Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Years ago, I would pick up a Walther PP offered for sale and if it was chambered in 32 ACP, I would put it back down and look at other guns. That foolishness was driven by my ignorance, in those days I was only interested in 380 Auto in those types of pistols. Back in those days the Walther’s chambered in 32 ACP were almost always less expensive than similar models in 380, which only added to my foolishness. The 32 ACP pistols were a bargain in those days; and I missed it.
Fast forward a few decades and I became ever so slightly wiser. (Considering my starting point, that was about the only direction I could go ). I started seeking Walther PP models chambered in 32 ACP but they were no longer the bargains they once were. Hindsight being nearly perfect, I recalled all the nice, inexpensive Walther’s I walked away from. I chalked that up to a life lesson and went on. Eventually I picked up one the Beretta Model 81 pistols that came into the country. It wasn’t a Walther PP in 32 ACP, but it was a nice 32 ACP pistol and a good value.
Then, almost by accident, I ran across a nice Manurhin made PP. It wasn’t a great deal, but it wasn’t a bad deal either. It was available locally, had a box and spare magazine and looked to be in excellent condition. I decided that opportunity probably wouldn’t come around again, and I purchased it.
The Beretta model 81 has a nicer DA trigger, it holds 4 more rounds and has a better grip. The Walther is thinner and has a hammer dropping safety. The unloaded weights of the two pistols are within about 9.5 grams of each other. This is likely due to the aluminum frame on the Beretta. The barrel lengths and sight radius are nearly identical.
For me, a pistol chambered in 32 ACP is a want, not a need. So, in my universe, those pistols are in the expensive toy category and not the self-defense tool category. It’s interesting that if one were seeking a carry pistol and deciding between these two pistols, they share a lot. The Beretta holds more rounds but is fatter. The Walther gives up a little capacity but is thinner. However, in weight, barrel length, height, trigger system (DA/SA) and sight radius – the forms are similar. The Beretta 81 was introduced 47 years after the Walther PP was first produced but the basic form remained. Maybe Walther got something right back in 1929?
Fast forward a few decades and I became ever so slightly wiser. (Considering my starting point, that was about the only direction I could go ). I started seeking Walther PP models chambered in 32 ACP but they were no longer the bargains they once were. Hindsight being nearly perfect, I recalled all the nice, inexpensive Walther’s I walked away from. I chalked that up to a life lesson and went on. Eventually I picked up one the Beretta Model 81 pistols that came into the country. It wasn’t a Walther PP in 32 ACP, but it was a nice 32 ACP pistol and a good value.
Then, almost by accident, I ran across a nice Manurhin made PP. It wasn’t a great deal, but it wasn’t a bad deal either. It was available locally, had a box and spare magazine and looked to be in excellent condition. I decided that opportunity probably wouldn’t come around again, and I purchased it.
The Beretta model 81 has a nicer DA trigger, it holds 4 more rounds and has a better grip. The Walther is thinner and has a hammer dropping safety. The unloaded weights of the two pistols are within about 9.5 grams of each other. This is likely due to the aluminum frame on the Beretta. The barrel lengths and sight radius are nearly identical.
For me, a pistol chambered in 32 ACP is a want, not a need. So, in my universe, those pistols are in the expensive toy category and not the self-defense tool category. It’s interesting that if one were seeking a carry pistol and deciding between these two pistols, they share a lot. The Beretta holds more rounds but is fatter. The Walther gives up a little capacity but is thinner. However, in weight, barrel length, height, trigger system (DA/SA) and sight radius – the forms are similar. The Beretta 81 was introduced 47 years after the Walther PP was first produced but the basic form remained. Maybe Walther got something right back in 1929?
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