P-38 info?

[SG-688]

"As a word of caution with any P38 or P1 to be safe .... also (like the early Model 39/59) while the safety lever arrests and blocks the firing pin when engaged IIRC the pre P4 versions can be inertia fired if dropped with the safety in the off position."

16 posters will probably prove me wrong ... but I think they all had the firing pin block.

 

[Engine49guy]

"As a word of caution with any P38 or P1 to be safe .... also (like the early Model 39/59) while the safety lever arrests and blocks the firing pin when engaged IIRC the pre P4 versions can be inertia fired if dropped with the safety in the off position."

16 posters will probably prove me wrong ... but I think they all had the firing pin block.

While Im totally going off memory, IIRC the Model 39/59 and P38/P1 safety will lock down the firing pin and block the hammer when engaged , the problem is when the gun is decocked and carried with a live round in the chamber with the slide mounted safety in the "Fire" position as it does not arrest the firing pin which opens it up to an inertia discharge if dropped onto the muzzle.

This shortfall was addressed in the P4 and 2nd gen S&W designs which require the trigger to be pulled fully back to align the firing pin with the cartridge primer which eliminates the inertia fire possibility
.

 

[SG-688]

I refer to the firing pin block #9 in the picture.

If you mean that the P4 system is better - no argument.

The S&W 439/459 firing pin block is different than the P4 system, of course, just in case some misinterpret.

 

[Dvan34]

I have had one for about 60 years. It was originally issued to the German Navy according to the serial number. It is in mint condition. I carried it for awhile in a Shoulder Holster. I have fired several magazines through it. It is extremely accurate and fast firing. Also has a hair trigger which causes me concern as it is a Double Action on the first shot and then the hammer remains rearward until lowered or fired. I have retired it due to safety reasons. Also the butt is extremely large for my hands. They were really beautiful pistols and made very well. They were made for War but not the safest weapon for peace-time.
Semi-Autos require careful handling, and the new striker pistols are no exception. Online the 1911 and other SA's with exterior hammers you can't see if they are ready to fire. Care must be used, especially if the pistol has no 'safety'.

 

[Andyd]

Post war examples came in both Kal 9mm and Cal 9mm... lol
the variations can make your head spin... like most military weapons, they changed over time as they learned what was problematic... or expensive... or when stamps wore out...

There were also P38s in .30 Luger sold to Italy when private possession of the military 9mm Luger wasn't allowed and a few of those were sold in other countries.

 

[Absalom]

There were also P38s in .30 Luger sold to Italy when private possession of the military 9mm Luger wasn't allowed and a few of those were sold in other countries.

And not to forget the .22 version. As far as I know, the military and police ended up only buying the conversion kit, but the whole pistol was sold commercially. (Photo not mine)

 

[Absalom]

......
5) post 1945 (stamped steel grip) parts guns made under French sector occupation some with Manhurin name .

.......

An impressive line-up. One question about your comment on the SVW gun, though: These were produced at the Mauser plant in Oberndorf in 1945 and 1946 and production ceased after Soviet protests. To my (by no means deep) knowledge these had nothing to do with Manurhin and the later 1960s Manurhin-marked pistols.

 

[Mexican Kerry]

Understandable, since the OP mis-spelled the subject of this thread. The Walther pistol is not a P-38 (with hyphen); that's the airplane. The pistol is either a P.38 (original, with period) or P38 (more common later version with no punctuation).

Well, as I said in an earlier post, I don't know much about them. I'm aware of an airplane with a similar designation, but didn't know about a can opener. I guess since I posted my question in a firearms and knives subforum, I was expecting the question would be understood. Who knew a hyphen could be so misleading?

It seems there are actually many differences/variations in them, I started out simply wanting a wartime example. The one I've fired was marked AC 42, I'd like something similar.