My First Luger
 

Hello everyone!

I'm finally happy that I can say I bought my first P08! The C96 was bought first but I was determined to find a WW1 Luger!

I've aquired a 1917 Erfurt with matching numbers except that pesky magazine. Although before it cracked it was a wooded base, but quite worn as the numbers were there but not legible.....

Anyway I took the gun apart, cleaned, oiled & reassembled. Loaded up the magazine & I noticed it seemed to fit loosely but was able to cycle all rounds through it manually without issue.

Now when I went to live fire it, the first round would chamber & fire, extract & then it would not feed another unless I manually did it. Then again same issue. Bang, no feed, manually chamber, bang & repeat.

So the first thing that came to mind was my Sig 115g fmj wasn't hot enough. Then I thought about the loose magazine, so I decided to hold it up as I fired & it ran perfectly, even holding open.

So I figured that magazine was the issue. So I ordered a few different types (wood base, aluminum base & plastic originals) to see if this would fix it. Did that today so I'm waiting for them to arrive.

Of course after shooting I noticed the wood base was cracked & as I took the magazine out the spring shot out the bottom finishing off the wooden bottom. So I'm not certain if this was a culprit of my issue or not. So I then ordered a original aluminum base to replace this magazine base.

Anyway I'd appreciate any help or tips!

As for pictures of the gun, I will add them after work in the morning!

Hope to hear from all of you experts!

Thanks

Storm

If that original mag was worn enough to almost obliterate the serial numbers on the base, I'll bet the notch cut into its body is worn enough to cause the problem. When the mag is inserted, the mag catch ordinarily clicks into that notch and holds the mag within the mag well. The height at which it is held is determined by the upper edge of that notch and the upper lip of the catch. With sufficient wear on either/both, the breech block will miss picking up the next round entirely when returning to battery. The good results you had when holding the mag up manually when taking a shot are further evidence that this was happening.

For shooting, it's good practice to use a dependable mag other than a collectible original. This is particularly true when you have one of the earlier. wooden base mags because--as you've experienced-- the bottoms crack and vlow out. I wouldn't sweat it too much in your case since the mag sounds as if it was kind of on its last legs anyway. Even if the body is worn beyond repair and the bottom is but a memory at this point, its original guts have at least some value as spares. G.T., a member here, is the go-to magazine wizard, and has turned many sows' ears into silk purses in this realm, so you would do well to P.M. for his opinion about what might be done.

In the meantime, order yourself up a Mec-Gar mag or three to use for shooting, as they are currently the best available for reliable performance.

p.s. Don't forget those pics!

Pictures 1/2

Pictures 2/2

Looks like you have a nice gun there. I would just glue the wood bottom and repair it as best as possible, keep it with the gun but don't use it for shooting. Follow ithacaartist advice and acquire a couple of magazines for shooting. I have 1918 Erfurt with a matching magazine and that's what I do. Also, for shooting I replace the original firing pin with one that has the later flute cut.

I agree - sounds like a poor fitting magazine and that one looks pretty tired.
The 115gr should be OK, although I don't know that brand (Sig ?)
I like plain old Winchester white box - consistent and reliable, although they did recall a large batch of 9mm two years ago.

I would also recommend a new MEC-GAR which you can usually find for $35-40 for shooting.

And, don't shoot it a whole lot - that looks like a collectible Luger, so take care of it.

A very nice Erfurt. Best advice you'll get has already been given: buy a Mec-Gar mag for shooting.

I'll keep an eye out for some. They are out of stock. If anyone has a spare or two, I happily buy one or two from you! Let me know!

Here's a question, why switch to the newer fluted firing pin? Better design or?

Also here is the ammo box.

Look on gunbroker, look on ebay for mec-gar mags. Put a want to buy in the classifieds here.
Do not believe the 'the luger needs hot ammo" story - some might, but its usually the mag.
I was trying to put a decent wood base into a mag body and broke it, could not get the glue to set, so its now scrap.

Unfortunately nothing on eBay currently. Didn't see any on GB either. I'll keep an eye out. Does Mec-Gar still produce these magazines currently?

Yes they do. But, like so many things, they don't make them every day. When they make a production run, then you will see them for sale. I've got some backordered at Brownell's. When they show up, then I'll get them. It may be a while before Mec-Gar makes a run of them.

Gotcha. I'm a Brownells dealer, I'll have to bug them to see when the next shipment is expected...

I picked up 3 Mec-Gar mags yesterday at the Nation's Gun Show.

Oh, and a so-called black widow Byf 1941. My first Luger. All matching, but I suspect the slide plate was force-fit because the take down lever is brutally hard to open and close, with deep scoring. Also black bakelite grips, and I confirmed with hot needle test and close comparisions to the sticky on them. Firt and finish is, I'd say, a solid "B" with some wear. Magazine is NOT an FXO, but a more rare version, but I'll post plenty of pix in a separate thread in the near future...

ammo
 

Edward Tinker is correct don't shoot any hot ammo through your gun that's the fastest way to damage it. These guns are around 100 years old; I shoot American Eagle 115 gr. in both my P08's 1918 Erfurt and 1942 BYF with no problems.

Alright, good. Now here is a serious question. Can you use hollow points through a Luger for self defense if I felt like carrying the weapon on occasion?

I know it's probably a dumb question but I enjoy practicing with all of my old revolvers & pistols & on occasion carry them.

Hi!

Yes, most hollow point ammo will work just fine in a Luger. Please watch out for hot +P loads though.

I you handload, that would be your best and safest option, however.


Sieger

Thanks!! Good to know & I'll keep an eye out for overly hot loads

After getting a Erma magazine from Simpson LTD today & trying it to no avail. I'm attaching some pictures of the magazine catch & hold open.

The magazine fits very tight & I wonder if it also is an issue. I'm also hunting for 124g 9mm to see if 115g is not hot enough.

Pictures attached

After a few more packages came in the mail today & reading through other topics of people having a similar issue, I decided to take apart the magazines & stretch the spring a small amount to see if this would change anything.

All of my magazines now cause the hold open to work properly. I loaded them up & the gun cycles manually without issue & holds open until a new magazine goes in & I put slight backwards pressure.

Shooting is another story. 9/10 times it skips the next round & chambers empty but is cocked ready to fire. 1/10 times it pulls a round & it gets caught at an upward angle (bullet facing up). So I've bought so 124g Blazer ammunition & will give it a try tomorrow.

I had to stop early today as my Gallow Technologies gun rack arrived in the mail so I could add it to my existing rack & get some rifles & pistols off the floor. I'll add a few pictures of them. Apologies for them being sideways, couldn't figure out how to fix as they were the right way up when uploaded

Not Blazer
 

Hi Storm, not Blazer,...:eek:.... underpowered, constant jams and failures, use WW whie box target 115 gr. ball to trouble shoot... other ammo when your Luger is runnig 100% on WW white box...:thumbup: best, til...lat'r....GT:cheers:

I can't seem to find it anywhere local, I'll look online for some. Do they have it in 124g or is it that much better than all the other stuff out there? I've read the original 9mm that was used on the P08 was slightly longer & close to 124g.

Hi Storm
 

It will probably have to be ordered, I'm not too savey on all the balistic chatter, some of the forum members here are re-loading champions and they custom taylor their loads to their Lugers demands. My knowledge on the WW White box 115 gr. ammo come strickly from the range, and I would bet I've shot as much 9MM down range as any other member, the WW White box was strong enough, correst pressures, and correct overal length that it became my default test ammo, and it hasn't dissapointed me yet? Sometime you need to eliminate certain variables so you are testing the pistol, not yourself, or not the ammo. So, I use only one ammo to test, and all the others to plink and play! Now, it may be a different ammo for your Luger, Federal, PMC or the like, but I don't think it will ever be the Blazer ammo? My substitue standard ammo is Federal 124 grain ball... seems to work the same as the WW White box, although I've used far less and won't make any claims for it right now?.. Best to you, til...lat'r....GT...:cheers:

Thanks for the reply, I found it online. I found 1000 rounds for 350 & figured why not get it as I have a few other 9mm guns it will work though.

Hi Storm
 

wow, that's cheap for todays prices! Maybe things are getting better?... best, GT
BTW, Next little bit of info. to help trouble shoot, get a new Mec-Gar magazine... Then we are dealing with just the gun... more as you test and report... best, til....lat'r...GT:cheers::cheers:

Only issue with looking for a Mec-Gar magazine, can't find one anywhere.... Ugh... Figures Repro Luger magazines are impossible to find..

I’ve had a fair amount of luck going to larger gun stores and finding a few Mec Gar mags for sale on the shelves and hooks. Not sure if that is an option for you.

The only close ones are fin feather & fur. Every other one is a local gun store. I'll start calling around!

Worst case, if anyone has a spare they be willing to part with I'd happily pay for it!

I found 3 NIB Mec-Gar mags at a very large gunshow...after finding NADA online (been there, felt that unpleasantness). And he had 4-5 more, I picked up two nickle ($40 each) and one blue ($35). Another magazine dealer had a few but they were used for similar prices. I was tempted to pick up 4-5 NIB ones to sell or trade...

So, try a large gunshow...?

I'll look at the Yankee Lake Gun show although, most of the guns are new there.

Also is this gap normal for a magazine?

In my experiences, yes there is sometimes a gap between the button/tabs and the frame. As Long as the Magazine catch engages and it doesn’t fall out, no issue.

Copy, that. So it does catch & release without issue. The hold open works now after carefully stretching the magazine spring. I have ordered a wolf spring kit in case any of the springs need replacing.

As of now my issue still is the next round not being picked up. It ejects fine, just doesn't feed. My WWB is one the way. I seemed to have ordered 124g but I'm sure the ammo being WWB it will still be the gold standard.

A sidenote, I did have one round chamber after firing one, that was the first time it ran properly since on my first try by holding the magazine up, but that was a different magazine.

I'll continue updates as more items arrive in the mail.

I do not plan on changing any springs unless that could be an issue after testing WWB ammo

Storm, I can sell you my NIB blued Mec-Gar magazine for what I paid for it + S&H. The show I picked one up at comes into town every other month so I can always get more later (for you and me).

gvkeitz@hotmail.com

Emailed, thanks

I double checked, I sent it to what you have listed above.
It should be from stormsclassicfirearms. That's my work email. Odd as it shows it sent....

I received another WW1 era wooden bottom. So this takes me to 3 wooden bottoms (one broken) & 1 Erma bakelite bottom. I have a Mec-gar one the way from a fellow Luger user. All of the original magazines are locking the action open when empty. All of them feed properly if manually cycling the action & holds open. Each of the magazines also lock in properly.

Now I have used 115g SIG 365 Elite Performance & 124g Blazer with no luck. 9/10 times it fires, ejects but doesn't pick up the next round. I have held the magazine up with my support hand & it seemed to cycle consistently, but didn't do enough testing that way. This makes me wonder if the magazines aren't sitting up high enough, although if it goes any higher it seems it would hit the edge of the magazine lip.

So until my Mec-Gar arrives as well as my 124g WWB & a wolf spring kit, I'm stuck thinking this over.

Could this be an issue with the mainspring or any of his springy friends?

As noted above, the mag catch does half the job of holding the mag in correct position when it's clicked into place. I can't tell the condition of the catch from the pic, so will again suggest checking it for wear. That a mag can be pushed up farther after it's clicked in is the main clue.

After a Mec-Gar magazine arrived today, I was able to use the gun flawlessly! Ran the 115g SIG & 124g Blazer. So I'm guessing my original magazines need new springs!

I did order a magazine catch just in case but I'm sure it's good to have spare parts.

I will update as time goes by. I just need to hunt down more Mec-Gar magazines.

And just as a point of interest, you are not helping (in fact, hurting things) by stretching the magazine spring. If it is out of oomph, then replace it, because stretching it just makes things worse.

Copy that, springs will be replaced. That was just a thought.