Post War Walther P38 Problem

[BillyP]

My problem is, I bought a Walther P38 (cheap) with the firing pin & indicator cover and back sight missing. I ordered the parts and installed them.

I'm certain they were on secure but after two shots, the cover flew off and of course the back sight.

My question is, do any of you know what could cause this problem?

Thanks in advance

 

[jonesiera]

How did your ejected shell casings look? You might have a bad head spacing allowing blow back.

 

[3RRL]

Are you saying the slide blew off the frame?

I'm not sure on the Walther, but there's usually a slide stop pin of some sort that keeps the slide from coming off the frame. Check the clearance of the dovetail notches on the slide and frame to be sure there is no debris that could cause it to derail like that. Also check if the slide stop is working properly. If I remember correctly, that slide should only come off when the retaing pin is removed. Maybe that is worn out or improperly installed?

 

[BillyP]

Actually I didn't look at the casings. I was too busy looking for parts /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I'll try to find one of the casing and check it out. Thanks

 

[BillyP]

No, Rob, it wasn't the slide. There's a small cover on top of the slide in front of the back sight, that's called Firing Pin and Indicator Cover. I guess you could call it an inspection cover. Below is the schematic for this pistol. Part #7 is the part that flew off. Part #7 also hold the back sight in place and a few other parts.

 

[3RRL]

Hmmm...I see....
What holds the cover in place on the slide itself? From the schematic, there appears to be a dog-leg hook on the bottom of the cover that blew off. Looks like it sits in the slide, maybe clips in, without positive retention like a screw or a dowel? What's holding it in position? Whatever THAT is maybe worn or not fit snug enough?
Also, I can't tell that the cover holds the rear sight on. Looks like there is a dowel and/or screw (parts 12, 13 and 15) that hold the rear sight down onto the frame. Is that right?...can't be adjustable that way...Of course you can tap the front sight to adjust windage.
Anyway, I can't make out how the cover fits and is retained in the slide nor how the cover holds the rear sight on. But in any case, the ejection stroke must be jarring that cover off so the fit somewhere there is not good.
Let us know more, will you?

 

[BillyP]

The cover is held in place by those dog legs you're talking about. The front part of the back sight has an indention in it. The back part of the cover slides into the front part of the back sight, holding the sight in place. The back sight holds part 12 & 13 (Firing Pin Lock with Spring) and part 15 (Firing Pin Retainer Pin).

Anyway, I removed part 8 (Cartridge Indicator with Spring), put it back together and it works just fine. Some how the Cartridge Indicator is getting pushed up and causing the cover to come off.

No big deal anyway. I bought the gun for $20, put $70 worth of parts in it and got a good shooter. If interested, below is the part numbers and names that correspond to the schematic. I should have posted it with the schematic in the first place.

1 Barrel
2 Front Sight
3 Locking Block
4 Locking Block Operating Pin
5 Locking Block Retainer Spring
6 Slide
7 Firing Pin & Indicator Cover
8 Cartridge Indicator with Spring
9 Rear Sight
10 Extractor
11 Firing Pin
12 Firing Pin Lock with Spring
13 Spring for Firing Pin
14 Extractor Plunger
15 Firing Pin Retainer Pin
16 Spring for Firing Pin
18 Spring for Extractor Plunger
19 Safety Catch - complete
22 Frame or Receiver
23 Plunger for Retainer Latch
24 Spring for Ret. Latch Plunger
25 Trigger Bar
26 Sear
27 Barrel Retainer Latch
28 Hammer Strut
29 Hammer Lowering Lever
30 Firing Pin Lock Lifter
31 Ejector
32 Recoil Spring Guide
33 Pivot pin
34 Sear Pivot Pin
35 Recoil Spring
36 Hammer Spring
37 Spring
38 Slide Stop Return Spring
39 Hammer - complete
43 Trigger - complete
45 Spring for Trigger
46 Magazine Catch
47 Slide Stop
50 Grip Screw
54 Magazine Floorplate

 

[3RRL]

Well Bill,
I'm glad you got to the bottom of the problem. Could've been...no was a dangerous conditon. Sorry to not have been much help...my German sucks.
Thanks,