Borchardt-Luger Controversy

Heinz · 07-30-2002, 09:57 PM

Kyrie, although I always enjoy your posts I would like to hear your references on the Luger grip angle and the Luger toggle placement. I worked for awhile as a draftsman and a mechanical engineer. I do not see anything about the recoil spring that dictates the precise grip angle of the Luger. Although the 1911 Colt and other Browning style designs use both a recoil spring parrallel to the barrel and hammer springs in the grip frame the angles chosen for their grips are a matter of design and not dictated by the function of the hammer spring. I think the Luger recoil lever could be adjusted for a range of grip angles. It would seem to me that it is the angle selected for the recoil lever that dictates the grip angle.

Also it seems to me that the toggle does have some spring tension from the recoil spring in the closed position but that spring tension tends to (very lightly) keep the toggle closed. The action of the toggle when it strikes the breech is a simple cam action. I cannot understand why there would be any question as to if it would work.

Again, I wonder if your reference may have been imaginative, or if this is a quote from one of the designers??

Thanks, Heinz

07-30-2002, 09:57 PM	#1
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	Kyrie, although I always enjoy your posts I would like to hear your references on the Luger grip angle and the Luger toggle placement. I worked for awhile as a draftsman and a mechanical engineer. I do not see anything about the recoil spring that dictates the precise grip angle of the Luger. Although the 1911 Colt and other Browning style designs use both a recoil spring parrallel to the barrel and hammer springs in the grip frame the angles chosen for their grips are a matter of design and not dictated by the function of the hammer spring. I think the Luger recoil lever could be adjusted for a range of grip angles. It would seem to me that it is the angle selected for the recoil lever that dictates the grip angle. Also it seems to me that the toggle does have some spring tension from the recoil spring in the closed position but that spring tension tends to (very lightly) keep the toggle closed. The action of the toggle when it strikes the breech is a simple cam action. I cannot understand why there would be any question as to if it would work. Again, I wonder if your reference may have been imaginative, or if this is a quote from one of the designers?? Thanks, Heinz