Dimples left on the spent casing
 

I hope this is the correct section. I am new to the world of lugers. I purchased a 1920s commercial and although I do not intent to shoot it I did bring it to the range with my P38 that I shoot often. I wanted to put just a few rounds through it. I was surprised how it shot 1000% times better then the P38. I hit 2 bulls eyes from 35 feet. I am not sure if this is normal with a p08 but the one thing I did notice after inspecting the spent casings very carefully they both had a small dimple on the side of each one about half way down. Is this normal?

It almost looked like a small reversed brail dimple. just not as large.

Yes..That is normal for many Luger cases. I have observed them myself and if they have a dimple..they were fired in a Luger. When the case is extracted it is captured by the extractor untill it 's base hits the sharp edge of the ejector..The ejector forces the cartridge case out many times straight up or sometimes to the right..I suspect the case encounters the edge of the bolt face or some edge somewhere as it is being very forcefully kicked out of the pistol and the dimple is made at this time. It's also possible the cartridge is spun upwards with such force that the extractor sticking out forward of the bolt face dimples it. Hard to tell but that's my theory!

Ok cool. I am so surprised for a very old gun how dam acurate and nice this thing shot. No wonder they used it so long. Now I am pissed cause I need another one maybe a mis matched newer model that I could shoot often. My wife is going to hate me lol Im already saving up for another. German precision at its finest

Welcome to the addiction.

Lugers can get very addictive to own, and to shoot. They are in a class by themselves. I, like you, find my Lugers MUCH more enjoyable and accurate to shoot compared to my P-38.

Jerry,

Since he ejector is off-center, it contacts the spent cartridge base on the lower-right quadrant (as seen from the rear). This pushes the casing up and to the left, where the mouth of the case hits the inside edge of the left receiver rail on its way out. There is a slow-motion video of a Luger being fired which shows thios very clearly, somewhere on the internet (don't have a link right now).

I'm not sure that this is what the original poster is asking about.

--Dwight

Mine seems to do this right at the neck. Is THAT normal?