Luger 45 ACP Project

[Lyn Islaub]

GT and I took our .45 Lugers to the range today and the results were a bit mixed. Both of us had feeding problems with one of my magazines not wanting to feed the second round under almost any circumstances and mine did not remain open after the last round. I believe that GT thinks we can work out these issue without too much trouble and possibly by changing ammo. Today I had taken a box of new Winchester white box 230gr thinking that they would work because Eugene used it in testing my pistol; but on second thought wished I had taken some of the other brands I have to see if they worked.. I'll try some of DJU's Wolf ammo next along with some of the other stuff that Eugene said he used in testing.
Regardless, both pistols proved to be tack drivers considering two elderly half blind shooters were driving the train. After we get together and try some different ammo, we'll update this report.

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by Lyn Islaub

GT and I took our .45 Lugers to the range today and the results were a bit mixed. Both of us had feeding problems with one of my magazines not wanting to feed the second round under almost any circumstances and mine did not remain open after the last round. I believe that GT thinks we can work out these issue without too much trouble and possibly by changing ammo. Today I had taken a box of new Winchester white box 230gr thinking that they would work because Eugene used it in testing my pistol; but on second thought wished I had taken some of the other brands I have to see if they worked.. I'll try some of DJU's Wolf ammo next along with some of the other stuff that Eugene said he used in testing.
Regardless, both pistols proved to be tack drivers considering two elderly half blind shooters were driving the train. After we get together and try some different ammo, we'll update this report.

Lyn,

Do these new .45s have the typical Luger "stepped chamber" or the modern "straight chamber"? GT will know.

Cartridge O.A.L. is a critical measurement with Lugers to assure flawless function. This must also apply to your .45s, as it is designed into the system. Too short of an O.A.L. will, typically, lead to jamming with the higher rounds in a Luger's magazine.

Do you guys handload?

Feel free to shoot any ammo you choose, but firing cheap ammo through your two Cadillacs would seem to me to defeat the purpose of having made a costly investment in the first place.

Respectfully,


Sieger

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Sieger

Lyn,

Do these new .45s have the typical Luger "stepped chamber" or the modern "straight chamber"? GT will know.

Cartridge O.A.L. is a critical measurement with Lugers to assure flawless function. This must also apply to your .45s, as it is designed into the system. Too short of an O.A.L. will, typically, lead to jamming with the higher rounds in a Luger's magazine.

Do you guys handload?

Feel free to shoot any ammo you choose, but firing cheap ammo through your two Cadillacs would seem to me to defeat the purpose of having made a costly investment in the first place.

Respectfully,


Sieger

No, the .45 does not have a stepped chamber.

Not holding open likely means a need for hotter ammo, or more lube or just more break in time.
The mainspring on the .45 is also quite strong. I changed the spring on mine to a weaker one and was able to get mid range match ammo to function the mechanism, but not feed due to the unique shape of the 185 gr match bullet. That was an interesting exercise, but I changed the mainspring back to the original.

The magazine spring is also quite strong, and likely contributing to the feed issue. Try loading 5 rounds. It is really tough to get 7 into some of the magazines

Eugene has recommended the Wolf ammo.
An expensive pistol does not require expensive or hand loaded ammo.
S&B .45 ball ammo worked quite well in my lugerman .45.
So well I bought 500 rounds, and it was the "cheapest" available at the time.

[Rick W.]

I was wondering about G.T.'s 45 and how it was...........

Hard to image a project in these days and times, but here it is........most amazing to this casual reserver sitting on the sidelines. Looked long and hard, but just not enough time on my part.

I often wondered why the pseudo-custom pistols all have strong springs, recoil and magazine. The Coonan and the old Automag come to mind, as does the late model PPK's. Automag magazines are hard to load with very many, those that are manly enough to load them full soon find out about strength of materials, when the mag comes apart at the bottom. I reckon there must be something to the strength of springs as to finding basic function more easily???? I don't know myself.

I am of the opinion that factory ammo is getting shorter, especially in 9mmx19. SAAMI min is 745, have to look a lot to find that in spent brass.

I know that many do not reload, just their thing; but they often search for the "right" ammo in crates from around the world. Some is just super hot friends tell me, so guess there are perils in buying loaded ammo whether new or handloaded at the shows. When I qualify, it is mandated factory ammo; last two times I had primer failures in my high dollar box; just the way it went.

Handloading has its perils as well. The buck stops closer to home sorta speak. I believe that choosing a slower powder, longer OAl, as well as bullet shape, can help. Not for everyone I realize, but the option is still there if one wishes to try the waters.

Ammo characterizations are a funny thing. Cheap, if the right word, is used throughout the world for confilicts. Lots of steel cased, steel cored, steel all around stuff in their weapons. I am not sure if they are too concerned about leaving the weapon to their grandchildren though. Steel cases in chambers is rough stuff in my opinion. I suspect that someone will try steel ammo in their new 45acp, hopefully not a lot though............wonder if folks feel their weapon firing, how does it recoil, sharp or soft or medium..........the tape test referenced in these archieves comes to mind, whatever the ammo type or source.

As we all know, the primary function of firearms is supported on many fronts, all figure into the final result or function.

[G.T.]

Hi Rick and all! Just a short note on what has transpired since Lyn and I first shot the .45's … As we left the range, I had a pretty good idea as to what minor adjustments needed to be made, and those thoughts were reinforced by what Don told me what worked on his .45, which he had received several months previous to me getting mine!
Don mentioned the hold open spring being suspect, and sure enough mine was compromised.. So, a little time spent replacing that little part, and on to the next issue.. When I disassembled the unit last night, I found it to be bone dry, and I know Lugers love lube, so that was issue number two taken care of?... The I stopped at my local gun shop this morning, and picked up some S & B .45 ball... That oughta do it!!!!! ...So, as soon as I can get to the range, or team up with Lyn again, I'll have more to say! I think now the unit has a fighting chance.. just taking baby steps to start with! Best to all, til….lat'r….GT

[lugerholsterrepair]

3 words of advice, white lithium grease.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

3 words of advice, white lithium grease.

Wrong stuff for a luger; OIL is the key. JMHO.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Don, I oil my shooters but I judiciously use Lithium Grease on the interior/rails.

[Rick W.]

You know..........the LG I think is a nice idea. For years I used a fine red grease in a tube for locking lugs on rifles, and eventually found it was ok for slides on handguns.

I had cans of bearing grease and lubing grease(remember zerks?) and filled my old red fancy grease dispenser with one of the two for a long time. Always thought both types were a bit too thick for rails, now have this LG reference to try and use.

I suspect there will always be the oil only guys and the grease/oil guys on handguns. Both I think, require some maintenance from time to time; but just part of ownership.

[gunbugs]

I would bet the Huns just used oil on their P08's. But, as always, I'm probably wrong. There are some really good synthetic lubes these days. They probably far out perform the old oils. Except...maybe... THIS ONE. I've had this laying around the shop for decades...

[Ben M.]

Tetra makes a great lube. no smell. and no migrating to other parts.

works well on stainless revolvers also

https://shop.brownells.com/gun-clean...SABEgIftfD_BwE

http://www.tetraguncare.com/performance-lubricants/

[Sieger]

Hi All,

My vote goes to Ballistol.

The German Army CLP from 1904 through 1945!

Sieger

[lugerholsterrepair]

ANY oil is better than no oil.

[Vlim]

Since they were made by Eugene, a slow working oil is probably the best

[hayhugh]

Vim, that last remark should have been preceded by a drum-roll.....

[rhuff]

When one brings up the question of lubrication on a gun forum, it usually gets a large, and diverse response. The number of products that are made, and used, on weapons is impressive!! If there was one "best", then there would likely be only one made. I feel that regular cleaning, and lubing is far more important that the brand of lube used.

I have tried a lot of lubes over the decades, starting with 3in1 oil, which worked quite well. You pays your money, and you make your choice. The "gamers" that shoot 12-15K+ rounds per year, may well lean more to the grease products for frame/rail lubrication, than say the occasional shooter that cleans and lubes his/her weapon after each range visit. YMMV

[Vlim]

Early German manuals recommended using vaseline..

Think there are better lubricants these days. With better flavors...

[HerrKaiser]

I find that Rem-oil and good old Hobbes number 9 gun oil work just fine. But I only put 2-3k rounds through any one of my weapons in a year’s time

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by Vlim

Since they were made by Eugene, a slow working oil is probably the best

Vlim,

Bump!!!


Sieger

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by Vlim

Early German manuals recommended using vaseline..

Think there are better lubricants these days. With better flavors...

Vlim,

Bump again!!!


Sieger