Why was this the last Webley pistol? With firearms expert, Jonathan Ferguson.

Published on January 25, 2023
Duration: 28:08

This video explores the Webley Jurek, a post-war pistol inspired by the Walther P38, designed by Marian Karol Jurek. Despite innovative features like an internal mainspring for a slim grip, it suffered from a heavy 32lb double-action trigger pull and failed British military trials due to complexity and poor performance in harsh conditions. The Browning Hi-Power was ultimately adopted, ending Webley's handgun development.

Quick Summary

The Webley Jurek pistol, inspired by the Walther P38, failed British military trials due to its complexity (79 parts), poor performance in harsh conditions, and a heavy 32lb double-action trigger pull. These factors led to the adoption of the Browning Hi-Power, ending Webley's handgun development.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Webley Jurek vs Walther P38
  2. 01:10Designer Marian Karol Jurek's Story
  3. 03:08Naming: 'High Power' Cartridge vs Model
  4. 04:22Caliber and 'High Power' Load Explained
  5. 05:40Design Evolution: Prototypes & Slide Features
  6. 08:06Safety Mechanisms and Design Flaws
  7. 10:46Internal Innovation: Mainspring & Trigger Pull
  8. 12:59Military Trials Failure & Browning Hi-Power Adoption

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Webley Jurek pistol unsuccessful?

The Webley Jurek failed British military trials in 1953 due to its complexity, featuring 79 parts compared to the Browning Hi-Power's 50. It also performed poorly in sand and mud tests, and its heavy 32lb double-action trigger pull hindered accuracy, ultimately leading to the adoption of the Hi-Power.

What inspired the design of the Webley Jurek pistol?

The Webley Jurek pistol was heavily inspired by the German Walther P38. While not a direct copy, its visual similarities are striking, reflecting the P38's role as a modern, efficient military sidearm designed to replace older designs like the Luger.

What was the significance of the 'High Power' engraving on the Webley Jurek?

The '9mm High Power CTG Automatic Pistol' engraving on the slide refers to the cartridge, not the model name. 'High Power' specifically denotes the British 9mm Mark 2Z load, which was a more potent version developed to reliably operate Sten submachine guns.

What were the main design flaws of the Webley Jurek?

Key flaws included an extremely heavy 32lb double-action trigger pull due to the mainspring's placement in the hammer assembly, and a manual safety that did not function as a decocker, potentially confusing users. Its complexity and poor performance in environmental tests also contributed to its failure.

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