General Facts
- TYPE
Pistol - ORIGIN
Germany - NICKNAMES
L102A1 (P5 Compact in UK service) - DESIGNED
Mid 1970's - DESIGNER
Carl Walther - PRODUCTION
1977 - 1990's - PRODUCERS Germany - Walther
- QUANTITY
About 120.000 built, including 10.000 compact models. Production complete. - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Multiple safeties
Limited size and weight
Small magazine capacity
Introduction
The P5 is a late Cold War era pistol of German origin. It was developed by Walther specifically for police use. For that reason the design was kept as compact as possible and multiple safeties were implemented. With the advent of polymer frame pistols the P5 is no longer considered lightweight and the 8 round magazine capacity is limited by today's standards.
Design
The design was derived from the World War 2 era Walther P38 pistol. The P5 is a blowback operated pistol with locked breech. In the P5 the slide covers the barrel resulting in a different look from the P38. Innovative features such as an alloy frame and firing pin safety were added. A single stack magazine is used. Cases are ejected to the left, which is rather uncommon.
Firepower
The P5 is a semi-automatic pistol that fires the 9x19mm round from an 8 round magazine. Despite its short barrel length accuracy is quoted as good. The design is also very reliable. The compact model has a similar characteristics as the standard full size model.
Users
The P5 was adopted by German and Dutch police forces and was sold in limited quantities to various other nations. Most P5 ended up in police use. In both Germany and the Netherlands it has been replaced by more modern designs.
P5
P5: The baseline model of the P5 is the full size model. It can be distinguished from the Compact model by the barrel that extends from the frame. It also has a longer slide and full size hammer and sights.
- Specifications:
- P5
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 8 round box |
| Operation | Blowback operated, locked breech |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 90 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 350 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 180 mm |
| Width | 32 mm |
| Height | 130 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.795 kg empty, 0.885 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and square notch rear, 141 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
P5 Compact
P5 Compact: The P5 Compact is a smaller and lighter version of the full size P5. Unlike the full size model the Compact model is often fitted with wooden grips. The lower profile sights and hammer make the compact model easier to draw as a concealed carry weapon.
- Specifications:
- P5 Compact
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 8 round box |
| Operation | Blowback operated, locked breech |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 79 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 350 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 171 mm |
| Width | 32 mm |
| Height | 129 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.750 kg empty, 0.822 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and square notch rear, 134 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
Media
P38
The P5 police pistol was derived from the proven design of the World War 2 era P38 pistol.
