New Here...
 

I'm glad I found the forum. There's a lot of history recorded here!

I guess I fall into the category of "new collector". I had, some years ago, a '41 BYF, but knew little about it (pre-internet days) and ended up selling it for far too little when I moved.

I recently picked up a restored 1914, that I probably paid far too much for, but I wanted a good shooter, and this one seems to fill that bill. I fired it for the first time yesterday, and while I had three or four "stovepipes" (Winchester 115 grain white box of 100 rnds, from WalMart) it's possible the follower spring is a little weak. Certainly, the Mec-Gar mags that arrived via US Mail just hours after I returned from the range are much "stiffer"!

Collectors will hate me, as I'm looking for a repro holster and tool, but it's a user, not just for looking at. As far as the cleaning rods go, I became a huge Otis fan in Afghanistan, so I'm not really looking for a rod or a jag.

Many silly questions to follow, as I have much to learn, but here is my first: Would it work to put a wooden base on the Mec-Gar? Even though it's just for the range, that plastic bottom looks just a little out of place.

I saw people installed a Nambu Type 14's magazine bottom on a Luger magazine (no one could find correct parts and a solution was needed). Looks like it fits well.

You can buy wood bases and install them, GT here on the forum can install them.


Ed

Great, thanks. I know IMA, for one, has them... I'll have to try it.

Hi Don, and welcome to the forum.

The feeding problem that you experienced can be caused by a few things.

First, is the pistol clean and properly lubricated? If it's tight and dirty, drag can get the cycle timing off. Dirt under the extractor can also cause problems.

The easiest to take care of is the way you grip your Luger when shooting it. It has to have a well supported grip that prevents the pistol from rotating (rising) off level. That means a grip about as tight as you'd hold a child's hand as you guide them across the street. Often by paying attention to the grip, you'll find the Luger will shoot more reliably. This is a likely cause of stovepipes.

The condition of the recoil spring within your magazine is next on the list. Mec-Gar magazines are the best on the newly manufactured market. If you want the base replaced, consider sending it of to Gerald (G.T.) and let him do a complete job on it.

There were different strength coiled springs used on the earlier DWM and Erfurt Lugers.

The Mauser Lugers used a main recoil spring with (I believe) 20 or 21 turns. Earlier WW-I Lugers had 17-18 turns... Wolff sells a range of springs for the Luger:

http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?...s&cID=1&mID=38

It's sometimes worth trying alternates if the first things don't work...

Marc

Marc,
Thanks... Actually played with it again today. 100 Rounds of Remington Shur-Shot, 115 grain, Mec-Gar Mags. Not one mis-fire.

Understood on the limp-wristing. Glocks do that too, but it's not something I've had a problem with in the past.

My next step is to try reloading. Not sure where that will take me, but I'm going to have to go in that direction if I want to use the Mannlicher my grandfather gave me, so I might as well. If I've done my research here well, I need to get a medium speed burning powder, and the gun was designed for 123 grain (closest I can find to that is 124) and a muzzle velocity about 1075fps.

Eventually, I'll take the magazine apart, count turns, etc. I know it's not original to the gun (serial numbers don't match) but it is a wooden base with an aluminum mag.

Thanks for all.

Mag pictures added, just for giggles...

Don, This magazine does not have an aluminum body. It is nickel plated steel. Aluminum would be way too weak for the feed lips to hold their shape.
Very nice body. Rare to find unblemished bodies on these early magazines.

Don, be careful about disassembling a Luger magazine. It takes special fixtures to properly re-assemble them...

The different springs I mentioned are the recoil spring in the frame of the Luger.

Marc

Hi Don,
Don't take the mag apart or use it for shooting. It is WWI vintage and collectable. The wood can become brittle after 100 years. It would be a shame to crack the wood bottom or mar the tube.

See, you learn something here every day! I was loath to take it apart in the first place, which is why I bought the Mec-Gars. Now I know I made the right choice.

Nickel-Steel. Got it.