The P38 is easy to disassemble, and field-stripping is easily done without tools. Naturally, don't let the hammer fall while the gun is disassembled, and don't dry-fire it.
Disassembly
Refer back to page one of this article for the location of the takedown lever.
- Place the safety in the safe (down) position.
- Retract the slide far enough that its front edge is rearward of the takedown lever. You may lock the slide in its rearward position, but it's not neccessary - I just hold the slide back.
- Rotate the takedown lever about 135 degrees (3/8 of a full rotation) clockwise.
- Allow the barrel & slide to move forward. The hammer will slam forward if you let it. I prefer to let it down nice and easy.
Trigger Pull
The single action trigger on this pistol runs between 4.5 and 5 pounds, with a little creep. Not bad at all. Double action pull is very good and smooth.
Specs
Specifications for the P38 pistol, from a booklet printed in the early 1960s, include: overall length 8 7/16"; barrel length 4 15/16"; height of pistol 5 3/8"; weight 27.5 oz.; magazine capacity 8 rounds.
Conclusion
The Walther P38 is a fairly large DA/SA semi-automatic 9mm pistol, generally dependable and with a few quirks. It looks and feels good, and points well.
Accuracy is pretty good, and if you stick to medium-to-light loads, a P38 should last for many years. Dependability is good, but not great. It's suitable for informal target shooting, and is marginal for self-defense due to its 9mm cartridge. Its large size makes it a poor choice for concealed carry.
- Russ Chastain
