CYQ P38

MAUSER888 said:

I keep mine around 1050 fps with a 115 gr. round nose bullet. Works great in my shooter Luger too.

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What Mauser888 said. DO NOT shoot your friend's 147 grain reloads in your P.38. I also don't know where the author of the article you read came up with 1400 fps for WW2 9mm but that's an insane velocity unless it was a very light, special purpose bullet. DO NOT abuse your pistol with hot loads. If you must buy cartridges, try White Box Winchester 115 grain. They seem to be safe in Lugers and wartime P.38's.

TomJ said:

1. Just trying to get this into my thick head. My reduced loads, 147 Gr/950 fps. I’m guessing that y’all are disapproving of the 147 Gr bullet not the reduced speed?

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It's not the speed but the pressures required to move a 147 grain bullet at 950 fps. You're using an 80 year old pistol built during wartime of materials that aren't as durable as those we have today. The recoil springs are likely weaker than when new. Also consider that the powder used may have a burning characteristic that could create pressures that last longer than normal and cause battering of the parts. Your pistol, your call but I would err on the side of caution.

2. I figured out where the 1400 fps For the German Military statement came from. Page 15(upper right)of Reese’s book Luger Tips. That still seems a bit “hot” to me. He even suggested removing 2 coils from the mainspring to improve reliability with todays ammo.

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I don't believe that Reese is a good source for advice on loads to use in the Luger or P.38. Over the years there were MANY 9mm loads developed for the German military using very light to very heavy bullets. The original Luger load used a 123 grain bullet fired at approximately 1090 fps. Regardless, I would not subject a wartime P.38 - without regard for the manufacturer - to any load that I thought was "hot".