Ammo for German Pistol (WWII Era)

[TN_Jim]

My father is wanting to shoot the pistol he took from a German POW. He tried using .32 auto, but had several failures to fire. I do not have the gun, only his phone call. I don't know if issue is no primer strikes or a soft strikes or something else. The barrel is stamped: 7.65 mm.

Anyone know what ammo would be currently available in the USA?

Thanks for your help.

EDIT: Is 32 AUTO the correct caliber? Edited September 7, 2014 by TN_Jim

[hipower]

What's the pistol? Know the caliber?

[Garufa]

Plenty of .32 ammo available out there but I would recommend finding a brand made in Europe as they generally load that round a little hotter and is considered more reliable in European made guns.

 

Look for Fiocchi, Prvi, Sellier & Bellot, Geco, etc.

[R1100R]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.65%C3%9721mm_Parabellum

 

It could be .30 Luger. Another name for German 7.65.  It would be helpful to find out what kind of pistol it is.

Edited September 7, 2014 by R1100R

[DaveTN]

7.65 is .32ACP.
With no more information than it won’t fire, maybe he should have someone locally look at it.

[Hershmeister]

Please provide the make of the gun, or if you do not know then a pic and also of the stamping Without that we are guessing

[TN_Jim]

"Please provide the make of the gun...."

Ortgies Pocket Pistol.

[hipower]

Interesting pistol. Please have a gunsmith check it over. A few dollars spent could be the difference between a great storied souvenier and a tragic accident.

 

And wouldn't hurt to follow Garufa's advice and use European manufactured ammo.

[DWARREN123]

Also a good cleaning may be in order.

Always use the correct ammo.

[Hershmeister]

32acp then. Inspect and clean. Then try again.

[Mike.357]

like said 7.65 is .32ACP

 

Pics I googled of the Ortgies look like my FEG which is a Walther knock off.

 

I'd like to have one.

[leroy]

I'm like some of the other guys... It probably needs stripping and cleaning.... We've got a CZ 27 (...i think...) that is eagle and swastika marked that shoots like a dream with 32 auto ammo...

 

leroy

[TN_Jim]

Thanks for the replies.

 

About five years ago. he used the .32 auto ammo. The pistol fire was not reliable. Then he took the pistol to a gunsmith, who cleaned and inspected. Gunsmith told him .32 auto should work. The pistol didn't shoot any better. It was then placed in original leather holster, wrapped in a hand towel and placed on the closet shelf. I was not gun knowledgeable five years ago. Early this month he tried to shoot again. Same unreliable firing. 

 

I will purchase some .32 ACP to try.

 

Thanks for your help.

[Hershmeister]

Often smiths can't see a problem unless its reported or They fire the gun - you could have some weak springs or other wearable parts that need replacing

[railfancwb]

When it does fire, what do the firing pin impressions on the primers look like? Pin could have been damaged or ground short for some reason. Is the area through which the firing pin moves clean? Could have a buildup of hardened oil or grease or powder residue.

[TN_Jim]

I have not seen the pistol nor primer strikes. I have plans to visit him soon, then I will know more. In this post I was making sure he was using the correct ammo. 

 

Thanks for the suggest as I plan that to be my next step.