Avoiding dry firing

Don M · 02-15-2005, 09:15 AM

I have two Lugers, both manufactured by DWM(BKIW) in the 1927-29 time frame. One has a sear safety and clipped mag safety and the other has neither. I can avoid dry firing the one without the safeties by pulling back on the toggle about and inch or so and releasing while pulling the trigger. I have not been able to make this work on the one with the safeties. Am I missing something here?

John Sabato · 02-15-2005, 09:58 AM

Don M,

I am not sure because I don't own a Luger with a sear safety, but I believe that if you pull the toggle back and then ease it forward until you feel the resistance of the sear against the firing pin surface, you should be able to pull the trigger at that point and safely lower the firning pin without the sear safety engaging and preventing you from doing so.

I am sure that everyone who owns such a Luger that reads this will try it and report back so we all will know if this is possible...

Thanks for a great mechanical engineering question...

pipeman45 · 02-15-2005, 10:28 AM

Pick up some snap-caps and problem solved. You can even make your own.

Dwight Gruber · 02-15-2005, 11:06 AM

As assembled, a sear-safety Luger can be trigger-released in this way with no problem. The sear safety comes into play when the receiver group is removed from the frame (more precisely, once the side plate is removed).

--Dwight

Don M · 02-15-2005, 12:15 PM

pipeman45 -- What's a "snap-cap"?

Dwight -- That's what I thought but I can't seem to make it work.

Luke · 02-15-2005, 12:27 PM

Don -

Snap Caps are dummy rounds which are specifically designed for dry firing. One uses a spring loaded cap to absorb the impact of the firing pin. Another type uses a nylon cap for the same purpose. You can find them at Brownell's.

Luke

Roadkill · 02-15-2005, 03:28 PM

I use casing drilled out so a pencil eraser fits in it tightly, also have a bullet inserted into the shell casing to correct overall length, they are marked with bright blue paint to avoid embarassment. I use them for testing magazines and feeding for all my semi autos, especially those with a free floating firing pin. Doesn't take but one slam fire to make a convert out of you.

rgg

Don M · 02-15-2005, 05:34 PM

Thanks to all. I'm still puzzled about why the trigger release doesn't work but I've ordered some Snap Caps from Brownells to take care of it until I figure it out.

02-15-2005, 09:15 AM	#1
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Avoiding dry firing I have two Lugers, both manufactured by DWM(BKIW) in the 1927-29 time frame. One has a sear safety and clipped mag safety and the other has neither. I can avoid dry firing the one without the safeties by pulling back on the toggle about and inch or so and releasing while pulling the trigger. I have not been able to make this work on the one with the safeties. Am I missing something here? __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

02-15-2005, 09:58 AM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Don M, I am not sure because I don't own a Luger with a sear safety, but I believe that if you pull the toggle back and then ease it forward until you feel the resistance of the sear against the firing pin surface, you should be able to pull the trigger at that point and safely lower the firning pin without the sear safety engaging and preventing you from doing so. I am sure that everyone who owns such a Luger that reads this will try it and report back so we all will know if this is possible... Thanks for a great mechanical engineering question... __________________ 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..."*

02-15-2005, 10:28 AM	#3
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Pick up some snap-caps and problem solved. You can even make your own. __________________ Dave

02-15-2005, 12:15 PM	#5
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	pipeman45 -- What's a "snap-cap"? Dwight -- That's what I thought but I can't seem to make it work. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

02-15-2005, 12:27 PM	#6
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Don - Snap Caps are dummy rounds which are specifically designed for dry firing. One uses a spring loaded cap to absorb the impact of the firing pin. Another type uses a nylon cap for the same purpose. You can find them at Brownell's. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

02-15-2005, 11:06 AM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,894 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,288 Times in 426 Posts	As assembled, a sear-safety Luger can be trigger-released in this way with no problem. The sear safety comes into play when the receiver group is removed from the frame (more precisely, once the side plate is removed). --Dwight

02-15-2005, 03:28 PM	#7
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	I use casing drilled out so a pencil eraser fits in it tightly, also have a bullet inserted into the shell casing to correct overall length, they are marked with bright blue paint to avoid embarassment. I use them for testing magazines and feeding for all my semi autos, especially those with a free floating firing pin. Doesn't take but one slam fire to make a convert out of you. rgg

02-15-2005, 05:34 PM	#8
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Thanks to all. I'm still puzzled about why the trigger release doesn't work but I've ordered some Snap Caps from Brownells to take care of it until I figure it out. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com