Ok, well my new BD-38 is resting comfortably at home 
No pics yet, but will get some up shortly [edit - pics and video now up later in thread]. I got the gun, mags and pouches from Marstar, the mag loader (a post-war Yugo made one that likely also originally came from Marstar) from "MilitaryTour" and a real ww2 sling off e-bay. Still looking for a sheet metal "fkip-up" muzzle cover.
I don't know how many of these BD38 guns have been manufactured thus far, but mine has a mid-20's serial number [edit - serial number is actually 0228], and the other gun I had before was serial number 6.
Here is a word of caution to potential owners that probably applies equally to real MP38's.
When you disassemble the gun, you pull the trigger ALMOST all the way, but not enough to trip the sear. If you don't do this, the sear drags along the receiver tube and gouges the finish up a bit. In any event, if you mess up on this, the finish marring remains below the woodline. This is not a criticism of the SSD product, merely a design limitation, much like the one on 1911A1's that is resonsible for the "slide release idiot scratch". Those in the know will smile at that one No big deal, but I mention it because the instruction manual from SSD reads lke it was created with Babelfish. A better disassembly reference would be to purchase Mike Ingram's book on the MP40 series of sub guns. [edit: seems some scratching is unavoidable due to the design - no biggie]
I'm going to need some practice with this gun, I can tell. It's hard to hold on target while the open-bolt slams closed on a round. In prone shooting it won't matter, but standing it's going to take some getting used to. It's still way cool to own an open-bolt gun and not have a 12(x) endorsement. I'm sure some Americans are jealous of us.
One thing I did notice. I own 7 MP38und40 mags. 5 of them fit this SSD made gun well, while 2 are too tight - one doesn't go in at all, and the other is so tight that it gets stuck in the gun. Marstar is replacing those mags, no question asked. The mags in question are mid-war production and would likely fit a loosser MP40 no problem (they are real WW2 mags) but the machined MP38 (and the BD38 copy) has tighter tolerances than the stamped and welded MP40, so it's something to be aware of. Make sure all your mags fit before heading out to the range.
Overall, I'm really pleased with the gun at this point. I'll have to comment further after I've shot it a bit. If you haven't seen one in person, you would be SHOCKED how much machining is involved in manufacturing this weapon.
I'll try to give better impressions through photos in the next day or two
EDIT: Once final thing to mention for now, the BD38 isn't really a copy of an MP38. It's a copy of an MP38/40 as it does have the improved bolt handle and forward safety notch that most original MP38's were retrofitted with. Also, the guns are coded to replicate "Erma - Erfurt" manufacture, not Steyr or Haenel.
No pics yet, but will get some up shortly [edit - pics and video now up later in thread]. I got the gun, mags and pouches from Marstar, the mag loader (a post-war Yugo made one that likely also originally came from Marstar) from "MilitaryTour" and a real ww2 sling off e-bay. Still looking for a sheet metal "fkip-up" muzzle cover.
I don't know how many of these BD38 guns have been manufactured thus far, but mine has a mid-20's serial number [edit - serial number is actually 0228], and the other gun I had before was serial number 6.
Here is a word of caution to potential owners that probably applies equally to real MP38's.
When you disassemble the gun, you pull the trigger ALMOST all the way, but not enough to trip the sear. If you don't do this, the sear drags along the receiver tube and gouges the finish up a bit. In any event, if you mess up on this, the finish marring remains below the woodline. This is not a criticism of the SSD product, merely a design limitation, much like the one on 1911A1's that is resonsible for the "slide release idiot scratch". Those in the know will smile at that one
No big deal, but I mention it because the instruction manual from SSD reads lke it was created with Babelfish. A better disassembly reference would be to purchase Mike Ingram's book on the MP40 series of sub guns. [edit: seems some scratching is unavoidable due to the design - no biggie]I'm going to need some practice with this gun, I can tell. It's hard to hold on target while the open-bolt slams closed on a round. In prone shooting it won't matter, but standing it's going to take some getting used to. It's still way cool to own an open-bolt gun and not have a 12(x) endorsement. I'm sure some Americans are jealous of us.
One thing I did notice. I own 7 MP38und40 mags. 5 of them fit this SSD made gun well, while 2 are too tight - one doesn't go in at all, and the other is so tight that it gets stuck in the gun. Marstar is replacing those mags, no question asked. The mags in question are mid-war production and would likely fit a loosser MP40 no problem (they are real WW2 mags) but the machined MP38 (and the BD38 copy) has tighter tolerances than the stamped and welded MP40, so it's something to be aware of. Make sure all your mags fit before heading out to the range.
Overall, I'm really pleased with the gun at this point. I'll have to comment further after I've shot it a bit. If you haven't seen one in person, you would be SHOCKED how much machining is involved in manufacturing this weapon.
I'll try to give better impressions through photos in the next day or two
EDIT: Once final thing to mention for now, the BD38 isn't really a copy of an MP38. It's a copy of an MP38/40 as it does have the improved bolt handle and forward safety notch that most original MP38's were retrofitted with. Also, the guns are coded to replicate "Erma - Erfurt" manufacture, not Steyr or Haenel.
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