Tweaking the Luger trigger?

SIGP2101 · 02-14-2008, 03:25 PM

Tweaking the Luger trigger?

I have this shooter that is really accurate. Now it has been my project gun ever since I got it. My latest idea is to make this spongy trigger nice and crisp. Preferably two-stage trigger would be ideal but not sure if it is feasible. I have lots experience in trigger jobs but not with Lugers specifically. I did polished this one but that is all I did so far. Feels 50% better but it is not crisp and light yet. Has anyone succeeded in making Luger trigger perform as match gun trigger and are they any instructions and guidelines on how to do it.

Thanks!

John Sabato · 02-14-2008, 04:15 PM

The Luger trigger linkage is very complex and will never be what most of us consider a match grade. The reason for this is that the relationship and tolerance of the fit of the various parts is very critical. It is one of the reasons that the Luger was a hand fitted weapon and not just kludged together parts.

You can make the pull lighter by replacing the trigger return spring with one that is light enough to please you but strong enough to be safe. Try experimenting with a large diameter ball point pen spring cut to various lengths. It is the one thing you can do that is not a permanent modification. If you are set on tuning your Luger trigger... get yourself a spare sideplate (complete) and experiment with adding and removing material from the leg of the lever that enters into the trigger...

It is a daunting task... and I wish you good luck.

Also do a forum search for trigger adjustment because I remember an article that was posted some time ago (I think by Hugh) about trigger improvements.

Lugerdoc · 02-18-2008, 10:02 AM

John, I agree that there are many factors that affect the PO8 trigger pull and striker release. Here listed are a few of them: tention of the sear (trigger bar) spring, overlap of the sear & striker, angle of the trigger lever in side plate and the tickness of the area of the trigger above the trigger lever. Since the trigger & sear are numbered parts and cannot be switched on a matching luger, this makes the equation even more complex, but not impossible. TH

unspellable · 02-20-2008, 01:42 PM

I have seen two approaches to setting up a Luger trigger. One is to attempt to achieve the creep free "breaks like a glass rod" target trigger we are used to in the US. An alternative approach sometimes used is to set it up very "spongy" so that when slowly pulled it moves back but you are unable to tell where it will break. The objective with either method is to prevent flinch from affecting aim because you will not know precisely when the trigger will break.

As for the nuts and bolts of how to set up the Luger trigger, I only know enough to be dangerous.

John Sabato · 02-20-2008, 05:02 PM

I have received the article from an old shooting times magazine mentioned in this thread:

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...threadid=18954

and will be preparing it in an abbreviated form to enter into a sticky for this forum... using only enough technical information to get the point across without blatantly plagerizing the article... we don't want to violate anyone's copyright.

In the mean time, visit that thread for more ideas, and send me a pm with your email address for scanned copy of the article.

02-14-2008, 03:25 PM	#1
SIGP2101 User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 256 Thanks: 74 Thanked 67 Times in 32 Posts	Tweaking the Luger trigger? Tweaking the Luger trigger? I have this shooter that is really accurate. Now it has been my project gun ever since I got it. My latest idea is to make this spongy trigger nice and crisp. Preferably two-stage trigger would be ideal but not sure if it is feasible. I have lots experience in trigger jobs but not with Lugers specifically. I did polished this one but that is all I did so far. Feels 50% better but it is not crisp and light yet. Has anyone succeeded in making Luger trigger perform as match gun trigger and are they any instructions and guidelines on how to do it. Thanks!

02-14-2008, 04:15 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	The Luger trigger linkage is very complex and will never be what most of us consider a match grade. The reason for this is that the relationship and tolerance of the fit of the various parts is very critical. It is one of the reasons that the Luger was a hand fitted weapon and not just kludged together parts. You can make the pull lighter by replacing the trigger return spring with one that is light enough to please you but strong enough to be safe. Try experimenting with a large diameter ball point pen spring cut to various lengths. It is the one thing you can do that is not a permanent modification. If you are set on tuning your Luger trigger... get yourself a spare sideplate (complete) and experiment with adding and removing material from the leg of the lever that enters into the trigger... It is a daunting task... and I wish you good luck. Also do a forum search for trigger adjustment because I remember an article that was posted some time ago (I think by Hugh) about trigger improvements. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-18-2008, 10:02 AM	#3
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	John, I agree that there are many factors that affect the PO8 trigger pull and striker release. Here listed are a few of them: tention of the sear (trigger bar) spring, overlap of the sear & striker, angle of the trigger lever in side plate and the tickness of the area of the trigger above the trigger lever. Since the trigger & sear are numbered parts and cannot be switched on a matching luger, this makes the equation even more complex, but not impossible. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-20-2008, 05:02 PM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	I have received the article from an old shooting times magazine mentioned in this thread: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...threadid=18954 and will be preparing it in an abbreviated form to enter into a sticky for this forum... using only enough technical information to get the point across without blatantly plagerizing the article... we don't want to violate anyone's copyright. In the mean time, visit that thread for more ideas, and send me a pm with your email address for scanned copy of the article. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-20-2008, 01:42 PM	#4
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	I have seen two approaches to setting up a Luger trigger. One is to attempt to achieve the creep free "breaks like a glass rod" target trigger we are used to in the US. An alternative approach sometimes used is to set it up very "spongy" so that when slowly pulled it moves back but you are unable to tell where it will break. The objective with either method is to prevent flinch from affecting aim because you will not know precisely when the trigger will break. As for the nuts and bolts of how to set up the Luger trigger, I only know enough to be dangerous.