Luger Mystery Problem
 

Took my 1938 S/42 out shooting yesterday and a problem surfaced/resurfaced.

Action free and works easily. But when I inserted a loaded mag and tried to chamber a round, the toggle was stuck shut. I pulled but it wouldn't raise up. Hmmm....then I worked the safety a couple times and tried again. Then it worked and chambered a round okay.

But then I tried to fire it and the gun would not fire. Pull the trigger and it too seemed stuck. Then I worked the safety on and off a few times and tried again and: "Bang!" It worked fine thru 2 additional mags.

Gun has forced matched side-plate from E.G. VOPO rebuild.

Opinions?

Since you seem to have pinpointed the problem is with the safety. Make sure that the safety bar that blocks the sear is fully retracted. These do seem to vary in length a bit, and it will only take a couple thousandths to cause you problems.

Took the same Luger out yesterday with the same brand ammo (Russian) and the same mag and it worked fine. I even nailed a running red squirrel with it!

That pistol is ACCURATE but trigger control is more critical than on any other pistol I've ever fired. Maybe because the front end (barrel) is so light and the grip so big. The 6-inch barrel version must be easier to shoot. Yes?