Actually, the steel cross-bolt is there to provide a harder "wear seat" for the steel locking block to operate on. They found that after shooting a lot of ammo the steel locking block would wear off the locking ramp in the aluminum frame to the extent that the pistol would start to have locking problems.Quote Originally Posted by Nordic Marksman View Post
I read a bit about the frame cross bolt... its that important on the P1's?
It really has nothing to do with cracking of the frame.
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CPC PC Ontario
"It really has nothing to do with cracking of the frame." Wrong...& not true.
Nothing at all? Really? Walther's P38 was a steel frame receiver. The steel frame at the front ensured that the 9mm cartridge would not compromise the thinnest part of the forward frame. The much lighter production aluminum frames began to show cracks & frame splits at the weakest point ahead of the locking block due to the pressure of the 9mm cartridge. P38 aluminum frames are not as strong as the steel frame.
Walther's fix was to insert a hexagonal steel cross pin in the aluminum frame to increase stability, and ensure the forward aluminum frame would not warp, twist, or crack.
It is common knowledge that the Walther P38/P1 aluminum frame had frame cracking problems, that were remedied by the insertion of the steel pin.
"In all history, before socialism can happen, the self-reliant people and their tools of freedom have to go." Ronnie Barrett. M82A1/M107.
WRONG!
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...38-p-1.159973/
(Quote)"Note the comment in one of the above posts that the hex-bolt was not installed to prevent the frame from cracking but to reduce wear (read rounding or peening) at a key point. When you disassemble the P-1, you'll see that the hex bolt comes into play with the locking bolt when the slide is returned to battery by the recoil springs and not when the locking bolt strikes the frame from the more violent blow-back forces of the fired round.(end quote)
(Quote)"The fact is, the steel reinforcement pin was NOT to prevent frame cracks, it was to give the locking block a steel "wear surface". Walther's that were heavily shot tended to wear the soft aluminum ramp in the frame that operates the locking block. When the ramp wore enough, the gun would start to have locking problems.The steel pin was installed to give the steel locking block a longer wearing steel surface. THAT'S why the pin is hexagonal in shape.
There are a number of reasons aluminum P-38/P1 pistols will crack frames or slides. Some of the most common:
1. Shooting hot ammo or heavy bullet loads.
These guns were designed for use with standard load 125 grain bullet ammo.
Shooting hot ammo or bullets over 125 grains can cause cracks.
2. Using "extra-power" recoil springs.
While extra-strong recoil springs may "pad" the frame from hot ammo, people fail to understand that the slide ALSO slams SHUT with greater force.
It's that extra-hard slide closing that literally hammers the frame forward and cracks it.
A look at the posted broken frame shows that the frame was hammered FORWARD not rearward".(end quote).
By the way, I've been shooting the Walther P1 for over 5 years so I know well how it works.
Last edited by 05RAV; 05-23-2019 at 08:29 PM.
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CPC PC Ontario
For sure I wouldn't buy one without the X Bolt
Yep, fixed wing is great but rotary wing is ... GREAT. Life is good. JP.