Walther P 38
Encyclopedia : W : WA : WAL : Walther P 38
 P.38 code AC44. A WW2 Nazi Germany P.38 made in 1944 by Walther. | |
| Walther P 38 | |
|---|---|
| Type | semi-automatic pistol |
| Nation(s) of origin | Germany |
| Era | World War II |
| History | |
| Date of design | 1935 |
| Production period | 1938-1945, 1958 |
| Service duration | 1938-1945 |
| Operators | Nazi Germany West Germany |
| War service | WW2 |
| Variants | |
| Number built | About 960,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Type | Pistol |
| Caliber | 9 mm Parabellum |
| Ammunition | 9 mm Parabellum (8 Round Magazine) |
| Feed system | 8 round detachable magazine |
| Firearm action>Action | double action |
| Length | 216 mm |
| Gun barrel>Barrel length | 125 mm |
| Weight | 0.8 kg (unloaded) |
| Rate of fire | one shot per trigger pull |
| Muzzle velocity | 350m/s (1,150ft/s) |
| Effective range | ~50m |
The Walther P 38 was a 9 mm pistol that was issued to NCOs and officers of the Wehrmacht near the end of World War II. It replaced the costly Luger P08. The P 38 was introduced in 1938, and was produced until nearly the end of the War. Production of the pistol continued in West Germany under the name "Pistol 1" in 1958 for Western German Police and the Bundeswehr. The P 38 was the first locked-breech pistol to use a double-action trigger. This allowed the shooter to carry the weapon loaded with the hammer down and then pull the trigger to fire the first shot, a feature found in many modern day handguns.
There were three major manufacturers of the P 38 pistol: Walther (code ac), Mauser (code byf) and Spreewerk (code cyq). There are several variations to the codes, but the manufacturers remained the same.
See also
External links
- [Walther Handgun Owners Group]
- [Modern Firearms & Ammunition]
- [Walther P1 in Parts, only little changes to P38]
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