Breech Block Blown

Armin · 02-18-2003, 12:42 AM

Thor,
the disaster you described above happened to my reblued but all-matching S/42 G-date Luger last year. One evening at the range after having fired some 30 or 40 rounds through the gun, the firing pin retainer broke out of the breech block. What happened to my gun that has a vented firing pin? In my opinion the breech block is one of the weak parts of a Luger. I think that compared to an unused Luger the system (barrel, receiver etc...) of a partially worn-out one moves some microns farther back during the reloading action and with that the toggle movement goes on slightly farther. As a consequence the breech block moves closer to the back side of the frame and finally knocks against it. One can see the mark of the breech block in many Lugers especially in those that are blued internally. Taking into account the dainty retainer joint in the breech block, I think that repeated knocks can break it. One has to keep in mind that old steel loses its strength due to recrystallization effects.
My G-date has a non matching breech block now, but it still shoots very very accurately and I still love it. What are your comments ?
Just my two eurocents, Armin.

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02-18-2003, 12:42 AM	#5
Armin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts	Thor, the disaster you described above happened to my reblued but all-matching S/42 G-date Luger last year. One evening at the range after having fired some 30 or 40 rounds through the gun, the firing pin retainer broke out of the breech block. What happened to my gun that has a vented firing pin? In my opinion the breech block is one of the weak parts of a Luger. I think that compared to an unused Luger the system (barrel, receiver etc...) of a partially worn-out one moves some microns farther back during the reloading action and with that the toggle movement goes on slightly farther. As a consequence the breech block moves closer to the back side of the frame and finally knocks against it. One can see the mark of the breech block in many Lugers especially in those that are blued internally. Taking into account the dainty retainer joint in the breech block, I think that repeated knocks can break it. One has to keep in mind that old steel loses its strength due to recrystallization effects. My G-date has a non matching breech block now, but it still shoots very very accurately and I still love it. What are your comments ? Just my two eurocents, Armin.