Replace the mainspring?

MarkC · 01-31-2005, 10:49 AM

Gentlemen,

I am a pretty good P.38 mechanic (the gun not the airplane) and want to take the plunge over to P.08's. I have recently bought 2 "shooters" and was wondering if changing the mainspring is SOP. When I get a "shooter" P.38 I change the recoil guide springs, when I shoot my 1911 too much I change the spring. What is recommended with Lugers?

I took the first shooter down the range on Sunday and it functioned flawlessly with American Eagle 124g and Winchester 115g bullets.

Can the gun get damaged by having a weak spring? After all, the spring was installed in 1938!

Mark

Ron Wood · 01-31-2005, 10:57 AM

If it is a shooter and "functioned flawlessly", in my opinion if it ain't broke don't fix it. I think a weak spring will reveal itself with jams and stovepipes well before there is any danger of damage to the gun.

MarkC · 01-31-2005, 11:35 AM

Ron,

Thanks for the advice!

I have another 1920 commercial gun in .30 which stovepipes and has failure to extract at times. I would think this mainspring might be weak?

What about the failure to extract? Do you think I need an extractor spring?

Mark

Luke · 01-31-2005, 12:35 PM

Mark -

I have exactly the same problem with a 7.65mm 1920 DWM.

I have been told that the available ammo is not hot enough to fully cycle the toggle. I would be interested in your solution if you find one.

Luke

MarkC · 01-31-2005, 03:03 PM

Luke,

I noticed that Wolfe Springs has 36lb reduced power mainsprings. Has anyone ever used this to fix the problem?

Mark

01-31-2005, 10:49 AM	#1
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 482 Thanks: 1 Thanked 126 Times in 29 Posts	Replace the mainspring? Gentlemen, I am a pretty good P.38 mechanic (the gun not the airplane) and want to take the plunge over to P.08's. I have recently bought 2 "shooters" and was wondering if changing the mainspring is SOP. When I get a "shooter" P.38 I change the recoil guide springs, when I shoot my 1911 too much I change the spring. What is recommended with Lugers? I took the first shooter down the range on Sunday and it functioned flawlessly with American Eagle 124g and Winchester 115g bullets. Can the gun get damaged by having a weak spring? After all, the spring was installed in 1938! Mark

01-31-2005, 10:57 AM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	If it is a shooter and "functioned flawlessly", in my opinion if it ain't broke don't fix it. I think a weak spring will reveal itself with jams and stovepipes well before there is any danger of damage to the gun. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-31-2005, 12:35 PM	#4
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Mark - I have exactly the same problem with a 7.65mm 1920 DWM. I have been told that the available ammo is not hot enough to fully cycle the toggle. I would be interested in your solution if you find one. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

01-31-2005, 11:35 AM	#3
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 482 Thanks: 1 Thanked 126 Times in 29 Posts	Ron, Thanks for the advice! I have another 1920 commercial gun in .30 which stovepipes and has failure to extract at times. I would think this mainspring might be weak? What about the failure to extract? Do you think I need an extractor spring? Mark

01-31-2005, 03:03 PM	#5
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 482 Thanks: 1 Thanked 126 Times in 29 Posts	Luke, I noticed that Wolfe Springs has 36lb reduced power mainsprings. Has anyone ever used this to fix the problem? Mark