LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post

ithacaartist · 12-31-2011, 12:53 PM

I'm with Doug's initial diagnosis, albeit any of ours would be of the armchair variety unless we could examine the gun personally. If the sear's plunger button is stuck inside its recess by goo, or stuck partway--so that it slips away from the influence if the lever in the sideplate, it should be an easy matter to clean out the arrangement and free it up. Try freeing up the sear plunger first. If it's not popping back out at all regardless of cleaning, then I'd check to see if the plunger spring itself has broken (after almost 110 yrs.!); this is also a relatively easy fix for the skilled, but to replace the plunger spring necessitates the removal of the sear from the frame, if I'm not mistaken, and this operation might need the Lugerdoc if you're not up to it right now.

I'm questioning the use of the 124 grain loads, particularly in a 1912 Luger. The 115 grain winchester white box should be all your pistol needs to cycle properly. Generally, the earlier the Luger, the less pressure it was tested for at birth. If inadequate oomph for proper cycling, something else may be amiss in the realm of springs or lubrication/cleanliness; don't worry about anything worse unless/until the simple stuff is ruled out.

I hope this helps. Consider the 115 grain loads; they're very economical to use, as well.

David Parker

12-31-2011, 12:53 PM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 7,562 Thanked 2,643 Times in 1,393 Posts	I'm with Doug's initial diagnosis, albeit any of ours would be of the armchair variety unless we could examine the gun personally. If the sear's plunger button is stuck inside its recess by goo, or stuck partway--so that it slips away from the influence if the lever in the sideplate, it should be an easy matter to clean out the arrangement and free it up. Try freeing up the sear plunger first. If it's not popping back out at all regardless of cleaning, then I'd check to see if the plunger spring itself has broken (after almost 110 yrs.!); this is also a relatively easy fix for the skilled, but to replace the plunger spring necessitates the removal of the sear from the frame, if I'm not mistaken, and this operation might need the Lugerdoc if you're not up to it right now. I'm questioning the use of the 124 grain loads, particularly in a 1912 Luger. The 115 grain winchester white box should be all your pistol needs to cycle properly. Generally, the earlier the Luger, the less pressure it was tested for at birth. If inadequate oomph for proper cycling, something else may be amiss in the realm of springs or lubrication/cleanliness; don't worry about anything worse unless/until the simple stuff is ruled out. I hope this helps. Consider the 115 grain loads; they're very economical to use, as well. David Parker