empty casing problem

CAP Black · 04-24-2011, 05:32 PM

I have started to keep an empty casing in the chamber of my lugers but I have an Arty (1917) that is a really nice gun in all respects; but an empty casing in it is hard to close up and then it is nearly impossible to open back up again. I have to take the top off and open up the gun to get the casing out. I don't have this problem with any other of my lugers. What might this be a sign of? Haven't tried live ammo as I don't like having a cartridge lodged in a chamber.
thanks
Jack

rhuff · 04-24-2011, 06:24 PM

Is the brass case that you are trying to use in your artie, a case that has been fired from said gun? If not, and it is a "pickup" that has not been resized in a reloading die, I would not be surprised to find what you are experiencing. If you have a good set of calipers, measure the spent brass just above the extraction groove, and then compare it to new ammo. Also check the case mouth of both. You may find your answer....Just a thought.

CAP Black · 04-24-2011, 08:29 PM

Mucho gracias
Makes a lot of sense.
Now I'll try a live cartridge.
Jack

CAP Black · 04-24-2011, 10:57 PM

I tried a live round and it ran in and out as slick as expected. I wonder why several other lugers didn't have the same problem?
Thanks
Jack

John Sabato · 04-25-2011, 07:55 AM

Just a slight difference in chamber tolerances... I doubt you have a headspace problem...

DavidJayUden · 04-25-2011, 08:45 AM

Why the empty cartridge in the chamber? Sounds like an accident waiting to happen to me. How about buying a colored plastic dummy round? Less chance for a mix-up.
dju

04-24-2011, 05:32 PM	#1
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	empty casing problem I have started to keep an empty casing in the chamber of my lugers but I have an Arty (1917) that is a really nice gun in all respects; but an empty casing in it is hard to close up and then it is nearly impossible to open back up again. I have to take the top off and open up the gun to get the casing out. I don't have this problem with any other of my lugers. What might this be a sign of? Haven't tried live ammo as I don't like having a cartridge lodged in a chamber. thanks Jack Last edited by CAP Black; 04-24-2011 at 08:26 PM.

04-24-2011, 08:29 PM	#3
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	Thanks Mucho gracias Makes a lot of sense. Now I'll try a live cartridge. Jack

04-24-2011, 10:57 PM	#4
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	A live round I tried a live round and it ran in and out as slick as expected. I wonder why several other lugers didn't have the same problem? Thanks Jack

04-25-2011, 07:55 AM	#5
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	Just a slight difference in chamber tolerances... I doubt you have a headspace problem... __________________ 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..."*

04-24-2011, 06:24 PM	#2
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,305 Thanks: 2,735 Thanked 991 Times in 727 Posts	Is the brass case that you are trying to use in your artie, a case that has been fired from said gun? If not, and it is a "pickup" that has not been resized in a reloading die, I would not be surprised to find what you are experiencing. If you have a good set of calipers, measure the spent brass just above the extraction groove, and then compare it to new ammo. Also check the case mouth of both. You may find your answer....Just a thought.

04-25-2011, 08:45 AM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Why the empty cartridge in the chamber? Sounds like an accident waiting to happen to me. How about buying a colored plastic dummy round? Less chance for a mix-up. dju