P 38 and Luger

[MikeP]

If you got a mint P38 you got to make a decision on firing it.

The slide top strap tends to mar the top of the barrel very quickly.

It the Luger finish original?

[Will Brown]

A nice set of sidearms to be sure.

[Douglas Jr.]

Very nice pistols!
Your P38 was made by Waffenfabrik Mauser, hence the code "byf".
However, Mauser did not restart the serial numbering at the begin of each year as Walther did. Thus the suffix letter use was continious.
Mauser produced around 150,000 P38s in 1944 going from "q" block to "e" block, according few books I have here.

Greetings,

Douglas

[Edelweiss]

However, Mauser did not restart the serial numbering at the begin of each year as Walther did.

Yes, I guess the one who is able to get any clear info from Mauser's serial numbering system must be a kind of alien.

[rkhunter]

Hi, this is a very interesting thread, I have been wondering? Why should hollow point ammo be avoided when firing these types of pistols?


Kai

[phild]

Kai, 9mm Luger is the same as 9mm parabellum which is actually 9x19mm the 19mm is the length of the casing... 9mm short is actually .380 Auto.

There are different loads you can get, but if you want to fire your Luger or P38 I would NOT use a hot load. 115gr. rounds will work the best IMO make sure the ammo you are using is regular FMJ round nose. Don't bother using any hollow points etc. If the Luger is all matching, I would not use it. However I don't see too much harm in using your P38.

The above is good advice.

The only potential problem with firing hollow point bullets is a possible feeding problem. The P.38 is pretty forgiving but it depends on the exact shape of the bullet and the hollow nose as they are all a little different. As stated the bigger concern is not to fire overpowered 9mm as you are dealing with 60-70 year old springs!! These have been compressed to some degree for over a 1/2 century and are not up to 100% spec strength. In addition many loads found to today are very hot. This includes many surplus lots designed for SMG and even commercial loads...like some S&B....like 'Range Safe"...very hot stuff...that I don't care for.

Personally I think that plain old Winchester and Remmington is hard to beat.

[rkhunter]

Hi, thanks phild for clearing that up for me! I never knew there could be so much involved with selecting ammo!


Kai

[ChannelIsles]

9 mm ammo

I've a few boxes of 9mm ammo left behind by the German's after the occupation. Many are unopened. Some are steel cased, more suited to the P38. The other's (not shown) are brass cased and don't jam as often in the Luger. Both have a corrosive primer, so for shooting I load my own - 115gr FMJ with 4.3 bullseye powder.
There were many manufactors of these WW2 bullets, I've started collecting the varations & now have several different labels.

The Luger & P38 in the original thread are in excellent condition.
<a href="http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/123mccannb/?action=view&current=bd23a95e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/123mccannb/bd23a95e.jpg" border="0" alt="Ammo"></a>

[Mark C.]

If you got a mint P38 you got to make a decision on firing it.

The slide top strap tends to mar the top of the barrel very quickly.

It the Luger finish original?

Yes both are original finish,only fired 2 clips thru the P 38 probably wont ever fire again.I work for the telephone Co. and actually got the P 38 from a Vet directly.I went to his house on a repair call and saw a shadow box with medals and pictures .I inquired if he was in the war and complemented on his display.He said he was in France and left it at that. Didnt want t o pry because as most of you already know some Vets like talking about their experiences some dont. I went about my business and when I was done he said come here I want to show you something, he procedeed to pull out the P 38 you see in the photos with the holster,which I have and have misplaced and am now looking for.He also pulled out a Browning High Power in almost as good of shape.My jaw almost hit the floor. I asked about both pistols and he ssaid he would think about selling the P 38 but fancied the Browning more and would be keeping it.He called me about 2 weeks later and said he would sell me the P 38 and obviously I went to collect it.Still holding out hope on the Browning though.

[rkhunter]

Hi SE, these were excellent finds mate and I hope you may get the Browning one day also! Look after them mate! And that is some cool finds you have there also CI ! Very nice!

Cheers,


Kai

[pvluger]

Very nice pieces indeed!