Cartridge power - 1917 DWM Luger

tomcat · 12-17-2002, 09:07 AM

Hello All,

I've got a 1917, DWM-made military Luger. It has been in my family since WWI, brought back by my grandfather from a battlefield somewhere in France ...

As it had not fired since this time, I was not sure of what kind of ammo using. That's why I tried to use black powder ones, but it seems that there was no power enough to rearm the system ...

At the opposite, I fear that using commercial contemporary 9mm cartridges can be too powerful for the cylinder head.

So, can you tell me what kind of ammo using with this pistol ? Must I make them myself ?

Thanks in advance [img]smile.gif[/img] (And excuse my english, but it's far from being my maternal language [img]wink.gif[/img]

Ron Wood · 12-17-2002, 12:50 PM

tomcat,
The Luger was made after the introduction of smokeless powder. Black powder loads will not function in your Luger. Many members of this forum shoot their Lugers quite succesfully with modern contemporary ammunition. If nothing on your Luger is broken, it will function safely with commercial ammunition. Do not under any circumstance use military surplus ammuniton unless you are absolutely sure it was NOT loaded for submachine gun use. Submachine gun ammo is too powerful for pistols and will quickly damage the action.

By the way, I do not know what your maternal language is, but your English is excellent.

John Sabato · 12-17-2002, 01:57 PM

I can assure you that your English far better than my French...

Welcome to the Lugerforum and what part of France are you from tomcat?

tomcat · 12-18-2002, 09:47 AM

Thanks for your messages !
My English is very proud of your compliments [img]wink.gif[/img] I live in the north of France, in Boulogne/Mer, a town of fishermen [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

I have a box of 9mm Luger Norma ammo, I will try them as soon as possible and say you back what happened ...

G.T. · 12-18-2002, 03:58 PM

Hi Tomcat! Make sure you immeadiatly clean all the black powder fouling from the pistol, most importantly the bore, as it will cause a lot of unwanted and unnecessary corrosion! till....later....G.T.

G.W. Gill · 12-19-2002, 10:26 PM

Tomcat, we are all excited when we find a family hierloom that is an exciting guy tool! After you clean and test your pistol, can you let us know what you were told about it. Maybe send a picture of it and let us know how it worked for you.

12-17-2002, 09:07 AM	#1
tomcat New User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cartridge power - 1917 DWM Luger Hello All, I've got a 1917, DWM-made military Luger. It has been in my family since WWI, brought back by my grandfather from a battlefield somewhere in France ... As it had not fired since this time, I was not sure of what kind of ammo using. That's why I tried to use black powder ones, but it seems that there was no power enough to rearm the system ... At the opposite, I fear that using commercial contemporary 9mm cartridges can be too powerful for the cylinder head. So, can you tell me what kind of ammo using with this pistol ? Must I make them myself ? Thanks in advance [img]smile.gif[/img] (And excuse my english, but it's far from being my maternal language [img]wink.gif[/img]

12-17-2002, 12:50 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	tomcat, The Luger was made after the introduction of smokeless powder. Black powder loads will not function in your Luger. Many members of this forum shoot their Lugers quite succesfully with modern contemporary ammunition. If nothing on your Luger is broken, it will function safely with commercial ammunition. Do not under any circumstance use military surplus ammuniton unless you are absolutely sure it was NOT loaded for submachine gun use. Submachine gun ammo is too powerful for pistols and will quickly damage the action. By the way, I do not know what your maternal language is, but your English is excellent. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

12-17-2002, 01:57 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I can assure you that your English far better than my French... Welcome to the Lugerforum and what part of France are you from tomcat? __________________ 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..."*

12-18-2002, 09:47 AM	#4
tomcat New User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for your messages ! My English is very proud of your compliments [img]wink.gif[/img] I live in the north of France, in Boulogne/Mer, a town of fishermen [img]biggrin.gif[/img] I have a box of 9mm Luger Norma ammo, I will try them as soon as possible and say you back what happened ...

12-18-2002, 03:58 PM	#5
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	Hi Tomcat! Make sure you immeadiatly clean all the black powder fouling from the pistol, most importantly the bore, as it will cause a lot of unwanted and unnecessary corrosion! till....later....G.T.

12-19-2002, 10:26 PM	#6
G.W. Gill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 369 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tomcat, we are all excited when we find a family hierloom that is an exciting guy tool! After you clean and test your pistol, can you let us know what you were told about it. Maybe send a picture of it and let us know how it worked for you.