Dumb question (regarding calibers), plenty more where this one came from...
 

Hi again,

Can you just change calibers from .30 to 9mm in the Luger just by swapping barrels or is there something else involved? Rumor has it mags are the same.

Is the answer valid from an original .7.65 frame to a 9mm and vice versa?

Thanks again.

0-0

The conversion requires changing the barrel and recoil spring. All else remains the same. (The front sight needs to be a slightly different height, but this generally comes with the barrel.)

An exception is the Old Model with flat recoil spring. Here, both calibers used the same spring and the Old Model in 9 mm should be restricted to low impulse loads. (124 grain bullet at 1050 fps)

There is some confusion about what's the right recoil spring. Many Lugers have an incorrect recoil spring in them already. I will eventually have comprehensive data on what's what in recoil springs. (My little research project.)

Hello Noel,

In Harry Jones' book, Luger Variations on pages 29-30; he describes in detail the variations amongst recoil springs of many different new model lugers (having sampled over 100 guns). He does not seem to differentiate between .30 cal. and 9 mm.; but this book was written long ago...

Look forward to your findings...

Regards,

Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />