P38 Decocker Issue - Any MN guys know how to fix/good gunsmith?

[fishermankw]

Have an AC P38 that is having what seems to be the standard decocker issue. If the gun is in safe it won’t “fire” however when the gun is cocked and the lever is switched to safe the gun will not decock. I was watching some YouTube videos on how to fix this but don’t know how accurate this is. Anyone know of a good MN gunsmith or someone that could fix this issue? Would prefer not to ship out if I don’t have to.


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[Tiger 2 Tank]

www.p38forum.com . “Ron from Minnesota” forum member and forum moderator can help. He has many parts for sale as well.

Just FYI, this is a common problem and not an easy fix. It takes the right combination of parts and such to fix it.

 

[M1-Garand]

www.p38forum.com . “Ron from Minnesota” forum member and forum moderator can help. He has many parts for sale as well.

Just FYI, this is a common problem and not an easy fix. It takes the right combination of parts and such to fix it.

When i use the safety decocker on my P38 (seldom) I make sure to restrain the hammer,the drum that is part of the safety lever is very fragile and shatters easy when hit by the hammer.

 

[fishermankw]

When i use the safety decocker on my P38 (seldom) I make sure to restrain the hammer,the drum that is part of the safety lever is very fragile and shatters easy when hit by the hammer.

Agreed, I myself never actually use it, but part of a “fully functioning” pistol. It’s fir an AC40, otherwise I’d not care so much.


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[reich1900]

You say that it's an AC40 which is rare one to find and if it's in nice condition worth much more than a common P38. So what I would suggest is to go on the P38 Forum they will help you for sure. I have an AC40 which is the best pistol I own but had the same problem you have but with a BYF43. What I did was to replace the disconnector the part that causes the problem with a new one from Walther and it works just fine and kept the original with the gun.

 

[fishermankw]

You say that it's an AC40 which is rare one to find and if it's in nice condition worth much more than a common P38. So what I would suggest is to go on the P38 Forum they will help you for sure. I have an AC40 which is the best pistol I own but had the same problem you have but with a BYF43. What I did was to replace the disconnector the part that causes the problem with a new one from Walther and it works just fine and kept the original with the gun.

I’ll have to sign up for the P38 forum, I hadn’t done it b/c it doesn’t work with the “Tapatalk” app but I think they’ll be a good resource for this. Yeah the bluing is nice, grips match, mag is mismatched but within the same “b” block. It’s good to know that they’re still available through Walther, I have a M/M AC41 that I thought I could salvage from if need be.


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[sprat]

I do not give build or repair advice on the computer anymore. In the late 70's 80's we repaired lots of these, most were heavy shooters. The newer P-1 parts do not always fit, I would scour flea bay, gun broker, gun auction etc and try to get original walther parts for replacement, the part will be ampt'd especially in a 1940

is this the same pistol we discussed before

 

[fishermankw]

I do not give build or repair advice on the computer anymore. In the late 70's 80's we repaired lots of these, most were heavy shooters. The newer P-1 parts do not always fit, I would scour flea bay, gun broker, gun auction etc and try to get original walther parts for replacement, the part will be ampt'd especially in a 1940

is this the same pistol we discussed before

This is not the gunbroker AC40, this is the AC40 we discussed early February with the “cottage industry” holster. I’m a stickler for original parts as well I have an early mismatched AC41 that I assumed some parts could scalped off of/swapped. Not really going to hurt the value of the “shooter” grade much and gets the AC40 where it should be. I had assumed that it would be a pretty easy fix since this seems to be the most common issue, but the level of difficulty to swap these parts seems to be beyond my level of “skill”.


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[sprat]

Oh

I thought it was the capture.
but if you have narrowed down the problem and I do not have it in hand to examine

the average gunsmith should be able to disassemble the pistol, if you have the spare parts, again if they are Walthers same years ,they should interchange but its not a guarantee

Yes the guys over at P-38 forum including Ron are very knowledgeable,

as I stated earlier we used to see some really abused pistols with shot out barrels ,the worn parts were always in the trigger bar, disconnector, sear & hammer .

I still have one of them, I have been using it as a shooter for 25 plus years its a ac-41 the barrel was shot out when I bought it, but I picked up back up barrel unit from a demilled pistol

again P-1 parts will fit sometimes, its best to stick with WW2 production parts in ex condition

I am also glad you have the position, that it is beyond your skill level, wish more people would do that

 

[fishermankw]

Uploaded to the P38 forums as well, sounds like a local guy and one of the moderators over there should be able to help in a bit. No hurry with this one, been like this for who knows how long, doesn’t need to be fixed tomorrow.

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[sprat]

again

I replace quite a few of those over time, disconnectors always wear on the top where it meets the slide Even hardened they wear out ( I guess you could say its weak link)

good you found help

good luck