Breech block not closing - Page 2

Terry Tiell · 07-05-2012, 10:28 AM

Thats weird. I wouldn't think replacing the main spring would lead to it being hard to chamber a round with a full mag. How old is the mag? From what I've read the Luger needs a stiff mag spring and if yours has gotten weak I'd guess it could cause a problem feeding rounds into the chamber. It also may help with the chambering of the ammo it may not be the feed ramp at all.
Try a new magazine like you said you were gonna do and see if that helps.

Olle · 07-05-2012, 03:08 PM

Nah, the mag problem is probably totally unrelated, I just didn't know about it as I haven't found it worth the effort to put a full mag in it until yesterday. The mag spring is very stiff so my theory is that the feed lips are too far apart, making the cartridges sit a bit too high up and cause excessive drag.

The mag is of unknown vintage (has a wooden bottom) and apperars to be in very good condition, but I'm going to experiment a bit with an aftermarket mag first. Previous experiences have taught me to always work on the cheapest part available.

rhuff · 07-05-2012, 04:00 PM

What brand and weight of recoil spring did you install? Did you also change the firing pin spring? What ammo are you trying to shoot? Just a few things that come to mind first.

Our resident forum Luger mag expert...GT, can help you out on rebuilding that mag if necessary, and if it is a match to your Luger. GT has built me 2 mags from scratch for a couple of Lugers, and they are beautiful....both with wood bases.

Olle · 07-05-2012, 07:20 PM

I installed the std spring (38 lbs) from Wolff, together with the firing pin spring that came with it. I tried UMC and Winchester, but none would feed correctly. It just feels like the top cartridge is pushing too hard on the bottom of the breech block.

Does anybody know what a good spacing between the feed lips should be?

rhuff · 07-06-2012, 03:25 PM

If anybody on this forum would know that measurement, it would be GT, as he is the Luger magazine expert. Send him a note. He is a very knowledgeable man, and will help you any way that he can....he is a true gentleman.

Olle · 07-16-2012, 10:10 PM

Got her going now! It seems like this pistol had multiple problems:

-The breech block was binding a bit and needed to be fitted.
-The mainspring was old and weak, so I replaced it with a Wolff std weight.
-The magazine lips were set too wide, got it to feed flawlessly with an aftermarket mag.
-The gun would not c o c k (can the moderators please allow this word...?), but Hugh's trigger fix took care of that.

So there's another FrankenLuger ready for action, and I learned a lot in the process. I sure appreciate the help!

rhuff · 07-17-2012, 05:13 PM

I love it when a plan comes together and there is another old Luger back up in operating condition....Enjoy!!

07-05-2012, 10:28 AM	#21
Terry Tiell User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Fascist State of Maryland Posts: 224 Thanks: 55 Thanked 26 Times in 14 Posts	Thats weird. I wouldn't think replacing the main spring would lead to it being hard to chamber a round with a full mag. How old is the mag? From what I've read the Luger needs a stiff mag spring and if yours has gotten weak I'd guess it could cause a problem feeding rounds into the chamber. It also may help with the chambering of the ammo it may not be the feed ramp at all. Try a new magazine like you said you were gonna do and see if that helps. __________________ Trying to redo grand dads Luger the best I can.

07-05-2012, 03:08 PM	#22
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	Nah, the mag problem is probably totally unrelated, I just didn't know about it as I haven't found it worth the effort to put a full mag in it until yesterday. The mag spring is very stiff so my theory is that the feed lips are too far apart, making the cartridges sit a bit too high up and cause excessive drag. The mag is of unknown vintage (has a wooden bottom) and apperars to be in very good condition, but I'm going to experiment a bit with an aftermarket mag first. Previous experiences have taught me to always work on the cheapest part available.

07-05-2012, 04:00 PM	#23
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	What brand and weight of recoil spring did you install? Did you also change the firing pin spring? What ammo are you trying to shoot? Just a few things that come to mind first. Our resident forum Luger mag expert...GT, can help you out on rebuilding that mag if necessary, and if it is a match to your Luger. GT has built me 2 mags from scratch for a couple of Lugers, and they are beautiful....both with wood bases.

07-05-2012, 07:20 PM	#24
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	I installed the std spring (38 lbs) from Wolff, together with the firing pin spring that came with it. I tried UMC and Winchester, but none would feed correctly. It just feels like the top cartridge is pushing too hard on the bottom of the breech block. Does anybody know what a good spacing between the feed lips should be?

07-06-2012, 03:25 PM	#25
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	If anybody on this forum would know that measurement, it would be GT, as he is the Luger magazine expert. Send him a note. He is a very knowledgeable man, and will help you any way that he can....he is a true gentleman.

07-16-2012, 10:10 PM	#26
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	Got her going now! It seems like this pistol had multiple problems: -The breech block was binding a bit and needed to be fitted. -The mainspring was old and weak, so I replaced it with a Wolff std weight. -The magazine lips were set too wide, got it to feed flawlessly with an aftermarket mag. -The gun would not c o c k (can the moderators please allow this word...?), but Hugh's trigger fix took care of that. So there's another FrankenLuger ready for action, and I learned a lot in the process. I sure appreciate the help!

07-17-2012, 05:13 PM	#27
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	I love it when a plan comes together and there is another old Luger back up in operating condition....Enjoy!!