Walther LP53 vs Predom Lucznik - the "inside" details.....

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Leonardj
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Walther LP53 vs Predom Lucznik - the "inside" details.....

Post by Leonardj » Thu Aug 22, 2013 6:17 pm

This is some info that I posted to the American Vintage Airgun Forum, back in Feb, 2007, and thought that perhaps the visitors to this forum may find it useful as well.

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.

Image

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.

Image

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.

Image

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.

Image

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.
Last edited by Leonardj on Fri Jun 27, 2014 11:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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pmh
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Re: Walther LP53 vs Predom Lucznik - the "inside" details...

Post by pmh » Thu Aug 22, 2013 6:34 pm

Excellent post Leonard, a very interesting comparison.

The Predoms are similar in shape, and good for a garden plinker, but are certainly not up to the standard of the Walther. Still, they are cheaper to own.

Kind regards,



Phil
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zunmik
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Re: Walther LP53 vs Predom Lucznik - the "inside" details...

Post by zunmik » Sun Oct 27, 2013 8:03 pm

Somehow I missed this thread when it was posted, interesting , detailed, & fascinating, a quality piece on a quality pistols thank you, M. :handgestures-thumbupright:
WALTHER LP3],Etc[/b], G0JVB ex G6MUI.

bellringer
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Re: Walther LP53 vs Predom Lucznik - the "inside" details...

Post by bellringer » Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:50 pm

Leonard, I have to own up to not missing, but by passing this post, as I am primarily a rifle shooter and having owned both pistols in the past as a collector / occasional pistol; I just didn't bother to look until doing some browsing just now. What a mistake on my part; EXCELLENT POST! I am particularly impressed with the in depth detail on size comparisons and the photo detail, I wish more comparisons could be like this and with the differences clearly shown in the photos, what can I say, from 2007 just superb, I am now going to take more time on this forum to look at other comparisons, who knows what I have missed. Again, superb post very well done. Thanks for an absorbing experience. bellringer :text-goodpost:

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