Range Report - Magazine & Springs...

[Johnny C. Kitchens]

Today I tested my improved 70's Mauser magazine, and Wolff Spring replacements at the range. The magazine is WONDERFUL!!! It is easier to load even with GT's Super Spring in place. Functioning was near perfection as I've ever experienced in a Luger. Two jams in over 150 rounds of ammo. Those two were test rounds with a bullet my gun doesn't seem to like set at a long 1.150" OAL. Oddly they worked perfectly at 1.140" OAL. With GT's aluminum base the magazine even gave my gun a new look. The Robar NP3 coating really makes a difference in how well the magazine functions. Pulling down the follower with a loading tool is so much easier, it almost like a different experience loading it up. It actually feels as if there is a weak spring in the magazine. Remove the loading tool, and try to pull it down, and there is no doubt, that some serious power is pushing up on the follower. Everyone needs one of GT's springs in their magazines!!! The other improvement, is the recoil spring. I decided that the 62 year old recoil spring in my byf 42, maybe had served the gun enough, and needed replacing with a Wolff standard replacement (38 lb) spring. Thanks to Thor, for his speedy replacement of the spring, as I didn't feel up to the task fighting that spring into the frame. I may have discovered a way to tell if your spring needs replacement, by chance, as well as a reason to consider replacing yours if you want more enjoyment out of your Luger. Consistency of my loads improved. I noticed that there seem to be a wide variance in the velocity of the ammo I was shooting through a chronograph. One load showed nearly 150 fps, but after the new spring, the variation dropped to less than 40 fps for the same load!!! This might be a way to tell if your spring is getting on the weak side, wide variation in velocity. Wolff also includes a new striker spring in the package, which I decided to install. This seem to improve trigger pull right away. That makes three springs replaced, and they all worked together to make a very exciting day at the range. I noticed I had more loads turning in very good to truly WOW accuracy than ever before. When everything was over, I truly felt a new appreciation for my Luger. Maybe the only thing left to do, is to get Thor to refinish it...

[Thor]

Johnny, glad to see that the new springs worked well for you. It's great when a plan comes together! The observation of velocity variations due to spring tension is an interesting one. Lonnie Zimmerman and I noticed a funny phenomenon with his P38, it shot better with weaker spring that the it did when the stronger over power springs were put in. I am sure in that case it was the way the gun was locking up but you would think the stronger spring would make the lock up more consitant and the gun more accurate. This is were field testing is a real benefit and you really get to enjoy the other side of them, shooting them. I am looking forward to doing some future accuracy testing with the 124 gr GS bullet. I really like they way they perform on liquid targets and the tests I have fun to see if I could stop the HP from expanding with shooting them through old levi pants that were totally worn out. They expanded beatifully every time on the back side of the levis. The concept of two diamter on the bullet to better align the bullet seems interesting from an accuracy standpoing. I think I will compare them to the same weight FMJ bullet.

[Johnny C. Kitchens]

Don't miss out on trying some 102gr Golden Sabers. I shot a group that had me really excited. Four shots that could be covered with a quarter. The fifth was about half inch away from the other four. I actually thought I had missed completely with two shots, as I couldn't see where they hit the target. When I walked over, and saw this small group of four shots I was blown away. My mistake was completely forgeting to photograph the group... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

[Lugerdoc]

I do have a good supply of GT's new mag springs @$5 + 50cents S&H, for anyone who needs them. Also have all variations of his new wood mag bottoms as well as most types of original, except the original Schmeissers. TH

[G.T.]

Hi Johnny! Thanks for the nice report on the mag. function... I see that the NP3 coating is done here right in Phoenix.. I looked up their web site and its pretty impressive stuff! I'm also very impressed, with the ease in which the mag functioned, when I first put it together.. and it seems tough as nails also!! I'm happy that I could be of assistance in your testing and modifications on the P.08 mag! It's a very neat project! Thanks again, til...lat'r....GT <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />