Posted on 01/26/2006 11:44:32 AM PST by BurbankKarl
KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2006 — The capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces were enhanced Jan. 24 by a donation of 10,000 9mm German Walther P-1 pistols from the German Armed Forces.
The weapons were divided evenly between the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police in a ceremony at the Afghan Security Forces Depot.
The donation is the result of a weapons request made by the U.S. Embassy in Berlin one year ago, according to Dr. Rainald Steck, German Ambassador to Afghanistan.
“This donation will enable (the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police) to contribute even more to Afghanistan’s security and stability,” Steck said. “A successful security sector reform cannot be achieved without enabling security forces to fulfill their mission, to establish security and stability – by force, if needed.”
Accepting the donation for the Ministry of the Interior was Chief of Logistics Maj. Gen. Mohammad H. Basir; and for the Ministry of Defense was Assistant Minister for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Maj. Gen. Baz M. Jawhary.
Basir addressed the ceremony attendees and thanked Germany and the coalition for the help they have provided to Afghanistan. “The contributions of these weapons will help the security forces of Afghanistan to be more prepared to perform their duties,” he said.
“Thank you to all the mentors of the international community for advising us in different issues,” he said.
Jawhari added, “This is not the first contribution from Germany. They are helping us in many areas to bring stability in Afghanistan.”
At the end of the ceremony, transfer documents were signed by Basir, Jawhari and Steck to formalize the donation.
i want one
What is Steve Forbes doing there?
In the top pic, it looks like they're all pointing the pistols at someone else. Good thing they're all unloaded. LOL!
Ach Tung!
But you vill need German bullets to shoot. Vee vill sell you for one dollar per bullet.
One of the worst, most difficult to handle 9mm sidearms ever produced, IMHO.
Really? I always kind of liked the old Walther P-38. Did they ruin it with the P-1 version?
I think though that these days, if you're going to go with 9mm- there really isn't an excuse for not adopting something with a double stack magazine.
Unless you're getting them for free. Maybe they'd be better off selling the lot of them to collectors and buying some Sigs, or something.
Were I an Afghan cop I'd want a bazooka.
The P-1 has an alloy frame and a very bad case of muzzle whip when fired. It is NOT a natural pointer, I never figured out where the balance point is, and it holds 8 rds. in the mag and one up the spout for a total of 9 rds. of .380 magnum.
Make mine a M1911 in .45ACP, please...
Oh- I see what's going on. The Heer is replacing the P-1 with the H&K P-8, so they have a lot of them to get rid of.
The P38 was advanced for its day, but is awkward feeling to grasp in my hand. The Luger is the most comfortable feeling pistol there is.
The P1 is a horrible pistol, indeed. I´m glad we replaced them in our armed forces with the P8 (H&K). We always used to say "you have 8 shots to miss the target - but one throw to do the job!"
How much for the casings, primers and powder? Are Dillon Precision, RCBS and Lee sending loaders as well?
I agree. Maybe that's why they're unloading them. BTW, Sigs are my choice.
Not for me. a Sig P226 in 9mm is my choice. Better for reacquistion in my opinion.
I have one in .40 S&W. Very nice.
Did you ever experience problems with the metal of the slide cracking? Some of the late-production WWII P-38's had this problem.
BTW, my experience with the Berretta P9 (current US issue) is that it has the same fine ergonomic feel as a 2x4 piece of wood.
The SIG is a great pistol but I cut my teeth on the M1911. I tried a Glock and thought it was "just OK". Old habits stay with you. Now, the Browning P1935 "Hi Power" is a pretty nice gun for a .380 magnum...
I was seriously thinking of the Sig P226 in 40 S&W, but since I already have a Hi Power in 9mm and tons of ammo, I didn't want to go with a different caliber. I was tinkering with the idea of .357 Sig. Ammo is too expensive.
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