Monday, August 29, 2011

Picked up a Walther P38/P1 today

Got a call this afternoon that the Walther P38/P1 was ready for pick up; that is, my background check was completed and the real me must not be on file. Anyway, it's even nicer than I remembered from quickly looking it over on Saturday. I thought there was more wear, but it looks fine. I'll try and figure out what year it was made using the serial number.
Disassembled - as far as I want to for now anyway - along with the two magazines, and cleaning kit that came with it. I'm not sure what that chain thingee is; it has a bore brush clipped to it. Yes, I will definitely spend some time cleaning it this weekend - or maybe tomorrow night.
Hope to test fire it at the range this weekend. BTW, I'm not a gun collector, but this is a nice historic piece. This is actually only the second gun I've ever owned. I once had a .380 over 20 years ago; it was for personal protection, but I got rid of it after a year or so. This pistol was acquired as sort of a fluke. My wife mentioned we should get something for home protection - so I was initially looking at shotguns (Mossberg 500 or 88), but just last week the local Cabela's said they had a "very limited stock" of P38/P1's going on sale this past Saturday - first come first served. I lucked out and got the very last one - missing a holster, but who cares. I have a Bianchi holster (the US military issue for Berettas) - fits good.

11 comments:

  1. Nice score. The chain is a pull through bore cleaner. Don't use it as it creates excess wear on the barrel, I recommend a modern nylon type with the brushes embedded in it, much better than a rod.

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  2. Thanks for the tip Matt. I wondered about that - it looked pretty rough to be run through the barrel. I will definitely be getting one of those rope cleaners. Best, Dean

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  3. That is an interesting pistol. Not shot one of those. I would also stay away from the chain.

    I currently own two, a Ruger .44 Mag revolver hand cannon, and a Tauraus 45 ACP, their version of the 1911 in modern form.

    I like the Tauraus as it has a deep spur and grip safety in addition to the normal safety. And the grip is not overly huge.

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  4. Nice pistol. Thought about getting a hand gun for home protection, but still thinking it over.

    Christopher

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  5. Thanks for the compliments, Gentlemen.

    PC: If this P38/P1 hadn't been on sale (& I luckily got one), I would've went for a revolver - probably a S&W .38 Special - with concealed hammer. Pretty fail safe operation.

    Christopher: Funny thing is, the wife is the one who brought up the subject - only about a week or so ago - and she's very cautious and safety-minded. And me, being somewhat OC disordered, sprang into action & voila - pistol! Best to all, Dean

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  6. Yea I've also been thinking about a hammerless .38.

    I don't feel very often that I need them for security. I just enjoy shooting. The 44 mag is really not something that you want to use for home protection. It's big, heavy, and shoots through most everything.

    I also have a longbow and shoot wood shaft arrows.

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  7. PC:

    And I'm sure an array of bladed weapons, correct? I have a few - a nice samurai one next to my bed and for display a fairly huge kopis - based on the one from the Alexander movie - a brass lion's head for a pommel - really to heavy and huge for actual use - unless you're WWF-sized - which I'm not. Best, Dean

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  8. Sadly the late Labour government, not to mention various pressure groups put paid to the legal ownership of handguns over here in Blighty. Did have the pleasure of shooting a pair of cap and ball Colts before this sorry turn of events though.

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  9. Nope...no swords....one day soon...do want to pick up some medieval iron.

    My father actually builds longbows. Been involved in archery since I was 5 years old.

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