"Russian Capture" P-38 ac 41

PhilOhio · 10-07-2009, 11:46 AM

Postino,

You wrote, "Maybe a P1 firing pin cover??? On the theory that the newer the better???"

That's an excellent idea, but buy one which has never been installed. That way, you know the parts which hold it in place have never been bent, and re-bent, and bent again just to make sure. Age is not an issue, but the number of slide disassembly/assembly cycles and repeated bending of the part is. It's about embrittlement.

The P-38 slide design is not the problem, just the way they were maintained in field use. And with an original ex-military gun, you don't know the history.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the original German recommendation was to discard and replace the cover if the firing pin assembly had to be accessed. They are careful about such things.

10-07-2009, 11:46 AM	#17
PhilOhio User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 145 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Postino, You wrote, "Maybe a P1 firing pin cover??? On the theory that the newer the better???" That's an excellent idea, but buy one which has never been installed. That way, you know the parts which hold it in place have never been bent, and re-bent, and bent again just to make sure. Age is not an issue, but the number of slide disassembly/assembly cycles and repeated bending of the part is. It's about embrittlement. The P-38 slide design is not the problem, just the way they were maintained in field use. And with an original ex-military gun, you don't know the history. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the original German recommendation was to discard and replace the cover if the firing pin assembly had to be accessed. They are careful about such things.