I like the P-38, it’s an excellent pistol. Cor-Bon makes an expanding FMJ that will work in any pistol that can feed FMJ’s, t hat would be a good defense choice. You will find that there are some JHP bullet shapes that the P-38 can feed with absolute reliability, but you need to find something with a very round nose. But you must consider that the P-38 or P-1 was designed before the inception of modern NATO spec, or +P ammunition, so you need to steer away from NATO or +P ammo if you want your P-38 to have a long happy life. The P-38 is a very reliable pistol when fed FMJ ammunition.
![walther p1 for sale nevada walther p1 for sale nevada](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2BJ6M8M/a-9mm-handgun-2BJ6M8M.jpg)
The locking system of the P-38 is the same as you would find on the current US service pistol, the Beretta M9 or 92F. Windage adjustment is done on the front sight which is a bit backwards from American thinking. The rear sight is fixed with no adjustment. Sights are excellent with a very crisp sight picture. The ergonomics aren’t quite as good as the P-08 (Luger), but the P-38 still feels good in the hand and points well.
![walther p1 for sale nevada walther p1 for sale nevada](https://cdn3.volusion.com/jodua.csmpx/v/vspfiles/photos/SGP38-3.jpg)
Not only was it a more simple pistol, it was vastly superior in most every category save perhaps accuracy even though the P-38 had very good accuracy. The P-38 was designed just before hostilities commenced as a far less expensive alternative to the P-08. If it’s a post war P-1, it’s an alloy frame police gun same gun just an aluminum frame. If it’s a real P-38 then the price is excellent and you should probably snap it up.