Luger doesn't ****

Emrot · 11-25-2011, 07:17 PM

Hello!

I recently acquired my first Luger and took it to the range today. I had a problem firing it:

I would fire 1 round. The casing ejected and the next round loaded, then the trigger wouldn't do anything -- it seemed like it was uncocked. I'd pull it slightly back to **** and try again, and the trigger still wouldn't work. Only fully pulling it back, ejecting the currently chambered round, and chambering a new round worked. This happened 100% of the time -- working through a magazine, I was able to fire every other round.

Any idea what would cause this? I seem to have no mechanical problems testing it dry firing, it's only when loaded and live that I have the problem.

Thanks!

~Michael

bandit09 · 11-25-2011, 08:34 PM

What kind of ammo were you using? Factory loads? Bullet weight?

Also, if this is a newly acquired gun, it may need a thorough cleaning. Some oils thicken with age. Maybe the previous owner did not clean it often or thoroughly.

alanint · 11-25-2011, 09:10 PM

The small plunger at the end of your sear bar is not resetting. Test it by seeing if it slides in and out freely against its spring power. If not, clean the sear bar, the recess it sits in as well as the plunger assembly. Another trick is to buff down the outside edge of the plunger to allow the trigger bar to ride over it freely. Don't do any buffing or grinding until you completely clean this area.

CavScoutEurope · 11-25-2011, 09:32 PM

Use snap caps when you dry fire! You could break your firing pin!

Emrot · 11-26-2011, 12:00 AM

bandit09: The ammo is some old Remington "9 MM Luger Auto. Pistol" 124 grain/metal case ammo that came with it. The gun itself hasn't been used in at least 30 years. I field stripped it and cleaned out some thick oil, but based on alanint's post I didn't go far enough.

alanint: Thanks for the advice, you were right it was very gummed up. I've cleaned it and it now appears to work smoothly!

CavScoutEurope: Thanks! That was careless of me, I'll pick up some snap caps asap.

Emrot · 12-05-2011, 02:37 PM

Follow up! The in-depth cleaning did the trick. I ran a magazine through it with no issues whatsoever.

This makes me even more interested in getting a shooting Luger. The grip fit well into my hands, it's the most comfortable pistol I've handled, and it was a thrill firing it.

Thanks a lot for all of your help! My next step is to get some good pictures of this and get it priced and into the hands of someone who'll appreciate it more than myself!

11-25-2011, 07:17 PM	#1
Emrot User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Luger doesn't ** Hello! I recently acquired my first Luger and took it to the range today. I had a problem firing it: I would fire 1 round. The casing ejected and the next round loaded, then the trigger wouldn't do anything -- it seemed like it was uncocked. I'd pull it slightly back to ** and try again, and the trigger still wouldn't work. Only fully pulling it back, ejecting the currently chambered round, and chambering a new round worked. This happened 100% of the time -- working through a magazine, I was able to fire every other round. Any idea what would cause this? I seem to have no mechanical problems testing it dry firing, it's only when loaded and live that I have the problem. Thanks! ~Michael

11-25-2011, 09:10 PM	#3
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	The small plunger at the end of your sear bar is not resetting. Test it by seeing if it slides in and out freely against its spring power. If not, clean the sear bar, the recess it sits in as well as the plunger assembly. Another trick is to buff down the outside edge of the plunger to allow the trigger bar to ride over it freely. Don't do any buffing or grinding until you completely clean this area. Last edited by alanint; 12-05-2011 at 05:03 PM.

11-25-2011, 08:34 PM	#2
bandit09 User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What kind of ammo were you using? Factory loads? Bullet weight? Also, if this is a newly acquired gun, it may need a thorough cleaning. Some oils thicken with age. Maybe the previous owner did not clean it often or thoroughly.

11-25-2011, 09:32 PM	#4
CavScoutEurope User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 86 Thanks: 102 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	Use snap caps when you dry fire! You could break your firing pin!

11-26-2011, 12:00 AM	#5
Emrot User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	bandit09: The ammo is some old Remington "9 MM Luger Auto. Pistol" 124 grain/metal case ammo that came with it. The gun itself hasn't been used in at least 30 years. I field stripped it and cleaned out some thick oil, but based on alanint's post I didn't go far enough. alanint: Thanks for the advice, you were right it was very gummed up. I've cleaned it and it now appears to work smoothly! CavScoutEurope: Thanks! That was careless of me, I'll pick up some snap caps asap.

12-05-2011, 02:37 PM	#6
Emrot User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Follow up! The in-depth cleaning did the trick. I ran a magazine through it with no issues whatsoever. This makes me even more interested in getting a shooting Luger. The grip fit well into my hands, it's the most comfortable pistol I've handled, and it was a thrill firing it. Thanks a lot for all of your help! My next step is to get some good pictures of this and get it priced and into the hands of someone who'll appreciate it more than myself!