Walther P88 Info/value?

[Donkeypunch0420]

Hi guys,

A local fun store has one on consignment. It's in excellent condition and has box and paperwork. Unfortunately it comes with NO mags. What are you experiences with this pistol? What's the approximate value of a pistol in this condition?

I remember these vaguely back when they were still in production, but they were so expensive I didn't consider them. I know many thought of them as the best combat 9mm in production at the time, but I have never even handled one, and know very little about them. This one is going for what I think is a very good price, just want to confirm with the experts here. Thanks guys.

[rsmorgan]

Be really careful about buying a "no mags" pistol. There are a good number of uncommon handguns where magazines are horribly expensive and often effectively unobtainable. 10-round mags are always harder to find and you can add to that the fact that a number of guns predate or postdate the "assault weapons ban" and 10-round mags were never even made for them.

To the best of my knowledge, the P88 is an excellent gun that didn't sell well because of the price compared to other options.

This magazine issue isn't a theoretical consideration for me. I've retired my 9mm CZ100 as a carry gun, in part because replacement magazines are effectively unavailable. Fortunately I have a second residence out-of-state so I could buy the few 13-rounders I come across several years ago. I don't know what I could do if I came across a no magazine CZ100 and wanted to keep it in Calif. I know 10-rounder were made for this gun since I have the two that came with it, but I've never seen one for sale during my search for mags for the weapon.

[buffybuster]

I don't believe there were any 10rd mags ever manufactured for the P88 by Walther. You might be able to convert a mag for another pistol, but that would be experimental. If I recall correctly the standard mags were pretty pricey, when you can find them.

[Donkeypunch0420]

Thanks for the advice. Not too worried about the mags. This is more of a collector piece than shooter to me, so if I acquire mags later down the line I'm okay with it. OEM mags are hard to find, but can be bought for about $100 a piece. Pro-Mag makes some.....but we know how that goes. I've also read that Beretta 92 mags can be modified to work. This sounds like the best solution. Either way, I'm more concerned with the pistol than anything.

[prc77]

I bought and sold one a couple of years ago. 1 mag no box I got $1300 for it in a heart beat.

Very nice pistols,, sometimes regret selling it.

[huckberry668]

It's funny seeing this post. I just bought one earlier this week. I've wanted one for over 20 years. I didn't know the difference between great guns and others then. by the time I understood, they were discontinued and owners held on to them like pitbull on a mailman.

It's a Mercedes of 9mm Luger. Not without flaws I'm afraid but it's definitely one for keeps. I remember reading magazine articles where the gun shot 1" 10-shot groups at 25 yards.

the fit is custom grade. Back in late 80s early 90s, I've only seen this tightly fitted barrel/slide/frame on highly customed bullseye 1911s. It's hard to believe they did this on a wonder-9.

I don't care much for the ambi hammer drop, too wide and too much gap to get clothing caught. the slide catch lever is a reverse evolution in design. and the looks... honestly a Ruger P85 looks better. back strap of the grip is too squared.

But i love it! Can't wait till it gets out of jail!

[Donkeypunch0420]

Well, I missed my opportunity. It was sold for a very good price. At least I got to learn a little more about a gun I knew very little about. Thanks for the reply's all. If I see another P88 for a screaming price, I won't hesitate next time.