P1's now C&R
 

Yeah, I noticed that, along with the price bump to match. For some reason my wallet isn't leaping out of my pocket on this at $319.95...

H

Are there many pistols cheaper than this? Ben should include gun price into CPI and print more notes to prevent deflation -:)

What's the status of your wallet then? Are ye buying?

I'd buy one at $200, maybe at $250. It is an obsolete design, and I once bought a couple of those Sig 225/P6s for less money.

Just my view on things.

H

The P1, while similar to the P-38, has some significant differences.

The frame is a lightweight alloy. The German Bundeswehr discovered that the +P powered NATO 9mm Luger ammunition eventually tore up the frames, and Walther changed the design to include a hex shaped steel pin just above and forward of the trigger. Earlier P-1s were often arsenal re-fitted with the pin, and sometimes bear those rework marks. There are some without the reinforcement.

Also, the barrels on these are a lined steel.

These are, without doubt, import marked.

That said, they are mechanically faithful to the P-38.

I wonder if they got an ATF letter on these, if they are going to be included in the next C&R update, or if these are from 1960 or earlier...


Marc

Just a note. The barrels on all four of my P-1's are NOT constructed of lined lightweight alloy, but are of all steel. I have inspected several dozen other P-1's and all were equiped with steel barrels. The barrels seem to be of two piece design, but that doesn't cause any problems that I've found, as all of the P-1's I've fired have shown quite good accuracy. My best P-1 will put 5 rounds into under 1.5" at 25 yards, and my worst P-1 gives 2.5" groups at the same range.

P-1's are really great guns. Very well made and high quality, which you would expect from Walther. Fairly light weight for a full size 9 shot 9mm. All of the ones I've fired have functioned perfectly, including with hollow point hand loads and Federal's excellent 9BP 115 grain hollowpoint ammo. The sights are quite good with a white dot front sight and white bar rear, though some of the earlier P-1's have straight black sights. Extra Walther manufactured magazines are available fairly cheaply for around $13 each in excellent used condition from Cheaper Than Dirt. Spare parts are readily available and fairly cheap too from CDNN and others. If you can get one of the later versions with the hex frame reinforcing pin and the heavier slide, even better, but I haven't noticed any unusual wear on my earlier P-1 without these enhancements, and haven't had any problems. I'd say even the earlier P-1's are at least as durable as the S&W Model 39 series guns.

Prices have gone up lately as the most I paid for any of mine was $279 new, un-issued from FGS, and the others were all purchased for under $200 a few years ago.

The P-1 has (at least for me) very comfortable ergonomic grips and points very naturally. My kids love shooting my P-1's, which is the reason I have so many (or so I tell myself...). I like them well enough to use a couple of them as "house guns".

All in all it is hard to find any other high quality combat pistol for under $300 these days...

John,

I agree completely (and corrected my description of the barrel). I have one of these, and it's a great pistol.

You got a deal at FGS. I paid more there for the one I have.

I did ask AIM for a reinforced frame... We'll see what shows up!

Marc

Marc,

Pleae let us know what you get and the condition of the P-1 from AIM. I keep telling myself that I don't need another P-1, but they are a great gun and now they're C&R's... If they are in really good shape, it's tempting.......

Hi, I received my P-1 today.

Apart from a minor handling rub on the barrel exterior and the import marking (which is on the bottom of the barrel) the P-1 I received is brand new. It does have the hex reinforcement rod in the frame, and doesn't have re-arsenal markings. It was imported by I. O. Inc, Monroe, NC and has a 3 line import mark.

There are no wear marks. Only handling marks. The barrel was clean. Remarkable.

It came with two Walther magazines marked "P-38" and dated 10/62 and one of the nylon Bundeswehr holsters.

I would gladly trade the nylon holster for a leather one, particularly one of the harder leather holsters.

I cleaned it and ran some dummy rounds through the action, which is nice and tight. Will get it to the range soon.

My P-1 was made in 10/75, so there must have been some kind of ATF ruling (perhaps to recognize it's the same firearm as the P-38, which is on the list)... I'd like to see the documentation.

I'll post some pictures shortly.

This is the second good condition pistol I've receive from AIM. I'm glad I've done business with them.

Marc

Here's one I got a few years ago! :D
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/P38Post1.jpg
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/P38Post2.jpg
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/P38Post3.jpg

Walther P-1
 

I bought mine couple years ago from a company up in Kentucky...(cant remember the name)...But I called the company...asked the guy on the phone about "hand-select"..and he said....."yeah...let me connect you with shirley in the warehouse...she does that"...anyway...the girl came on the line..and I told her I wanted one with the Walther name on side...with Ulm...didnt want one with just P-1..and I made a comment that I was in Germany from 1961-1963....and she asked if I wanted one from one of those years.....I thought she was kidding....but when it came in...had the full Walther name on side....ULM..etc...and dated 4/62....later at a gun show...guy had a stack of the Walther magazines...and after approximately half an hour...found two dated...4/62.....so dont know how much that would increase the value....but they are "matching mags" of a sort.....Im still a bit hesitant about the alloy frame..??....what do you guys think.?............also what about value now that the mags have same date as pistol.....mean anything..???.....Thanks..Hans:):)

Ted,

What is the original barrel and receiver finish? It's matte black...

Did you just buff or completely refinish yours? It shines to match the frame!!!

As always, and amazing job...


- - - -

Hans, That's a nice assembly of a P-1 and mags from a timeframe that really means something to you. The p38forum.com people might be able to comment on value impact. I know that they mainly focus on the steel frame P-38s. The discussions might be akin to the WW-I/WW-II versus post war Lugers on this board...

Marc

I just stripped the old gray finish off the barrel and slide, did a High polish salt blue and left the frame alone. Here is the gun with the original finish stripped off to bare metal then the final result again. They kinda remind me of a "ZERO" with the walther banner, high polish black finish, and black checkered grips, almost a Black Widow P.38

http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/P38Post6.jpg
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/P38Post7.jpg
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/P38Post8.jpg

Pictures of Aim P-1
 

Hi, I've attached a couple of pictures of the P-1 that arrived from AIM this week.

Marc