Canadian Airgun Forum

I posted this on the American Vintage Airgun forum a while back, and I can't recall if I posted it here or not. In the event that I didn't, or for the benefit of those who may have missed it, here it is.

I finally got around to doing the in-depth comparison of the Walther LP53 and the Predom Lucznik pistol that I promised to do this winter.
I'll be referring to the Walther LP53 as just "LP53" and the Predom Lucznik as just the "Predom" for the sake of simplicity. As the old saying goes, "the devil is in the details", well that is pretty much where the difference in these two pistols lies.

The LP53 was introduced in 1953, as Walther's first air pistol - the Predom came along almost two decades later. Published velocities in literature of the day, places both guns in the same ballpark, ranging from 300 FPS to 360 FPS for the LP53, and 300 to 355 FPS for the Predom. The LP53 weighs in at 2 pounds, 4.5 ounces, while the Predom weighs in a bit heavier at 2 pounds, 6.2 ounces. The difference in weight is likely attributable to the barrel/breech assemblies - the LP53 uses an alloy casting with steel barrel liner, whereas the Predom uses solid steel. Overall fit and finish of the LP53 is far superior to the Predom.



The powerplants are subtly different. First of all, the pistons and piston seals:

LP53
- 73.8 mm long, 22.7 mm dia.
- polished and hard chromed ID and OD.
- floating piston head with leather seal and synthetic buffer.
- Piston head is mounted to a short rod which is "keyed" into the piston.
- piston weight with head attached = 88 grams.
- piston stroke = 43.5 mm.
- sear engagement notch depth = 1.8 mm.

Predom
- 71.3 mm long, 22.8 mm dia.
- plain steel, with tool marks both ID and OD.
- Fixed piston head with leather seal and leather buffer.
- piston head is fastened to the piston with a screw.
- piston weight with head attached = 84 grams.
- piston stroke = 49.9 mm.
- sear engagement notch depth = 1.8 mm.



The mainsprings - both guns have dual, concentric mainsprings:

LP53
- large spring - 133 mm long, 18 mm OD, 2.5 mm wire, 24.75 coils.
- small spring - 127 mm long, 12 mm OD, 1.8 MM wire, 38 coils.
- both springs finished smooth and flat at both ends.

Predom
- large spring - 125 mm long, 18.1 mm OD, 2.4 mm wire, 21.75 coils.
- small spring - 130 mm long, 12.3 mm OD, 1.7 mm wire, 29 coils.
- both springs finished semi-flat, with tool marks, both ends.

The end cap spring guides:

LP53
- spring guide is 60.3 mm long, 7.9 mm OD.

Predom
- spring guide is 54 mm long, 7.9 mm OD.



The barrel assemblies:

LP53
- 240 mm OAL, 80 mm counterbore, 160 mm rifled.
- precision aluminum casting with steel barrel sleeve.
- Walther barrel - obviously.
- front sight is part of the barrel casting, and has interchangeable elements.
- rear sight is 2 piece, steel leaf with cast aluminum block for windage adjustment, interchangeable notch inserts.
- breech block - part of barrel casting, steel bushed pivot hole.
- breech seal - synthetic.
- barrel pivot bolt = 6.5 mm dia.

Predom
- 240 mm OAL, 89.7 mm counterbore, 150.3 mm rifled.
- solid steel.
- barrel maker unknown.
- front sight is solid steel, pinned to barrel, with fixed element.
- rear sight is 2 piece, steel leaf, with formed steel windage adjustment, fixed notch element.
- breech block - solid steel, barrel pinned in place.
- breech seal - leather.
- barrel pivot bolt = 5.9 mm dia.

And the triggers:

LP53
- early models had adjustable triggers, later models did not.
- equipped with anti-beartrap mechanism.
- trigger blade is 7.8 mm wide with longitudinal grooves, 25 mm long, with a 25 mm radius for the finger.
- the pins for the trigger, sear, and barrel latch are 3.3 mm dia.

Predom
- adjustable trigger.
- equipped with anti-beartrap mechanism.
- trigger blade is 7.8 mm wide, smooth faced, 21 mm long, with a 15 mm radius for the finger.
- the pins for the trigger, sear, and barrel latch are 2.9 mm dia.

The grip panels:

LP53
- more refined moulding, with thumb ramp on LS grip, steel screw cups set into the plastic.

Predom
- moulded plastic with chequering, no thumb ramp, no screw cups.



There you have it. The LP53 was the flagship introductory air pistol for the venerable Walther company, and reflects the quality,workmanship, and refinement that Walther had become famous for over many decades, both before and after the advent of the LP53.

The Predom is a rugged, well built gun that, while lacking the refinement of the LP53, still represents excellent value for the money, and should last a long time with proper maintenance.

Great review thanks

X2... Thanks.

Any shooting comparisons?

I found my friend's LP53 very tricky to shoot, but when you figured it out it became quite accurate.

Was the Walther LP-53 made in the USA in Seattle Washington ? Because when I phoned them back in 1997 when I bought mine off of that Police Officer he said he had bought it in Canada back in 1961, along with the Date on the Manual also with the 5-Shot Set-Up shots the dialer had took. Along with the three inserts for the front sight and the three inserts (Blades) in the Rear Sight also. I think it was a Gamo Rear Sight I had to exchange it eith after it got broken by accident. It also cma with the Brass Cleaning Rod. The Barrel Weiights help alot in shooting this AirGun also. Bolted on with Hex Bolts X2...

KM...

_________________
We will never be the Man we once were, but what we will Become...

Nope - the LP53 was only made in Germany.

Both guns have similar firing behavior, due to the similar powerplant arrangement. The LP53 is much smoother in overall operation, and has a much better trigger. The Predom trigger is rather awkward IMO, due to: a) the small 15mm radius for the trigger finger, and b) the adjustment screw actually interferes with the top of the trigger finger.
The thumb ramp grips on the LP53 aid in a steadier hold, and the higher radius at the back of the grip on the LP53 fits the web of the hand better - at least for me.

Both guns have the potential to be very accurate shooters, but IMO, the Walther is a more "user friendly" gun to shoot.