Inadvertent firing with release of toggle

emil · 08-22-2024, 09:00 PM

Hi all,

Took my newly acquired 1920s commercial DWM luger chambered in 30 to the range for the first time today. While at the range I discovered it has a nasty tendency to fire when dropping the toggle to chamber a new round. I was able to get it to do this 3 more times after the first surprise incident. It only does this if the safety is off. Is this a common problem? I assume the flat spring on the side is not holding enough tension to keep the firing pin back but this is my uneducated guess as I am still learning all the features of this firearm.

Thanks

ithacaartist · 08-23-2024, 02:18 AM

Welcome to the forum, Ed,

A new sear spring might just do it. Sounds as if the lug on the firing pin fails to catch on the sear as the toggle train returns to battery unless the safety is applied.

A worse case would be if the corners/angles of the lug and sear need fixin'.

Kiwi · 08-23-2024, 08:46 AM

Another reason to ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction

Mac Cat · 08-23-2024, 11:40 AM

Could the firing pin be stuck in the forward position ?

Doubs · 08-23-2024, 01:56 PM

Remove the sear bar assembly and check that the channel is clean and the parts free of foreign matter. Check the sear to see if it has been filed down or damaged. Remove the firing pin and see if someone may have filed it in an effort to lighten the trigger pull. Also check the disconnector pin for free movement and the side plate L-arm and the trigger to make sure they haven't been fooled with.

If you have another Luger, try swapping parts one at a time to see if you can identify the bad part or parts.

What you describe sounds like the sear is engaging the firing pin enough to retract it but releasing it as the action goes into battery. However, if that were the case, it would likely continue firing each time the action worked.

rhuff · 08-23-2024, 04:48 PM

Does your new Luger have a very light trigger pull after you take the safety off??

emil · 08-23-2024, 07:47 PM

It's fairly light. I'd say it feels to be around 5 to 7 lbs. However, I have not handled any other lugers to compare with.

emil · 08-23-2024, 08:04 PM

The firing pin was certainly dirty when I pulled it out. I have attached photos showing the sear surfaces on the firing pin and trigger bar. Doesn't appear to be polished, but again, I don't have anything to compare to.

DonVoigt · 08-23-2024, 08:12 PM

Emil,
need a side view of the sear bar to see how the sear catch looks in height.

emil · 08-23-2024, 08:16 PM

Attached

08-22-2024, 09:00 PM	#1
emil User Join Date: Aug 2024 Posts: 8 Thanks: 8 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Inadvertent firing with release of toggle Hi all, Took my newly acquired 1920s commercial DWM luger chambered in 30 to the range for the first time today. While at the range I discovered it has a nasty tendency to fire when dropping the toggle to chamber a new round. I was able to get it to do this 3 more times after the first surprise incident. It only does this if the safety is off. Is this a common problem? I assume the flat spring on the side is not holding enough tension to keep the firing pin back but this is my uneducated guess as I am still learning all the features of this firearm. Thanks

08-23-2024, 02:18 AM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,339 Thanks: 7,261 Thanked 2,564 Times in 1,362 Posts	Welcome to the forum, Ed, A new sear spring might just do it. Sounds as if the lug on the firing pin fails to catch on the sear as the toggle train returns to battery unless the safety is applied. A worse case would be if the corners/angles of the lug and sear need fixin'. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

08-23-2024, 04:48 PM	#6
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,289 Thanks: 2,707 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	Does your new Luger have a very light trigger pull after you take the safety off?? __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

08-23-2024, 08:04 PM	#8
emil User Join Date: Aug 2024 Posts: 8 Thanks: 8 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	The firing pin was certainly dirty when I pulled it out. I have attached photos showing the sear surfaces on the firing pin and trigger bar. Doesn't appear to be polished, but again, I don't have anything to compare to. Attached Thumbnails

08-23-2024, 08:12 PM	#9
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Emil, need a side view of the sear bar to see how the sear catch looks in height. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

08-23-2024, 08:46 AM	#3
Kiwi User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river Posts: 303 Thanks: 213 Thanked 434 Times in 171 Posts	Another reason to ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction

08-23-2024, 11:40 AM	#4
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 723 Thanks: 2,085 Thanked 603 Times in 325 Posts	Could the firing pin be stuck in the forward position ?

08-23-2024, 01:56 PM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,696 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,679 Times in 552 Posts	Remove the sear bar assembly and check that the channel is clean and the parts free of foreign matter. Check the sear to see if it has been filed down or damaged. Remove the firing pin and see if someone may have filed it in an effort to lighten the trigger pull. Also check the disconnector pin for free movement and the side plate L-arm and the trigger to make sure they haven't been fooled with. If you have another Luger, try swapping parts one at a time to see if you can identify the bad part or parts. What you describe sounds like the sear is engaging the firing pin enough to retract it but releasing it as the action goes into battery. However, if that were the case, it would likely continue firing each time the action worked.

08-23-2024, 07:47 PM	#7
emil User Join Date: Aug 2024 Posts: 8 Thanks: 8 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	It's fairly light. I'd say it feels to be around 5 to 7 lbs. However, I have not handled any other lugers to compare with.

08-23-2024, 08:16 PM	#10
emil User Join Date: Aug 2024 Posts: 8 Thanks: 8 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Attached Attached Thumbnails