Converting a .30 to a 9mm

[rivieraranch]

Would it be possible to convert a .30 caliber Luger to a 9mm by just changing the barrel, or would you have to change the recoil spring or some other things?

[calibrator]

Cut 2 coils off the recoil spring, Wolf springs don't work for the .30 despite what the package says.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by rivieraranch

Would it be possible to convert a .30 caliber Luger to a 9mm by just changing the barrel?...

One of our members here says it's a three minute job...just unscrew the old barrel and screw the new one in!!!

[rivieraranch]

Mocking somebody else begs the question.

[sls11650]

LugerDoc did mine, quick and reasonable. I've probably saved enough in ammo costs to pay for it. Highly recomended.

[mrerick]

Jim,

While I've never done a .30 Luger to 9mm conversion myself, I don't think that Rich was mocking you.

The Luger was designed with the intent that the barrels could easily be changed. Several of the US Luger importers actually provided a choice of several barrels as accessories.

If you have the right tools (and this is essential since it's not that hard to damage the receiver "fork") it probably is a quick job to change out the barrel and front sight.

Since the dynamics of the .30 Luger cartridge are different than the 9mm (in terms of bullet mass, impulse strength and impulse curve) the internal action movement probably requires a stronger recoil spring. There were a few different recoil springs with between 17 and 21 turns.

I don't think it was necessary to change out other parts. The magazine is the same.

It's probably best to only consider doing this on a "shooter" grade Luger rather than an all matching gun since it would impact it's value and collector interest.

Marc

[John Sabato]

Not only was Rich (Postino) not mocking anyone... I would say that someone who was properly equipped to make barrel changes would not take longer than about 3 minutes to do a barrel change. The key phrase here is "properly equipped"... you absolutely MUST have the right tools if you hope to NOT harm your gun or barrels.
Here is a link to one of Rich's photo albums that show all the necessary tools for changing a Luger barrel without damaging the receiver or the new barrel... This is not a job for the UNDER-equipped gun tinkerer... You must have the tools---OR don't try this at home kids!

http://forum.lugerforum.com/album.ph...pictureid=1556

[Lugerdoc]

I doubt that Rich's 3 minute change include set up tome, a chamber ream (if necessary -- which it is on all Numrich barrels), test firing, polishing feed ramps, etc. Also quite often, the barrel supplied does not want to screw in tight at "top dead center" and the flange will have to be turned down. We're now up to a few hours. TH

[John Sabato]

Tom, Of course you are correct... My posting about the "3 minutes" only applied to the "change" time...and didn't include setup time... or time spent on preparation of a raw new barrel once it was installed... Sorry if I wasn't clear about that.

[LugerVern]

Brownells http://www.brownells.com/ has everything you might need to do the job, except experience. That last one is the devil, if only changing a couple of guns I would not hesitate to recommend a professional to do it for someone " like Tom".

Good luck and would love to see finial results

Vern

[rivieraranch]

I would no sooner attempt a rebarrel than I would amputate one of my legs. Thanks for all the information.

The idea was that if I found a .30 caliber shooter how easy would it be to convert to a 9.

[Ron Wood]

John,
The 3 minute change out was posted by a former member that was subsequently banned. He didn't know what he was talking about and was very abrasive going about it. As I recall, he couldn't see why it would cost $100 for something you could do yourself in 3 minutes. I suspect that is the origin of Postino's tongue-in-cheek remark.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

John,
The 3 minute change out was posted by a former member that was subsequently banned. He didn't know what he was talking about and was very abrasive going about it. As I recall, he couldn't see why it would cost $100 for something you could do yourself in 3 minutes. I suspect that is the origin of Postino's tongue-in-cheek remark.

Quite correct. But I didn't know he had been banned...Anyway, he was criticizing Tom for charging $100 and an hour+ time for a barrel swap...When he said it was a 3 minute job...

Having ruined two Luger barrels myself learning how to do it correctly (or at least not ruining the barrels), it really pixxed me off that anyone would waltz in and make disparaging remarks about someone else charging to do it *right*...

I suppose you could do it in 3 minutes...If you had the barrels already indexed & chambered correctly, clean lubed threads, and they weren't torqued too tight...Hand tight, say...

My apologies if I offended anyone...

Rivieraranch - Yes, you can easily convert between 7.65mm & 9mm...The case is basically the same, so only the barrel needs to be changed...the mainspring may need some 'tuning', but all else stays the same...and there are different height front sights for adjusting point of impact, if needed...

One of my present Lugers was switched from 7.65mm to 9mm...but that's another long 4-page thread that is best forgotten...

[rivieraranch]

Many of the .30 commercial models found commonly for sale are in pretty good condition; yet because of the ammunition cost don't seem to bring the higher prices that the 9mm version brings. Therefore a .30 would be good candidates for a rebarrel to 9mm and restoration.

[calibrator]

There is a Gunsmith service named "Redmans" ?? I believe that gets rave reviews for re-boring .30 cal Lugers and 'Brooms to 9mm. That way your serial #s and finish would match.

[hansfischer007]

Clint Eastwood said......"A mans gotta know his limitations."......well....Im not an electrician...plumber...or Gunsmith.......so when it comes to Lugers and repairs needed......the question is already answered.....you send it to Luger Doc.!!......and just sit back and put your feet up........because he knows what he is doing..!!

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by rivieraranch

Many of the .30 commercial models found commonly for sale are in pretty good condition; yet because of the ammunition cost don't seem to bring the higher prices that the 9mm version brings...

I'm not sure it's the ammunition cost that seems to bring the value down...I believe it is the fact that 9mm military Lugers conjure up pictures of Wehrmacht troops being led by a heroic officer waving his Luger and exhorting his troops to attack!!!

...Or something to that effect...

Seriously, more buyers want the mystique of a war souvenir rather than a store-bought pistol...

I like the 7.65mm Lugers...and if you reload, the cost is no more than reloading 9mm...

But Redmans is not cheap...

A barrel from LugerDoc or even GB would be cheaper...