An inherited 20's Commercial - too little headspace?

mrerick · 01-30-2010, 11:52 AM

Have you inspected the breech and barrel interior for corrosion?

When testing headspace on rifles, you must remove the extractor and firing pin. It may be the same on pistols like the Luger.

Does it look like the barrel was changed out at some point? (Does the barrel serial number match the frame?)

MileMarker81 · 01-30-2010, 12:23 PM

Hi Guys.

It's a .30 cal luger.

I removed the extrator and firing pin when checking with the gauge.

The barrel numbers and frame numbers exactly match and so does the witness mark between the barrel and receiver.

There are two digits under the sight that match the last two digits of the barrel/frame. I have to think that everything is original as it came from the factory.

I can't see any obvious corrosion. There is certainly not anything foreign in it preventing the gauge from fully seating in the chamber. I could try to take some pictures, but the point-and-shoot camera that I have doesn't do well with macro shots.

How do they lose headspace from firing? All of the forces are going the other way (pushing the barrel away from the receiver)and wear would make the headspace bigger not smaller. Maybe this is one of those counterintuitive things but I just don't get it. Anyone know of a good explaination? Every explaination of headspace that I've read so far has said that headspace increases with use.

Thanks again,

Rob

01-30-2010, 11:52 AM	#1
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Have you inspected the breech and barrel interior for corrosion? When testing headspace on rifles, you must remove the extractor and firing pin. It may be the same on pistols like the Luger. Does it look like the barrel was changed out at some point? (Does the barrel serial number match the frame?)

01-30-2010, 12:23 PM	#2
MileMarker81 User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Guys. It's a .30 cal luger. I removed the extrator and firing pin when checking with the gauge. The barrel numbers and frame numbers exactly match and so does the witness mark between the barrel and receiver. There are two digits under the sight that match the last two digits of the barrel/frame. I have to think that everything is original as it came from the factory. I can't see any obvious corrosion. There is certainly not anything foreign in it preventing the gauge from fully seating in the chamber. I could try to take some pictures, but the point-and-shoot camera that I have doesn't do well with macro shots. How do they lose headspace from firing? All of the forces are going the other way (pushing the barrel away from the receiver)and wear would make the headspace bigger not smaller. Maybe this is one of those counterintuitive things but I just don't get it. Anyone know of a good explaination? Every explaination of headspace that I've read so far has said that headspace increases with use. Thanks again, Rob