Is my Luger a paperweight?

Dr.Mauser · 07-11-2014, 01:11 PM

So i was just cleaning my P08, and I noticed this....can I even shoot this? It's a minor fracture, but is it even safe to shoot?

Ron Wood · 07-11-2014, 01:19 PM

As I posted over on Jan Still's forum, unfortunately the gun is not safe. Shooting it would just cause further damage, and perhaps injury.

John Sabato · 07-11-2014, 03:16 PM

I concur absolutely UNSAFE as Ron has told you. I would not consider this crack to be repairable considering the stresses imposed by the toggle action. While some might attempt welding, IMHO this will require the upper receiver to be replaced in order to be shootable. Check with Lugerdoc to see if he has a serviceable one.

Sergio Natali · 07-11-2014, 03:22 PM

In all honesty I would NOT attempt any shooting, nor any welding, the best idea would be to change the upper receiver.
IMHO

Sergio

DavidJayUden · 07-11-2014, 04:06 PM

Years ago I had my beloved artillery shooter break in about the same place. Back then LugerDoc had one for the princely sum of $175, so I was (eventually) back in business. Never fired it once it broke until the upper was replaced. I probably kept the broken part around, just cuz...
dju

rhuff · 07-11-2014, 04:36 PM

I agree, wholeheartedly, with all of the above. This Luger barrel extension/receiver is unsafe to fire. The 9mm round is a high pressure round and stresses the toggle train and receiver. The amount of steel in that area is small, and in my opinion, is unrepairable FOR SHOOTING.......it could be repaired for "looks".

LugerVern · 07-11-2014, 07:42 PM

Consider that the sear bar is very near the crack, flexing could cause the gun to discharge unexpectedly and injure someone-- is it worth the risk to continue to shoot it?
The gun has mixed SN's welding it up can be done but it's not like your saving a rare one.
To do it properly will cost some dollars maybe more than a new top. The others are correct not much metal there, so your talking barrel removal, heating, welding, heat treating and the reinstall of the barrel--that is going to cost some dollars if done right.

I think you should get you a new top!!!

Vern

Dr.Mauser · 07-11-2014, 08:43 PM

My problem is money though....I have none...I've been unemployed for 4 months now...plus I don't even know where to look, or who to talk to about a replacement part...

ithacaartist · 07-11-2014, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugerVern

The gun has mixed SN's welding it up can be done but it's not like your saving a rare one.
To do it properly will cost some dollars maybe more than a new top. The others are correct not much metal there, so your talking barrel removal, heating, welding, heat treating and the reinstall of the barrel--that is going to cost some dollars if done right.
Vern

Vern has summed it up nicely. Since I am a fabricator/weldor, I instinctively think to myself, "Heck, that could be welded and be safe to use thereafter, no problem." But if one considers the rates demanded for such restorative repair work, he's right on the money (no pun intended)! And he didn't even mention the refinishing of the repaired part--tough to get the finish to match to the rest of the gun.

John Sabato · 07-11-2014, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sabato

IMHO this will require the upper receiver to be replaced in order to be shootable. Check with Lugerdoc to see if he has a serviceable one.

Here I am quoting myself for the second time this week.

You can't shoot it the way it is. Contact lugerdoc to find out how much it will probably cost when you DO have a new job and money.

There is no reason to prioritize this repair - your circumstances dictate that it will have to go on the back burner for a while.

sheepherder · 07-12-2014, 12:58 PM

It could be worse...You could have mud in the barrel...

(Hey John! I found it!)

GySgt1811 · 07-13-2014, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

It could be worse...You could have mud in the barrel...

(Hey John! I found it!)

Tee Hee!

07-11-2014, 01:11 PM	#1
Dr.Mauser User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Greatest State in the Union Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is my Luger a paperweight? So i was just cleaning my P08, and I noticed this....can I even shoot this? It's a minor fracture, but is it even safe to shoot? Last edited by Dr.Mauser; 07-11-2014 at 09:58 PM.

07-11-2014, 01:19 PM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	As I posted over on Jan Still's forum, unfortunately the gun is not safe. Shooting it would just cause further damage, and perhaps injury. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

07-11-2014, 03:16 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I concur absolutely UNSAFE as Ron has told you. I would not consider this crack to be repairable considering the stresses imposed by the toggle action. While some might attempt welding, IMHO this will require the upper receiver to be replaced in order to be shootable. Check with Lugerdoc to see if he has a serviceable one. __________________ 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..."*

07-11-2014, 03:22 PM	#4
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	In all honesty I would NOT attempt any shooting, nor any welding, the best idea would be to change the upper receiver. IMHO Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

07-12-2014, 12:58 PM	#11
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	It could be worse...You could have mud in the barrel... (Hey John! I found it!) Attached Images __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

07-11-2014, 04:06 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Years ago I had my beloved artillery shooter break in about the same place. Back then LugerDoc had one for the princely sum of $175, so I was (eventually) back in business. Never fired it once it broke until the upper was replaced. I probably kept the broken part around, just cuz... dju

07-11-2014, 04:36 PM	#6
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	I agree, wholeheartedly, with all of the above. This Luger barrel extension/receiver is unsafe to fire. The 9mm round is a high pressure round and stresses the toggle train and receiver. The amount of steel in that area is small, and in my opinion, is unrepairable FOR SHOOTING.......it could be repaired for "looks".

07-11-2014, 07:42 PM	#7
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Consider that the sear bar is very near the crack, flexing could cause the gun to discharge unexpectedly and injure someone-- is it worth the risk to continue to shoot it? The gun has mixed SN's welding it up can be done but it's not like your saving a rare one. To do it properly will cost some dollars maybe more than a new top. The others are correct not much metal there, so your talking barrel removal, heating, welding, heat treating and the reinstall of the barrel--that is going to cost some dollars if done right. I think you should get you a new top!!! Vern

07-11-2014, 08:43 PM	#8
Dr.Mauser User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Greatest State in the Union Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My problem is money though....I have none...I've been unemployed for 4 months now...plus I don't even know where to look, or who to talk to about a replacement part...