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Thread: The Walther P38 - Shooting a classic military pistol

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    The Walther P38 - Shooting a classic military pistol

    As most of you know, the Walther P38 was a handgun that was ahead of its time. It introduced a number of design features that ultimately carried over into more modern designs like U.S. M9 service pistol.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Thanks for the video.
    I have and have fun shooting a Russianicon capture p-38. It is reasonably accurate, even though the bore is badly pitted.

    In any event I have two comments:

    First, this piece has the worst double action trigger pull I have ever experienced. As a kid I had cap guns with better triggers. Is a really bad double action pull typical?

    Second, the P-38 does not have a hammer block on the safety. I have heard that sometimes they discharge upon activation of the safety. Is this true??
    Ed reluctantly no longer in the Bitterroot

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    Quote Originally Posted by us019255 View Post
    Thanks for the video.
    I have and have fun shooting a Russianicon capture p-38. It is reasonably accurate, even though the bore is badly pitted.

    In any event I have two comments:

    First, this piece has the worst double action trigger pull I have ever experienced. As a kid I had cap guns with better triggers. Is a really bad double action pull typical?

    Second, the P-38 does not have a hammer block on the safety. I have heard that sometimes they discharge upon activation of the safety. Is this true??
    Never happened to me and i carried a P1/P38 long enough at the Army. And you´re correct about that trigger weight. Compared to the now in service H&K P8, the P1/P38 was the most unaccurate pistol we had. Some were evil enough to say that the most damage you can do with this pistol is if you will throw it against your enemies head! We really didn´t liked it much.

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    Some of the late WWII pistols have been known to discharge when operating the hammer drop without easing the hammer down. QC issue- usually heat treat. Post WWII P38/P1s don't have this potential problem. It's just one of those things. If you don't allow the hammer to freefall when applying the safety it should be OK for trips to the range. But I don't know that I'd use a WWII issued P38 as a primary defensive carry pistol.

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    Quote Originally Posted by gunner View Post
    Never happened to me and i carried a P1/P38 long enough at the Army. And you´re correct about that trigger weight. Compared to the now in service H&K P8, the P1/P38 was the most unaccurate pistol we had. Some were evil enough to say that the most damage you can do with this pistol is if you will throw it against your enemies head! We really didn´t liked it much.
    I heard it was often called the "lightening pistol" since you could never hit the same spot twice with it.

    I found my pistol to be reasonably accurate at combat distances (7-15 yards). It doesn't group like my Glock or M9, but it seemed to get them into the kill zone with little effort. I agree, the double action is heavy and difficult to master. I've never been a fan of double action autos, I much prefer striker fired guns.

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    Thanks for the comments.

    Since I purchased this piece for a fun range toy, I have never worried about potential discharge upon putting the safety on. When I do engage the safety on a loaded chamber, I am pointing the pistol down range. Because of the rotten DA pull, I rarely do even that.

    My carry pistols are modern plastic framed ones.
    Ed reluctantly no longer in the Bitterroot

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    Correct, MilitaryArms! This funny thing combined with the veeery high valuable UZI won´t make a dangerous warrior out of you, more a poor guy that has enough to do to keep his toys under control!

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