Walther P-38?

Agent006 · 04-11-2006, 01:15 AM

No, I didn't go and buy one this time but I thought I'd raise a subject here that's probably been covered elsewhere. After having a renewed interest in WW2 Nazi Germany, I've found myself wanting a vintage firearm from that era. Since my sister also is interested in this era in history, I thought I'd like to get something we could both enjoy. A 98K would simply be too poweful for her to handle and the MP40 is obviously out of the question. So how about the dark and graceful sidearms found in the hands Wehrmacht officers on the battlefield and in movies? Of course, the Luger P-08 and the Walther P-38. Either are well-recognized as Nazi sidearms, one probably being mistaken for the other ( Walther being called a Luger, more often than not. ) I dont see very many affoardable Luger's around, though I might be lucky and find one for a bit less than $800. I went about looking for a Commercial 1923 variet which had lower values "by the book" but of course, I didn't find any which such fair prices.

So, I'm leaning towards the Walther P-38. I'm rather sure however, that I want a WW2 vintage peice even if it's a refinished shooter. That would probably be a good mix of history and a shooter, though I know I probably woudln't actually shoot my old P-38 all that often anyway. So, it might be nice for once to invest in a collector's gun, but as I said I'm a much more forgiving "collector" than most. There seems to be alot of those P-1's going around with the matte-black finishes which I rather don't like as much. One would make a fine shooter but at the prices I'm seeing, I might would rather pay the extra and get a WW2 gun.

So here's my questions. What are the WW2 P-38's going for right now on average? Any good deals to look for? I'm pretty much looking for the lowest cost, yet still WW2 vintage P-38 and I've seen the various marking that seem to indicate different values, but that can surely get confusing and I'll have to stick to my research for awhile so if I do decide to buy, I can buy smart. In with this I do have some curiousities such as... are they reliable, accurate, etc? I would imagine they would be but I honestly haven't spoke with anyone that's owned one.

Anyways, any comments welcome here about the Luger or Walther. Just because I'm leaning towards the Walther doesn't mean I'm giving up on Luger's just yet. They just seem out of my price range... aside from those odd .22 Luger's I've seen here and there that run about $350? Fun plinker, huh?

Bookman · 04-11-2006, 09:42 PM

Do not buy a .22 Luger. They are junk. If someone out there has one that works I'd like to hear about it. It will be a first for me.

The P-38 has never impressed me. I've always found it a clumsy and ill-balanced handgun. The Browning-designed guns (with the slide over the barrel for more muzzle weight) are superior, IMO.

The P-08 has a strong following and prices are often outrageous. The P-38 is more affordable. I'd choose the Walther over the Luger for a shooting gun. Don't expect great accuracy from any 9mm, expecially a battlefield gun like the P-38.

Mooseman684 · 04-11-2006, 09:58 PM

I have an alloy framed P-38 and I love it ! Never jams, and Very accurate ! Very well balanced and light recoil for a 9mm Alloy gun ! It was a Battle tested gun and went thru rigorous testing before being adopted by the German Military for use . It feels good in my small hand Too.
Rich

rugermarksman · 04-12-2006, 08:35 PM

BEST PISTOL I'VE EVER OWNED!!!
Hands down.
1959, arsenally refinished in 1977.
i've put thousands of winchester FMJ's through it, and not a single jam.
The accuracy is good.
The condition is great, looks like new.
VALUE, $275 delivered. WORTH IT!!
P-1's are good, but i like the '38.
BUY ONE!!!!!!!!!

alraicer · 04-13-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookman

Do not buy a .22 Luger. They are junk. If someone out there has one that works I'd like to hear about it. It will be a first for me.
The P-38 has never impressed me. I've always found it a clumsy and ill-balanced handgun. The Browning-designed guns (with the slide over the barrel for more muzzle weight) are superior, IMO.
The P-08 has a strong following and prices are often outrageous. The P-38 is more affordable. I'd choose the Walther over the Luger for a shooting gun. Don't expect great accuracy from any 9mm, expecially a battlefield gun like the P-38.

I have one that works only with one of the two mags. The other mag jams every 3 rounds unless you decied just to ripe through the mag rapid fire style. It is however not accurate at all.

Agent006 · 04-16-2006, 10:11 PM

Well, the next gunshow in just a week from now so if I should come across a decent P38 I might consider it, though it's doubtful. I'm probably not going to have more than $600 to throw around this time and most of the military P38's seem to be just starting around that range. I doubt I'll want to blow all my money on one pistol when I'm wanting to get some other German collectables and such. Not to mention ammo...

The .22 Luger's sound like a dissappointment so I'll avoid those. Guess I'm sticking to 9mm's and my magnum, at least until I decide to get a good 1911A1.

04-11-2006, 01:15 AM	#1
Agent006 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Upstate Posts: 179 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 1	Walther P-38? No, I didn't go and buy one this time but I thought I'd raise a subject here that's probably been covered elsewhere. After having a renewed interest in WW2 Nazi Germany, I've found myself wanting a vintage firearm from that era. Since my sister also is interested in this era in history, I thought I'd like to get something we could both enjoy. A 98K would simply be too poweful for her to handle and the MP40 is obviously out of the question. So how about the dark and graceful sidearms found in the hands Wehrmacht officers on the battlefield and in movies? Of course, the Luger P-08 and the Walther P-38. Either are well-recognized as Nazi sidearms, one probably being mistaken for the other ( Walther being called a Luger, more often than not. ) I dont see very many affoardable Luger's around, though I might be lucky and find one for a bit less than $800. I went about looking for a Commercial 1923 variet which had lower values "by the book" but of course, I didn't find any which such fair prices. So, I'm leaning towards the Walther P-38. I'm rather sure however, that I want a WW2 vintage peice even if it's a refinished shooter. That would probably be a good mix of history and a shooter, though I know I probably woudln't actually shoot my old P-38 all that often anyway. So, it might be nice for once to invest in a collector's gun, but as I said I'm a much more forgiving "collector" than most. There seems to be alot of those P-1's going around with the matte-black finishes which I rather don't like as much. One would make a fine shooter but at the prices I'm seeing, I might would rather pay the extra and get a WW2 gun. So here's my questions. What are the WW2 P-38's going for right now on average? Any good deals to look for? I'm pretty much looking for the lowest cost, yet still WW2 vintage P-38 and I've seen the various marking that seem to indicate different values, but that can surely get confusing and I'll have to stick to my research for awhile so if I do decide to buy, I can buy smart. In with this I do have some curiousities such as... are they reliable, accurate, etc? I would imagine they would be but I honestly haven't spoke with anyone that's owned one. Anyways, any comments welcome here about the Luger or Walther. Just because I'm leaning towards the Walther doesn't mean I'm giving up on Luger's just yet. They just seem out of my price range... aside from those odd .22 Luger's I've seen here and there that run about $350? Fun plinker, huh?

04-11-2006, 09:58 PM	#3
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,575 Images: 2	I have an alloy framed P-38 and I love it ! Never jams, and Very accurate ! Very well balanced and light recoil for a 9mm Alloy gun ! It was a Battle tested gun and went thru rigorous testing before being adopted by the German Military for use . It feels good in my small hand Too. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-11-2006, 09:42 PM	#2
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 752	Do not buy a .22 Luger. They are junk. If someone out there has one that works I'd like to hear about it. It will be a first for me. The P-38 has never impressed me. I've always found it a clumsy and ill-balanced handgun. The Browning-designed guns (with the slide over the barrel for more muzzle weight) are superior, IMO. The P-08 has a strong following and prices are often outrageous. The P-38 is more affordable. I'd choose the Walther over the Luger for a shooting gun. Don't expect great accuracy from any 9mm, expecially a battlefield gun like the P-38.

04-12-2006, 08:35 PM	#4
rugermarksman Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southeastern CT Posts: 57	BEST PISTOL I'VE EVER OWNED!!! Hands down. 1959, arsenally refinished in 1977. i've put thousands of winchester FMJ's through it, and not a single jam. The accuracy is good. The condition is great, looks like new. VALUE, $275 delivered. WORTH IT!! P-1's are good, but i like the '38. BUY ONE!!!!!!!!!

04-16-2006, 10:11 PM	#6
Agent006 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Upstate Posts: 179 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 1	Well, the next gunshow in just a week from now so if I should come across a decent P38 I might consider it, though it's doubtful. I'm probably not going to have more than $600 to throw around this time and most of the military P38's seem to be just starting around that range. I doubt I'll want to blow all my money on one pistol when I'm wanting to get some other German collectables and such. Not to mention ammo... The .22 Luger's sound like a dissappointment so I'll avoid those. Guess I'm sticking to 9mm's and my magnum, at least until I decide to get a good 1911A1.