Reproduction Snail Drum - progress

[G.T.]

Hi to all! Well, we've been pretty busy at the Tomek house over the last three months, with doctors, therapy, and hospitals, but I have found some time in the last few days to get back on task on the Numrich drums! As I mentioned before, I have 35 units for Numrich and 5 for customers that are currently undergoing revision and improvements.... I have decided that the very first task in the revision process, to be the most demanding one, and that is the relocation of the magazine catch notch.... It requires welding the notch closed, (.404" brass rod wedged in to retain internal radius, and as a heat soak) Then, I have to jig the drum up in a horizontal mill and cut the outside radius back to stock, then, I have to hand file and sand the radius to it's final dimension, then, I have to cut the top of the mag catch to the correct height, then, I have to plunge cut with a .250" to cut the curved part of the notch... then, I have to clean up the transition with a dremel tool.... I am at the plunge cut stage on all of them! but if you add up the opps at 6 X 40... I handle the drums 240 times! And, that isn't even the half of that parts revision.... Soooo, we're moving slow, but we're moving!.... And we are also trying hard to make every effort to improve every part of these things..... The main reason for the order of revision, is I have to have enough units to afford to have the batch re-black oxide coated.... So sometimes it seems I can't get there from here, but every day is a new start and new challenge!
On the other side, my grand daughter has fully recovered, we are blessed and convinced prayers do work! Carols recovery is considerably more difficult, and we are concerned about long term, both as in regard to mobility, and of course, just dealing with a lifetime of pain..... But, we are alive, and still going! (looks like pretty tough to stop us!) Best to all, and my life long gratitude to the members!.....til....lat'r....GT

[G.T.]

Hi to all, Well, finally got the mag catch notches cut and also the friction traps cut out of the shell interiors... and the current batch just went to the Black Oxide shop! When I dropped off my meager number of mag shells, I saw barrels and barrels of magazine shells from a major mag manufacture... The place I took my stuff to says he does over 2.2 million magazine shells a year for several major vendors?... While I was there I saw about 10 50 gal drums full of M1 carbine 30 round mag shells in the white... I told the owner I wished I owned his place and the mag manufactures place as well?..... He said, carful for what you wish for.... ... Anyway, with some recent trial and error efforts, I have been able to reduce the labor per mag from ludicrous to just ridiculous!!!! Polish internally seems to be the key... still... I am still trying different combinations of lube and any other idea I can think of to reduce friction... going to 400 W/D on this bunch, we shall see?.... Best to all, til.....lat'r....GT

[Edward Tinker]

GT, I need to send your snap caps back.

GT does stand behind his work, always has and always will

My magazine makes for a nice display ey?

[Eugen]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

My magazine makes for a nice display ey?

Yes, Tink, that rig is drool worthy for sure!
Thanks for making us all terminally jealous. LOL

[Lugerdoc]

Ed, Your photo reminded me of a 1930s Jimmy Cagney movie, where he was the bad guy with a full auto luger carbine with a drum. just another Hollywood error. I wonder how the new Trommel mags would function with 30 luger ammo? TH

[lugerholsterrepair]

I wonder how the new Trommell mags would function with 30 Luger ammo? TH Tom, I was asked that by George Fortier several years back so I loaded up a drum, stepped out to the pistol range beside my leather shop and let er rip. Worked just like 9MM.

[Vlim]

Just a thought. In the line of a possible ban on magazines with a capacity of more than 20 rounds in the European Union: would it be possible to re-engineer a drum mag to a maximum of 20 rounds?

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Vlim

Just a thought. In the line of a possible ban on magazines with a capacity of more than 20 rounds in the European Union: would it be possible to re-engineer a drum mag to a maximum of 20 rounds?

As Jerry said, a fairly "easy" mod; instead of a block, I would extend the arm to limit the space for the rounds. Add a curved section to the "pusher" area.

Then the Arm would lock into the original location of the button latch.

Number of rounds markings would be incorrect, though they could be "fixed" with some more effort.

[G.T.]

Don is correct, I believe all you would have to do is add a curved spacer that is welded to the internal swing arm of the correct dimensions to take up the 12 rounds not needed... One might need to also fashion a stop tab on the extended arm to combat over rotation of the spacer addition?... Basically an L shaped pad on the end.... ...GT

[lugerholsterrepair]

Gerben, I think it would be very simple. Open up the drum and weld in a stop at 20. Might hinder the wind up to lock in though..GT would know.

[lugerholsterrepair]

GT..better file a patent!

[G.T.]

Hello to all! I've really been busy with the drum revisions lately, and with the latest batches, I am confident that they will hold up, and feed as required.... I've found that there is no such thing as smooth enough.... and interior (bullet path only!) polishing is still the biggest and most important improvement challenge...
If you use WW white box 115 gr. the only malfunctions that still linger from time to time, is the occasional "smoke stack " or "stovepipe" stoppages on empty casings?... It is a combination of... weak extractors, and / or, slow bullet advancement in the drum... It can change from string to string on just ammo deviations... BUT, if your luger ain't perfect mechanically... it's probably going to jam occasionally... If you use the wrong ammo.. it will jam every time!!! ... Sooooo, I have been sending them 6 drums a week/ 2 week period, and will do so for another 24 units.... I have revised 28 so far... They are listed in NUMRICH's as a G.T. Edition.... ... I will stand behind any drum with the GT on it! I really want these things to work for all of you! .... BTW, it is getting better as we go along.. I am always learning.. and there is always another way to "get it done!".... best to all, til.,..lat'r....GT

[G.T.]

Hi to all, well, I've been sending 6 GT marked drums and loaders a week back to NUMRICH for sale, but as of yet, had little interest, or feedback, or both?.... But, no problem, time will tell if we were successful or not on the revisions performed... I have found thru testing, that if there is a weak point on your Luger, the drum will bring it out fast! ........Most definitely, if your Luger has a weak extractor spring, failure to eject, and smoke stack, stove pipe jams are going to be the norm... A rounded extractor nose will show the same problems??.. The drums I've sent out, are all now lubricated with red tacky grease... pretty much like all the originals I've cleaned and re-lubed... Dry lubes will probably work fine, and are a lot less mess, but the grease works and is easy to clean out and change if desired.. bottom line, lube of some type is required... One thing, if loaded with commercial ammo, the grease can, and probably will kill the primers?? It has on some of the live test rounds I used repeatedly... But, the most important BOTTOM LINE, is you're going to have jams!! Mostly failure to eject! BE CARFULL!!!! Safety first, STOP, WAIT,and then, clear the jam.. Its a thought process thing.. you learn it fast when things go wrong all of the time!!! I'm certainly not here to preach, as most of you have far more experience than I, but I would feel pretty sad if someone got hurt messing with items I've had a hand in repairing! Best to all, and let's hear about the success and or failure of our quest!... Best to all, til...lat'r....GT

[spacecoast]

As G.T. knows, I just put my order in at Numrich for the "GT Custom Edition" snail drum and loader set, as well as a loading strut directly from G.T.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/980980.htm

I'm really looking forward to getting these and trying them out on my Artillery rig, 9mm and .30 cal shooters!

[DonVoigt]

Just to echo what GT says, if your luger does not function reliably, 100% with 8 round mags and your ammo, then you will have issues with a drum- doesn't matter if the drum is an original or a GT re-work/improved version.

The repro drum from Numrich, in its first iteration, before GT- would not work most of the time.

The fit of the magazine tube part of the drum to the luger will be an issue you have to deal with.
If you are fortunate you will have a normal to + size mag well- if yours happens to be a -(small) mag well- the drum may not go into the luger and fit as it should.

[spacecoast]

The fit of the magazine tube part of the drum to the luger will be an issue you have to deal with.
If you are fortunate you will have a normal to + size mag well- if yours happens to be a -(small) mag well- the drum may not go into the luger and fit as it should.

I'll definitely report back on this aspect, as well as a range report as soon as I'm able to get it out to the range. My shooters are (or are based on) a late-war DWM, a late-war Erfurt and an alphabet commercial.

[spacecoast]

Good news - my snail drum shipped Friday and should be here Wednesday.

[G.T.]

Hi Mark! Your loading strut when out earlier this week as well.. You should soon have the whole package! Proceed deliberately, but slowly, and I hope for your successful drum operation and experience! Remember, I'm right here if problems are encountered... If you get all your stuff, drop me a note and we'll chat about procedure and such... best t all, til....lat'r....GT...

[spacecoast]

GT -

I received the loading strut today in good order. It looks like a well made piece of hardware - I'm sure its placement and function will make more sense to me when I receive the snail drum itself. C'mon Fedex!!!

[G.T.]

Hi Mark, yup! It'll be pretty straight forward.. you just install the cross pin assembly, then, you place the strut top end on the protruding point, and adjust the Delrin block for the best fit on the drum bottom right ahead of the cross bolt... (on flat between cross bolt area and drum) and tighten the allen head bolt and lock nut to lock it in position... you will find it snaps on and off quite easily one you get the feel for it.... best to all, til...lat'r...GT