Extractor problem?
 

My "shooter" Luger has this occasional problem of not extracting the spent casing from the chamber. This then results in a new round banging into the spent casing causing an aggravating jam. I have replaced the extractor spring with a stronger one to the point that it is difficult to raise the extractor with my finger. This has not helped. Would just changing the extractor be advisable or is there some more complicated problem going on?:rolleyes:

Thanks for your input, Rick, I'll check all these things out.

Hi Doc,

If you have changed ammo recently, the new ammo could be too hot and cause more pressure between the chamber and shell case, thus requiring more force to extract it from the chamber. If you haven't changed ammo - try Rick's recommendations and GOOD LUCK!!

Frank, Good suggestion. Have you any preferences as to what brand of ammo works best for you?

Cases that Stick
 

Hi:

Are you shooting steel or brass cases?

Typically, non brass cases can give problems. The Germans even experienced this during the war, and specially marked ammo for "Pistole 08" shooting (brass cased ammo).

What brand of ammo are you currently shooting?

Just a long shot, but are your cases "smokey" when they do extract?

Sieger

Hi Doc, I have been using Remington 115 gr, but have tried Winchester "Value Pak" from Walmart and that seems to work too. I only have about 50 rounds of the Winchester down range, so it's a small number compared to the Remington I have shot. The Winchester has a larger over all length dimension, so it may help some magazine types. Most original magazines don't seem to care much, at least from my experience.

I use brass exclusively. Have noted that the re-loads that I have bought at gun shows more often cause the problem. The Winchester Value Packs work much better but the problem still occasionally occurs.

Ammo
 

Hi:

I cracked the slide on a really nice P-38 using reloads I bought at a Gun Show!!

The seller had packed almost 5 grains of Bullseye behind a 124 grain bullet!!!

The damned things could have killed me, but, instead, they just killed the pistol!!!!

The original WWI load was a 123 grain bullet traveling at 1079 fps.

Urban legend states that a Luger likes "HOT" loads. I haven't found this to be true at all, and HOT loads certainly haven't been accurate for me either.

If your extractor slot is clean, your spring is in spec., your extractor isn't buggered up some how and you are using the right ammo, I really don't know what your problem is.

Again, are your fired cases smokey? If so, they probably haven't sealed to the chamber. This can cause a multitude of operational problems with a Luger.


Sieger

I don't believe the cases are smokey but will have to check. I will stick to name brand stuff, especially Winchester Value Packs.

Hi,

My WW1/2/3 frankenluger shooter, which has the DWM basics, a 1936 Mauser receiver and a VoPo barrel shows this pattern as well. Although a set of new springs did miracles for the gun, sometimes the extractor pops over the rim of a spent case.

It used to produce a small indent in the spent cartridges, but this has been cured by the new springs. They fly a bit higher as well :)

I believe my main problem is case length and although the 124 gr. Sellier & Bellot is just about the longest you can get, some are just a tad too short for this chamber/toggle combination.

There appears to be a distinct difference in size between the DWM toggle and the Mauser receiver and I have thought about swapping out one or the other (DWM receiver w. DWM toggle or Mauser receiver w. Mauser toggle).