Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen · Pistol · Discontinued · 1938
| Weight (empty) | 840 g (29.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Barrel Length | 125 mm (4.92") |
| Height | 136 mm (5.35") |
| Width | 36 mm (1.42") |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Muzzle Velocity | 350 m/s (1148 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 456 J (336 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Frame Material | Steel |
Primary Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
The Walther P38 is a 9x19mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistol developed by Carl Walther GmbH as the replacement for the costly and complex Luger P08 as the standard service pistol of the German Wehrmacht. Adopted in 1938 and entering mass production in 1940, it was the first locked-breech pistol to feature a double-action/single-action trigger mechanism, a pivoting locking block short-recoil operating system, an external hammer decocking lever, and a loaded chamber indicator -- innovations that f...
Country of Origin: Germany
Designer: Fritz Walther