The P-38 Locking Block

TheJoker · 12-07-2006, 09:16 PM

Hello All ...

I've got a West German Walther P-38 that I inherited from my Pop. It is one of those "PREVIOUSLY ISSUED - WEST GERMAN POLICE TRADE-INS"(...says so right on the box). I assume it is one of the surplus P-1's that flooded the market in the 90's. It probably has some miles on it. Dad owned it for years. We plinked with it a lot. It was a fun little plinker.

Anyway, a couple of years ago it locked up at the range. Later, when I took it apart, I found the locking block broken. I just cleaned it and put it up.

I'd like to repair it. I've inspected all of the other parts and see no damage or excessive wear. Is this a common problem? Should I be concerned? Can I order the part mail order? Can anyone recommend a parts distributor?

Thanks and regards...

Zen900 · 12-07-2006, 10:10 PM

Numrichs http://www.sarcoinc.com/http://www.e-gunparts.com/

Probably others too.

Also I am curious if you and your dad ever used ammo over 124gr. I think 124gr is max for the P-38. That's odd that the block breaks. There's alot of 125gr ammo out there. I always wondered if that one extra grain mattered? I have several 9mm pistols with a 124gr max recommendation.

TheJoker · 12-08-2006, 12:36 AM

I can't account for everything, but all I have left is either 124 or 115. I had an old bag of 9mm I bought cheap in a gun stop bargin bin. It was unusual because it had Araibic markings on it. It caused all my 9mm's(Walther P99, S&W 39 and the P38) to jam. I stopped using it because of the inconsistancy. I wonder if that ammunition could have caused the issue.

Zen900 · 12-09-2006, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJoker

I can't account for everything, but all I have left is either 124 or 115. I had an old bag of 9mm I bought cheap in a gun stop bargin bin. It was unusual because it had Araibic markings on it. It caused all my 9mm's(Walther P99, S&W 39 and the P38) to jam. I stopped using it because of the inconsistancy. I wonder if that ammunition could have caused the issue.

LOL! Yea I bought some of that crap too! Egyption ammo I think from War of 1812 no doubt. Parts for the P38 are very economical. Don't let it stay broken. You can probably fix the locking block yourself with Numrich parts for $10. I wonder if the twin recoil springs are worn out and let the slide slam open causing metal failure?

TheJoker · 12-16-2006, 07:37 PM

Three days ago I ordered the locking block and since the springs were only $5.60, I ordered two of them too. Also, they were doing a deal where with any order for $.99, you get a schematic. I ordered one of them too. The whole order was around $60.

I'm a real Walther enthusiast. I'm really looking forward to shooting my P-38 again! Not to mention, it reminds me of time spent with my Pop.

samuel · 12-17-2006, 02:52 AM

TheJoker:Put numrich up on your search bar and the part is available for$43.25 plus shipping.

TheJoker · 12-18-2006, 03:46 PM

I got a package from Numrich today. That was a good call regarding the recoil springs! The old ones were a quarter inch shorter than the new ones.

My P-38 is now re-assembled with a new locking block and a pair of recoil springs. I can't believe it took me two years to get around to this simple repair!!

I can't wait to get to the range!

Thank for the support!

Agent006 · 12-21-2006, 01:25 AM

I have an old P38 from WWII that I bought for my sister to shoot and it works fine but the recoil springs strike me as being a bit soft. You can cycle the action with ease but really no more than my Tokarev. It only seems to be noticeable as the action shuts and the barrel locks up with the slide. If you point the gun up, you can let the slide forward slowly and get the slide to stop and stay in place just a quarter of an inch or so back so that the barrel is still not locked forward all the way.

A few times, it's fired and came to rest in this position also although usually the gun slams shut too quickly to get caught at that point. It's never done it when I personally was shooting it so I thought maybe just a limp wrist? I only use 115 grain FMJ and the casings usually go to the left but sometimes go back and even to the right! So, it leaves me to wonder if I need improved springs or just better lubrication.

TheJoker · 12-28-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent006

I have an old P38 from WWII that I bought for my sister to shoot and it works fine but the recoil springs strike me as being a bit soft. You can cycle the action with ease but really no more than my Tokarev. It only seems to be noticeable as the action shuts and the barrel locks up with the slide. If you point the gun up, you can let the slide forward slowly and get the slide to stop and stay in place just a quarter of an inch or so back so that the barrel is still not locked forward all the way.

A few times, it's fired and came to rest in this position also although usually the gun slams shut too quickly to get caught at that point. It's never done it when I personally was shooting it so I thought maybe just a limp wrist? I only use 115 grain FMJ and the casings usually go to the left but sometimes go back and even to the right! So, it leaves me to wonder if I need improved springs or just better lubrication.

New springs were only $5.60 each at Numrich. Mine seems to have tightened up a little.

TheJoker · 03-21-2007, 08:39 PM

Just a follow up. I took my P-38 to the range Sunday. I'm happy to report it performed flawlessly. What a fun little handgun to fire!

12-07-2006, 09:16 PM	#1
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 292	The P-38 Locking Block Hello All ... I've got a West German Walther P-38 that I inherited from my Pop. It is one of those "PREVIOUSLY ISSUED - WEST GERMAN POLICE TRADE-INS"(...says so right on the box). I assume it is one of the surplus P-1's that flooded the market in the 90's. It probably has some miles on it. Dad owned it for years. We plinked with it a lot. It was a fun little plinker. Anyway, a couple of years ago it locked up at the range. Later, when I took it apart, I found the locking block broken. I just cleaned it and put it up. I'd like to repair it. I've inspected all of the other parts and see no damage or excessive wear. Is this a common problem? Should I be concerned? Can I order the part mail order? Can anyone recommend a parts distributor? Thanks and regards... __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long

12-07-2006, 10:10 PM	#2
Zen900 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 701	Numrichs http://www.sarcoinc.com/http://www.e-gunparts.com/ Probably others too. Also I am curious if you and your dad ever used ammo over 124gr. I think 124gr is max for the P-38. That's odd that the block breaks. There's alot of 125gr ammo out there. I always wondered if that one extra grain mattered? I have several 9mm pistols with a 124gr max recommendation. Last edited by Zen900; 12-07-2006 at 11:05 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

12-08-2006, 12:36 AM	#3
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 292	I can't account for everything, but all I have left is either 124 or 115. I had an old bag of 9mm I bought cheap in a gun stop bargin bin. It was unusual because it had Araibic markings on it. It caused all my 9mm's(Walther P99, S&W 39 and the P38) to jam. I stopped using it because of the inconsistancy. I wonder if that ammunition could have caused the issue. __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long

12-16-2006, 07:37 PM	#5
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 292	Three days ago I ordered the locking block and since the springs were only $5.60, I ordered two of them too. Also, they were doing a deal where with any order for $.99, you get a schematic. I ordered one of them too. The whole order was around $60. I'm a real Walther enthusiast. I'm really looking forward to shooting my P-38 again! Not to mention, it reminds me of time spent with my Pop. __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long

12-18-2006, 03:46 PM	#7
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 292	I got a package from Numrich today. That was a good call regarding the recoil springs! The old ones were a quarter inch shorter than the new ones. My P-38 is now re-assembled with a new locking block and a pair of recoil springs. I can't believe it took me two years to get around to this simple repair!! I can't wait to get to the range! Thank for the support! __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long

12-17-2006, 02:52 AM	#6
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	TheJoker:Put numrich up on your search bar and the part is available for$43.25 plus shipping.

12-21-2006, 01:25 AM	#8
Agent006 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Upstate Posts: 179 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 1	I have an old P38 from WWII that I bought for my sister to shoot and it works fine but the recoil springs strike me as being a bit soft. You can cycle the action with ease but really no more than my Tokarev. It only seems to be noticeable as the action shuts and the barrel locks up with the slide. If you point the gun up, you can let the slide forward slowly and get the slide to stop and stay in place just a quarter of an inch or so back so that the barrel is still not locked forward all the way. A few times, it's fired and came to rest in this position also although usually the gun slams shut too quickly to get caught at that point. It's never done it when I personally was shooting it so I thought maybe just a limp wrist? I only use 115 grain FMJ and the casings usually go to the left but sometimes go back and even to the right! So, it leaves me to wonder if I need improved springs or just better lubrication. Last edited by Agent006; 12-21-2006 at 01:27 AM.

03-21-2007, 08:39 PM	#10
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 292	Just a follow up. I took my P-38 to the range Sunday. I'm happy to report it performed flawlessly. What a fun little handgun to fire! __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long