Broken fireing spring guides

ROBERT BURKHART · 02-06-2005, 11:19 AM

I have A luger made in 1916 that breaks fireing spring guides after A couple of rounds fired. The 9mm rounds used are standard factory rounds. This being my first luger I am not knowlegable of the mechanicle workings yet. could anyone tell me what causes this and how to fix the problem.

ROBERT BURKHART · 02-06-2005, 04:36 PM

To correct my question thats firing pin spring guide.

Ron Wood · 02-06-2005, 05:26 PM

This may be a dumb question, but have you checked the inside of the firing pin to see if it is clean? It may have some foreign material that is binding on the guide at full recoil.

ROBERT BURKHART · 02-06-2005, 08:09 PM

Thanks Ron for your reply. No the inside of the firing pin is clean.

Lugerdoc · 02-07-2005, 12:10 AM

Ron, I would suggest first trying a new firing pin spring, so that your FP does not hit the retainer with such force. Also check the condition of the rear of your breech block where the retainer locks in: the rear hole should be perfectly round. TH

Thor · 02-07-2005, 08:38 AM

Might check to see if you pin is the vented type, ones in 1916 werent. After watching some slo motion films on Lugers firing, I am not totally convinced that some gases might be going back through the breech block on some Lugers. The vents will remove some of the rear ward force on the pin if gas is present inside the breechblock and the pin will not go rearward with as much force. It is always a good idea to replace the firing pin on WWI guns with one from WWII (vented type) just for shooting.

John Sabato · 02-07-2005, 09:36 AM

In addition to the suggestions already offered... I would consider buying a spare FP Spring guide and shortening the shaft about a siteenth of an inch... this might prevent the impact that is breaking them... Be sure to round off the tip after shortening to make sure the spring doesn't bind during operation.

Vlim · 02-07-2005, 12:27 PM

Hi,

I've had one P08 with a broken fire pin guide, bought it that way. Replaced it and had no trouble afterwards. The previous owner shot self-loaded ammo with totally unreliable loads. The main spring of the pistol is getting a bit weak, but I had no further problems shooting normal S&B 124 grain rounds.

So check whether your ammunition is within specs. I'd recommend S&B 115 grn for pre-1930 DWM Lugers. My Dutch 1906 likes 115 better than 124, although it functions acceptable with both.

Karl · 02-07-2005, 04:10 PM

Robert,

Can you clarify exactly where the FP guide is breaking? One potential problem could be a weak recoil spring allowing the FP guide to slam into the back of the frame. Are there any marks on the back of the frame suggesting this? KFS

ROBERT BURKHART · 02-07-2005, 10:57 PM

Karl, The guides are breaking off at the head I did not find any marks on the back of the frame.

Ponyman · 03-01-2005, 03:47 PM

The silence is deafening... any resolution to this very interesting problem???

ROBERT BURKHART · 03-01-2005, 03:59 PM

Ive ordered some parts. as soon as I try some of the advise that I was given here I will write and tell how it worked.

ROBERT BURKHART · 03-24-2005, 10:48 PM

Thanks everybody for your very good advise. It worked. I fired 100 rounds in it today and it worked like A new one. I replaced the fireing pin with A vented type. Shortened the new fireing pin spring guide about 1/16 of an inch and put in A new set of wolf springs. The ammo I was useing was the same as advised. I want to thank you all again for your good advise.

02-06-2005, 11:19 AM	#1
ROBERT BURKHART User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Broken fireing spring guides I have A luger made in 1916 that breaks fireing spring guides after A couple of rounds fired. The 9mm rounds used are standard factory rounds. This being my first luger I am not knowlegable of the mechanicle workings yet. could anyone tell me what causes this and how to fix the problem.

02-06-2005, 05:26 PM	#3
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	This may be a dumb question, but have you checked the inside of the firing pin to see if it is clean? It may have some foreign material that is binding on the guide at full recoil. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-07-2005, 12:10 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Ron, I would suggest first trying a new firing pin spring, so that your FP does not hit the retainer with such force. Also check the condition of the rear of your breech block where the retainer locks in: the rear hole should be perfectly round. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-07-2005, 08:38 AM	#6
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Might check to see if you pin is the vented type, ones in 1916 werent. After watching some slo motion films on Lugers firing, I am not totally convinced that some gases might be going back through the breech block on some Lugers. The vents will remove some of the rear ward force on the pin if gas is present inside the breechblock and the pin will not go rearward with as much force. It is always a good idea to replace the firing pin on WWI guns with one from WWII (vented type) just for shooting. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-07-2005, 09:36 AM	#7
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	In addition to the suggestions already offered... I would consider buying a spare FP Spring guide and shortening the shaft about a siteenth of an inch... this might prevent the impact that is breaking them... Be sure to round off the tip after shortening to make sure the spring doesn't bind during operation. __________________ 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..."*

02-06-2005, 04:36 PM	#2
ROBERT BURKHART User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	To correct my question thats firing pin spring guide.

02-06-2005, 08:09 PM	#4
ROBERT BURKHART User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Ron for your reply. No the inside of the firing pin is clean.

02-07-2005, 12:27 PM	#8
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,043 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,930 Times in 1,194 Posts	Hi, I've had one P08 with a broken fire pin guide, bought it that way. Replaced it and had no trouble afterwards. The previous owner shot self-loaded ammo with totally unreliable loads. The main spring of the pistol is getting a bit weak, but I had no further problems shooting normal S&B 124 grain rounds. So check whether your ammunition is within specs. I'd recommend S&B 115 grn for pre-1930 DWM Lugers. My Dutch 1906 likes 115 better than 124, although it functions acceptable with both.

02-07-2005, 04:10 PM	#9
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 515 Thanks: 0 Thanked 252 Times in 112 Posts	Robert, Can you clarify exactly where the FP guide is breaking? One potential problem could be a weak recoil spring allowing the FP guide to slam into the back of the frame. Are there any marks on the back of the frame suggesting this? KFS

02-07-2005, 10:57 PM	#10
ROBERT BURKHART User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Karl, The guides are breaking off at the head I did not find any marks on the back of the frame.

03-01-2005, 03:47 PM	#11
Ponyman User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Atlantic County, NJ, USA Posts: 138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The silence is deafening... any resolution to this very interesting problem??? __________________ "The Constitution is intended for use by a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the governance of any other." ~ John Quincy Adams

03-01-2005, 03:59 PM	#12
ROBERT BURKHART User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ive ordered some parts. as soon as I try some of the advise that I was given here I will write and tell how it worked.

03-24-2005, 10:48 PM	#13
ROBERT BURKHART User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks everybody for your very good advise. It worked. I fired 100 rounds in it today and it worked like A new one. I replaced the fireing pin with A vented type. Shortened the new fireing pin spring guide about 1/16 of an inch and put in A new set of wolf springs. The ammo I was useing was the same as advised. I want to thank you all again for your good advise.