First Luger; having issues

mrerick · 09-24-2014, 09:34 PM

IIRC, these Lugers did use a weaker mainspring, of perhaps 17 to 18 coils. You can get a range of recoil springs from Wolff and try the lighter one. If you go too light, you'll start seeing the back heel of the toggle impacting the rear of the frame. You can use a little masking tape to see how hard it's hitting that area.

Check the lubrication and cleaning in the area of the hold open. It is possible that your hold open lever is missing from the frame.

Double check to be sure that the recoil link from the receiver to the recoil lever in the frame is properly seated.

Marc

rhuff · 09-25-2014, 04:54 PM

I agree with Marc 100%. You have an 'unknown Luger' meaning you have no idea what springs, etc. are in this luger. The first and foremost thing to do, is break it down(Utube has videos of how to do it) for a good cleaning and lube. Be VERY careful removing the LEFT grip panel, as it is easy to break in the area of the thumb safety. I can not overstate this......Lugers do not like to be dirty and/or dry.

After that, if still having problems, then I would change the recoil and firing pin springs with new ones. Wolff springs have some of the correct springs at a very reasonable price.

Since it is happening with three different mags, it is most likely not the mag unless they are old with tired mag springs.

Are you using Fiocchi FMJ or JSP ammo? Some Lugers do not play well with the JSP ammo....others do o.k. with it.

Olddog84 · 09-25-2014, 08:54 PM

Ok guys, need more help please. I have taken it completely apart and cleaned and oiled the Luger. I have now replaced the mainspring with a new wolff standard power spring. Put the weaker wolff in first. The gun does not run right with either. Now the empty case is failing to eject the case, which usually smokestacks. The toggle does not seem to come back far enough to eject empty cases and pick a new round up from the mag. Will not lock back on an mag unless hand cycled. The ejector looked like it had some wear marks on it so i tweaked it and lessened tension on the ejector. No difference. The toggle seems to be running smooth within the receiver. Can the mag hold open be impinging on the toggle? I dont see any marks on it but I am out of ideas.
Mike

09-24-2014, 09:34 PM	#1
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	IIRC, these Lugers did use a weaker mainspring, of perhaps 17 to 18 coils. You can get a range of recoil springs from Wolff and try the lighter one. If you go too light, you'll start seeing the back heel of the toggle impacting the rear of the frame. You can use a little masking tape to see how hard it's hitting that area. Check the lubrication and cleaning in the area of the hold open. It is possible that your hold open lever is missing from the frame. Double check to be sure that the recoil link from the receiver to the recoil lever in the frame is properly seated. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-25-2014, 04:54 PM	#2
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,315 Thanks: 2,748 Thanked 998 Times in 733 Posts	I agree with Marc 100%. You have an 'unknown Luger' meaning you have no idea what springs, etc. are in this luger. The first and foremost thing to do, is break it down(Utube has videos of how to do it) for a good cleaning and lube. Be VERY careful removing the LEFT grip panel, as it is easy to break in the area of the thumb safety. I can not overstate this......Lugers do not like to be dirty and/or dry. After that, if still having problems, then I would change the recoil and firing pin springs with new ones. Wolff springs have some of the correct springs at a very reasonable price. Since it is happening with three different mags, it is most likely not the mag unless they are old with tired mag springs. Are you using Fiocchi FMJ or JSP ammo? Some Lugers do not play well with the JSP ammo....others do o.k. with it.

09-25-2014, 08:54 PM	#3
Olddog84 New User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ok guys, need more help please. I have taken it completely apart and cleaned and oiled the Luger. I have now replaced the mainspring with a new wolff standard power spring. Put the weaker wolff in first. The gun does not run right with either. Now the empty case is failing to eject the case, which usually smokestacks. The toggle does not seem to come back far enough to eject empty cases and pick a new round up from the mag. Will not lock back on an mag unless hand cycled. The ejector looked like it had some wear marks on it so i tweaked it and lessened tension on the ejector. No difference. The toggle seems to be running smooth within the receiver. Can the mag hold open be impinging on the toggle? I dont see any marks on it but I am out of ideas. Mike