Replacement parts for my P 38

[Georg of Ohio]

I have gotten a P 38 9MM pistol form my uncle (which he picked up at the end of WW2) it have WW2 German marks but it have non-matching numbers. I have only shot two magazines,but it works fine. I have been told that I should replace the springs and some parts (?). Can someone tell me why (if it is working) and which ones should be replaced? Would it be better to buy these parts on line or can I get them at the gun show? Thank you for any in-put.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know about replacing "parts" on a functional gun.
Changing springs is a reasonable precaution and not very expensive. I'd use the standard recoil springs from Wolff, or maybe the Service Pack if you want to take it apart to get at the other springs.
http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/WaltherNF.html#P38/P5

 

[mrmeval]

If it works I'd leave it alone. There's been a flood of P1 pistols which are post WWII P38s with aluminum alloy slides. Those will drive down the cost of replacement springs and such for a while.

 

[Jim K]

I have seen several P.38 and P1 pistols ruined by attempts to remove the recoil springs. If the gun works, leave them alone.

(The P1, BTW, does not have an aluminum alloy slide; it has an aluminum alloy frame.)

Jim