Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!think.com!sdd.hp.com!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!aplcen!boingo.med.jhu.edu!haven.umd.edu!mimsy!uunet.UU.NET From: gozer!klm@uunet.UU.NET (Kevin L. McBride) Newsgroups: rec.guns Subject: Re: Opinions on Walther P-88 (LONG!) Message-ID: <36060@mimsy.umd.edu> Date: 29 Jun 91 02:29:54 GMT Sender: magnum@mimsy.umd.edu Organization: MSCG, Inc. Lines: 88 Approved: gun-control@cs.umd.edu Isn't it amazing how people some people can have wildly differing opinions? Put your fire suit on, Andy. I have a feeling that your mailbox is going to get pretty hot. I'll apologize in advance for the partly flaming tone of my reply, but you touched a nerve. I'll try to keep it civil and rational. If you must flame back, do it by e-mail after you read everything I have to say. In article <36007@mimsy.umd.edu> osan@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (andrew.vida-szucs) writes: #[belittles SIG, any other gun with an "aluminum" frame, etc.] # #Anyway, it seems that there are not so many automatics that show this level #of quality, and those that do all have steel frames. The Browning Hi-Power is #one...[deleted] #That seems to leave the H&K Px and thw Walther P-88. I do not like the gimmicky #nature of the H&K which leaves the Walther. I found the manufacture to be #of very high quality (certainly better than the P-5) ans I love the fully #ambidexterous nature of the weapon. #I would like to know what experiences any of you have had with this gun and #how is the balance and accuracy. Also, do you feel it is worth the hefty #$1000+ price tag?? Well, you just put down a whole lot of guns that a whole lot of people tend to like very much and gave praise to Walther, which I never liked. I have no complaints with the Browning Hi-Power. I don't own one, but have several friends who do. They're nice guns, even if they do have a steel frame. H&Ks are not gimmicky. They are awesome handguns. I wish I could justify the cost of owning one. The squeeze safety and concealed hammer are, in many peoples' opinion, the ultimate handgun safety mechanism. SIGs are not cheap, cheesy guns made from inferior metal. Steel can wear faster than alloy when not manufactured correctly. I own three autloaders, one with a steel frame, and two with alloy frames. Guess which ONE shows more noticable signs of wear? What signs of quality were you looking for that only the steel framed pistols had? A steel frame? If SIGs and Glocks (Plastic frame! Horrors!) and Smith & Wessons and Berettas are not quality handguns then why are so many military and law enforcement agencies using them? In most cases, "Quality" has more to do with HOW the materials are used than the actual materials themselves (alloy vs. steel) There are some real piece 'o sh-t guns out on the market. I won't mention names, but none of the guns you mentioned are on my sh-t list. In fact, all the guns you mentioned by name (except the Walther) are on my quality list. I have no first hand experience with Walther, but then none of my shooting friends own one either. I wonder why? Is a Walther worth a thousand bucks? I don't think so, but that's just my opinion. Is an H&K worth the same price? Unfortunately, yes. Is a SIG worth $600 to $700? You bet. #Many thanks for any help. # # -Andy V. Before you fly off the handle with emotional issues related to handgun materials and manufacturing quality, it would be of great benefit to back up your first impressions with a little objective research. I learned a lesson the hard way once by buying a gun based on emotional issues. Before I bought it, I loved it. I thought it would be the greatest. I *HAD* to have it! It was the worst gun I ever owned. On the other hand, the first time I ever saw a SIG my first impression was "it's ugly and it's mother dressed it funny." Now I know better. German engineering does tend to be ugly but extremely functional. My SIG P228 is the best gun I have ever owned, alloy frame and all. After more than 1500 rounds in 3 months of ownership I have yet to have a jam or misfeed. It is accurate, lightweight, concealable, and shows absolutely no signs of wear. It's definitely a keeper. I carry it everyday. I'd bet my life on it, but don't take my word for it; go out and check it out for yourself. Hope this helps. -- Kevin L. McBride DoD // Just say NO to the war on your freedom which, President #0348 // by the way, is being fought with YOUR money. MSCG, Inc. \\ // Let them know you've had enough. uunet!wang!gozer!klm \X/ Vote Libertarian.