Skeeter Skelton on Lugers

lundbaek · 02-14-2006, 11:55 PM

I note that Skeeter Skelton considered the P-38 inferior to the P-08. ("while the inferior but intriguingly new P-38,..." ) I'm not the resident expert on this subject, but I lived some 12 years in Europe, including 3+ years in Germany, mostly in the late '60's and early '70's. I had numerous discussions with ex-German soldiers and others who encountered or used the 08 Parabellum and the P-38. The concensus seemed to be that the P-38 was a more effective military combat pistol for the following reasons: 1.) It could be carried chamber loaded with hammer down, and drawn from a holster and fired double action much faster by the average soldier than the 08 could be fired because releasing the safety lever required a seperate manipulation. 2.) In race track terminology, the P-38 was a better "mudder", that is less easily fouled by foreign material. 3.) The P-38 was considered more functionally reliable, especially with replacement parts. 4.) The P-38 seems better suited to a southpaw, at least this one. I welcome disagreement on this subject.

02-14-2006, 11:55 PM	#8
lundbaek User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I note that Skeeter Skelton considered the P-38 inferior to the P-08. ("while the inferior but intriguingly new P-38,..." ) I'm not the resident expert on this subject, but I lived some 12 years in Europe, including 3+ years in Germany, mostly in the late '60's and early '70's. I had numerous discussions with ex-German soldiers and others who encountered or used the 08 Parabellum and the P-38. The concensus seemed to be that the P-38 was a more effective military combat pistol for the following reasons: 1.) It could be carried chamber loaded with hammer down, and drawn from a holster and fired double action much faster by the average soldier than the 08 could be fired because releasing the safety lever required a seperate manipulation. 2.) In race track terminology, the P-38 was a better "mudder", that is less easily fouled by foreign material. 3.) The P-38 was considered more functionally reliable, especially with replacement parts. 4.) The P-38 seems better suited to a southpaw, at least this one. I welcome disagreement on this subject.