P-38 load
- Thread starter gsfxst
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john traveler
Member
Almost any powder charge that drives the standard 115-125 grain FMJ RN bullet to 1100-1200 fps is good.
I like 5.5 to 6.0 grains Unique behind the 115 or 125 grain FMJ. Start at the lower end of the charge and increase until you get reliable functioning.
This load does well in most military 9mm pistols including the Browning High Power, Parabellum, S&W M39/M59, Beretta 92F, and others.
I like 5.5 to 6.0 grains Unique behind the 115 or 125 grain FMJ. Start at the lower end of the charge and increase until you get reliable functioning.
This load does well in most military 9mm pistols including the Browning High Power, Parabellum, S&W M39/M59, Beretta 92F, and others.
mkk41
US Veteran
I collect and shoot C&R military pistols , and I would strongly recommend installing a fresh Wolff recoil spring (or complete spring kit) before shooting. Who knows how old or what strength the current spring is. Why batter it or risk breaking something. It's cheap insurance.
Hook686
US Veteran
I've used 4.7 grains of Unique with 125 grain SP in my WWII P-38.
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gwpercle
Member
My P-38 likes the following load :
115 gr. cast semi-wadcutter ( Lyman # 358345 )
air cooled wheel weights, sized .357
5.2 grs. Unique
standard small pistol primers
My mould is the hollow point design but solids work just fine also. This load feeds, fires and ejects just fine and is accurate in my military surplus WWII P-38 .
gary
115 gr. cast semi-wadcutter ( Lyman # 358345 )
air cooled wheel weights, sized .357
5.2 grs. Unique
standard small pistol primers
My mould is the hollow point design but solids work just fine also. This load feeds, fires and ejects just fine and is accurate in my military surplus WWII P-38 .
gary
retarmyaviator
US Veteran
If the pistol is 98% all original finish without import marks shooting it is not your best course of action as far as it retaining collector value. Any wear or damage will lessen its collectors value, less expensive non collectable P38s would be the better choice for a shooter. All it takes is one drop in the range gravel or on the concrete to turn a collectible pistol into a shooter. 98% P38s increase in value over time, shooter grade examples do not.
End the end its yours and your decision.
End the end its yours and your decision.
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Engine49guy
Member
Just so you know the ATF apparently recently classified the post war
Walther Police P1's as C&R eligible,
A few months back a couple of the suppliers had pallets of them for under $300 a piece.
That is a really great deal.
Walther Police P1's as C&R eligible,
A few months back a couple of the suppliers had pallets of them for under $300 a piece.
That is a really great deal.
retarmyaviator
US Veteran
If you haven't read this already you will enjoy it -
Amazon.com: The Last Drop: Operation Varsity, March 24-25, 1945 (9780811703109): Stephen L. Wright: Books
Hook686
US Veteran
Interesting perspective. My P-38 was a swap my dad did with a GI at one of the captured German airfields as Patton raced across France. My dad was a pilot flying in gas and ammo. He says he swapped the P-38 for a bottle of gin. The pistol has nicks and wear and the rough finish a 1944 Walther P-38 would have. I doubt any shooting I do with it will cause any 'Collector value' damage. Maybe if it were a finely finished early war pistol that dsaw no action you thoughts might ring true to me, but a heavily used in combat pistol most likely will already show wear and tear.
The only P38 I have, don't think I'll be shooting it any time soon. S/N ER057C
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retarmyaviator
US Veteran
Those with much wear from usage unless they are a zero series or 480 have little or no collector value. My advice was based on the pistol being in 98% condition as the OP originally stated.
As for 1944 dated P38s having a rough finish this is not true. Even CYQs with mill marks are not considered rough if in original condition. Rough normally indicates condition damage from use not manufacturing practices.
You would be surprised how many valuable P38s have been turned into $300 shooters because people think shooting them is the thing to do. Same goes for Lugers I often see what would have been $1500-2000 plus Lugers turned into $500 shooters because people abuse them, lose parts or have them refinished. At some point the value of a pistol is more if not shot than it is if they are.
I have collected P38s for over 30 years, the last time I shot one was probably well over 25 years ago. My interest in them is their history and collecting value which condition plays a huge part. I am sure there are long time S&W collectors on here that will tell you the same thing about older S&Ws.
Don't get me wrong, I do shoot but when I do it is in USPSA matches with a M&P. I do not shoot collectible firearms any more, I learned my lesson on that the hard way a long time ago.
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Hook686
US Veteran
Fortunately I am not a collector. I enjoy shooting this handgun my dad got for a bottle of Gin. I can imagine the story this P-38 can tell, especially how a G.I. got it away from a Nazi. It is a tool, a special tool, but none the less a tool. I'll leave collecting to those that enjoy that past-time.
retarmyaviator
US Veteran
Over the years I have seen a lot of valuable firearms turned into trash with that attitude.
Hook686
US Veteran
Maybe so, but a P-38 only has the value I place on it. Obviously you place more value on certain firearms than I do, or even accept the value others place on them, which I do not. Enjoy your collecting, I will enjoy my range time.
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