Description
Every once in a while, a firearm comes along that doesn’t just perform — it carries itself with quiet authority. The Walther P5 Lang, bearing the ultra-early serial number 002, is one of those rare pieces. It’s not just an elongated version of the P5; it’s an evolution. That extended barrel doesn’t just look good, it changes everything. It sharpens accuracy, balances recoil, and gives a subtle nod to the classic Walther P38.
When the P5 line launched in the mid-1970s, Walther wasn’t trying to imitate anyone. They were setting their own path forward. The engineers swapped traditional steel for an aluminum alloy frame, cutting weight while keeping the strength and durability that shooters expected from Walther. They added a firing pin safety to a small internal mechanism, quietly making the pistol safer and more forward-thinking than most of its peers.
Mechanically, the P5 Lang stayed true to its lineage. It ran on a locked-breech, recoil-operated system like the P38, which kept the barrel perfectly aligned with the frame after each shot. The result was tighter groups, better balance, and that trademark Walther smoothness. But then they added a twist. Literally, instead of ejecting spent casings to the right, the P5 threw them to the left. It was an unusual decision, meant to accommodate left-handed shooters, and it remains one of the small details that make this model unforgettable.
Fewer than seventy of these long-barreled P5 Langs were ever produced, which explains why you rarely see one. Its rarity gives it weight, not just in collector circles, but in firearm history.
The Walther P5 Lang isn’t just a precision-built 9mm. It’s a reflection of an era when Walther was redefining what a service pistol could be — blending innovation, design, and purpose into something quietly extraordinary.
