Walther PP failure to recock
 

I have a 1938 ( tho looks like could be 1940 ) Walther PP which is in V good condition and got the chance to fire it for the first time the other day. First mag functioned perfectly but after that the gun will fire but the blowback fails to re **** the pistol. If you manually **** the external hammer it fires again but seems to be random on wether the blowback action re cocks the pistol, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.
Any ideas on what might cause this? Ammo maybe?? Was using Lellier & Bellot FMJ .32 auto 73grs. :surr:

If the ammunition is new and in spec, I am guessing the following:

- Debris inside the mechanism.
- Sear ledge on the hammer is chipped or worn.
- Bent or twisted slide spring

I would strip the pistol and completely scrub the sear/hammer engagement area. Take the grips off and get into the double action mechanism as well. Check to see that the slide spring does not kink or bind. See that the sear ledge on the hammer correctly engages the sear.
Make sure the safety/decocker moves freely and is not binding the hammer area.

If the ammo was old or been subjected to oil or lubricant near the primers, this could also be an issue. Did the invididual discharges all feel like they were at full power?

Hi thanks, I don't think the ammo is the problem and yes they all fired at full power. I may have put the slide spring in the wrong way. One end of the sring is tighter than the other. Would this make a diferance?

It may be causing the recoil spring to bind during recoil and not allowing full slide movement.

sear notch or sear spring

Yes. The tight end of the spring needs to be down at the base of the barrel, near the chamber. That might be your problem right there.

With a round as weak as the .32, this would make a difference.