Stovepiping
 

This afternoon, I tried some of my reloads in my luger (4.5 gr. WSF under 124 gr. Plated RN - the recommendation is to use lead data). This is a load that works pretty well in my HiPower. It seemed to work pretty well most of the time, but maybe 10% of the time it stove piped (or the luger version of stove piping) which usually made a mess of my brass. The rest of the time, the case was ejected with good force. Also, it seemed to happen more often when I first started, and less often toward the end of the 50 rounds I shot.

Does anybody have any ideas on what the problem could be? I sure would appreciate any help.

Thanks

Front sight; sounds like the magazine spring is a bit weak?
Lonnie

Thanks for the quick reply, Lonnie.

Hmmmm. I was using a brand new mag - MecGar, I believe... It sure didn't seem week to my thumb <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> ! I'm not saying you're wrong, mind you, 'cuz I don't know. Has this happened to you? I guess if that is the cause, another mag is in order.

I was thinking in terms of a recoil spring or weak load, but as I say, I'm not smart enough right now to know.

Thanks again.

front sight,

Try a number of magazines if you can. Two of my Lugers love Mec-Gars, but one hates them and works only with a beat up German magazine.

Also, try cleaning the receiver/bolt/toggle area real well and carefully lube. One of mine had to be cleaned every 50 rounds when I first got it, but now that I have been exercising it some, it will go 200 rounds at 100% reliability before cleaning.

Front sight; it certainly could be a weak load. Most problems like yours are weak magazine springs. Al is right about lubrication too. I use tetra gun grease on all sliding parts. It doesn"t "go away" like oil.
Lonnie

Lonnie and Al,

I'll use tetra after I clean it and see if that works. When I shot it before (with store bought ammo) I used the old German mag and never had a problem like that (on the other hand, the old mag only holds 4!) so you seem to have a point. I'll also try a little warmer load.

Thanks again.

Front Sight, Could it be the angle of the round as it is stripped from the mag ?. I have had success by crimping , ever so slightly, the obvious point on the mag.

G.W.,

I got a bullet and my mag out. It looks like when I push the bullet forward, as would happen in the gun, it is deflected upward on the leading edge of the mag. Is this what you're refering to? Are you suggesting I bend that edge out a little so the bullet moves out straighter?

Thanks

Front sight , Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I have had some success in bending them in, ever so slightly, when they stovepipe. Try it, Lugers are great fun to shoot. Especially when you have tuned the parts yourself. One last thought, if it is hitting the front of the mag you might want to bend them out. I hate to give conflicting information. Mine seem to rest with about 3mm below the very front edge of the mag. Lugers are particular; springs ,angles, mags and such. Have fun, You will get there! Oil! Grease! and more oil until you figure it out.

G.W.

Thanks for the tips. I'll check it out.