P1 Firing Spring in WWII era P38?

[Ora Serrata]

Quick question: Can you use a P1 firing spring (legs over spring. example pictures attached) in a WWII era P38 (spring had legs pointing away from spring)?


Background: Was shooting my 1942 AC Walther P-38. Shot fine, but when I tested out the hammer drop safety it fired when the hammer dropped (yes, it was pointed down range). I took it apart and found the firing pin spring was broken in two. I ordered a new spring that was listed as a P38 spring, but it's one of the newer style springs.

[zinfull]

Yes on the spring. The trouble is not the spring. You may be missing parts or are worn out under your rear sight. There should be a firing pin block to keep the pin away from the round.

[Syntax Error]

Part of the reason why I don't trust decockers that just drop the hammer on a firing pin, regardless of a firing pin block. I find it's good practice to just hold the hammer back as you decock and gently rest the hammer on the firing pin. Better are designs where the decocker itself holds the hammer as you gently ease the hammer on the firing pin to a decocked position.

[Ora Serrata]

I checked the other parts under the sight and they looked good. Either way I'm not going to rely on that hammer drop safety.

It was the first time I'd shot it since buying it a couple years ago. It was pretty gunked up when I took it apart. Cleaned it up pretty good, so I'll see if that helps.