American Eagle Recoil Spring
 

What the heh?? Bill Stanley's 1906 American Eagle's Luger is being refinished and resprung (new springs) A Wolff Spring kit is going in this gun! The main spring that was in this gun is only 2.4" long and appears to be original (not cut this length) The replacement 38# Wolff mainspring is WAY longer-4" The gun is a 30 Luger but I thought they used the same springs? Any ideas? Thor

Re: American Eagle Recoil Spring
 

Just checked Frank Rials CD for original dimensions of the spring (all Luger parts too) and it shows the spring 96 mm which is approximately 3.78" and 10 mm in diameter (0.39") The spring replacement is 4" in length and 0.4" diameter. Almost looks like this gun was set up for a very weak loaded 7.65 m/m Parabellum loading (30 Luger) Any ideas on this short spring? The coils just dont look that much closer together to believe it could have possible be reduced in length 1 & 1/2". Thor

Re: Short AE Recoil Spring ?? .22 cal ??
 

Thor,

Is it possible that this Eagle was resprung for a .22 cal.

conversion kit.

No evidence, Just guessing.

ViggoG

Re: Short AE Recoil Spring ?? .22 cal ??
 

It appears from talking to Tom Heller offline this evening and checking Harry Jones Book, the 1906 AE had two different recoil springs, one for 9mm and the other for 7.65 mm which was shorter. Thor

I would install the new spring...
 

and wack off 1 or 2 coils at a time until the gun fires and reliably locks the toggle back on an empty magazine with the intended ammunition Thor... Then it should be primo with a loaded reliable magazine...


Just my $0.02


-John


P.S. - (seems like I have spent a couple of dollars here $0.02 at a time on the forum in the last couple of days! )

Re: I would install the new spring...
 

Already doing that! I will fire her today! HOPEFULLY! ~Thor~

Re: I would install the new spring...
 

Spring length and tension can be tricky conversions. I am not an expert on springs by any means but it would seem to me that one could have a four inch coil spring and a three inch coil spring, same amount of coils, same diameter coils, same diameter wire and still have equal spring tension on both lengths. Anyone know if there is an absolute rule on this?

Call Wolff Springs
 

Hi Thor,I would call Wolff Springs.I have had good luck with them and if no one knows the answer they put the owner on the telephone and he knows his stuff.Regards,MC

Re: Call Wolff Springs
 

Thanks Mike, There recoil spring package says 7.65 & 9mm so they sell the same for both. I have already cut the spring back and headed to the range to shoot tomorrow. After ready Harry Jones Luger Variation where he documents there is indeed a shorter spring for the 1906 30 vs the longer spring for the 1906 9, and after this being confirmed by our parts expert Tom Heller, a shorter spring IS in order! ~Thor~