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Last Updated: Aug 28, 2009 - 10:45:21 AM |
Anyone who is into modern firearms is familiar with the Walther P-38 and the Walther PP. The PP, in 7.65mm, was the first successful double action semi-automatic pistol, debuting in 1929, while the P-38, in 9mm Parabellum, was the first double action military pistol. Certainly, there are better cartridges these days than .32 ACP or 9mm, and there are modern double action semi-automatics utilizing fewer parts, etc. Yet, getting shot with a .32 or a 9mm isn’t anything for which a rational person would volunteer. And, even though there are simpler designs, PPs and P-38s tend to work rather well and disassemble more easily than some more modern pistols.
Not too long ago, I was looking at an advertisement for Century International Arms and noted that they had available used (police turn-in) P-38s and PPs. I checked into this and obtained one of each for testing. I’ve gotta tell you! These are terrific guns for the money. The standard PP .32s (not the ones marked “100 Jahre”) and the P-38s are priced to dealers so they can have an out-the-door price around $425 to $450. The PPs each come with only one magazine, the P-38s with two. Bores on the samples I’ve been shooting were spotless. The guns were in perfectly fine mechanical shape. The only two features betraying the fact that these are used guns were honest holster wear and the price.
A brand new Walther PPK or PPK/S is designed to retail for about $150 more and I have no idea about P-38 prices, or if new ones are available. But, where else can you find a tried and proven military pistol with a spare magazine included for $450? Not too many places.
I’ve since put a pair of Crimson Trace Lasergrips on the PP and my son-in-law, Danny, polished the feed way for me. Nothing has been done to the P-38. These guns are made for ball ammo of course, so the polishing was a good thing to do if I wanted the Walther PP to handle .32 ACP hollow points, like the Silvertips I use in my Seecamp. For the P-38, I stuck with the old standby Federal 9BP, a hollow point that will feed reliably in almost any 9mm. It worked great in the P-38. Accuracy was typical for these guns – good.
If you are looking for a reliable handgun just to flesh out a hole in your defensive battery and can live with these calibers, it’s hard to imagine a better handgun bargain. The supply of these guns isn’t infinite. So, if you want one, get your dealer to contact Century International Arms while these classic pistols are still available. I’m glad that I did.
© Copyright 2008 by DOWN RANGE TV
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