The "Luger" Reputation

unspellable · 11-11-2005, 11:25 AM

The change in the 9 mm cartridge that resulted in poor reliability was not the power level. The Luger likes the standard load, not to weak, not too hot. It's the 7.65 mm cartridge that suffers from the factories under loading it.

The real problem was when someone came up with the brilliant idea that the cartridge should be loaded shorter than the original specs. The Luger magazine depends on the nose riding on the front of the well and a short cartridge drags.

There have been many attempts by the uninformed to tinker with the recoil spring. I've opened up several shooter grade Lugers and found no two springs alike. You need to have an in spec recoil spring.

The Wally World Winchester special seems on average to function as well as any factory load available.

Some one mentioned taking it to a Luger smith. That means a Luger smith. The average gun smith has little understaing of what makes them work. You will hear stories about how it needs a hot load. NOT true. The only thing a hot load will accomplish is accelerated wear and the risk of breaking a toggle knob.

11-11-2005, 11:25 AM	#8
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 769 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 12 Posts	The change in the 9 mm cartridge that resulted in poor reliability was not the power level. The Luger likes the standard load, not to weak, not too hot. It's the 7.65 mm cartridge that suffers from the factories under loading it. The real problem was when someone came up with the brilliant idea that the cartridge should be loaded shorter than the original specs. The Luger magazine depends on the nose riding on the front of the well and a short cartridge drags. There have been many attempts by the uninformed to tinker with the recoil spring. I've opened up several shooter grade Lugers and found no two springs alike. You need to have an in spec recoil spring. The Wally World Winchester special seems on average to function as well as any factory load available. Some one mentioned taking it to a Luger smith. That means a Luger smith. The average gun smith has little understaing of what makes them work. You will hear stories about how it needs a hot load. NOT true. The only thing a hot load will accomplish is accelerated wear and the risk of breaking a toggle knob.