How does it work?

[Jim Keenan]

Since a previous thread has engendered a lot of discussion, I will play "bad boy" again and start another one with a simple question.

How does the Luger work?

One expert writer has stated that the gas pressure simply blows the breechblock to the rear and that the toggle train is "German overengineering".
Another calls the idea that the breech is locked a "myth".
A third says the gun breech is held closed by the friction of the bullet against the rifling in the barrel.
A fourth says the barrel moves when the gun is opened manually, but not when it is fired.

Can they all be right? How does the Luger work?

And a question of my own. If the barrel were blocked so the bullet could not move at all, what would happen when the gun was fired?

[Mr. Tinker, if you think this will cause too much thinking among the "true gospel" folks, please delete this posting, and I am off this forum.]

Jim