"New" Erma EP-22

ithacaartist · 05-21-2019, 12:07 PM

The early cast zinc alloy Ermas are very close to the size and weight of the Parabellum. Aside from the barrel liner, breech block, and small internals -- FP, springs, pins, etc.-- they're constructed entirely of cast Zamak. Original finish was achieved by a blackening process for zinc alloy castings, with chemistry that's quite different from that used on steel. They're problematic to refinish, so a coat of semi-flat black Krylon or Cerokote is probably your best bet. Your KGP 69A, however, is sort of the reverse, only the grip frame and the trigger are Zamak. Each series has its foibles and potential issues.

The earlier ones are indeed sensitive to both ammo and how the mags are tuned. Good that you've found an ammo it likes. The several I have prefer CCI MiniMags and Remington Thunderbolt. Some of them work best with round nose ammo, others like hollow points. Aftermarket mags for the La- and Ep-22 are generally junk, so seek and obtain factory originals, which are robustly built, hold their tuning better, and have springs that seem to last forever.

Whatever you do DO NOT run them with Stingers, Velocitors, or any other rounds rated hyper-velocity -- or you will be contacting me for a new front toggle link! Even a round or two will over-stress the action with too much energy and the "ears" of the front link where it attaches to the breech block will snap right off.

For the best chance at reliable feeding. make sure all the feed lips are straight and smooth. The rear lips should be parallel, and the front lips adjusted to allow virtually no lateral play as the round rises amd moves forward. Sometimes adjusting them to allow a slight "tickle" of resistance to the round's passage between them will minimize a stovepipe or nose-up jam with the tip of the bullet dug into the sharp upper edge of the breech.

One excellent acquaintance I've made in my Erma "travels" is Holger Schlemeier, who has authored what promises to be THE book about Erma-Werke's history and production. The German version of the book is being printed, and an English translation is in the works and should be available in a year or so. He collected serial numbers and proof/importer markings for almost a decade over on Gunboards to establish a data base. Most respondents reported their toggle pistols, but Erma made all sorts of .22, .32, and .380 guns incorporating cast Zamak frames and other parts. Ithaca imported and branded their lever action saddle guns in the 70s, and the Henry .22 rifles are now constructed to that design, which the company acquired, identical except for a slight improvement to the breech block. Iver Johnson, Excam, LA Industries were some of the other importers.

If I'm not mistaken, Beeman was among the last, and distributed KGP series pistols branded to them towards Erma's bitter end. The Beeman pistols have excellent finish and artisan rosewood grips which were installed once they reached the U.S. I bought the last of the plastic factory take-offs a few years ago from Dr. Airgun himself and still have some left. He was having serious health problems at the time, but was still able to do some business in between visits for treatment. I can't find an obituary, so presume he's still kicking. He's an interesting guy with a degree in Biology, and gave his employees Darwin's birthday as a paid holiday. Beeman airguns are of excellent quality.

Ehines1 · 05-21-2019, 08:19 PM

I need to get the KGP68A's frame repainted or cerakoted. It was actually my first pistol, even qualified for my CCW with the thing before I picked up a Makarov to carry. With the EP, I found out that a new magazine spring (it's from some kind of Smith and Wesson iirc) can make a huge difference. Went from not being able to empty a mag without a misfeed to no misfeeds unless using hollow points. I definitely like both of my Ermas and will have to keep my eye out for that book.

ithacaartist · 01-20-2020, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ehines1

I need to get the KGP68A's frame repainted or cerakoted.

Normal paint has no particular affinity for Zamak, nor is it very durable. It will rub/flake off eventually. The semi-flat black version of Cerokote is probably your best bet. It might be possible to start out with their dark blue, but mix in enough black to mimic the blue/black you'd get from rust bluing. (A touch of white might also be necessary.)

One of the things on my TD list is to try out two different chemical treatments to re-blacken these zinc alloy pistols. One is a cold, single dip process, the other is done hot after a pre-dip in prep chemical.

In the several years I've been pursuing Erma finish issues, I've never encountered any place or person who's said, "Oh, sure, we do that all the time, with good results." So it would appear that the world is waiting for how effective my efforts turn out to be.

ithacaartist · 03-25-2024, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ehines1

I definitely like both of my Ermas and will have to keep my eye out for that book.

Here ya go!

https://www.amazon.com/ERMA-Erfurter...s%2C160&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/ERMA-Erfurter...s%2C160&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/ERMA-Erfurter...s%2C160&sr=8-2

05-21-2019, 12:07 PM	#1
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,409 Thanks: 7,583 Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,398 Posts	The early cast zinc alloy Ermas are very close to the size and weight of the Parabellum. Aside from the barrel liner, breech block, and small internals -- FP, springs, pins, etc.-- they're constructed entirely of cast Zamak. Original finish was achieved by a blackening process for zinc alloy castings, with chemistry that's quite different from that used on steel. They're problematic to refinish, so a coat of semi-flat black Krylon or Cerokote is probably your best bet. Your KGP 69A, however, is sort of the reverse, only the grip frame and the trigger are Zamak. Each series has its foibles and potential issues. The earlier ones are indeed sensitive to both ammo and how the mags are tuned. Good that you've found an ammo it likes. The several I have prefer CCI MiniMags and Remington Thunderbolt. Some of them work best with round nose ammo, others like hollow points. Aftermarket mags for the La- and Ep-22 are generally junk, so seek and obtain factory originals, which are robustly built, hold their tuning better, and have springs that seem to last forever. Whatever you do DO NOT run them with Stingers, Velocitors, or any other rounds rated hyper-velocity -- or you will be contacting me for a new front toggle link! Even a round or two will over-stress the action with too much energy and the "ears" of the front link where it attaches to the breech block will snap right off. For the best chance at reliable feeding. make sure all the feed lips are straight and smooth. The rear lips should be parallel, and the front lips adjusted to allow virtually no lateral play as the round rises amd moves forward. Sometimes adjusting them to allow a slight "tickle" of resistance to the round's passage between them will minimize a stovepipe or nose-up jam with the tip of the bullet dug into the sharp upper edge of the breech. One excellent acquaintance I've made in my Erma "travels" is Holger Schlemeier, who has authored what promises to be THE book about Erma-Werke's history and production. The German version of the book is being printed, and an English translation is in the works and should be available in a year or so. He collected serial numbers and proof/importer markings for almost a decade over on Gunboards to establish a data base. Most respondents reported their toggle pistols, but Erma made all sorts of .22, .32, and .380 guns incorporating cast Zamak frames and other parts. Ithaca imported and branded their lever action saddle guns in the 70s, and the Henry .22 rifles are now constructed to that design, which the company acquired, identical except for a slight improvement to the breech block. Iver Johnson, Excam, LA Industries were some of the other importers. If I'm not mistaken, Beeman was among the last, and distributed KGP series pistols branded to them towards Erma's bitter end. The Beeman pistols have excellent finish and artisan rosewood grips which were installed once they reached the U.S. I bought the last of the plastic factory take-offs a few years ago from Dr. Airgun himself and still have some left. He was having serious health problems at the time, but was still able to do some business in between visits for treatment. I can't find an obituary, so presume he's still kicking. He's an interesting guy with a degree in Biology, and gave his employees Darwin's birthday as a paid holiday. Beeman airguns are of excellent quality. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

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05-21-2019, 08:19 PM	#2
Ehines1 User Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 5 Posts	I need to get the KGP68A's frame repainted or cerakoted. It was actually my first pistol, even qualified for my CCW with the thing before I picked up a Makarov to carry. With the EP, I found out that a new magazine spring (it's from some kind of Smith and Wesson iirc) can make a huge difference. Went from not being able to empty a mag without a misfeed to no misfeeds unless using hollow points. I definitely like both of my Ermas and will have to keep my eye out for that book.