Used P88C gun store pickup

[jujonte]

I was out running some errands this afternoon and decided to stop by a gun shop I had never visited. They had a fairly limited supply of handguns and only one Walther a P88C. I checked it out and decided not to buy it but the bug had bitten. After further consideration I went back in and purchased the gun, came with one mag and a crappy holster I let the gun shop keep. It has some slight discoloration in spots on the exposed part of the barrel, plus a bit of damage to the finish right under the ejection port. However the bore is mint, and the insides show very little wear. I hope to take it to the range tomorrow for a test run. Cost me $450.00. Attaching a few pics. ~J

[searcher451]

That's a terrific buy; congratulations. $450 is a steal for a P88C, in my view. Congratulations on taking the long way home, jujonte.

[jujonte]

Appreciate that Searcher. Hope it shoots as well as it looks on the inside. At least now I have a P88C shooter I can take to the range. Been missing that for a while. ~J

[Parabellus]

Excellente!
A great find.
Let us know how it shoots.
Ammoclip has 10-round magazines if you are interested.
Walther P88 9mm Interarms magazine
Don't know who might carry full-capacity magazines for it though.

[jujonte]

Originally Posted by Parabellus

Excellente!
A great find.
Let us know how it shoots.
Ammoclip has 10-round magazines if you are interested.
Walther P88 9mm Interarms magazine
Don't know who might carry full-capacity magazines for it though.

Appreciated ParaB! ~J

[lechiffre]

That is an incredible deal.

I would not bother with the 10 round magazines. P99/sw99 magazines will fit the p88c perfectly, and hold an extra round or two. All you need to do is replace the p99 floor plate with a flat metal one.

[lechiffre]

Welcome to the forum

Is it the "same" gun, functionally? Same P88 accuracy, same superior construction?

No,no,and no, but I like the P88c more than the P88.

Functionally the P88c loses the ridiculous double sided "control lever" in exchange for a Beretta/S&W style ambidextrous slide mounted safety/decocker, and single sided slide catch.

Accuracy is slightly diminished, but still very good.

The build quality is mere mortal.

[jujonte]

This was definitely a good pickup. I took the compact to the range as well today and ran close to 150 rounds through it. It shot flawlessly, nothing but a bangup performance. It's a real sweet shooter and will become one of my regular range guns. Nice when you get lucky.
*I didn't even shoot my Sig p229 today, first range trip in a least six months it didn't make it out of the bag. ~J

[Parabellus]

Looks like you bagged the deal of the year.
Will it be simply a range pistol or do you envision a defensive role for it in the home for instance? The reason I ask is that since I got my full-size P88 last year I have kept it as a back-up gun at a particular location. I load it with standard pressure 115gr FMJ (the same as I use at the range). Because there have been instances of cracked frames I wouldn't use +P loads. Not sure if Compacts have had similar issues.

[jujonte]

Originally Posted by Parabellus

Looks like you bagged the deal of the year.
Will it be simply a range pistol or do you envision a defensive role for it in the home for instance? The reason I ask is that since I got my full-size P88 last year I have kept it as a back-up gun at a particular location. I load it with standard pressure 115gr FMJ (the same as I use at the range). Because there have been instances of cracked frames I wouldn't use +P loads. Not sure if Compacts have had similar issues.

It will be a range gun. I have a 12 gauge, a .45 and a backup 9mm for the house (plus my PPS carry). This little baby will be for sheer fun. However it cannot be ruled out as a carry (OWB) if the situation ever fit. ~J