Luger won't fire.
 

I have a WWII Luger that will not fire. When the trigger is pulled nothing happens no click heard of felt. I am new to Lugers so I did some reading here. I have disassembled , cleaned and lubed it. Still will not fire. I can take the side plate off and push on the sear button and then it the firing pin will move. The pistol is a non matching number rebuild with the side plate and the toggle link pin being the only parts that are not matching as far as I can tell. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

First of all makle certain that the gun is empty. And the safety is off.
Take the trigger out and clean the entire area with a toothbrush, solvent, etc, just to rule "gummed up" out.
Once re-installed and cocked try pressing on either SIDE of the trigger to see if it fires under side pressure, and make certain that rearward travel is not blocked.
Maybe a closeup photo of the trigger installed but side plate off might help. I'm guessing that it involves the top of the trigger and it's relationship to the side plate "L" lever.
Someone may be able to diagnose it via photos, however I'm thinking that a trip to the LugerDoc may be in order.
dju

Remove the receiver and barrel and reassemble frame with sideplate installed, then press trigger and see if lever on sideplate moves enough to engage. David

I already cleaned out all of the grime from the trigger and the problem still exists. I installed the side plate with the barrel half off and it seems that the trigger lever is not moving out far enough with the trigger pressed.

Bertiii

Is the side plate loose. If so hold it tight against the frame and see if the trigger will release the firing pin. If it is loose there are threads on this sight telling how to tighten the side plate.

If that does not solve your problem it is likely that the trigger lever needs to be adjusted. That needs to be handled by someone like Luger Doc.

No the side plate does not seem to be loose. I saw some of the posts on loose side plates and did try holding it tight against the frame but the trigger would not release the firing pin. What is involved in trigger lever adjustment

Bertiii

Before attempting to adjust the trigger lever, I agree with a previous comment to post pictures of the trigger with the side plate removed. One of the experts on the site may see something that can solve your problem.

You can search the phrase below to see the adjustment detail.


Adjusting Trigger Plate lever procedure

You might try placing a thin shim between the trigger and where it contacts the "L" lever. Sometimes the trigger does not move the "L" lever enough to trip the sear bar. Maybe try cutting a shim from a beer can.

Here are some pics. The first one is with the trigger at rest, the second one is with the trigger fully engaged, and the third is with the side plate off and the trigger lever in the fully engaged or fire position. If these are not sufficient or another angle needed just let me know.

When I installed a set of Wolff springs, the trigger spring was too long. When fully compressed, it was too long and would not allow the sear to trip. I cut off about 1 coil and everything was fine.

--Rootshot

Couple comments.. have you tried another sideplate? and will the gun fire if it is cocked and you press in on the sear bar? **** the gun, take the sideplate off and press in on the searbar, gun should fire. Sear bar should move freely. David

No I dont have another side plate and I have verified that sear bar moves freely and with the sideplate off when you press in on the sear bar the gun fires. I believe the trigger lever is not moving out enough to trip the sear. I will remove the trigger spring and try firing it to see if that could be the problem.

Disconnector?
 

Hi, There is a small round plunger at the forward end of the sear bar.

Those sometimes get stuck in due to dirt and congealed lubricant.

Does that round plunger freely move in and out of the sear bar? It is the disconnector. If it's permanently stuck in, the trigger mechanism would be permanently disconnected...

It's also possible that the trigger plate fit is keeping the disconnector compressed after the pistol cycles. This would happen if the pin doesn't clear the trigger bar to properly reset.

The Trigger Bar (lever) is brittle because it's been hardened. Don't try to bend it. It will likely break before it bends.

Marc

Have you tried JRS' suggestion of shimming it a bit with some thin alum. stock?
dju

I believe I got it fixed. I did alot reading on this site and took into consideration all of the informative responses to my post. The more I thought about it I figured that the disconnect may not be fully releasing even though it moves freely in the sear bar. So I went ahead and polished both the trigger lever face and the disconnect plunger face and now it goes click and I can actually see the sear bar moving as the trigger is pulled. The real test will be at the range. Thanks for all the help. Wish every one here a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Load one round at a time and use caution until you are certain.
dju

I did as you suggested David and loaded one road at a time. The pistol functioned great so then I loaded a snap cap and then a live round in the mag. I then fired the pistol this way a few times to verify that it was not doubling and everything went great. Lastly I loaded a full mag and every thing functioned perfectly. Once again I thank you all for the help and info in this matter.

Another P08 back in business. It is great when a plan comes together.....Enjoy.