Opinions needed: What happened to this P-38? - Page 2

CJS57 · 04-13-2013, 08:59 AM

The slide bridge was bent like that, on purpose, by a soldier, in the field, to try to tighten the barrel slide fit and so improve accuracy. Fairly common to see the same situation on GI 1911 45's, they squeezed the slide in a vice. The OP's gun was not used to pry something. Good idea, but using the barrel to pry would have also bent the slide/barrel rails below, which they are not. What happened was a bar or tool was used to bend the bridge up and back. The barrel was removed, the slide reassembled onto the gun and the tool was used. Look inside the very top apex of the bridge, I guess you will see a mark where the tool bore on that point.

Shadowsix · 04-13-2013, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJS57

The slide bridge was bent like that, on purpose, by a soldier, in the field, to try to tighten the barrel slide fit and so improve accuracy. Fairly common to see the same situation on GI 1911 45's, they squeezed the slide in a vice. The OP's gun was not used to pry something. Good idea, but using the barrel to pry would have also bent the slide/barrel rails below, which they are not. What happened was a bar or tool was used to bend the bridge up and back. The barrel was removed, the slide reassembled onto the gun and the tool was used. Look inside the very top apex of the bridge, I guess you will see a mark where the tool bore on that point.

So does that mean that the tiny crack on the right front of the slide was an eventuality. I wouldn't think that whoever (and however long ago) that the crack was peened would've stabilized it but I did get 500 rounds with almost no issue.

I wonder if the 500 rounds I put through it reopened the crack some and that's why it is more noticeable. I didn't see it when I bought it (just the bend in the slide front arch) but it may have been the light at the gun show & my desire for an inexpensive shooter that overlooked it?

CJS57 · 04-13-2013, 07:14 PM

The crack could have happened right then when initially bent. Or there was an invisible stress point right that there that opened up later on with shooting. No way to tell now.

Shadowsix · 04-13-2013, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJS57

The crack could have happened right then when initially bent. Or there was an invisible stress point right that there that opened up later on with shooting. No way to tell now.

To last nearly 70 years (if it was bent during WWII) with a crack or stress point right there without blowing up would seem amazing!

CJS57 · 04-14-2013, 07:43 AM

The 70 years have no effect on "blowing up". How many rounds were fired does. The OP fired 500 rounds and that is a good showing for a gun with a stress or crack. But..... that exact area is not a "direct" stress point like a crack on a locking lug.

Shadowsix · 04-16-2013, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJS57

The 70 years have no effect on "blowing up". How many rounds were fired does. The OP fired 500 rounds and that is a good showing for a gun with a stress or crack. But..... that exact area is not a "direct" stress point like a crack on a locking lug.

Yes I know that time alone i.e. 70 years would have no effect on the gun, it is implied that with all that time that before me the gun has most likely not sat idle & could have been fired considerably in all that time (at least more than the 500 rounds I've put through it in the last 9 months).

If what you are saying is true i.e. "that exact area is not a "direct" stress point like a crack on a locking lug." then are you implying that it would still be potentially safe to fire?

CJS57 · 04-16-2013, 09:59 PM

I absolutely would not fire it! It could blow at the next shot! I am just saying that some cracks can be more critical than others and yours is very critical! It is less critical than the lug itself, but still very critical. For example, a minor crack on the frame, down near the magazine release would have little effect on firing safety.

04-13-2013, 08:59 AM	#21
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	The slide bridge was bent like that, on purpose, by a soldier, in the field, to try to tighten the barrel slide fit and so improve accuracy. Fairly common to see the same situation on GI 1911 45's, they squeezed the slide in a vice. The OP's gun was not used to pry something. Good idea, but using the barrel to pry would have also bent the slide/barrel rails below, which they are not. What happened was a bar or tool was used to bend the bridge up and back. The barrel was removed, the slide reassembled onto the gun and the tool was used. Look inside the very top apex of the bridge, I guess you will see a mark where the tool bore on that point.

04-13-2013, 07:14 PM	#23
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	The crack could have happened right then when initially bent. Or there was an invisible stress point right that there that opened up later on with shooting. No way to tell now.

04-14-2013, 07:43 AM	#25
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	The 70 years have no effect on "blowing up". How many rounds were fired does. The OP fired 500 rounds and that is a good showing for a gun with a stress or crack. But..... that exact area is not a "direct" stress point like a crack on a locking lug.

04-16-2013, 09:59 PM	#27
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	I absolutely would not fire it! It could blow at the next shot! I am just saying that some cracks can be more critical than others and yours is very critical! It is less critical than the lug itself, but still very critical. For example, a minor crack on the frame, down near the magazine release would have little effect on firing safety.