Lahti L-35 slide cracks.
 

Hello.

I get L-35 from my friend and noticed the slide has litlle crack near the accelerator. Is it still able to use as a shooter? I have fired few rounds and shoots great.

http://i11.aijaa.com/t/00696/14057580.t.jpg

I would not fire it, it will only get longer.

I found some information at the internet about taking off the accelerator and firing without accelerator,someones say it will work fine without?

And the crack does little "circle" and it ends near where it starts.

This is real L-35 in good condition in my opinion except the little crack :/

http://i4.aijaa.com/t/00428/14057698.t.jpg

I don't think that removing the accelerator will solve the problem after the crack starts.

It might be possible to get the area welded and milled back into specification.

i don't think I'd fire it without addressing the crack, which will only grow larger...

I think i'll try without accelerator because then the slide wouldnt be able to crack more.

I had a broken C96 hammer. A welder told me that's repairable. For looking, I have no doubt that's OK. But for shooting?? I am still doubting about the strength of welding.

I definitely will give his work quality a try in range. According to him, "if it breaks again, it won't break here".... I will verify his words.

Nothing wrong with welding if it is done well; the trick is to achieve the correct hardness and strength again.

Good luck with your project.

Welding/milling is not a problem but i dont want to ruin collectible value :/
Maeby i will keep it that way and try without the accelerator and if it works i'll shoot few rounds sometimes and if it didnt work i'll keep it just collectible thing :)

If you want to keep the finish of this frame, TIG should not be used. It will damage lots of blue in the neighborhood.

But this position is a force bearing position. The frame must go through heat-treatment process again after repair. So, forget it.

Otto,
If it were a rare piece, a collector might accommodate the crack; but as it is, IMO, it is a broken shooter and has already lost any collectability.

If you want a shooter, find a replacement slide for shooting and keep the original as is. I would bet that repairing and refinishing will cost more than one would want to spend on it.

Sorry, but that is just the way it looks from here.

Removed accelerator and works great :)