Erma La/Ep .22 mags

[G.T.]

Hi Dave, there are several different measurements that you have to track, and some bench marks that you have to establish... first one, is wire diamater... second, new free length, (uncompressed as new)...third, pounds of force at 1" compressed, pounds of force at full compression....fourth, measure overall dia. of spring when in free length state...

Second group of measurements, first, free length after 20 complete cycles to solid, (measuring set) ... second, measure spring dia. after 20 complete cycles to solid, (again measuring set)... Third, pounds of force at full compression, ( measuring the effects of set) ... Find the best spring for your needs out of the test batches.. and then confine your future testing to using that spring... Best to you, til...lat'r...GT

[rhuff]

I read this thread with interest. I own 2 Erma "Carbine" model Lugers. One I purchased new, the other LNIB. I have owned them for many many years. I polished the feed ramps and chambers, plus deburred the underside of the feed lips. Both of my Ermas will function very nicely with Federal bulk, Winchester Wildcat, and a few others.

What is interesting, is that each Erma has one mag that came with it. You(or I), can NOT mix the mags, or one produces a jam-a-matic!! If my memory serves, one mag is a 7 round, and the other an 8 rounder.

I run my Ermas very "wet" with lube, but do not use high velocity ammo in them. They were made long before this HV ammo, and are just not built/sprung for it.

Good luck, and keep us informed.


Doc

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by G.T.

Hi Dave, there are several different measurements that you have to track, and some bench marks that you have to establish... ( measuring the effects of set) ... GT

GT--sounds a little involved, but not entirely daunting! Initially, I'll be measuring whatever springs are available in the mags I have, none that are new-new, just the very least-used mags. I was talking before about the mag springs; because you refer to diameter I'll bet you were referring to the round action/fp springs. But this will also translate to the square mag springs' data, right?
By "set", I'm presuming it refers to the o/c distance between individual coils (pitch), or is it something else?

They were made long before this HV ammo, and are just not built/sprung for it.

I agree, however in this case a little extra energy seems to do the trick. Might not be necessary in a carbine's longer barrel, which gives pressure for a tad longer, helping assure the action is fully cycling. The CCI Minimags are the lowest velocity I could find that offers a copper plated solid bullet. The fps rating for it is about 15% more than the regular CCI lr. I'll try the lr's again, but with lots of lube because the bare lead seems just too sticky and grabby. Since my initial trial with a silicone soaked mag, I've been adjusting and running things without lube. Friday, I tried a 'wet' mag again--after the lips were adjusted--and reliability was again increased noticeably--once for the adjustment, and again for the lubrication! I think I'll order a spring kit from Bob's and experiment to see what kind of difference they might make.

[rhuff]

On another forum(Sig Forum) a fella was having a terrible time trying to get his new Sig Mosquito .22 semiauto to perform anywhere near normal. He lubed the .22 cartridges(lightly) and said it made a world of difference. Just a thought...

My Erma "carbines" will run with the CCI MiniMags, but I fear that they would lead to battereing if used too often. I am elated that both of them love the "cheap stuff....Federal Bulk". You may have a point concerning barrel length and recoil pulse.

I have been tempted to purchase a couple more mags for my two Ermas, but wonder if I would just be throwing money away. I guess it is a crap shoot....,like purchasing mags for my DWM.