Thoughts on the P1 pistol?

[Paul Torak]

Hello;
Looking for some guidance please. There's a gun show coming up here in Ohio at the end of March, and I would like to purchase a postwar German military P1/P38.
I've taken a look at the older postings here, gleaned some info, but need a little more current
help to push me over the edge
Would appreciate anyone's insight, and opinion on what to look for in one of these pistols.
Pricing help on just the pistol ?
And a complete rig setup, with pistol, holster, and extra mags would help greatly.

Thanks in advance
Dave

[geopop71]

Pee one

Paul:
I had two, bought them at the same time a few years ago when they first appeared. Gave one to my son and traded the other one in real quick.
They look like p38's but that is where the love end's. My son vever shoot's so he liked the p38 shape. If you can afford it buy a real p38. The one's I had seemed to have been painted and I removed the paint with some kind of solvent. Underneath was a fine blue. My biggest complaint was the aluminum frame, they scratch easily and can get deformed. This is one of many opinions you may receive, but I would never own another. I think the price at that time was only $260.00, that is what made me get them!
And by the way, one had to be gun smithed right off the bat! Slide would not stay open after the last shot, and another issue I don't remember! I think these were West German police weapon's just released to get better gun's.
The accuracy was awful, at least on the one's I had.
This is a poor man's p38 and I hand picked them from the stock
geopop

[crowback]

P-1

Here are some P-1 prices and post war prices from SIMPSONs on-line catalogue. I believe they are a little on the high side but this should give you a ballpark figure. Also check www.gunsamerica.com for more prices. Don't go to a gun show without "arming" yourself. Sunday is always the better deal day. Don't pay sticker. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=smallText></TD><TD class=smallText align=right>Result Pages: 1 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=productListing cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=productListing-heading align=middle></TD><TD class=productListing-heading align=middle>Product Name+ </TD><TD class=productListing-heading align=middle>Inventory
Number
</TD><TD class=productListing-heading align=middle>Price </TD></TR><TR class=productListing-odd><TD class=productListing-data align=left> </TD><TD class=productListing-data>MANUHRIN P1; 9 mm; very good bore, good grips, 5'' barrel, Matching, Import marked., s/n 2115xx </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=middle>D7891 </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=right>$295.00 </TD></TR><TR class=productListing-even><TD class=productListing-data align=left> </TD><TD class=productListing-data>MANURHIN P1; 9 mm; 95% blue, very good bore, very good grips, 5'' barrel, Matching, Rig with holster and extra magazine., s/n 2375xx </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=middle>D7914 </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=right>$295.00 </TD></TR><TR class=productListing-odd><TD class=productListing-data align=left> </TD><TD class=productListing-data>MANURHIN P1; 9 mm; 95% blue, very good bore, very good grips, 5'' barrel, Matching, Interarms import., s/n 2284xx </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=middle>D7896 </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=right>$295.00 </TD></TR><TR class=productListing-even><TD class=productListing-data align=left> </TD><TD class=productListing-data>P-38 SVN45; 9 mm; excellent bore, excellent grips, French production, s/n 31xxh </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=middle>D5643 </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=right>$795.00 </TD></TR><TR class=productListing-odd><TD class=productListing-data align=left> </TD><TD class=productListing-data>P38 SVW45; 9 mm; good bore, excellent grips, 5'' barrel, 99% phosphate finish, Jvd magazine, common mismatch frame and slide/barrel assembly, star stamped on right side of frame, French production, " Grey Ghost " steel grip, s/n 12xxk </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=middle>D7557 </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=right>$895.00 </TD></TR><TR class=productListing-even><TD class=productListing-data align=left> </TD><TD class=productListing-data>WALTHER P4; 9 mm; excellent bore, very good grips, 4 3/8'' barrel, matching, import marked, rig with holster and extra magazine, s/n 6017xx </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=middle>D7909 </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=right>$395.00 </TD></TR><TR class=productListing-odd><TD class=productListing-data align=left> </TD><TD class=productListing-data>WALTHER P4; 9 mm; excellent bore, good grips, 4 3/8'' barrel, Matching, import marked, Rig with holster and extra magazine, s/n 6035xx </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=middle>D7920 </TD><TD class=productListing-data align=right>$395.00 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=smallText>Displaying 1 to 7 (of 7 products)</TD><TD class=smallText align=right>Result Pages: 1 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[madandi]

Paul:
I had two, bought them at the same time a few years ago when they first appeared. Gave one to my son and traded the other one in real quick.
They look like p38's but that is where the love end's. My son vever shoot's so he liked the p38 shape. If you can afford it buy a real p38. The one's I had seemed to have been painted and I removed the paint with some kind of solvent. Underneath was a fine blue. My biggest complaint was the aluminum frame, they scratch easily and can get deformed. This is one of many opinions you may receive, but I would never own another. I think the price at that time was only $260.00, that is what made me get them!
And by the way, one had to be gun smithed right off the bat! Slide would not stay open after the last shot, and another issue I don't remember! I think these were West German police weapon's just released to get better gun's.
The accuracy was awful, at least on the one's I had.
This is a poor man's p38 and I hand picked them from the stock
geopop

Sorry, but i can´t understand this. I´m a german NCO and had many of P1 in my hand´s. All were ok and i can´t understand why your slide (Verschluß i hope) don´t stay open after the last shot. I never recognize such a behaviour on a P1. I like them as i do the P38 but of course i only collect P38.

[roughshooter]

Sorry, but i can´t understand this. I´m a german NCO and had many of P1 in my hand´s. All were ok and i can´t understand why your slide (Verschluß i hope) don´t stay open after the last shot. I never recognize such a behaviour on a P1. I like them as i do the P38 but of course i only collect P38.

I totally agree with the above post they must have shipped you yanks a pile of crap. The P38 is a superb gun, it jams occasionally but mine always stays open after the last round.124 grain is the best with this gun. It far more accurate than a glock !

Regards Craig.

[geopop71]

P1

I once had a vet bring back P38, I loved it, I guess that spoiled me! Sadly, we collectors some times trade and sell stuff to get more stuff, I know I do. Once you own a real P38, a P1 just isn't the same. Wish I had the P38 back, but then I wouldn't have the gun I traded IT for. And so it goes. Wish I were rich! geopop

[MikeW]

I have one from Gander MT, it was a nice example and nice shooter.

[Daniel H.]

...I've taken a look at the older postings here, gleaned some info, but need a little more current
help to push me over the edge
Would appreciate anyone's insight, and opinion on what to look for in one of these pistols...

I've had a P-1 for two years, $239 USD, and am really happy with it. No issues or concerns and very nice to shoot, too. Later P-1's had a hexagonal cross bolt in frame for strengthening...choose one with it. Below a mak9mm on left and P-1 on right:

[Paul Torak]

Gentleman, thank you all for your help, it's much appreciated. I know others will benefit from the
insight, and links here as well.
geopop71 that's pretty much what I was conscerned about, the alloy/aluminum frame. It was basically just rumor for me. I never encountered any one where they actually had a problem with the pistol. It was always a friend of a friend kind of thing.
Gets kind of worrysome when folks talk about receivers blowing back off the frames. My eyesights bad enough without that happening. So I figured I had better check with folks that really know what's going on.

Also, in a similar case geopop71 , I had a nice USMC Vet bring back AC 41 P38.
So I knew that they were very well made early on. That had to go unfortunately to help pay the rent on the store front I had about 10 years ago. I hated to get rid of it, but it went to a good home....
So now to find a good substitute.
Crowback thank you as well for the great links on the P1. I've been studying them as suggested, as well as a couple of sites I've found on the P38.
Ill add Daniel H's suggestion to check for the hexagonal cross bolt in frame if the P1 turns out to be the way to go.
By the way, I'm sure that the guys from Ohio already know this, the gun show I was referring to is in Berea, Ohio at the fairgrounds,March 21st-22nd.
Haven't been there in years so it should be interesting, and a great time.

Thanks again for all the help.

Dave