Why is my Luger falling apart?

evbaker · 01-23-2005, 11:17 AM

Okay guys once again the newbie luger owner has a question that you allhave probably seen before. As thor knows, I recently inherited my uncle's 1920 commercial luger. It was a bit corroded in places. The barrel was NASTY! You should have seen the work it took to get it looking to the point where I finally was satisfied I could put a round down it. I have gone through a bottle of Clenzoil and Breakfree to get it all ready to fire. On friday night, my luger and I took a friend (who was ready to dial 911 in case it blew up in my hand) to the range for some test firing. Here are our results:

First round: good! Wow, this thing is accurate!
Second round: stripped from magazine and into breech and mecanism ready to fire, but gun had not recocked. I pulled the toggle back and ejected it and manually reactivated the mechanism
Third round: Good fire
Fourth round Goodfire, but the empty case "stovepiped" except the casing was parallel to the barrel, jamming the mechanism open because it was betweent he breechface and the bolt with a new round below it partially into the breech.
I cleared all of this mess and on round five, the takedown lever dropped to a vertical position and the sideplate fell off.

I know my 1920 is not worth a lot. I have considered having it completely restored, but I am still undecided. I think at least I would like to have it be fully functional. Where do I go from here?

Eric Baker

Ron Smith · 01-23-2005, 12:38 PM

Eric,
Sounds like a cluster "performance" to me. I would suggest a new takedown lever spring, first. And a Wolf spring set secondly. It sounds like you may also have a magazine problem. Get an after market Mecgar magazine. They are the best. Tom Heller,( forum search "lugerdoc" )probably has a takedown spring. And may have some Wolf spring kits. If not, check with Brownell's.

Ron

evbaker · 01-23-2005, 10:09 PM

That may be a big part of the problem...Mine does not have a takedown spring in it! I also agree probably a new set of springs all the way around should help. I just figured the ones in it may be good enough for "testing" purposes.

Ron Smith · 01-23-2005, 10:57 PM

Eric,
That probably would'nt be the case. Lugers are very spring finicky. The main spring and the magazine spring can make things go south in a hurry, if not functioning properly.

Ron

Lugerdoc · 01-24-2005, 08:22 AM

Eric, I do stock all of the parts mentioned above. Also it sound like a bit of gunsmithing may be required to get your disconnector (firing pin is probably cocking, but disconnector is not clearing the trigger lever) working correctly. Th

pipeman45 · 01-24-2005, 04:43 PM

Sounds like your Luger needs a vacation. May I recomend Lugerdoc's.

Captain Emo · 01-24-2005, 11:34 PM

My 40/42 does not have a takedown lever spring in it either. Lugerdoc, is this a dIY project? What else holds the lever in place?

Doug G. · 01-25-2005, 12:14 AM

Only the retaining spring or a tight fit hold the take down lever in place. Springs can usually be had for $5-10.

John Sabato · 01-25-2005, 10:07 AM

the installation of this spring is tedious because of the size of the part and the space you have to work in, but it is not rocket science... Yes, if you are handy with your hands, you can do it yourself...

Thor · 01-25-2005, 10:33 AM

Please consider us at TLSS if you decide to have it restored.

evbaker · 01-26-2005, 10:24 PM

Okay...how much in the way of good old US greebcaks is it going to cost to get my new toy back in good working order? I just need ot know a round figure as it will come out of my other play toy money. I do have a Harley addiction to keep up. Also, Lugerdoc and Thor, where do I need ot send this to and what do I need to know about shipping and such?

AGE · 01-26-2005, 11:29 PM

Thor (Ted) does great work. I have one of his beauties and he is well known for quality work on the forum. The work isn't cheap but well worth the $$ if you like nice guns.

Lugerdoc · 01-27-2005, 10:48 AM

Eybaker et al, My basic repair charges start @$50 for identifing the problem and return Fed Ex. Basic labor after that is $50 per hour + required parts, but I'd give you an estimate before beginning work. If you plan to have your pistol refinished, you should go to Thor in the first place, as he can also do the repairs, usually getting the parts from me, while he has your luger disassembled for bluing. TH

Lugerdoc · 01-27-2005, 10:54 AM

Capt.Emo, I generally sell the original type German made TD lever springs @$15 or 2 for $25. But if you can live with the crude US made repros, I still have a few of them (no guanatees on these) @$5 + $1 S&H. TH

Thor · 01-27-2005, 02:29 PM

evbaker, please see my website at Ted's Luger Strawing Service CLICK HERE for information regarding our restoration business. Thanks to all for the kind words, we appreciate it. Email us at Thor340@aol.com if interested. Here are a couple of examples of finished Lugers we have worked on.

evbaker · 01-28-2005, 03:04 PM

Ted, your work is beautiful! Routinely how long does it take to restore one of these?

I tried calling the number on your site, but it is always busy.

How much would restoration add to the appraisal value of my 1920 Commercial non-numbers matching luger? Would the cost of restoration be offset by the increase in appraisal value?

Thor · 01-28-2005, 03:12 PM

Please send me an email to Thor340@aol.com and we can discuss. Thanks

01-23-2005, 11:17 AM	#1
evbaker New User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why is my Luger falling apart? Okay guys once again the newbie luger owner has a question that you allhave probably seen before. As thor knows, I recently inherited my uncle's 1920 commercial luger. It was a bit corroded in places. The barrel was NASTY! You should have seen the work it took to get it looking to the point where I finally was satisfied I could put a round down it. I have gone through a bottle of Clenzoil and Breakfree to get it all ready to fire. On friday night, my luger and I took a friend (who was ready to dial 911 in case it blew up in my hand) to the range for some test firing. Here are our results: First round: good! Wow, this thing is accurate! Second round: stripped from magazine and into breech and mecanism ready to fire, but gun had not recocked. I pulled the toggle back and ejected it and manually reactivated the mechanism Third round: Good fire Fourth round Goodfire, but the empty case "stovepiped" except the casing was parallel to the barrel, jamming the mechanism open because it was betweent he breechface and the bolt with a new round below it partially into the breech. I cleared all of this mess and on round five, the takedown lever dropped to a vertical position and the sideplate fell off. I know my 1920 is not worth a lot. I have considered having it completely restored, but I am still undecided. I think at least I would like to have it be fully functional. Where do I go from here? Eric Baker

01-23-2005, 12:38 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Eric, Sounds like a cluster "performance" to me. I would suggest a new takedown lever spring, first. And a Wolf spring set secondly. It sounds like you may also have a magazine problem. Get an after market Mecgar magazine. They are the best. Tom Heller,( forum search "lugerdoc" )probably has a takedown spring. And may have some Wolf spring kits. If not, check with Brownell's. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said... Last edited by Ron Smith; 01-24-2005 at 08:31 AM.

01-23-2005, 10:57 PM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Eric, That probably would'nt be the case. Lugers are very spring finicky. The main spring and the magazine spring can make things go south in a hurry, if not functioning properly. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

01-24-2005, 08:22 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Eric, I do stock all of the parts mentioned above. Also it sound like a bit of gunsmithing may be required to get your disconnector (firing pin is probably cocking, but disconnector is not clearing the trigger lever) working correctly. Th __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-24-2005, 04:43 PM	#6
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Sounds like your Luger needs a vacation. May I recomend Lugerdoc's. __________________ Dave

01-23-2005, 10:09 PM	#3
evbaker New User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That may be a big part of the problem...Mine does not have a takedown spring in it! I also agree probably a new set of springs all the way around should help. I just figured the ones in it may be good enough for "testing" purposes.

01-24-2005, 11:34 PM	#7
Captain Emo User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mid-West Posts: 111 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My 40/42 does not have a takedown lever spring in it either. Lugerdoc, is this a dIY project? What else holds the lever in place?

01-25-2005, 12:14 AM	#8
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	Only the retaining spring or a tight fit hold the take down lever in place. Springs can usually be had for $5-10. __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

01-25-2005, 10:07 AM	#9
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	the installation of this spring is tedious because of the size of the part and the space you have to work in, but it is not rocket science... Yes, if you are handy with your hands, you can do it yourself... __________________ 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..."*

01-25-2005, 10:33 AM	#10
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Please consider us at TLSS if you decide to have it restored. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

01-26-2005, 10:24 PM	#11
evbaker New User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Okay...how much in the way of good old US greebcaks is it going to cost to get my new toy back in good working order? I just need ot know a round figure as it will come out of my other play toy money. I do have a Harley addiction to keep up. Also, Lugerdoc and Thor, where do I need ot send this to and what do I need to know about shipping and such?

01-26-2005, 11:29 PM	#12
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thor (Ted) does great work. I have one of his beauties and he is well known for quality work on the forum. The work isn't cheap but well worth the $$ if you like nice guns. __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

01-27-2005, 10:48 AM	#13
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Eybaker et al, My basic repair charges start @$50 for identifing the problem and return Fed Ex. Basic labor after that is $50 per hour + required parts, but I'd give you an estimate before beginning work. If you plan to have your pistol refinished, you should go to Thor in the first place, as he can also do the repairs, usually getting the parts from me, while he has your luger disassembled for bluing. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-27-2005, 10:54 AM	#14
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Capt.Emo, I generally sell the original type German made TD lever springs @$15 or 2 for $25. But if you can live with the crude US made repros, I still have a few of them (no guanatees on these) @$5 + $1 S&H. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-27-2005, 02:29 PM	#15
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	evbaker, please see my website at Ted's Luger Strawing Service CLICK HERE for information regarding our restoration business. Thanks to all for the kind words, we appreciate it. Email us at Thor340@aol.com if interested. Here are a couple of examples of finished Lugers we have worked on. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

01-28-2005, 03:04 PM	#16
evbaker New User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ted, your work is beautiful! Routinely how long does it take to restore one of these? I tried calling the number on your site, but it is always busy. How much would restoration add to the appraisal value of my 1920 Commercial non-numbers matching luger? Would the cost of restoration be offset by the increase in appraisal value?

01-28-2005, 03:12 PM	#17
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Please send me an email to Thor340@aol.com and we can discuss. Thanks __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."