Lugers and their Magazines

stefanosg · 06-01-2006, 10:18 PM

Within the last year I got a very nice shooter grade Luger. It did have some feeding issues, so I went to work and did a complete spring replacement. This fixed things somewhat. Next I tried different size loads with much the same results. The last thing I tried was a 10% stronger magazine spring in one of my WWII magazines. Yay, feeding problems solved. Now I just cannot handload a mag beyond 5 rounds, so I got a replica loading tool. Recently I picked up an old imperial magazine in good condition. For snicks and giggles I took it with me to the range along with my WWII magazine. Much to my amazement, the imperial magazine worked just fine and I can handload all eight rounds without the tool. Now for my question. I am sure it is possible, but is it likely that the manufacturer, Erfurt, DWM and so forth would have anything thing to do with my successes and failures to feed? DWM pistols don't like Erfurt mags and so on.

Vlim · 06-02-2006, 08:11 AM

Hi,

Lugers and their magazines tend to form a long time relationship. It's difficult to find a perfect match and all will go.

For example. My 1937 S/42 really likes the MecGar, functions flawlessly. It doesn't like any Haenel-type extruded magazines, nor earlier magazines, although it functions relatively well with a 1930's commercial mag.

My Dutch KNIL only likes that 1930's mag and it's own nickeled woodbottom.

The postwar Mauser Parabellum also likes the MecGar, but won't function with the original mags that came with the gun, go figure

A shooter DWM artillery works perfectly with a 1001-DDR Extruded mag, not with anything else.

It's that wonderful combination of wear, spring tension, head space, cartridge length, etc... that makes finding the right magazine for the right pistol quite a challenge.

stefanosg · 06-02-2006, 01:39 PM

Thanks for the insight, I suspected that some experimentation would be involved. Suffice it to say I am happy that I found a mag I could hand load and works well with my shooter.

Luke · 06-02-2006, 02:27 PM

stefanosg -

My experience has been much like that described by Gerben. However, for some strange reason, the two plastic-bottom stainless Triple-K mags I bought seem to work well in any Luger. They look cheap and appear to be poorly constructed, but they just seem always to work. Go figure!

I suspect that the smooth action of the zig-zag spring and the nylon follower are the keys to this magazine's success.

Luke

stefanosg · 06-02-2006, 10:00 PM

I was looking at those for sale on Ebay, I may pick one up for the heck of it and see if it'll work too. Thanks

06-01-2006, 10:18 PM	#1
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Lugers and their Magazines Within the last year I got a very nice shooter grade Luger. It did have some feeding issues, so I went to work and did a complete spring replacement. This fixed things somewhat. Next I tried different size loads with much the same results. The last thing I tried was a 10% stronger magazine spring in one of my WWII magazines. Yay, feeding problems solved. Now I just cannot handload a mag beyond 5 rounds, so I got a replica loading tool. Recently I picked up an old imperial magazine in good condition. For snicks and giggles I took it with me to the range along with my WWII magazine. Much to my amazement, the imperial magazine worked just fine and I can handload all eight rounds without the tool. Now for my question. I am sure it is possible, but is it likely that the manufacturer, Erfurt, DWM and so forth would have anything thing to do with my successes and failures to feed? DWM pistols don't like Erfurt mags and so on. __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

06-02-2006, 01:39 PM	#3
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the insight, I suspected that some experimentation would be involved. Suffice it to say I am happy that I found a mag I could hand load and works well with my shooter. __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

06-02-2006, 02:27 PM	#4
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	stefanosg - My experience has been much like that described by Gerben. However, for some strange reason, the two plastic-bottom stainless Triple-K mags I bought seem to work well in any Luger. They look cheap and appear to be poorly constructed, but they just seem always to work. Go figure! I suspect that the smooth action of the zig-zag spring and the nylon follower are the keys to this magazine's success. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

06-02-2006, 10:00 PM	#5
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	I was looking at those for sale on Ebay, I may pick one up for the heck of it and see if it'll work too. Thanks __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

06-02-2006, 08:11 AM	#2
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	Hi, Lugers and their magazines tend to form a long time relationship. It's difficult to find a perfect match and all will go. For example. My 1937 S/42 really likes the MecGar, functions flawlessly. It doesn't like any Haenel-type extruded magazines, nor earlier magazines, although it functions relatively well with a 1930's commercial mag. My Dutch KNIL only likes that 1930's mag and it's own nickeled woodbottom. The postwar Mauser Parabellum also likes the MecGar, but won't function with the original mags that came with the gun, go figure A shooter DWM artillery works perfectly with a 1001-DDR Extruded mag, not with anything else. It's that wonderful combination of wear, spring tension, head space, cartridge length, etc... that makes finding the right magazine for the right pistol quite a challenge.