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After cleaning try some U.S. made commercial ammo. Some of the foreign 9mm surplus military ammo has real hard primers, because it's meant for use in 9mm open bolt submachine guns.
The P.38 was made to shoot submachinegun ammo so hard primers should NOT be a problem.
Remove the grips and take a look at the coiled spring that powers the hammer. If weak or broken, replace.
If that spring is okay, most likely the firing pin spring (holds the firing pin to the rear) under the cover is wrong or bound up and will need replacing.
CAUTION: Removing the firing pin/loaded chamber indicator cover can cause the loss of small spring loaded parts.
Comments
Here is a schematic for the P-38,
http://www.e-gunparts.com/products_new.asp?CatID=6157
After cleaning try some U.S. made commercial ammo. Some of the foreign 9mm surplus military ammo has real hard primers, because it's meant for use in 9mm open bolt submachine guns.
Remove the grips and take a look at the coiled spring that powers the hammer. If weak or broken, replace.
If that spring is okay, most likely the firing pin spring (holds the firing pin to the rear) under the cover is wrong or bound up and will need replacing.
CAUTION: Removing the firing pin/loaded chamber indicator cover can cause the loss of small spring loaded parts.
And here is a step by step with pictures!