>You must have been Air Force. I've read about that and still wonder why that was done. Granted the .38 Special is a potent cartridge but the military tried a .38 at the turn of the century and didn't have too much success with it. Gimme a .45 any day...

Dan;

Yes, I was in the Air Force.

I was on the range one day when an Army Captain showed up with a match Colt .45 Automatic. I had my matched (all parts stamped with the same number) 9mm Lugar with 10” barrel on the 100 yard range. I had the 4”, 6” and 10” barrels. The range master was screaming at me until he saw the pattern. They had a rule about not using a pistol on any range over 50 yards. 100 feet was more common. Well, the Captain took out his .45 and put in the same kind of pattern. It blew me away! I have never before or since seen anyone do that with a .45. Lugar’s are great but I would bet many German Officers died because of how delicate they were due to dirt. The P-38 did not have that problem but I love the feel of the Lugar.

Tom