Broken fireing spring guides
 

I have A luger made in 1916 that breaks fireing spring guides after A couple of rounds fired. The 9mm rounds used are standard factory rounds. This being my first luger I am not knowlegable of the mechanicle workings yet. could anyone tell me what causes this and how to fix the problem.

To correct my question thats firing pin spring guide.

This may be a dumb question, but have you checked the inside of the firing pin to see if it is clean? It may have some foreign material that is binding on the guide at full recoil.

Thanks Ron for your reply. No the inside of the firing pin is clean.

Ron, I would suggest first trying a new firing pin spring, so that your FP does not hit the retainer with such force. Also check the condition of the rear of your breech block where the retainer locks in: the rear hole should be perfectly round. TH

Might check to see if you pin is the vented type, ones in 1916 werent. After watching some slo motion films on Lugers firing, I am not totally convinced that some gases might be going back through the breech block on some Lugers. The vents will remove some of the rear ward force on the pin if gas is present inside the breechblock and the pin will not go rearward with as much force. It is always a good idea to replace the firing pin on WWI guns with one from WWII (vented type) just for shooting.

In addition to the suggestions already offered... I would consider buying a spare FP Spring guide and shortening the shaft about a siteenth of an inch... this might prevent the impact that is breaking them... Be sure to round off the tip after shortening to make sure the spring doesn't bind during operation.

Hi,

I've had one P08 with a broken fire pin guide, bought it that way. Replaced it and had no trouble afterwards. The previous owner shot self-loaded ammo with totally unreliable loads. The main spring of the pistol is getting a bit weak, but I had no further problems shooting normal S&B 124 grain rounds.

So check whether your ammunition is within specs. I'd recommend S&B 115 grn for pre-1930 DWM Lugers. My Dutch 1906 likes 115 better than 124, although it functions acceptable with both.

Robert,

Can you clarify exactly where the FP guide is breaking? One potential problem could be a weak recoil spring allowing the FP guide to slam into the back of the frame. Are there any marks on the back of the frame suggesting this? KFS

Karl, The guides are breaking off at the head I did not find any marks on the back of the frame.

The silence is deafening... any resolution to this very interesting problem???

Ive ordered some parts. as soon as I try some of the advise that I was given here I will write and tell how it worked.

Thanks everybody for your very good advise. It worked. I fired 100 rounds in it today and it worked like A new one. I replaced the fireing pin with A vented type. Shortened the new fireing pin spring guide about 1/16 of an inch and put in A new set of wolf springs. The ammo I was useing was the same as advised. I want to thank you all again for your good advise.