Re: Second thoughts
Hi Mike,
What an excellent post - thank you!
The problem (as you have just pointed out) in shooting old firearms is they may no longer be mechanically safe to shoot. Before even loading a recently acquired Luger (or any other firearm) it should be carefully inspected to be sure it is mechanically sound. Lugers that are mechanically sound and are fired should be subject to periodic safety inspection to be sure they remain mechanically sound. Any problems that are found should be fixed before the pistol is used again.
The most dangerous mechanical problems in self-loading pistols are problems with the barrel, chamber, breech block, and system of retaining the slide or bolt in the firearm when it is fired. A failure in any of these areas can leave the shooter gravely injured - or dead.
The crack you have found indicates the breechblock has begun to fail, and may come apart during firing. If it does come apart during firing, and depending on exactly how it fails ultimately, the shooter may get very high pressure and very hot chamber gases in the face; bystanders are at grave risk from pieces of the breechblock.
Letâ??s be careful out there....
Best regards,
Kyrie
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