Luger and P38 Ejection

jason · 08-15-2001, 09:08 AM

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I recently noticed that both Lugers and P38's eject to the left. Conversly, just about every other pistol I've seen, albiet they are American designs, eject to the right.

Was there any specifacation when the Luger or P38 were designed that called from them to eject to the left? Or was it just a random thing that could go either way when they designed them?

Thanks,

Jason

08-15-2001, 11:36 AM

I don't believe that the German military specified which side the rounds would be ejected, but both the PO8 & P38 have their ejectors on the right side of the pistol, which naturally kicks spent cartridges out to the left. On the other hand the Colt Govt model, Radom, FNHP, etc. have ejectors built into the right side of pistol.

08-15-2001, 02:07 PM

Tom, shouldn't the second "right side" be "left side"?

John Sabato · 08-15-2001, 04:33 PM

It has been my experience that the Luger throws them empty cases straight up... a feature of an extractor that is center top mounted. Which side the empties fall down on kinda depends on who is holding the Luger and how much resistance is offered to the twist forces imposed by the rifling.

I think that the ejector on the right side is simply a matter of engineering... the left side was already used up with trigger linkage.

personal antecdotes on Luger ejection tendencies are solicited

-john

Thor · 08-15-2001, 05:52 PM

All my P.38s eject to the left! that is whre the extractor is located! Thor

Heinz · 08-15-2001, 07:01 PM

The DWM Luger I owned many years ago ejected straigh up in the air. John's email reminded me that the only fault I found with the pistol was hot casings coming down on your hand and on one occasion I actually had a jam caused by a spent case coming down in the toggle works. Ammo was cheap then and you can really crank them through a 7.65.

Unsolicited persoal opinion of corresponding value.

John Sabato · 08-16-2001, 10:11 AM

Of course they eject to the left... I must have had a senior moment there and thought I was FACING the pistol!

the real point I was trying to make that seems to have been lost in the shuffle is that Lugers eject straight up...

08-15-2001, 09:08 AM	#1
jason User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: fargo nd Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger and P38 Ejection Maybe this is a dumb question, but I recently noticed that both Lugers and P38's eject to the left. Conversly, just about every other pistol I've seen, albiet they are American designs, eject to the right. Was there any specifacation when the Luger or P38 were designed that called from them to eject to the left? Or was it just a random thing that could go either way when they designed them? Thanks, Jason

08-15-2001, 11:36 AM	#2
tom h Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Luger and P38 Ejection I don't believe that the German military specified which side the rounds would be ejected, but both the PO8 & P38 have their ejectors on the right side of the pistol, which naturally kicks spent cartridges out to the left. On the other hand the Colt Govt model, Radom, FNHP, etc. have ejectors built into the right side of pistol.

08-15-2001, 02:07 PM	#3
BobL Guest Posts: n/a	Double rights? Tom, shouldn't the second "right side" be "left side"?

08-15-2001, 04:33 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	While the Walther P38 throws empties to the right... ==> It has been my experience that the Luger throws them empty cases straight up... a feature of an extractor that is center top mounted. Which side the empties fall down on kinda depends on who is holding the Luger and how much resistance is offered to the twist forces imposed by the rifling. I think that the ejector on the right side is simply a matter of engineering... the left side was already used up with trigger linkage. personal antecdotes on Luger ejection tendencies are solicited -john

08-15-2001, 05:52 PM	#5
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Re: While the Walther P38 throws empties to the right... ==> All my P.38s eject to the left! that is whre the extractor is located! Thor

08-15-2001, 07:01 PM	#6
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	Re: While the Walther P38 throws empties to the right... ==> The DWM Luger I owned many years ago ejected straigh up in the air. John's email reminded me that the only fault I found with the pistol was hot casings coming down on your hand and on one occasion I actually had a jam caused by a spent case coming down in the toggle works. Ammo was cheap then and you can really crank them through a 7.65. Unsolicited persoal opinion of corresponding value.

08-16-2001, 10:11 AM	#7
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Sorry Ted, I meant my other "right" Of course they eject to the left... I must have had a senior moment there and thought I was FACING the pistol! the real point I was trying to make that seems to have been lost in the shuffle is that Lugers eject straight up...