The Walther P5 is a 9mm semi-automatic pistol developed in the mid-1970s by the German small arms manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen. It was designed with the German police forces in mind, who sought to replace existing 7.65mm pistols with a modern service sidearm incorporating enhanced safety features and chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum. A subsequent bid resulted in the Walther P5 being introduced into service alongside the SIG Sauer P225 (designated P6 within the West German Federal Police) and Heckler & Koch P7.
History
The P5 was manufactured in 1977.
Operational Use
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. 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. 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.
Variants
Walther P5 Compact
250px|thumb|right|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.
Walther P5 Lang
250px|thumb|right|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.
Reception
Although the P5's successful and functional design and high level of functional reliability were confirmed by experts and was moderately successful at launch, the P5 did not achieve great sales success within Germany nor for export. Due to its breech-locking design, the P5 was difficult to manufacture and was sold at a high price. Additionally, after the P5 was introduced to markets, other competing pistol designs were introduced that were on par with the P5's quality as well as cheaper.
As such, while successor of the P38, the P5's popularity is limited compared to its predecessor. Because of the P5's lackluster success, it prompted Walther to design the Walther P88, which would meet the requirements of newer markets and be easier to manufacture than the P5.
- : Standard issue firearm of the Dutch police until 2013 when it was replaced by the Walther P99Q.