[ScottG]

So I'm thinking of adding a standard 9mm to go with my Mak. I found this guy who's selling surplus P38s and P1s for what appears to be a very good price. What are the pros and cons of each? Are there any major known problems with the P38? I think I'd prefer the P38 to the P1 but I'm waiting to find out if the P38 is alloy construction too.

 

[Dillinger]

Scott - My grandfather left me one when he passed on. One he brought home from the war ( WWII ). It still has the Nazi insignia on the frame. I think it's a P-38, but I can't say for sure. I will pull it out and inspect it this weekend, post some intel on it for you.

One thing I know for sure is that the mag release is on the bottom of the pistol grip, like the Ruger's. I always considered that a drawback personally, but I don't know how anyone else felt about it.

I remember that the mags were steel, and the spring, even after all those years, was strong as, well - it was really strong.

I remember the slide to frame fit was pretty good actually, not much rattle at all.

Now I got myself wondering. Let me see if I can't dig that out this weekend take a couple pictures for you...

JD

 

[ARnoob]

I have a P1 that was made in the 80's. I bought it for $299 a year or so ago. It came with a holster and 2 mags. It's great and really fun to shoot. 9mm ammo isn't too expensive either.

 

[ScottG]

There's a gun show this weekend that I'll go to tomorrow. I haven't really noticed any P38s or P1s lately, but I haven't been looking either. The shop selling them hasn't responded to my request about info yet.

I guess I'm to assume that all the postwar P38s are alloy framed. That's what my cursory research shows anyway.

Yes AR, the price of 9mm luger is definitely cheaper than 9mm Mak. That's why I'm looking into getting a regular 9mm.

Can't wait to see the pictures JD....

 

[Dillinger]

As Promised

Here you go Scott - Here's a couple of pictures of the P-38 my grandfather brought home from WWII. This was taken off a german officer, though I don't know much about the story behind it. It has the German markings on the frame and has a small swastika symbol with the numbers 359 on it in a couple of places. The image is very small and I couldn't get a good picture of it, but it's exactly like this with the numbers right below it.

Nazi Emblem

The weapon is very heavy for it's size. The frame and the slide are very thick, much thicker than production style weapons today. The weapon is S/A & D/A, plus the thumb safety acts as a decocker like on the modern M9/Beretta 92 & 96 models.




The shell ejector is seriously hardcore. Even though it doesn't need to pull heavy brass, or underpowered rounds, this ejector is definitely beefy. All in all, this is a well built piece of gear that will run for you when you need it.





Hope you like the pictures -

JD

 

[Zappa]

I had a P-38 back in the mid 80's when a load of alloy frame German Police trade-in guns hit the market. I forgot how much I paid, but it was within my limited budget at the time so I bought it. It came with two mags and a nifty leather flap holster that held the extra mag. I liked the way it looked and how it felt in the hand, but the trigger pull left much to be desired. Functionally it was pretty reliable, but it had a few quirks. The stamped tin slide cover would fly off from time to time, and the loaded chamber indicator got stuck a few times and prevented the slide from going fully into battery. Accuracy was so-so, but good enough for plinking. I did like the way it comes apart and it's easy to see the similarities to a modern Beretta. However, after several thousand rounds, I somehow I managed to crack the slide..........?
I got rid of it soon after that.

 

[M14sRock]

I have a byf 1943 P38 in excellent condition. I have only fired it once. It shocked me with it's accuracy. I have owned a few over the years that left much to be desired in the accuracy dept., but this one delivers.

The bottom mag release harkens back to a day when a pistol was mostly a sign of rank. Not a true combat arms. And they are ambidextrous, and are impossible to accidently "press", thereby allowing a mag to fall out. Oops.

It is an excellent design that morphed into the P1, P4, beautiful P5, and the P88. Buy the one that has the steel frame, if it is an option. The P1 is alloy.

 

[harleysilo]

I have one same story grandpa got it off a dead officer. 1943 Mauser. Make sure you get one with matching serial numbers, on the frame, slide and barrel. Mags were numbered too and there is a mag serial number/gun number registery. If you are serious go to p38forums.com.

There are those that will crack on you ( slide), so most
Don't shot the matched serial numbers often. Mine is not matched so I don't care. I'd say expect to pay $350 min. And top end as much as you want

 

[ScottG]

Thanks for the new info, but it seems I'm out of the pistol market for a while. And the seller never did respond to my request for info....

I'll just keep buying ammo for the Mak.

 

[741512th]

My father had a wartime P38 that was in beautiful condition, but I was too stupid to take possession of it before he died.

I also own a P1 (looks like it was made in the '60s). Nice condition, shoots nicely, easy to maintain. Very light when compared to other 9mm because of the aluminum frame.

 

[kdog]

If I remember correctly, the P38 was the normal Pistol of the german military in WW II. Higher decorated officers had the Luger P08.

Later the P1 was produced for the german Bundeswehr (Military) and is still, I think in use. Also some of the german police used the P1 next to the Walther PP and PPK.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P38_Pistol

I am not sure what the Bundeswehr uses now as sidearm, but could be still the P1 or a HK P30, that is now beeing brought in as replacement for the Sig Sauer P220, the HK P7 M13, etc. used by some of the german police.

Ken

 

[stetson]

The p-38 was ahead of it time in design.I think it was made from 1938-1945
by Germany.The marks are quality inspectors and the letters with numbers identify the plants and year pistol was made.Before you say these pistols weren't uses in combat please know your facts or state your not sure because many of these pistols found there way to America as war trophies as you could do that back then.Mine came back with 3 Greek brothers who fought in the resistance and got in a battle with more than one officer and they did use their pistols!
The P-1 started manufacturer in 1946 by the French and the frames were aluminum so they were not as strong as the originals. If you want to find out more about P-38 pistols just go to the p-38 forum and you will find some of the most knowledgeable experts on this pistol.Happy Hunting

 

[1928A1]

I have a 1970's alloy framed P38,although the pre war prototypes were alloy framed the german military specified steel and I think they were right, my gun hasn't got good balance unless the mag's nearly full and never comes near to the accuracy of a Smith.

The post war german police had a saying of their P1's;
"eight warning shots and one aimed throw"

Save up until you can afford a wartime version is my advice, that's what I'm doing!

 

[patret]

I really don`t like the P 38 because it has two small recoil springs compared to other pistols having one large recoil spring. Shotgun News has a P38 in excellent condition for $350 and I believe it has a steel frame.

patert

 

[jpattersonnh]

The P38 is a Nazi era Steel frame, The P1 is a post war alloy frame W. German police pistol. I picked up a P1 when they 1st showed up a few years ago for $169.00 w/ 2 mags and bought 2 more mags at $5.95 each. I find it a very accurate handgun. It does not compare to the P6 as far as accuracy though. Finding a wartime P38 that is in good condition for under $450.00 is a steal.
Yep, another old resurected thread.

 

[ScottG]

That's ok, but I'm still not in the market for any new firearms.....

 

[Phelenwolf]

I just picked this up for about $400, I have always wanted one so I purchased myself a early Christmas present,

I was a real good boy this year.

 

[HOSSFLY]

I just picked this up for about $400, I have always wanted one so I purchased myself a early Christmas present,

I was a real good boy this year.

They have another? I really been wanting one-

 

[Phelenwolf]

They have them for sale at Welcome to Royal Tiger Imports, Ltd.- AK47 Rifles,ak-47 parts,Ak Accessories, Pistols, Handguns, Ammunition, ect. the price is $350 for very good $400 excellent to unissued. Just got the email last week.

 

[HOSSFLY]

They have them for sale at Welcome to Royal Tiger Imports, Ltd.- AK47 Rifles,ak-47 parts,Ak Accessories, Pistols, Handguns, Ammunition, ect. the price is $350 for very good $400 excellent to unissued. Just got the email last week.

THANK YOU