W alther P38 is a 9mm self-loading pistol made in Germany. The warranty resource is 10,000 shots. Weapons were developed in Thuringia, in the city of Zella-Mehlis, at the K. W alter Waffenfabrik enterprise.
Origin story
In 1936, Fritz W alter, together with engineer Fritz Barthlemens, received a patent for a mechanism for locking the channel in the barrel. Its principle of operation was the presence of a latch rotating in a vertical plane. This development marked the beginning of the creation of a new generation of German military pistols under the brand name "W alter". The first implementation of the system was embodied in the fourth version of the developed weapon. However, the successful execution of the mechanism was far from immediate. It was preceded by four unsuccessful assembly options that used a hidden type trigger. After that, the 1929 PP model was further developed. It changed the design of the fuse and trigger mechanism. Now she has become with the open position of the trigger. In 1938, the German pistol "W alter" was adoptedarmed forces of Germany. Its use became widespread and over time almost completely replaced the Luger-Parabellum. "W alter P-38" became the most massive weapon of the German army. Its production, in addition to the territory of the Third Reich, was also established in Belgium and Czechoslovakia. In order to reduce the complexity of the manufacturing process during the war, and especially in its 2nd half, the production technology of the "W alter P-38" was simplified. The weapons of the war years had a rougher finish and design without a cartridge indicator. As a trophy pistol "W alter P-38" was also used in the Red Army, partisans and soldiers of some other countries from the anti-Hitler coalition.
History in the post-war period
After the end of the war, arms production in Germany was stopped for a long time. The pistol "W alter" (combat) was not made either. Production resumed on the territory of Germany only in 1957. Under the brand name "P-1" W alther was supplied to arm the Bundeswehr. Since 1957, two models have been produced: the pistol "W alter PPK" and "P-1". Both post-war samples have a lightweight (100 g) cast frame made of aluminum-scandium alloy. While the P-38 pistol was intended for the needs of the police, the "W alter P-1" was mainly made for arming the country. The thirty-eighth model was also produced in small quantities with a steel frame. However, it was used only for commercial purposes. AT1976 "W alter", a pistol of the "P-1" brand, was significantly improved. To increase the service life, as well as the ability to use cartridges with a more powerful charge, the following elements were added to its design:
- In the frame, in the area between the shutter delay and the shutter contactor, a transverse dowel was installed. This part allows you to take on the load from the barrel when fired. Thus, it became possible to extend the life of the lightweight frame.
- In the trunks began to use a plug-in pressed liner made of stellite. This material is highly wear resistant. Thanks to this, the service life of the barrels has increased even with intensive use of the pistol in military conditions. Also, the revision allowed the use of cartridges with a more powerful powder charge, such as 9 X 19 mm NATO.
Design features
The operation of automatic pistols of the "W alter" brand is due to the energy of recoil from the barrel during its short course. The latch, located between the tides in the trunk and performing vertical rotational movements, locks. To disengage it from the bolt, you must lower the back of the latch. It, in turn, is spring-loaded by a longitudinal rod, which is located in the tide in the breech near the barrel. The mechanism of action of the pistol "W alter P-38" can be described as follows: when the barrel is rolled back, the rod is stuck into the frame. As a result, the latchrotates to the disengaged position. After that, the two return springs are compressed. They are located on the guides in the rods of the gutters in the frame (upper part). Then, when the springs are released, the bolt repels the barrel, and the spring-loaded rod is installed in its previous position, thereby releasing the latch. That, in turn, under the influence of the bevel rises and engages with the shutter.
Overall design
Pistol "W alter P-38" has 58 parts. Among them:
- Trigger mechanism (USM) - has a double action, equipped with an open trigger. In the handle there is a twisted mainspring of a cylindrical type. Trigger pull with the trigger in the cocked position - 2.5 kg, and with self-cocking - 6.5. The trigger rod is installed outside on the right side of the frame.
- Checkbox - used for manual fuse control. Placed from the shutter to the left. When it is lowered, the cocked trigger is safely released. There is also a blockage of the drummer. The rotation limiter for the trigger is lowered, while it does not have the ability to return to its original position before the state of the platoon.
- Trigger.
Features of work
The design of the trigger element of the pistol "W alter P-38" creates certain inconveniences in its use, especially in military operations. This is due to the fact that the preloaded position of the hook is often associated with the on fuse. The operation of the mechanism has the followingdetails:
- The trigger element is set in the forward position when the fuse is turned off. This is done by turning the flag up.
- If the safety switch is turned off, the hook will remain in the same position it was in before the flag was lowered.
- When the trigger is cocked, the hook moves to the rear position.
- If there was no cocking or jittering of the shutter, then when the fuse is turned on, the trigger element will remain in the forward position.
- If the safety is in the on position, the shutter will not stop, it can be distorted. In this case, the trigger is released from the lock, and the trigger moves to the rear position.
- In order for the safety to be set even after it was turned off, with the trigger in the rear position, you need to cock the trigger. After that, turn on the fuse.
- If the trigger is manually released by holding and pulling the trigger, the hook will move forward.
- As soon as the fuse is turned off, you can fire a shot by self-cocking or after cocking. In the second case, the descent will be softer and shorter.
- The role of the uncoupler is performed by the trigger pull. After the shot is fired, the surface of the shutter is in contact with it. From this, the latter goes down and thereby performs disengagement from the sear. A single fire is possible if the trigger is lowered all the way. At the same time, he takes on the force from the pressed trigger.
- In order to prevent prematureshot at the moment of "non-receipt" of the shutter in the locked position, it is necessary to block the striker with the help of an automatic fuse. It is located above the trigger. To unlock the striker, move the bolt to the forward position using the lifting lever. It is located flush with the trigger.
Description
The magazine in the pistol "W alter P-38" holds no more than 8 rounds. Its latch is located on the back (end) side of the handle. The function of the magazine latch is performed by the mainspring. Above the trigger, in the butt plate of the bolt, there is a pointer. It can be used to determine the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. The pointer looks like a protruding edge of a thin rod. Dismantling the pistol "W alter" is quite simple. After all the cartridges have been used up and the magazine is empty, the bolt must be moved to the rear position. If the need arises, you can return it to its previous state by lowering the delay lever for the shutter. It is located flush with the trigger on the frame on the left. If there is no empty magazine in the pistol grip, then in order to remove the bolt, it must be slightly pulled back. Then it should be released. If the magazine is already inserted, this action will send the cartridge into the chamber and bring the "W alter" (pistol) to combat readiness.
Specific design of the pistol "W alter P-38"
- This firearm uses two small diameter recoil springs. They are locatedparallel to each other in the frame, under the shutter.
- The ejector is located on the left, so that the spent cartridges move to the left side.
- To turn on the fuse, turn the flag down.
- The trigger rod of the mechanism has an external location. It is on the frame on the right.
- A distinctive feature of the pistol "W alter P-38" is a short bolt with a large hole at the top. This design of the shutter was a mandatory requirement of the military. Thanks to him, it is possible to fire through the viewing slot located in the armored vehicles.
Varieties of the pistol "W alter P-38" and its modifications
- W alther AP - prototype 1936, HP - second prototype.
- Pistol R-38 ("W alter"). Years of issue: from 1939 to the spring of 1945. From the end of 1945 to 1946, a small number of pistols of this model were made from previously produced parts. And then, from 1957 to 2004, weapons were made in a certain amount on the territory of Germany.
- "W alter P-38. K" is a more modern version of a pistol with a barrel shortened to 72 mm. It was ordered in 1944 by the imperial security department to arm individual units of the SD, SS and Gestapo employees. Spree-Werke GmbH produced several thousand pistols of this model. The fly here is made flush with the shutter-casing and is part of it. But the rear sight retained the adjustment function. On pistols "P-38. K" stampW alther replaces cyq. After some time, this model was used to arm the Ministry of State Security in the GDR. In the period from 1974 to 1981, the W alter Waffenfabrik company produced approximately 1,500 more P-38. K pistols for the needs of German anti-terrorist special forces. Moreover, 200 of them used cartridges with a caliber of 7.65 "Parabellum".
W alther Umarex
"Umareks-W alter" - pneumatic pistol caliber 4.5 mm. The manufacturer is the German company Umarex. In fact, this model is a copy of the P-38 self-loading firearm, which was produced in 1938 and became one of the most massive weapons of World War II. The appearance of modern weapons exactly repeats their old prototype. The pneumatic pistol "W alter PPK S" ("Umareks") is made of metal alloy. It uses the Blowback system. It copies the actions of automatic firearms of the "W alter" brand. The air pistol is equipped with a single action trigger element. It allows you to make a preliminary platoon. Store "W alter P-38" ("Umareks") holds 20 balls. The shot has an initial speed of approximately 115-120 m / s. The dimensions of the pistol are 21 x 13 x 3 cm. The removable barrel is another characteristic feature that this weapon has.
Model "P-99T"
Pistol "W alter" traumatic is an improved version of this type of weapon. Is notconversion of military weapons W alther P-99. This model appeared almost at the same time as the traumatic pistol "W alter PP". In this regard, there was an opposition of weapons to each other. The comparative characteristics of these pistols are almost identical. Both models use equally weak and ineffective ammunition. The main differences are the appearance and the number of simultaneously charged cartridges. On the last point, the undisputed leader, thanks to a capacious magazine for 15 rounds, is "W alter" - a pistol of the "P-99T" brand.
However, this cannot be called a significant plus, because if one shot is not able to stop the enemy, then all 15 cannot be considered reliable protection in self-defense. The appearance of the traumatic pistol "W alter P-99T" is quite interesting and attractive. Actually, it is this side of him that is the most captivating, since in terms of its practical characteristics, this "W alter" (pistol) does not fully meet the requirements. For example, for such as ease of maintenance and ease of wearing. "W alter", a pistol of the P-99T brand, is of medium size. On the one hand, it cannot be called pocket, because it will not fit in any standard pocket. But it also cannot be attributed to large models. The weight of the traumatic pistol, due to the small amount of steel alloy, is 600 g, which is 1.5 times more than the weightP-22T models. The advantage of the pistol "W alter P-99T" is durability. This is due to the use of aluminum alloy in the manufacture of weapons, as well as the lack of holes in the casing-bolt. However, the trigger of the pistol is also made of an alloy, as a result of which it is especially sensitive to various kinds of dirt and cleaning, which, in turn, caused a short life of the trigger element.
P-88, P-99
Pistol "W alter" (gas) - analogue of the military model. Deciding to purchase such a weapon, it is important to follow some rules. First of all, before opening a package with gas cartridges, its outer sides must be checked for the presence of a white or yellowish powder. If it is found, it is not recommended to open the box, since the presence of plaque indicates leakage of the cartridges. In addition, when buying them, you need to check the manufacturer's designation on the label and on the bottom of the sleeve, and also check the content of the information on the package for accuracy.
