Jamming, stovepiping, etc.
 

The last several times I've taken my 1936 Mauser S/42 P08 to the range, I've been bedeviled by jams (around 25%) and stovepiping. On at least several occasions, I've found myself having to take off the sideplate and the grips, and force the jammed live round back into the magazine, just so I could remove the magazine, and then tend to the jammed casing. I am using 124g Chinese ammunition, and Mec-Gar magazines that appear to be in great shape. For what it is worth, the ammunition functions flawlessly in my P38.

Any ideas as to what may be causing this high level of failure? I intend to try the Wal Mary bulk ammo that many on the forum recommend. Should I be oiling the magazines a little more heavily, perhaps?

Incidentally, I have two shooters, one a long P08 and that one yields slightly better, but still high failure rates.

Markm3,

Shooting and reloading would fare well for you as I'm no authority, but isn't chinese ammo rather hot?. I would try the Wallmart ammo before I would tinker with the pistol.
They sound like fun and interesting pistols. can you tell us more about them? G.W. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Many thanks for the tips! I will try the Wal Mart ammunition, if I can ever find it. Turns out there isn't a Wal Mart nearby.

The Lugers are very interesting pieces. The two I referenced are mismatched shooters. The Mauser is 1936 dated S/42, has a WWII period holster, and maintains a good deal of bluing and strawing. The artillery is a 1914 Erfurt mismatch, currently being reblued and restrawed by Thor. Can't wait to see what magic he intends to do with this one.

I have two others collector Lugers, a completely matching(except the magazine, but I have a WWI wooden bottom magazine in it) 1908 First Issue DWM with Prussian regimental markings and quite a bit of pitting, and which is kept proudly on display in a Teuscher case. Finally, I have a 1915 DWM artillery, again completely matched except for the magazine, and a good bit of blue and straw. I don't shoot that one either, and am awaiting an artillery case for it, which is being manufactured by Les Center. It does have an original mahogany colored WWI holster.

Additional pieces are a beautiful, plum brown Walther experimental finish and nearly flawless P38, manufactured in 1942, with a holster and spare magazine, and which shoots better than any pistol I own (though my heart belongs to Luger) and a nifty little Walther PP, in fabulous condition, again with a holster and a spare magazine.

I'll try and arrange to post photos as soon as the Erfurt comes back from Ted (Thor) Green's terrific shop.

Of course other people carry Winchester ammo and you can buy it on-line from many places, they just need a copy of your license, scan it in and e-mail it to them if they accept it that way.

You don't need a dealer's license to buy ammo most places in the USA (maybe you do need to send a copy of your driver's license to prove age). You can't mail it however, it must be delivered by UPS or freight. Try www.cheaperthandirt.com

I've had the same problems with Norinco 124gr fmj in my 1940 Mauser , failures to eject and stovepipes being annoyingly common .It also seemed dirtier than most other brands of ammo .

Remington UMC 147gr seems to work much more reliably for me .

Many thanks. I am switching to the Remington and we'll see how that goes.

Markm3... there is a large walmart just a couple of miles from my office in Herndon... I don't know how you define "nearby" but it isn't that far since you have already visited me [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Have shot "lots" of Norinco in many different Lugers and have never had a problem, although it is dirty. Keep us informed.
Lonnie

Will do so. I am getting a number of reactions from people, many of whom have had trouble with Norinco and a good minority who have not. I am curious myself.

In the past I had a customer who had a large supply of Norinco 9mm ammo that he wanted his luger tuned for. I cut two coil off his WW2 recoil spring and it worked fine. Tom H.