Walther P1 Firing Pin Issue

[DamnedDirtyApe]

Hello all - I'm now a first time P1 owner, an extremely clean reworked upgraded BW from 1979

Fired it up today at the range and immediately found a semi-serious problem. Insert the mag, drop the slide, de-cock with the switch, return switch to Fire. Pull the trigger, the hammer falls, but no BANG. It only happens after a mag reload, and always on double action.

Doesn't happen every time, but it happened 8 times today in about 120 rounds fired. Second strike works everytime. After the click, there's NO mark on the primer whatsoever, and I used six different types of ammo. both factory and reloads and every type was affected. The firing pin is simply not being driven completely forward.

I've got a LOT of 9mm reloading under my belt to shoot through my several other 9mm's with no problem, so I'm certain it's absolutely, definitely not the ammo.

BTW, 147 grain Rainier over 5.7 grains of AA7 1.140 COL was the bee's knees in this pistol. At 12 yards it shot to POA, fed, ejected perfectly, seemed soft enough to not beat things to death.

I think it's something to do with the decocker, but I don't know what to look for. Any help?

 

[dfariswheel]

Possibly a gummed-up firing pin or a broken/defective firing pin, or a gummed up or weak spring in the firing pin lock.
Could also be a gummed-up or worn firing pin lifter.

Once the safety is returned to the fire position, there's nothing to prevent the firing pin from moving but the firing pin lock.

Key parts to inspect are:
Firing pin lifter Part P.
Firing pin, J.
Firing pin spring.
Firing pin lock, F.
Firing pin lock spring, E.

Note that the only way to access the firing pin lock is by removing the top cover. This is a LAST resort. The cover is easily damaged and difficult to get back together.
If the cover is damaged or not replaced right, it will blow off when fired, loosing parts.

Try checking the slide parts while assembled, then is cleaning if is needed, try a "gun scrubber" instead of disassembly if possible.

 

[DamnedDirtyApe]

Thanks for your reply dfariswheel.

Is there a parts breakdown picture or link for the letters/parts you described?

 

[dfariswheel]

Sorry, forgot to post the picture:

http://www.stevespages.com/ipb-walther-p38.html

Get some detailed instruction before disassembly of the slide. The top cover and the rear sight both interlock with each other and each holds the other in place.
The rear sight is NOT windage adjustable. Try to move it and you'll destroy the top cover.

 

[DamnedDirtyApe]

I finally got the thing disassembled. There's some serious peening around the "collar" of the firing pin - that has to be what's wrong, everything else looks OK. Ordered one from LugerDoc.

Thanks again!