Walther GSP
Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen · Pistol · In Production · 1968
Also known as: Gebrauchs-Sportpistole, Walther Sport Pistol, GSP Match, GSP Expert
Overview
The Walther GSP (Gebrauchs-Sport-Pistole, 'Service Sport Pistol') is a precision target pistol introduced by Carl Walther in 1968 and still in production over five decades later as the GSP500. Designed for ISSF 25m Standard Pistol and 25m Centre-Fire Pistol disciplines, the GSP uses a fixed-barrel blowback action with an unlocked breech, a finely adjustable two-stage trigger, and an anatomical wraparound target grip available in left- and right-hand configurations. The pistol's hallmark is its quick-change caliber kit: starting in .22 LR (GSP), Walther introduced a .32 S&W Long Wadcutter conversion (GSP-C) in late 1971, and shooters can swap calibers in seconds without tools. Multiple commemorative and refined variants - GSP MV (1976), GSP 25 Jahre (1992), GSP Atlanta (1996), GSP Expert with vibration-damping aluminum barrel sleeve, and the modern GSP500 (premiered IWA 2022) - have kept the platform competitive across an unbroken 50+ year production run.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1200 g (42.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 437 mm (17.20") |
| Barrel Length | 115 mm (4.53") |
| Height | 145 mm (5.71") |
| Width | 50 mm (1.97") |
| Sight Radius | 220 mm (8.66") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 9.8 N (2.2 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 340 m/s (1115 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 150 J (111 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .22 Long Rifle · primary — also known as .22 LR, 5.6x15mmR
- .32 S&W Long — also known as .32 Colt New Police, 7.65x23mmR, .32 Long
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Barrel, Adjustable Two Stage Trigger, Anatomical Target Grip, Convertible Caliber Kit, Vibration Dampening Aluminum Sleeve, Adjustable Barrel Weights, Match Grade Barrel, Left Or Right Hand Grips, Removable Grip
Variants
- Walther GSP-C (.32 S&W Long) — Centerfire Caliber
- Walther GSP MV — Matte Nickel Finish
- Walther GSP Expert — Vibration Damping Sleeve
- Walther GSP Atlanta — 1996 Olympic Commemorative
- Walther GSP500 — Modern 2022 Redesign
- Walther GSP 25 Jahre — Anniversary Limited Edition
Service history
Operators
- International ISSF competitors · adopted 1968
- Olympic shooting teams (multiple nations) · adopted 1968
- German Sport Shooting Federation (DSB) · adopted 1968
Production
Production years: 1968-present
Walther does not publicly disclose total GSP production numbers. Estimated tens of thousands across 50+ years and multiple variants. The platform continues as the GSP500 (2022+).
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Carl Walther GmbH target pistol design team
Notes
The GSP is one of the longest-running competition target pistol designs in history, remaining a podium-relevant Olympic pistol from 1968 through the present day - an extraordinary lifespan for a competition firearm. Two-stage triggers are adjustable from approximately 1,000g to 1,360g (about 2.2-3 lb). Magazine capacity is 6 rounds in .22 LR or 5 rounds in .32 S&W Long Wadcutter. The GSP500, premiered at IWA 2022, modernizes the platform with updated ergonomics while preserving the core blowback-fixed-barrel design.
Background
The GSP became so dominant a fixture of Olympic 25m pistol disciplines that international referees joked the GSP grip module had logged more Olympic medals than most countries had ever competed for - a half-century-long quiet reign that finally pushed Walther to launch a fully redesigned successor (the GSP500) in 2022 mainly because the original tooling was wearing out.