Install Bohler Stahl 6" barrel?

Quentin · 04-25-2007, 11:57 AM

In 1977 I bought a 6" Luger replacement barrel from Sherwood Distributors, Inc. The barrel is marked BOHLER STAHL MADE IN AUSTRIA and is not blued. It appears to be of good quality and a little Googling shows the manufacturer is respected and has been making barrels a long time.

Back then I'd planned to replace the original 4" barrel on my shooter but with a busy life never got to it so the new barrel ended up in a box of parts, fortunately oiled and wrapped in a plastic bag with the receipt...

Now I'm thinking of getting a decent receiver and having the barrel blued and installed. Reading Lugers at Random, the short receiver chamber area is 47/64th" and the long receiver is 52/64" and careful measurement shows this barrel does indeed fit the short receiver as I'd hoped.

I want to have a complete 6" upper to interchange with the 4" barrel/receiver on the Luger.

Are receivers in fair to good condition available or am I dead in the water? Thanks for any opinions or advice!

John Sabato · 04-25-2007, 04:45 PM

You can buy an upper receiver from Lugerdoc or other parts suppliers... sometimes you find them on ebay...

Quentin · 04-25-2007, 05:58 PM

Thanks, John! I've talked with Lugerdoc before and will have to get back in touch.

Oh I've read that you don't need a FFL to mail or receive a Luger barrel or receiver, it that true?

Ron Wood · 04-25-2007, 06:43 PM

Bob,
That is correct. Even though the barrel/reciever/toggle train is capable of firing a round (NOT RECOMMENDED!!!) it is the frame that is the control number under BATF rules and requires a FFL for transfer. The barrel and receiver only is completely legal to mail or receive.

Quentin · 04-25-2007, 07:29 PM

Thanks, Ron.

Yeah, I was surprised the first time I heard that familiar "snap" when cleaning my Luger. It would make a deadly little zip gun! But I'm not about to try it with a live round. Wonder how many of us here have!

Ron Wood · 04-25-2007, 08:20 PM

I know one guy did. He wrapped the toggle with duct tape so it wouldn't open and held it in a gloved hand. Still was an unpleasant experience. (No, it wasn't me!)

Vlim · 04-26-2007, 10:11 AM

Haha, Nice experiment. The toggle normally can't open physically. It's part of the design and the main reason why the toggle knobs and ramps on the frame are present.

A less dangerous testing construction is described in German police manuals. The upper is placed on a wooden board, the back suspended against a wood ridge. Two nails prevent the upper from moving sideways.

Our forum video guru shadowdog did a nice demonstration using an empty 9mm case with a live primer.

04-25-2007, 11:57 AM	#1
Quentin User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 124 Thanks: 59 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Install Bohler Stahl 6" barrel? In 1977 I bought a 6" Luger replacement barrel from Sherwood Distributors, Inc. The barrel is marked BOHLER STAHL MADE IN AUSTRIA and is not blued. It appears to be of good quality and a little Googling shows the manufacturer is respected and has been making barrels a long time. Back then I'd planned to replace the original 4" barrel on my shooter but with a busy life never got to it so the new barrel ended up in a box of parts, fortunately oiled and wrapped in a plastic bag with the receipt... Now I'm thinking of getting a decent receiver and having the barrel blued and installed. Reading Lugers at Random, the short receiver chamber area is 47/64th" and the long receiver is 52/64" and careful measurement shows this barrel does indeed fit the short receiver as I'd hoped. I want to have a complete 6" upper to interchange with the 4" barrel/receiver on the Luger. Are receivers in fair to good condition available or am I dead in the water? Thanks for any opinions or advice!

04-25-2007, 04:45 PM	#2
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	You can buy an upper receiver from Lugerdoc or other parts suppliers... sometimes you find them on ebay... __________________ 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..."*

04-25-2007, 06:43 PM	#4
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: 7,035 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,242 Times in 1,719 Posts	Bob, That is correct. Even though the barrel/reciever/toggle train is capable of firing a round (NOT RECOMMENDED!!!) it is the frame that is the control number under BATF rules and requires a FFL for transfer. The barrel and receiver only is completely legal to mail or receive. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-25-2007, 08:20 PM	#6
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: 7,035 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,242 Times in 1,719 Posts	I know one guy did. He wrapped the toggle with duct tape so it wouldn't open and held it in a gloved hand. Still was an unpleasant experience. (No, it wasn't me!) __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-25-2007, 05:58 PM	#3
Quentin User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 124 Thanks: 59 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks, John! I've talked with Lugerdoc before and will have to get back in touch. Oh I've read that you don't need a FFL to mail or receive a Luger barrel or receiver, it that true?

04-25-2007, 07:29 PM	#5
Quentin User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 124 Thanks: 59 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks, Ron. Yeah, I was surprised the first time I heard that familiar "snap" when cleaning my Luger. It would make a deadly little zip gun! But I'm not about to try it with a live round. Wonder how many of us here have!

04-26-2007, 10:11 AM	#7
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	Haha, Nice experiment. The toggle normally can't open physically. It's part of the design and the main reason why the toggle knobs and ramps on the frame are present. A less dangerous testing construction is described in German police manuals. The upper is placed on a wooden board, the back suspended against a wood ridge. Two nails prevent the upper from moving sideways. Our forum video guru shadowdog did a nice demonstration using an empty 9mm case with a live primer.