Walther P38

The Walther P38 (originally written Walther P.38) is a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol that was developed by Carl Walther GmbH as the service pistol of the Wehrmacht at the beginning of World War II. It was intended to replace the comparatively complex and expensive to produce Luger P08. Moving the production lines to the more easily mass producible P38 once World War II started took longer than expected, leading to the P08 remaining in production until September 1942 and copies remained in service until the end of the war.

Walther P38
Spreewerk manufactured Walther P38
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In service1939–1945 (Nazi Germany)
1949–present (other countries)
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
Designed1938
ManufacturerCarl Walther Waffenfabrik, Mauser Werke, Spreewerk
Unit cost30  (1943)
equivalent to €120 in 2021
ProducedWalther P38 1939–1945
Pistole P1 1957–2000
No. builtc. 1,000,000
VariantsHP, P1, P38K, P38 SD, P4
Specifications
Mass960 g (34 oz) (empty)
Length216 mm (8.5 in)
Barrel length125 mm (4.9 in)

Cartridge9×19mm Parabellum
Caliber0.355 inches (9.0 mm)
ActionShort recoil, hinged locking piece assisted breechblock
Rate of fire116 rpm (semi-automatic)
Muzzle velocity1,050 ft/s (320 m/s)
Effective firing rangeSights set for 50 metres (55 yd)
Feed system8-round magazine
SightsRear notch and front blade post
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