P38/P1 feeding issue

[aghauler]

Using Walther P38/P1 mags in my P1 the other day and found that if I loaded the mags with 8 rounds in the 8 round mag the first one would stovepipe on the way into the chamber. If I loaded only 7 rounds the first round chambered correctly. Other than this issue the pistol functioned flawlessly.

Any ideas besides only load 7 rounds?

[kdm]

That's a good one. 7 rounds with no prob precludes mag lips, recoil spring weakness, or op error. All that's left is a follower or mag spring issue. Maybe the follower is hanging up while deep in the mag? Do you have another mag to try?

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

The feed lips are spread and/or worn out. The extra tension on the lips from a fully-loaded magazine are causing the round to jump out when it hits the feed ramp. The feed ramp starts the upward momentum and the bullet sort of carries it upwards, making the whole round go vertical enough to miss the chamber.

The base is then caught between the barrel and slide.

You need a new magazine.

Regards,

Josh

[aghauler]

Hello,

The feed lips are spread and/or worn out. The extra tension on the lips from a fully-loaded magazine are causing the round to jump out when it hits the feed ramp. The feed ramp starts the upward momentum and the bullet sort of carries it upwards, making the whole round go vertical enough to miss the chamber.

The base is then caught between the barrel and slide.

You need a new magazine.

Regards,

Josh

Well I do have another mag I got after the range trip it's a new Walther Mag. The other 2 didn't really look like they had that much mileage on them though.
When I get a chance I'll give is a go!

[aghauler]

That's a good one. 7 rounds with no prob precludes mag lips, recoil spring weakness, or op error. All that's left is a follower or mag spring issue. Maybe the follower is hanging up while deep in the mag? Do you have another mag to try?

Have a 3rd mag to try out, didn't have it when I went to the range.

[aghauler]

Ok so I had few minutes today returning from Reno to hit the range with the P1.
It didn't stovepipe with the first of 8 rounds BUT it would stovepipe occasionally several rounds into the mag. So this time I actually paid attention and looked into the mag after removing the stovepiped round.
What I saw was what looks like the follower wasn't coming up properly, the tip of the next round was pointed down. So I'm thinking first off I'll lube these mags a bit and see if that helps, maybe it's just the follower sticking on the dry parked mags.