Walther P5

• Name — Walther P5 • Origin — West Germany • Type — Semi-automatic pistol • Is Ranged — yes • Used By — German Federal Police, Dutch police • Designer — Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen • Design Date — 1970s • Manufacturer — Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen • Production Date — 1977–1998 • Number — ~110,000 of which 10,000 compact • Variants — P5 Compact • Weight — P5: 0.795 kg P5 Compact: 0.750 kg • Length — P5: 180 mm P5 Compact: 170 mm • Part Length — P5: 90 mm P5 Compact: 79 mm • Width — 32 mm • Height — P5: 129 mm P5 Compact: 130 mm • Cartridge — 9×19mm Parabellum 7.65×21mm Parabellum 9×21mm IMI • Action — Short recoil operated, locked breech • Velocity — P5: approx. 360 m/s P5 Compact: approx. 350 m/s • Feed — 8-round detachable box magazine • Sights — Square rear notch, front blade

The P5 was manufactured in 1977. The P5 evolved from the classic Walther P38.

Domestically, only the police of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate procured the standard model in 9×19mm between 1976 and 1979. The compact version were issued to few criminal police departments in Baden-Württemberg. Due to pricing, the SIG Sauer P225 generally outbid the Walther P5 in the domestic law enforcement sales. 3,000 units of the Walther P5 Compact were adopted in the 1980s by the British Army as Pistol L102A1 and were marked as such with the British military model number on the left side and NATO number on the right side instead of the standard Walther model markings. They were issued to the Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) and Ulster Defence Regiment as a personal protection weapon, with a small number also being issued to Special Forces units. An unknown variant of the Walther P5 was utilized by the 39th Special Forces "Detachment A" of the US Army, which was part of the Berlin Brigade during the Cold War.

The pistol incorporates many new design features, including a new aluminum alloy frame, trigger mechanism, dual-control mechanism, firing pin safety (US patent number 4313274 dated 1979, authored by Walter Ludwig). The Walther P5 is a recoil-operated, locked-breech, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. It utilizes the same design principles as the Walther P38 pistol of World War II fame. The barrel does not tilt following firing in the way that Browning's system does, but rather moves straight back approximately 5 mm. This system results in a very accurate pistol since the barrel is kept parallel with the frame during/after firing. The trigger is a standard double-action/single-action trigger. The slide lock also doubles as the decocker and is found on the left side of the frame. Pressing it once will release the slide, pressing it a second time will safely de-cock the hammer. Manufactured in Ulm, West Germany, by Carl Walther Sportwaffen GmbH, the P5 was a further development of the famous Walther P38 and P1 series. Development began following requests by German police and federal agencies for a new sidearm. Walther engineers decided to use the P1 model as the basis of the P5 and gave it a similar locking system, reinforced frame, and dual recoil springs. In addition, the Walther improved the extractor, shortened the barrel, and increased the slide length. Safety was enhanced by utilizing an innovative pivoting firing pin that can move forward only when the trigger is pulled. In addition, the P1's slide-mounted decocker/safety was moved to a frame mounted decocker/slide stop multi-lever. Unlike most modern semi-automatic pistols, the P5 ejects spent casings to the left. This may make it a more attractive firearm for left-handed shooters.

• Illustration — Walther P5 Compact The Walther P5 Compact is the shorter and lighter version of the full-size P5. Approx 6,500 units were made for the commercial market with the "P5 Compact" slide marking.

• Illustration — Walther P5 Lang Walther P5 Lang - also known as P5L - is a variant with an extended barrel whose shape is reminiscent of that of the P38.

• Germany: Standard version was adapted by police of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. Compact version adopted by criminal police departments in Baden-Württemberg. • Netherlands: Standard issue firearm of the Dutch police until 2013 when it was replaced by the Walther P99Q. • Nigeria • Portugal • United States: Detachment A / 39th Special Forces Operational Detachment. Various police forces. • United Kingdom: British Army; P5 Compact as Pistol L102A1 (see above)