I wanted to knwo if this is a decent shooter. I know it isn't a World war one... which is fine by me, but I'd love to own a cool handgun regardless and for 399 it's tough to pass up.
Is it the same size as teh ppk but with a longer barrel? (reason I ask is I have a huge hand and the ppk will prob pinch my hand.)


http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/walther_p38_set.jpg

Also has anyone ever ordered or heard about ordering from Impactguns?

thanks
Rinaldo

I wanted to knwo if this is a decent shooter. I know it isn't a World war one... which is fine by me, but I'd love to own a cool handgun regardless and for 399 it's tough to pass up.
Is it the same size as teh ppk but with a longer barrel? (reason I ask is I have a huge hand and the ppk will prob pinch my hand.)


http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/walther_p38_set.jpg

Also has anyone ever ordered or heard about ordering from Impactguns?

thanks
Rinaldo

Had a WWII model P-38, and ended up trading it off for a Model 57 Smith, as at the time we were not allowed to carry an autoloader, and money was tight. It was a good serviceable firearm, and quite accurate I don't think in the years I owned it it had more than 3 stoppages, and that was bad ammo.

Lee L.

The P38 is a full size service pistol. It's quite a bit bigger than a PPK and shouldnt pinch your hand. I never owned one but most owners say they are a good pistol.

Onwed on of the all steel WWII versions...good gun...owned on of the post-WWII guns (al. frame like the one pictured) that also shot well.

Has a few little quirks...it ejects to the LEFT, thry fit some hands "funny"...kind of a straight up and down grip that some find points low, occasional broken firing pins aren't unheard of, and both of mine were ammo sensitive.

Ammo sensitive: turns out all they wre asking for were rounds loaded towards the max. overall length...short length hollow points just gaged the gun...nearly anything loaded to the smae length as FMJ ammo fed slick. Even as a non-realoader, would be best to compare the length of the factory loads you are thinking of buying.

OH yeah...they've been used so many times by the "bad guy" in moves and have that Nazi connection, they get looks of suspision.

One of these is in my "toy box." Mine is a P-1, post WWII variant with an alloy frame. Other than a major stoppage due to a battered frame, mine, once repaired, shoots just fine. My father in law bought one at a recent gun show, and it's more accurate than mine. Good piece of iron. If I were you and if I decided that it was in good shape, I'd snag that puppy!
O.C.
Shoot well, Practice often, Laugh much!

My Dad has one that he picked up towards the end of WWII. It has the Nazi markings and all. It shoots very well, field stripping is very fast and simple. I look forward to getting it one day.

It is a full sized side arm, not at all petite.

I wouldn't hesitate getting one if you were happy with the price.

I have not had any dealings with Impact myself but have read a few posts from others who were happy with them. That being said, they tend to have some of the highest prices I've seen on the internet. Most anything they advertise can be found substantially cheaper elsewhere.

The weapon in your pic is a P1 Walther that can currently be found as low as $239.00. A number of wholesalers also have supplies of the original wartime P38's but they run $500.00+. The P1 is a post war pistol with an aluminum frame that was made for police and security use. It was never meant to be a high usage weapon and the frames do show wear faster than a steel framed version would particularly if stout loads are used extensively. For a casual plinker, light target, home defense, collectable, it is a real bargain. I bought one for my Father late last year and it appeared to be new and unfired. It points extremely well in my hand and seems to be fairly accurate. For less than $300.00 it would be a bargain in my book but at $400.00 I would pass on a more modern all steel pistol. For dealers with more reasonable prices check:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/
http://www.militarygunsupply.com/shop/
http://southernohiogun.com/
http://www.classicarms.us/
http://www.jgsales.com/

Those are some that I have personal experience with and can recommend.
fiream29

My WWII P-38 has an aluminum frame. I thought all of them did.

OldWolf,
That is very interesting. The aluminum frames are widely attributed to post war production and all the P38's I've come in contact with that were WWII dated are steel framed but Germany was doing some strange things with weapons towards the end of the war. What codes are on the side of the slide? This still wouldn't be too reliable as pistols that were assembled when production re-started used some left over parts.
I am not a total authority on Walthers by any means so my memory may be failing me or yours could be some kind of early experimental pistol that there isn't much info on. Unfortunately, it could also be fake. Nazi weapons started being faked almost as soon as the war ended. I'm not trying to insult you so don't take it wrong but there are tons of weapons, belts, buckles, slings, that have been remarked to increase their value. I've seen some very good ones. Since the P38 has long been a sought after pistol it's not out of the realm of possibility that someone remarked your pistol. If you do have a wartime aluminum framed original P38, I would think it would be fantastically valuable. I hope for your sake it is as you very well might be able to retire off it. Some of these pistols sell for staggering sums.
fiream29

fiream29,
No offense taken!

My Dad picked this pistol up from a pile of German weapons when he was leaving Belgium after the Battle of the Bulge. I doubt it is a counterfeit, but stranger things have happened.

As far as the frame being aluminum, now I am having my doubts. My Dad still has it in his closet at his house. Next time I get down there, I'll check it out. I seem to remember it being very lightweight but since you say it would be very rare, I'd bet I am wrong and it is steel.

Nevertheless, I will check on it next time I see him.