Firing Pin Modification?

seabee73 · 03-04-2008, 07:20 PM

I inherited a 1918 Erfurt from my dad a few weeks ago, and it seems that all I've been doing is asking questions on this board,but I do want to keep it intact enough to pass down to my sons. Dad (83) still likes to shoot it occasionally, so I'm in the process of replacing critical #'d parts w/ reproductions and reserving the originals.
The new extractor required a little filing and a Dremel tool, but it's good now. I botched a repro ejector with too much metal removal (but learned a good lesson), replaced the Nazi stamped grips w/Sarco's, and the numbered firing pin with a solid one. I have a repro side plate that needs some judicious work with my new needle file set, but I'm taking it slowly, and one part at a time for now.
I understand that the fluted firing pin original on my luger was designed to divert gases from cutting into the breechblock assembly. I'm considering grinding similar grooves on this solid firing pin to protect the breechblock in the event of a pierced / leaking primer, using the original fluted pin as my model.
Any thoughts guys?
Also, any good sources for these Mec-Gar Luger magazines? That brand runs great in my GI 1911s!
Thanks for all your previous feedback!
Karl

MFC · 03-04-2008, 11:19 PM

Karl,
I may be wrong, but IIRC the fluted firing pin didn't show up until much later. I think your 1918 Erfurt should have an unfluted FP. You may be able to use the fluted FP anyway. Hopefully someone who knows will respond.
Mike C.

Sieger · 03-05-2008, 12:37 AM

See73

Why bother with "rebuilding" a Luger in fear of breaking it. Would you do the same with an antique car?

Ammo that is too strong will break it faster than anything else. If the Luger is in otherwise excellent condition, it may outlive you!

Just my own thoughts, as I've been shooting Lugers since 1962.

Sieger

stefarms · 03-05-2008, 12:43 AM

Wholesale Hunter has nickel plated MecGar magazines in stock for $29. As recently as last week, I couldn't find anyone with blued magazines in stock.

lightning svt · 03-05-2008, 01:39 PM

you can go to deltaforce.com/catalog/pg43 for mecgar mags, blued are running 26.90 with shipping.

John Sabato · 03-05-2008, 03:50 PM

Judiciously modifying your spare firing pin with similar grooves to the fluted one you already have will not hamper operation... and should not introduce any safety issues. The original pin for your 1918 Luger would not have had this fluted firing pin, so if yours does, either it was modified by an arsenal or field rebuild, or it has been replaced previously.

I have never seen a pierced primer in a Luger, but I imagine that this mod must have had some merit or they wouldn't have required it for military Lugers.

Lugerdoc · 03-10-2008, 11:20 AM

Karl, I agree with the above. An original M1918 Erfurt FP would not have been relived and would have had an Imperial (crown over a letter) acceptance marking. If your FP has imperial acceptance and is relieved, it probably was reworked after 1930. Does it have the Police sear or mag safeties? If not, I may have the correct original FP for your luger, if you care to share the last 2 digits of the serial number. TH

Vlim · 03-10-2008, 02:52 PM

I believe the fluting was added to keep the firing pin from sticking as a result of the build up of dirt in the firing pin channel. You can imagine that the luger design, combined with a stuck firing pin makes a pretty efficient machine gun. And on the other hand, a firing pin that gets stuck while retracted, produces other unwanted effects during trench warfare: you'd lose from the guy with the shovel...

A combination of gun grease (as used in the old days) and dirt makes pretty good cement, so some added space was welcome.

03-04-2008, 07:20 PM	#1
seabee73 User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 13 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Firing Pin Modification? I inherited a 1918 Erfurt from my dad a few weeks ago, and it seems that all I've been doing is asking questions on this board,but I do want to keep it intact enough to pass down to my sons. Dad (83) still likes to shoot it occasionally, so I'm in the process of replacing critical #'d parts w/ reproductions and reserving the originals. The new extractor required a little filing and a Dremel tool, but it's good now. I botched a repro ejector with too much metal removal (but learned a good lesson), replaced the Nazi stamped grips w/Sarco's, and the numbered firing pin with a solid one. I have a repro side plate that needs some judicious work with my new needle file set, but I'm taking it slowly, and one part at a time for now. I understand that the fluted firing pin original on my luger was designed to divert gases from cutting into the breechblock assembly. I'm considering grinding similar grooves on this solid firing pin to protect the breechblock in the event of a pierced / leaking primer, using the original fluted pin as my model. Any thoughts guys? Also, any good sources for these Mec-Gar Luger magazines? That brand runs great in my GI 1911s! Thanks for all your previous feedback! Karl

03-04-2008, 11:19 PM	#2
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Karl, I may be wrong, but IIRC the fluted firing pin didn't show up until much later. I think your 1918 Erfurt should have an unfluted FP. You may be able to use the fluted FP anyway. Hopefully someone who knows will respond. Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

03-05-2008, 03:50 PM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Judiciously modifying your spare firing pin with similar grooves to the fluted one you already have will not hamper operation... and should not introduce any safety issues. The original pin for your 1918 Luger would not have had this fluted firing pin, so if yours does, either it was modified by an arsenal or field rebuild, or it has been replaced previously. I have never seen a pierced primer in a Luger, but I imagine that this mod must have had some merit or they wouldn't have required it for military Lugers. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-10-2008, 11:20 AM	#7
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Karl, I agree with the above. An original M1918 Erfurt FP would not have been relived and would have had an Imperial (crown over a letter) acceptance marking. If your FP has imperial acceptance and is relieved, it probably was reworked after 1930. Does it have the Police sear or mag safeties? If not, I may have the correct original FP for your luger, if you care to share the last 2 digits of the serial number. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

03-05-2008, 12:37 AM	#3
Sieger User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,579 Thanks: 2,144 Thanked 402 Times in 251 Posts	See73 Why bother with "rebuilding" a Luger in fear of breaking it. Would you do the same with an antique car? Ammo that is too strong will break it faster than anything else. If the Luger is in otherwise excellent condition, it may outlive you! Just my own thoughts, as I've been shooting Lugers since 1962. Sieger

03-05-2008, 12:43 AM	#4
stefarms User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wholesale Hunter has nickel plated MecGar magazines in stock for $29. As recently as last week, I couldn't find anyone with blued magazines in stock.

03-05-2008, 01:39 PM	#5
lightning svt New User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	you can go to deltaforce.com/catalog/pg43 for mecgar mags, blued are running 26.90 with shipping.

03-10-2008, 02:52 PM	#8
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	I believe the fluting was added to keep the firing pin from sticking as a result of the build up of dirt in the firing pin channel. You can imagine that the luger design, combined with a stuck firing pin makes a pretty efficient machine gun. And on the other hand, a firing pin that gets stuck while retracted, produces other unwanted effects during trench warfare: you'd lose from the guy with the shovel... A combination of gun grease (as used in the old days) and dirt makes pretty good cement, so some added space was welcome.