well.

What would be a good limited penetration round?

T

just about any hollow point really.
not trying to be a wise ass but whats with the over penetration concern. I can see a slight need for over penetration for inside your home and such through walls but what good does over penetration do when your likely to miss more than 1/2 your shots in a "gun" shooting event?

 

[daekken]

This one is not that 'old' at November of 1981. Also, it has the reinforced frame and slide.

T

That's right, sorry. In fact, my carry gun isn't much newer than that. Well, for what it's worth I carry with the Federal HST or the Speer Gold Dots. I've used Federal for longer, but Speer runs just fine for me and I use that if I run out of Federal.

 

[MJ1]

115g FMJ or ask your lawyer.

 

[majspud]

115g FMJ or ask your lawyer.

Not NATO issue 124gr, which I assume they used at the time (Cold War)?

T

 

[Picton]

FWIW, when I carry a 9mm I also like 115 gr. Though it's not a P1. I roll my own JHPs over 4.2 gr of Bullseye and I never feel handicapped.

No experience with p38/p1 feeding, but it's done fine in older Berettas and my old HP.

 

[JuergenG]

Juergen,

When did the Bundeswehr retire the P1? What did they replace it with; a Beretta, as the U.S. did?

T

The P1 has been phased out from 1994, when the HK P8 was introduced. There are still a few of them in Service. The last one has been made in 2004.