[Skookum]

Hello,

A friend has just bought a nice 38H in the 442k ser # block. The slide does not lock back when pulled to the rear. It makes no difference if the mag is in or out of the weapon. Makes no difference if safety lever is on or off.

He only has one mag, therefore cannot check with another mag in the event that it is a mag problem.

First, is the slide designed to lock when the last round is fired?
Aside from the magazine being the problem, where is the next most likely place to examine?

Thanks

 

[cmikrum]

I have just picked up a model 38H, and while it is a bit of a turkey, It doesn't appear to have a hold-open as part of the design. Unless someone out there has better information (and a better example), lack of a hold-open device appears to be the norm. Kind of strange, as this pistol seems to have evrything else going for it.

Possibility/speculation: Earlier models might have had such a device, but the Germans dumped it to simplify the design as the war progressed.

 

[sauer]

The slide of the 38-H is not designed to lock back on an empty magazine. What you assume to be a hold open is most likely the magazine safety lever.