Walther GSP
Encyclopedia
The Walther GSP, Gebrauchs Sport Pistole (Sport Pistol for Standard Use), is a single-action, precision target shooting pistol
made in Germany
by Walther Sportwaffen. It has the same technical base as the Walther OSP
and thus is almost identical in outward appearance, albeit slightly longer and heavier than the OSP.
The GSP was introduced on the world market in 1968 and was chambered for .22 Long Rifle
. At the end of 1971, Walther began offering the pistol in .32 S&W Long
Wadcutter as well. Regardless of its original caliber, conversion units for the other caliber are available and easily interchangeable. The anatomical, adjustable walnut grips were also available, on order from Walther, for left-handed shooters. In 1988, Walther introduced a fully adjustable (for pull, stop, and angle) two-stage trigger that athletes could retrofit their pistols with.
The GSP chambered for .32 S&W Long WC, sometime referred to as the GSP-C, was intended for use in competitions that only allowed centerfire cartridges. In 1976, Walther offered the GSP MV, which stands for matt vernickelt (matte nickel finish). The MV models were available in both .22 lr and .32 S&W Long calibers.
In 1992, Walther had a special limited edition of the GSP designated as the 25 Jahre (25th Anniversary Edition). The frame of this model had a nickel finish and the bolt had a gold titanium finish. At the time, these sold for 2,549 Deutsche Marks.
In 1996, Walther produced a GSP Atlanta model commemorating the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. These ones also had the gold titanium finish on the bolt.
Today, there is also a more accurate version available known as the GSP Expert which has a vibration-absorbing plastic sleeve around the barrel.
The Walther GSP is a popular choice for the various 25 m pistol shooting events governed by the ISSF
(some contested at the Olympic games). The .22 LR variant was used for the 25 m Pistol
(formerly "Sport Pistol"), 25 m Standard Pistol
while the .32 caliber variant was used in the 25 m Center-Fire Pistol
event.
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
made in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
by Walther Sportwaffen. It has the same technical base as the Walther OSP
Walther OSP
The Walther OSP is manufactured by Walther, it is a pistol chambered in the .22 Short caliber. The OSP was designed for the Olympic 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol event and became the perennial winner of the event....
and thus is almost identical in outward appearance, albeit slightly longer and heavier than the OSP.
The GSP was introduced on the world market in 1968 and was chambered for .22 Long Rifle
.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
. At the end of 1971, Walther began offering the pistol in .32 S&W Long
.32 S&W Long
The .32 S&W Long is a straight-walled, centerfire, rimmed handgun cartridge, based on the earlier .32 S&W cartridge. It was introduced in 1896 for Smith & Wesson's first-model Hand Ejector revolver...
Wadcutter as well. Regardless of its original caliber, conversion units for the other caliber are available and easily interchangeable. The anatomical, adjustable walnut grips were also available, on order from Walther, for left-handed shooters. In 1988, Walther introduced a fully adjustable (for pull, stop, and angle) two-stage trigger that athletes could retrofit their pistols with.
Variants
Some of the very early GSPs were missing the slide stop lever which wasn't incorporated until the 1970s. The early model GSPs, from 1968 to 1977, had a manual safety catch on the left side of the frame. This feature was omitted in 1977 because it was an unnecessary feature on a competition pistol. Also throughout the years, the design of the ergonomic grips underwent several changes.The GSP chambered for .32 S&W Long WC, sometime referred to as the GSP-C, was intended for use in competitions that only allowed centerfire cartridges. In 1976, Walther offered the GSP MV, which stands for matt vernickelt (matte nickel finish). The MV models were available in both .22 lr and .32 S&W Long calibers.
In 1996, Walther produced a GSP Atlanta model commemorating the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. These ones also had the gold titanium finish on the bolt.
Today, there is also a more accurate version available known as the GSP Expert which has a vibration-absorbing plastic sleeve around the barrel.
The Walther GSP is a popular choice for the various 25 m pistol shooting events governed by the ISSF
International Shooting Sport Federation
The International Shooting Sport Federation is an organization that governs international shooting sports. While far from the only such organization, it is the one that is a member of the International Olympic Committee and so it is in charge of the Olympic shooting events. Not all ISSF shooting...
(some contested at the Olympic games). The .22 LR variant was used for the 25 m Pistol
25 m Pistol
25 metre pistol, formerly and unofficially still often known as sport pistol, is one of the ISSF shooting events. It was devised as a women's event in the 1960s, based upon the rules of 25 metre center-fire pistol but shot with a .22-caliber sport pistol instead of the larger-caliber guns men used...
(formerly "Sport Pistol"), 25 m Standard Pistol
25 m Standard Pistol
25 metre standard pistol is one of the ISSF shooting events, introduced at the ISSF World Shooting Championships in 1970. It has its roots in the NRA conventional pistol competitions....
while the .32 caliber variant was used in the 25 m Center-Fire Pistol
25 m Center-Fire Pistol
25 metre center-fire pistol is one of the ISSF shooting events, and is normally a men-only event. Its origin lies in competitions with military-style service pistols, and as such its history dates back to the 19th century....
event.