Walther GSP pistols....what to look for? thoughts? experience

While i've been searching for a larger frame revolver i came across more than a few advertisements for Walther GSP pistols for sale. Not sure i'm really in the market but i'm curious. The 32 caliber sounds interesting.

They look interesting, and sometimes the older ones seem to be affordable.

Wondering what people's experience was with these pistols, do they hold up? are they as accurate as they look? are they finicky?

thank you

I have a GSP Expert in .22lr, and was around a bunch of the pre-Experts when I was on a club team in grad school 5 years ago. Based on the experience I'd go with an version of the GSP over another S&W 41 if I were starting all over again. The club guns dated to probably the 90's and were still going strong; rarely jammed and I never knew about one breaking. At least in .22lr the GSP is not fussy about ammo or cleanliness/lubrication status.

Prior to sometime around the 90's the GSP came with a different grip and trigger. I don't have a strong opinion on the different triggers, but I do prefer the later grips (without the screws on either side at the top). The earliest GSPs have a 3-bevel top to the receiver (after sometime in the late 70's the GSPs have flat receiver tops); allegedly the old 3-bevel design had a tendency to develop cracks. Inspect before purchase, replace the recoil spring, and only use standard velocity ammo and you are probably just fine if an early 3-bevel came your way for a good price. You should only be using .22 standard velocity in any GSP anyways.

Can't speak to the .32 other than seeing a guy at a local club shoot one in matches a few times (he seems to like it). It can only shoot wadcutter loads; unless you have a nice gun shop nearby those are likely going to end up special order or handloads.

Greetings,

The Walther GSP has been around for some years.

Both 22 and 32 will feed most any ammo reliably.

The 22 is capable of X-ring accuracy at 50 yards with Standard Velocity ammo.

The 32 is a challenge to load for. With care, you can get ten ring results at 50 yards.

Both calibers are muzzle heavy. This does help the recovery time.

They offer a wide variety of front and rear sights. Assuming, you shoot Iron Sights.

Parts are still available in the USA. Also from a good supplier in Germany.

Older guns have a single stage trigger. New models are two stage. No worries, both interchange in the receiver.

The GSP Expert series is now discontinued as you see a LOT of them on GOON BROKER for sale.

The previous model GSP commands a lower price.

The early 32's had issues with cracks at the ejection port. Avoid uppers with serial numbers below 105,000

Walther has started shipping the GSP500 to the USA. Looks like an upgraded Haemmerli SP-20. It is convertible so you have one frame a 22 upper and 32 upper. Thus, the same grip and trigger.

Cheers,

Dave

...thank you for taking the time to pen such a helpful post

Dave is a font of knowledge re' GSP's and all things 32. A priceless resource!

I owned a pair of the older models when I first got into Bullseye, they shot well and were dead reliable (32 was iffy at 50yds, but most 32's are!). They were inexpensive to buy and I covered most of my cost when I sold them on and eventually moved on to Pardini's and others.

This one on GB now looks decent (I have no knowledge of vendor and no commercial interest). 

1067861156

That is an aftermarket Caesar Morini grip, if that happens to fit it is a great grip.

At that price it is probably worth a punt.  Most likely single stage trigger. You can buy a 2 stage from Earl's if you really like the gun and he has scope mounts (there have been a couple of used mounts here on the forum recently - do a search).

I would not pay the much higher (around $2k+) for the current version. Money better spent on a good used Pardini. IMHO. YMMV!

Cheers.

thank you...this type of pistol is very new to me. i'll take a peak and read about the Pardini brand as well.

A Pardini SP22-5" Bullseye current new price is about $3k. Either from Pardini USA direct or Champions Choice (possibly other stocking dealers - not sure). Rarely see much discount.

Current generation, good, used ones go for just over $2k. I sold two 22's and a 32ACP recently and still have a 32SWL for sale. (I bought too many, then found that my needs changed and am selling off the ones I no longer use). Sorry, not bragging, but I am retired, have nothing else to spend my hard earned cash on, other than Bullseye guns and ammo!

I am still of the opinion that, with the right grip, most lower level shooters will significantly improve with a Pardini versus a (God forbid!) 41, etc. On the advice of a very, very top level shooter, I acquired some really good conversions and use those for training in an effort to improve my 45 performance. But, despite a lot of practice, I am still more comfortable shooting the Pardini in 22AGG matches. I can, on a good day, achieve very similar scores with the conversion, but I just feel more confident with the Pardini. YMMV!!!!!!!!!!

I also "scratched that itch" by buying a very nice 208S and had Roddy Toyota tune it to 100%. Very glad that I tried it and gave it a good go, but did not suit me. Even though I know many, many top shooters who swear by the 208S (notably the AMU), but it had to go. There is a very lovely lady in New Mexico who is now giving that particular gun more love!

My very first target 22 (a very, very long time ago!) was a mark 1 Ruger, iron sights, but I was 18 and could still see! A few years ago I bought a pair of 22/45's and again had Roddy do his magic, they shoot really nice and I have indeed shot HM level scores with the red dot gun when I've been "in the mood". They are now kept by a pal in Phoenix for tyros to use in the PRGC leagues and matches - good luck to them all. A couple of the juniors have great potential.

So, my conclusion. At entry level, buy a Ruger 22/45 (only because of the 1911 like grip angle), get the trigger worked on and shoot yourself up to Expert/Master. Along the way beg/borrow/steal a good 208S + Conversion + Pardini. Decide which suits you best, buy that and shoot yourself up to High Master. Easy Peasy!

Thank you

In the past I had participated in a few other forum sites and I must admit that while the experiences there while often favorable, they paled in comparison to the willingness to help and share that i’ve been privy to here.

Call Earl and he can tell you what serial numbers to look for there was a redesign in the 1970's so getting a latter model that is still supported makes sense.

great info, thank you. i've been looking at some examples on gun broker without really knowing all that much about them. some examples appear to be affordable. appreciate the suggestion.

Rather than GB a good place to start looking is this site, I think I saw a decent GSP here the other day, in addition, try Simpson LTD. and Edelweiss. On occasion they will have complete sets with 3 uppers and extras. 

Simpson has been in business a long time and Edelweiss is owned by Khriss (the gun maker) and has an interesting site.

thank you. i just looked at Simpsons...the nice thing is they generally list the date of manufacture which is really helpful for us who are often relegated to C&R.

Greetings,

I have an automated search set for "GSP" on Goon Broker.

You see the same pistols relisted for months at a time.

On occasion, you will come across a decent GSP listed at a low starting bid. These folks intend to sell the gun not brag about owning one.

Watch for auctions by "The Attic". They import a lot of nice target guns from Europe and start the bids out low.

Again, you need to pay close attention to what is being offered. Most sellers are selling off the deceased owners stuff to buy a new boat motor. They have no clue as to what is being offered.

Cheers,

Dave

Greetings,

Here is the link I use to search for "GSP".

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=walther%20gsp%20-catalog%20-adco&Timeframe=7&Sort=13&PageSize=96

Cheers,

Dave

thank you

I think there's definitive proof that the GSP is effective up to 25 meters, if you have the personal ability to execute it properly.

You already have engagement from the OG of GSP at 50 yards in this thread; I'll defer to Dave's expertise on that.

I'd recommend that you read everything that he says, and then read it again. And then read it again.

I'm a big fan of the GSP. See above; that was 22 years ago.

But I'm old school.

I thought you were some kinda service pistol guy?

brand-new wrote:thank you....I didn't know about automated search function on gun broker. will search out "The Attic"


appreciate the help

I've purchased a couple things from them. They're good to deal with, their descriptions are very thorough and accurate, and they import quality items from Germany.

1911a145 wrote:I thought you were some kinda service pistol guy?

I'm a member of USTA.

As in "I USTA be good at Center Fire Pistol."

So a few thoughts that haven’t been echoed here:

One. Look for a square magwell shape. These newer, old models (pre Expert) will accept the 32 conversion top. 

These frames also have a bottom grip bolt and modern grips.

The 32 barrel is frequently oversized in groove diameter and too slow in twist for good 50 yard work. So, you need REAL 0.314 bullets and they must not get squeezed down during seating. Slow twist means faster speed is needed, you’re on your own here. I have a load with slower powder but have also blown out a case or two and that damages the frame.

There are proper barrels out there and sometimes even from W if you’re lucky, but you really want a .312 groove. Dave is the man if you can get one. I have an aftermarket 308 bbl from lord knows who but it shoots, most of the time, if it’s clean. It also demands lower charges due to extra resistance. 

I prevent the bolt from slamming the upper receiver by rounding the horns of a standard 45 shok  buff and dropping it into the bottom of the receiver. The buff can’t be too thick or the bolt won’t pick up a round from the mag. 

The whole 32 adventure was the most frustrating experience I have ever had but that’s also part of the game…see “Are we having any fun yet”