Second chance Lugers

[EOC Bob]

I haven't posted here in quite a while as my "Russian capture" Lugers proved to be quite a disappointment. The 1921 DWM and S42 Lugers I got from AIM jammed consistantly, despite my best efforts, replacing all springs, trying different ammunition etc.

I recently became interested in Swiss weapons and investigated Swiss Lugers. Remembering mine, I dug them out from way in the back of my safe. I then started thumbing through my pistols folder and discovered a Dec. 5 post by John D. that I had printed out regarding trueing the receiver rails by mixing pumice and grease and carefully working the receiver back and forth using the pumice/grease combination. After the process I carefully completely disassembled the Luger and gave it a good bath, then sprayed each piece with Remoil and wiped dry. Reassembled and it cycled 25 rounds with only one fail to load, this from a Luger that previously had never fired 3 rounds in a row successfully. My Lugers have always been my most accurate and comfortable to shoot handgun, dare I add reliability to that.

Please be a little more specific in the rail treatment. Where did you get the pumice, how did you mix it, ect,


Thanks

Roadkill

[EOC Bob]

I used "Turtle Wax" polishing compound which contains a light abrasive vice their rubbing compound which is a little more agressive. I figured start out fine then if that doesn't work out, move up to something heavier.

I checked the rails before and after application, and just as John indicated it polished the blue off the high spots.

John just specified "pumice" mixed with about 1 to 4 with grease. I used about a 40/60 ratio with Hoppes gun grease as the polishing compound is quite fine.

Johns referance post was dated 5 Dec 2000, so it fell off the edge a long time ago, but I see he still posts here, so maybe he will chime in with more information.

It's good to see Ted (Thor), Marvin, Kyrie, Dok, Tom Heller, BCC, Wombat and others of the original crew still post frequently, all the Luger knowledge anyone would care to know.

[Thor]

I use various different grade cutting compounds from Brownells, They range from medium coarse, to medium to fine. I use them only as a last resort and you have to stop with the coarse grit BEFORE you get all the interference or you will not get a smooth surface with the finer ones. Ifyou use these better figure on refinishing as the abrasives will take off the bluing! ~Thor~

Please advise. I've got an Erfurt 1918, bolt doesn't match, all else does. Chambers fine by hand, shoots, ejects, but stovepipes every time. Magazine spring seems strong but magazine is a little loose in the well. I pushed up on magazine while firing but it didn't make any difference. Where would you start? I will try the rubbing compound, that would mean the toggle is dragging to the rear and not going back far enough. What's next?


Thanks

Roadkill

[Thor]

I would try a new aftermarket mag first, like I said the cutting compound is always my last resort. Does the toggle lock back every time when you only put one round in the mag? What ammo are yuou shooting? Lots of stuff to consider. If you dont know what you are doing with the compound you might make things worse. Thor

[Lonnie Zimmerman]

I may be lucky; but a new magazine spring has cured this problem about a dozen times for me.

No, the toggle does not lock back after firing. Would you please tell me where I can contact the spring company (Wolff ?), and are you talking about the magazine spring or the main spring?


Roadkill

[EOC Bob]

I pretty much eliminated the magazine spring variable on mine early on by replacing the mag spring with a Wolff from Brownells to no change in preformance.

I used John D's pumice suggestion again this morning on my other Luger (S/42), and I hope for similar results, I had tried everything else. Can't argue with the success I achieved with my DWM.

Sounds like you may have more serious trouble with yours if rounds stovepipe everytime. I'm sure everyone would agree you need to order a "spring kit" and replace them all and if there is no improvement, then go the pumice route. Best regards - Bob

Some other things that you may want to check before lapping the slide or breech block: Try a weaker recoil spring vise a new stronger one, polish the feed ramp at the chamber, check the "S" shaped toggle to recoil assy link, if this is bent out of specs, it will cause too great a gap between the chamber and the mag well. Tom h

[Lonnie Zimmerman]

Go to links and resources and you will find Wolff gunspring. If it doesn"t work go with Toms suggestions. By the way, I shoot nothing but JHP"s in all of my guns.