P38 Walther

[Compnewbie01]

I am currently interested in a P38 Walther and was wondering if anyone had any information on it. Today, I came across one in excellent condition with all matching parts and even the issued holster for around $700. Now I have checked gunbrokers.com and prices vary from $280 up to $2000 for the same gun and holster. I want to know how they are priced since it seems the post-WWII ones were less expensive. If I were to get one, it would have to be WWII and in good to excellent condition (not unfired though). I just want to know if anyone has any experience with them and if they are worth the money depending on condition/era.

Also, I would like to know what experiences people have had with H&K USPs. I was looking at the .45 and wondered if there is another caliber that is better at the range. Pricing information on the difference between new and used would also be helpful.

I just decided to post this since there have been some other gun threads lately.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I haven't fired either gun. The H&K USP has always felt kind of large to me though just handling it.

Sorry I can't offer you much more info than that.

 

[Compnewbie01]

No one else has any information?

 

[Chode Messiah]

what are you interested in using it for???

 

[Compnewbie01]

It would be for collecting (at least the Walther) and the shooting range. Jeez, not everyone is going postal!!!

 

[Chode Messiah]

i dont know maybe it was for home defense, at which point id reccomend the USP with some glaser safety slugs. up close those things are insanely powerful. do you go hunting or anything or are you just a collector?

 

[Compnewbie01]

Just like WWII guns and the occasional shooting range trip. Both guns look good, but I just wanted some input. My biggest concern is how to get a good price on the Walther. The one I saw today was very nice it is just that I do not know if it was a ripoff price. The guy said that the holster alone is worth a couple hundred dollars because WWII leather holsters are rare. I also wanted to know if being WWII era made them a lot more valuable. Gunbroker.com has the gun and holster for $280 buy it now and it just seemed like I was missing something. They even seemed like they were in decent condition.

 

[Chode Messiah]

got any springfield M1903 A4's in your collection? those 30 ought 6's are pretty cool to shoot.
normally wwII stuff has a lot of value. those leather holsters are fairly hard to come by. id pick it up if i were you. what you really need is an SR-25 with a custom leupold scope, and handbuilt trigger system. i may own one.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I haven't fired either gun. The H&K USP has always felt kind of large to me though just handling it.

Sorry I can't offer you much more info than that.

Do yourself the favor of firing the gun. it is a bit larger, but its very very sweet

 

[Chode Messiah]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I haven't fired either gun. The H&K USP has always felt kind of large to me though just handling it.

Sorry I can't offer you much more info than that.

Do yourself the favor of firing the gun. it is a bit larger, but its very very sweet

i agree. its a solid weapon, and in the right hands produces some very tight groupings.

 

[Compnewbie01]

Just took a look at the SR-25 and have one thing to say. California. Yea, I don't think I can get one of those, heh.

 

[Chode Messiah]

lol its a sweet rifle. when i used it for huntiing, huge bucks go instant ragdoll.

 

[Compnewbie01]

So that thing actually holds a magazine of .308s?

Oh and does anyone have any more information on the P38 Walther?

 

[Nebor]

In general, I'd say Walthers are junk. Simply not a top tear firearm. I own around 50 firearms, but I'd never own a Walther.

The H&K USP is a fine weapon, although I prefer the USP compact.

 

[Compnewbie01]

What is wrong with Walther pistols? Are you talking about maybe the newer ones (which I am not interested in) or older WWII ones?

Also, what is the difference between the USP and USP Compact besides size? Does the Compact really have any benefit?

 

[AndrewR]

For the P-38, see if you can get the seller to give you the serial number (I'd ask for a picture). There's probably a database somewhere where you can look it up (Google it). It's an iconic WWII firearm so there are bound to be some fanatics out there.

I find the holster for $200 to be a bit of a stretch, though that's just coming from gut feeling. I was at a gun show several months ago, and there were WWII leather holsters for under $100, though not German ones (US).

P38's made after the war had a different name -- generally made for police use. I can't remember what it is though, and I'm too lazy to search.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Nebor
In general, I'd say Walthers are junk. Simply not a top tear firearm. I own around 50 firearms, but I'd never own a Walther.

The H&K USP is a fine weapon, although I prefer the USP compact.

My dad had a Walther PPK/S, and he loved it..he's in the market for another (he sold or traded his first one). He's a quality snob, too..

I've fired the H&K USP Compact 9mm and USP .40 - both are very smooth. Try one & see if you like it.

 

[Compnewbie01]

Well, I just found out that the USP Compact only holds eight rounds with the .45 model. The full sized holds twelve so I think I would like that better. I will try and fire one at my local shooting range if they have one.