Jammed Shell

Sergio Natali · 08-13-2019, 10:28 AM

Somewhere I read that at the beginning Lugers were supposed to shoot 124gr fmj bullet at 1050/fps but just before WWI loads were changed to 115gr fmj at 1150fps.
Now, coming to the point, I don't have recent experience with shooting Lugers at the range but I used to keep my reloads on the mildish side as I seem to remember that Lugers don't like hot ammo very much.
If your pistol is "collector quality" there is always the chance of breaking something that cannot be easily replaced, so stay away from heavy loads.

Sieger · 08-14-2019, 09:36 AM

[QUOTE=Sergio Natali;327269]... but just before WWI loads were changed to 115gr fmj at 1150fps.
[QUOTE]

Sergio,

The German army increased the 9mm Parabellum, 123 grain, load to 1,076 fps and held it there through the DDR period.

I have all of the original German language military manuals for the period as absolute proof.

Shoot hotter loads at your own risk.

Respectfully,

Sieger

K.Wilhelm · 08-19-2019, 10:43 AM

All of the great advice my learned friends have given here did not include one thing I find to be of great assistance to improving functioning in Lugers; that is liberal application of a good quality lube.

Bill

Rick W. · 08-19-2019, 02:29 PM

I have always heard that the primary function of the extractor on a Luger is to grab the rim of the case, and hold it against the breechblock face until the ejector forciblby removes it.

I have noted over the years some things about the extractor and its spring in problematic pistols. I think the more common might be the spring is too short or too weak, to allow the holding of the case in place. Take an empty case, insert it into the loose breechblock train, it should kinda snap into place, with a feeling of tension holding the case in place. If the case is loose or falls out, this will usually cause an unintended movement early in the fired circle, usually falls into the works and jams up. I believe that the ejector likes some resistance to its upcoming force to the fired case.

Likewise I have seen broken extractors, when a new extractor is fitted, it is found that the compression of the spring in its cavity by the extractor going over the case rim, does not allow for some tolerance to allow said exactor to move over the rim without extractor springing. some people poo-poo that check, but with today's parts, might wanna check that capability of movement. Tis not a 1900.

Finally the ejector, a marvelous piece of steel it is. Broken nose, ill fitted in the cavity(loose) will not give the leverage needed to kick the case away from the breechblock face in the intended fashion

A few years back Huntingtons(RCBS) had extractor molds for casting parts. Never knew all of the ins/outs of the fab of the smaller parts, just a clue perhaps.

08-13-2019, 10:28 AM	#1
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Somewhere I read that at the beginning Lugers were supposed to shoot 124gr fmj bullet at 1050/fps but just before WWI loads were changed to 115gr fmj at 1150fps. Now, coming to the point, I don't have recent experience with shooting Lugers at the range but I used to keep my reloads on the mildish side as I seem to remember that Lugers don't like hot ammo very much. If your pistol is "collector quality" there is always the chance of breaking something that cannot be easily replaced, so stay away from heavy loads. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

08-19-2019, 10:43 AM	#3
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 111 Times in 66 Posts	Advice on Shooting Lugers All of the great advice my learned friends have given here did not include one thing I find to be of great assistance to improving functioning in Lugers; that is liberal application of a good quality lube. Bill __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

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08-14-2019, 09:36 AM	#2
Sieger User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,579 Thanks: 2,154 Thanked 402 Times in 251 Posts	[QUOTE=Sergio Natali;327269]... but just before WWI loads were changed to 115gr fmj at 1150fps. [QUOTE] Sergio, The German army increased the 9mm Parabellum, 123 grain, load to 1,076 fps and held it there through the DDR period. I have all of the original German language military manuals for the period as absolute proof. Shoot hotter loads at your own risk. Respectfully, Sieger

08-19-2019, 02:29 PM	#4
Rick W. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 339 Thanks: 81 Thanked 359 Times in 198 Posts	I have always heard that the primary function of the extractor on a Luger is to grab the rim of the case, and hold it against the breechblock face until the ejector forciblby removes it. I have noted over the years some things about the extractor and its spring in problematic pistols. I think the more common might be the spring is too short or too weak, to allow the holding of the case in place. Take an empty case, insert it into the loose breechblock train, it should kinda snap into place, with a feeling of tension holding the case in place. If the case is loose or falls out, this will usually cause an unintended movement early in the fired circle, usually falls into the works and jams up. I believe that the ejector likes some resistance to its upcoming force to the fired case. Likewise I have seen broken extractors, when a new extractor is fitted, it is found that the compression of the spring in its cavity by the extractor going over the case rim, does not allow for some tolerance to allow said exactor to move over the rim without extractor springing. some people poo-poo that check, but with today's parts, might wanna check that capability of movement. Tis not a 1900. Finally the ejector, a marvelous piece of steel it is. Broken nose, ill fitted in the cavity(loose) will not give the leverage needed to kick the case away from the breechblock face in the intended fashion A few years back Huntingtons(RCBS) had extractor molds for casting parts. Never knew all of the ins/outs of the fab of the smaller parts, just a clue perhaps.