WALTHER Carbon LP400 air pistol

David M · Post by **David M** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:25 am

I am after feedback from anyone who is shooting the new Walther Air pistol with the Carbon barrel jacket.
Does it make any difference?
Whats the balance like?
Have you had one group tested in a rest?
Whats the good and bad or the ugly (if any) ?

Rover · Post by **Rover** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:03 pm

The Bridge Junior Shooting Club from La Puente, CA was furnished almost exclusively with them.

You could ask their coach, In Kim, at:
Bbmaster223@yahoo.co.kr

I examined one when they were here in Phoenix for the State Championship. They were very fine, indeed! Nice trigger on the one I tried.

slofyr · Post by **slofyr** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:38 pm

David M wrote:.... with the Carbon barrel jacket.....

Consumer goods pimped with carbon, or kevlar, are currently hot market items.

JJJJJJ · Post by **JJJJJJ** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:50 pm

I just purchased my LP400 Carbon last week. I chose this model after I closely examined it at the Winter Arigun match in OTC last month. Janet Raab is the US sales and marketing director for Walther and she helped me extensively with the function of the gun and its mechanical aspect. I was very pleased and impressed by not only the gun but also her service; once the match was over I ordered it.

I shot a Morini when I first stared then quickly switched to an LP10 for almost 6 yrs. I’ll put this gun in par with both. Here are the things I like about this gun, the 3D grip is super easy to adjust and the range of motion is more than the LP10. The trigger assembly is easy to figure out since you can see it, no instruction needed. The design is minimalistic yet functional; sears are case hardened for a crisp break. The bar that the trigger is attached to allows for a huge range of adjustment, the trigger can be moved back much further and in any angle.

From the schematic I believe the absorber system is activated by the air that propelled the pellet, although the recoil doesn’t feel as clean as the LP10’s system but I think its fine. The barrel flip is also a bit more aggressive than the LP10 however this is an attribute I like.

The loading system is like that of Morini, so you have to pay attention and avoid loading too many and not loaded at all. The loading lever allows for ambidextrous loading, while keeping a low profile. Rear and font sight is secured by a set screw pushing against a wedge, very easy to adjust. Although I think the front sight doesn’t look half as good as the LP10’s and the rear sight requires an Allen wrench to adjust.

The gun came with two weights that fit on the front of the gun, and a barrel weight that you can buy. Due to the reduced weight I assume that the center of gravity is back further than the aluminum model. Another reason that influenced my decision was the appearance; I like the carbon better than the aluminum shroud.

It’s hard to choose between the LP10 and the LP400, it depends on the shooters need. Overall they are both great, the LP10 is a great gun with an impressive track record, it’s well built and continues to evolve. The LP400 is the new kid on the block, and it’s ready to compete with the veterans. Personally I think the LP400 is easier to shoot and the grip is easier to work on and manipulate, I haven’t shoot a match yet still playing with the gun as we speak, however this gun will be my primary gun for matches once I finish modifying my grip. The best thing for you to do if you have the opportunity is to try it out, what I like might not be what you need. Just a side note, I’m also upgrading my current LP10.

deadeyedick · Post by **deadeyedick** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 4:30 am

I have shot all four models David, and I can say that aesthetically they would be hard to beat.....especially the carbon version.
The carbon long is very light and takes a little time to adapt, however you soon wonder why you put up with the extra weight of more traditional front heavy AP's.
The carbon short is too light for me, but would be fabulous for less physically endowed shooters.
The Alu long is weighted to be more like Steyr and Morini
My favourite is the Alu compact. Dream balance.
Trigger ( hammerli) is excellent.
Rear sights are excellent. No problem using the hex screwdriver.
Front sight is fine, but too short. ( nothing that a mill and a piece of 5 mm. round won't fix.
Grip is as good as commercially manufactured grips get.

My only complaint is that the air pressure has no adjustment, and you may need to use 4.49 pellets to produce perfect holes. To me it makes no sense to remove this adjustment as you have to rely on Walther having chosen the sweet spot for you with no ability to compensate in the future for wear.
Accuracy is supreme...every test target of the last four ordered for our Club has had one perfectly round .177 hole.

Possibly the perfect AP...... if it had adjustable pressure controller.

JJJJJJ · Post by **JJJJJJ** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:43 am

Hello deadeyedick, I thought there is an adjustment screw on the back of the gun with two set screws holding it? Im sure that screw controls how much force it hits the air valve, I have not made any adjustment yet, but are you saying that screw isn't adjustable?

Rover · Post by **Rover** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:25 pm

I like Walthers, but...

"rely on Walther having chosen the sweet spot for you"???

Dream on!

j-team · Post by **j-team** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:01 pm

I've shot about 30 shots with the Carbon one.

I thought there was a lot of muzzle flip. The trigger was good, but I found the factory grip too "skinny".

And I can't stand having to use tools to adjust the rearsight!

There is no doubt that they are a good looking pistol though.

deadeyedick · Post by **deadeyedick** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 6:55 pm

I called the importers and they assured me there is no pressure adjustment, that it was permanently set at the factory.
One advantage in having some control of this function is to raise or lower the FPS to find the "sweet spot" for different pellet weight/ size. As it stands you are stuck with what you are given.

j-team · Post by **j-team** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:10 pm

deadeyedick wrote:I called the importers and they assured me there is no pressure adjustment, that it was permanently set at the factory.
One advantage in having some control of this function is to raise or lower the FPS to find the "sweet spot" for different pellet weight/ size. As it stands you are stuck with what you are given.

Perhaps the importer is confused?

You need to ask if velocity is adjustable not the pressure.

You would not be able to adjust the pressure, as it's governed by the regulator which reduces the air pressure to that which it operates at.

But the velocity is adjusted by changing the spring pressure on the "hammer" that strikes the valve. if that isn't adjustable then I would be very surprised.

deadeyedick · Post by **deadeyedick** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:35 pm

Sorry j-team...I said pressure..meaning velocity..... we both mean the same thing. The owners manual makes no reference to altering the force used to propel the pellet...hence the reason for calling the importers.

Their response was that it was a fixed, non adjustable feature. If anyone can enlighten me to the contrary then please do so as I am on the verge of buying one, and being able to adjust pellet velocity would seal the deal for me.
Until then I am sitting on the fence.

Two other members were getting slight tearing and were told to use 4.49 pellets which cured the problem. But it would be nice to have a little extra flexibility if the velocity were adjustable as on my LP10.

JanetR · Post by **JanetR** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:41 am

The velocity can be adjusted. Remove the grip by loosening the screw on the side so you do not lose your grip adjustments. There is an adjustment screw for velocity in the back under the rear sight. Loosen the two set screws on the sides first.

deadeyedick · Post by **deadeyedick** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:22 pm

Thanks Janet. Adjustment hasn't been attempted yet however everything points to it working when tried.

Funny Farmer · Post by **Funny Farmer** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 7:24 am

I tested it and liked it very much, except for the grip adjustment. This is a lot better than previous Walther models but still behind the Steyr. On the Steyr, I can try out new positions and return to the original position by simply moving the adjustment screws to where they were before. E.g., turn them out 2 revolutions to increase slant, turn them back and you are at the old setting again. That is a major advantage in my opinion.

The carbon barrel shroud has no function, it simply hides the very thin barrel which would otherwise look ugly.

Robert

JJJJJJ · Post by **JJJJJJ** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:48 am

Here is the adjustment screws, you should test accuracy after adjusting

Rover · Post by **Rover** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:03 am

"The carbon barrel shroud has no function, it simply hides the very thin barrel which would otherwise look ugly."

You make an interesting point there, Robert. It also eliminates a large selection of useless aftermarket farkles that many here seem so fond of, in that they feel they have managed to buy some points.

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WALTHER Carbon LP400 air pistol

WALTHER Carbon LP400 air pistol

Re: WALTHER Carbon LP400 air pistol