breech block troubles-help!

linus9 · 05-04-2012, 05:04 PM

i have a 1923 commercial luger that im having trouble with. the slot in the rear of the breech block that the firing pin spring retainer locks into has broken out the back. it wont hold the retainer in for more that a few shots. i had it repaired once by a gunsmith who heli arced it shut, but it only lasted a year of so before it broke out again.

is there a permanent repair for this, or do i need to buy a new breech block and have it fitted?

i regret trading in a nice shooting .30 luger for this dog. but i wanted one in 9mm. oh well, hindsight.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

mike

Michael Zeleny · 05-04-2012, 06:37 PM

Yes, you need a new breech block. And it's true that shooting 7.65 Para would have spared you the trouble. Lugers were meant for bottleneck cartridges measuring up to 8mm.

rhuff · 05-05-2012, 07:09 PM

I am sure that Tom(Luger Doc) has some unnumbered new production breachblocks for sale. I purchased one some time back and am using it in my 1921 DWM as I shoot it frequently. They need a little bit of fitting, but not bad at all. If Tom doesn't have any more of them, Sarco had some a while back, also Numrich.

linus9 · 05-06-2012, 09:44 AM

thanks for the replys. are the new repro breech blocks worth it, or should i save a little more and try to find an original?

mike

sheepherder · 05-06-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus9

...it wont hold the retainer in for more that a few shots.

...

...You're still shooting it???

Quote:

...i had it repaired once by a gunsmith who heli arced it shut, but it only lasted a year of so before it broke out again.

Are you shooting Winchester white box ammunition or equivalent low velocity loads??? These are old handguns, with a lot of use behind them...They were never intended to stand up to today's high velocity commercial cartridge loadings...Metal fatigue is a very real issue...

mrerick · 05-06-2012, 11:47 AM

It would also be wise to purchase and fit a fluted firing pin at the same time you replace the breech block, especially as you will want to continue to shoot your Luger...

Marc

rhuff · 05-06-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus9

thanks for the replys. are the new repro breech blocks worth it, or should i save a little more and try to find an original?

mike

I have originals, and the new repo breechblocks. I use the new repo units in my "shooters", as I feel sure that the metal is more likely to tolerate the range visits, and not damage an original breechblock. As noted above, I also use a fluted firing pin in my shooters so that what happened to your breechblock will not happen to mine.

Lugerdoc · 05-08-2012, 04:45 PM

Mike, I stock both original PO8 breech blocks as well as the new ones and concur with the above comments. TH

05-04-2012, 05:04 PM	#1
linus9 New User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	breech block troubles-help! i have a 1923 commercial luger that im having trouble with. the slot in the rear of the breech block that the firing pin spring retainer locks into has broken out the back. it wont hold the retainer in for more that a few shots. i had it repaired once by a gunsmith who heli arced it shut, but it only lasted a year of so before it broke out again. is there a permanent repair for this, or do i need to buy a new breech block and have it fitted? i regret trading in a nice shooting .30 luger for this dog. but i wanted one in 9mm. oh well, hindsight. any help would be greatly appreciated. mike

05-04-2012, 06:37 PM	#2
Michael Zeleny Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 525 Thanks: 129 Thanked 139 Times in 76 Posts	Yes, you need a new breech block. And it's true that shooting 7.65 Para would have spared you the trouble. Lugers were meant for bottleneck cartridges measuring up to 8mm. __________________ Michael Zeleny@post.harvard.edu -- http://larvatus.livejournal.com/ -- 7576 Willow Glen Road, Los Angeles, CA 90046 -- 323.363.1860 All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. -- Samuel Beckett

05-06-2012, 11:47 AM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	It would also be wise to purchase and fit a fluted firing pin at the same time you replace the breech block, especially as you will want to continue to shoot your Luger... Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

05-08-2012, 04:45 PM	#8
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Mike, I stock both original PO8 breech blocks as well as the new ones and concur with the above comments. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

05-05-2012, 07:09 PM	#3
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	I am sure that Tom(Luger Doc) has some unnumbered new production breachblocks for sale. I purchased one some time back and am using it in my 1921 DWM as I shoot it frequently. They need a little bit of fitting, but not bad at all. If Tom doesn't have any more of them, Sarco had some a while back, also Numrich.

05-06-2012, 09:44 AM	#4
linus9 New User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thanks for the replys. are the new repro breech blocks worth it, or should i save a little more and try to find an original? mike