i added a p1 to the stable
sights: the white dot and bar sights on the p1 easily win over the black blade front and no color rear sights
weight: the p1 aluminum frame is ridiculous light compared ot the steel frame of the p38
finish:the p38 Russian capture does have more rust pits that were cleaned and re-blued over by the Russians but the steel still beats the aluminum for over-time appearance. the p1 paint walther used comes off the aluminum frame easily on the edges it appears but they didn't have cera-kote type paint yet
balance: the p1 feels top heavy due to its steel slide and barrel on top of the aluminum frame where as the heavy p38 feels balanced better and like you could pistol whip some one into a concussion with fractured skull easily
magazine release: both are heel release for many hard to get used to but it works to keep the magazine in
ammo of choice: the walther p-38 refused work proper with 115gr remington fmj and only liked the federal 115gr fmj, the newer improved walther p1 fed both the remington and the federal with great accuracy
trigger pull: the walther p1 has a smoother and slightly easier trigger pull for target practice, the p38 has a abrupt stop when the slack is stopped in da and too heavy a pull to be useful but in emergency. Th e single action is the same on both models
fit: both fit nice and tight like a Walther should, the p1 has a thicker slide to account for weaknesses with the earlier p1 model post war
the final question of would I carry either is...... the p1 would easily be my carry pistol if i was in the c&r mood that day but the p-38 would sit it out in the display of the other war relics/range toys. the p1 was as acurate if not more so then many new production 9mm handguns even though it went through 2 refurbs and then was packed and shipped to the united states before they got a third refurb done
sights: the white dot and bar sights on the p1 easily win over the black blade front and no color rear sights
weight: the p1 aluminum frame is ridiculous light compared ot the steel frame of the p38
finish:the p38 Russian capture does have more rust pits that were cleaned and re-blued over by the Russians but the steel still beats the aluminum for over-time appearance. the p1 paint walther used comes off the aluminum frame easily on the edges it appears but they didn't have cera-kote type paint yet
balance: the p1 feels top heavy due to its steel slide and barrel on top of the aluminum frame where as the heavy p38 feels balanced better and like you could pistol whip some one into a concussion with fractured skull easily
magazine release: both are heel release for many hard to get used to but it works to keep the magazine in
ammo of choice: the walther p-38 refused work proper with 115gr remington fmj and only liked the federal 115gr fmj, the newer improved walther p1 fed both the remington and the federal with great accuracy
trigger pull: the walther p1 has a smoother and slightly easier trigger pull for target practice, the p38 has a abrupt stop when the slack is stopped in da and too heavy a pull to be useful but in emergency. Th e single action is the same on both models
fit: both fit nice and tight like a Walther should, the p1 has a thicker slide to account for weaknesses with the earlier p1 model post war
the final question of would I carry either is...... the p1 would easily be my carry pistol if i was in the c&r mood that day but the p-38 would sit it out in the display of the other war relics/range toys. the p1 was as acurate if not more so then many new production 9mm handguns even though it went through 2 refurbs and then was packed and shipped to the united states before they got a third refurb done