Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the pistols category.
01 / Overview
Walther P38
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1938–1945
Quantity
1,000,000
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
PISTOLS · INTERWAR PERIOD
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the pistols category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General4MOD.4
- First Production Year1939
- Service Entry Year1939
- Weight (Empty)0.96 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge9×19mm Parabellum
- Calibre9 mm
- Case Length19 mm
- Calibre Class9 mm
- Bullet Weight8 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation8MOD.8
- Action TypeBreak Action
- Fire Modessemi-automatic
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity8
- Cyclic Rate of Fire116
- Trigger Typedouble-action/single-action
- Safety Typedecocker safety
◇Ballistics2MOD.2
- Muzzle Velocity320 m/s
- Effective Range (point)50 m
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
- Barrel Length125 mm
- Sight TypeRear notch and front blade post
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
▤Construction3MOD.3
- Overall Length216 mm
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood or polymer (post‑war)
⬢Features4MOD.4
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
- Variants2
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width34 mm
- Height140 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1938Production started
- 1939First deployment: World War II
- 1945Production ended
88
years in service
7
years in production
1,000,000
units produced
24
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
WALTHER P38 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN20% win
Total Conflicts
5
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
1975–1990Lebanese Civil War—→19581958 Lebanon crisis—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→1954–1962Algerian War—→1946–1954First Indochina War—→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / Operators
07 / MASS Score
PISTOLS RANKING Pistols · Interwar Period
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
ⓘ Rankings are within thePistolscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Firearm mechanism where the barrel and breech pivot open for loading/unloading, typically via a hinge at the frame.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources