jamming

konrad · 08-06-2002, 12:00 PM

I have 3 lugers and they all seem to have a problem with jamming. Any hints as how to avoid the problem. I have use S&B, Wolf and Pmc ammo. They all seem to jam. Do I need to get the guns fixed or is there some ammo better that might not jam the gun. Konrado

Doug G. · 08-06-2002, 12:21 PM

Describe the problem in a little more detail. Are your guns not cycling ie. toggle does not close or short cycle (main spring or firing pin spring) . Or is it jamming during the feed cycle (bad mag spring or lips) If it is not cycling than you might try some of the Fiocchi or RWS ammo. It is quite hot and should make it go.

Dwight Gruber · 08-06-2002, 01:12 PM

Konrad, are your Lugers 9mm or .30 cal.? If they are 9mm try the Winchester 100-round bulk-pack (i.e., cheap!) boxes from WalMart. I shoot them in four different Lugers, and in the last 1500 rounds or so have had maybe three or four malfunctions. If they are .30 I can't offer much help, the only .30 ammunition I have found commercially is Fiocci,and it is way too underpowered to operate a Luger reliably.

Check your shooting technique. Lugers require being shot with a firm hand. Letting them fly up under recoil ("limp-wristing") releases too much of the recoil energy to your hand, and interferes with proper operation of the action.

Are you using the original magazines which came with the guns? If so, the magazine springs may have become weak or compressed, or the feed lips may have sprung out of proper alignment. Get ahold of a newly manufactured magazine--I recommend those manufactured by Mec-Gar--and see if that solves the problem. My original magazines all jam at least some of my Lugers; Mec-Gars provide me part of the reliability noted above.

Let us all know how it works out.

Good luck, and good shooting.

--Dwight

Karl · 08-09-2002, 07:09 PM

Konrad,

I completely agree with Dwight's post above. Bad magazines are the number one cause of Luger feeding problems and Walmart Winchester is not only the cheapest ammo available it is also the among the most reliable for Lugers. FYI, Doug George who also posted above is an excellent source for Mec Gar mags. I use the nickled Mec Gars and replace the plastic bases with repro walnut bases so that they resemble WWI mags. KFS

Doug G. · 08-09-2002, 07:34 PM

Just FYI the RWS GECO ammo is not expensive. It costs me about $6 a box if I do a case at a time. I have promised Thor to chronograph some and post the results.

Herb · 08-09-2002, 07:42 PM

Konrad, all of the forgoing suggestions should help. Before spending any money give this a try; I have a reprint, 1964, (in english) of the original DWM Luger manual, The "Parabellum" Automatic Pistol. In it DWM recommends using nothing but 'vaseline' on all working parts for lubrication. Give this a try making sure to grease the sliding rails and everything else well with it to see what happens. Assuming the magazine 'lips' are not deformed it just might cure your problem.

tracyp · 08-09-2002, 11:03 PM

Has anyone used vaseline on the rails of their Lugers. I've never heard of this, I just oil them when I clean them. It there any long term efects of leaving vaseline in the gun?

And I agree, magazines are usually the problem. Try switching magazines and see if this corrects the problem.

Herb · 08-09-2002, 11:30 PM

<img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" /> Tracy, I schidt you not, here is the item

Orv Reichert · 08-10-2002, 12:34 AM

Considering the giant leaps in technology in the past 40 years, I would not consider using vasoline on anything but a condom!

In the '60s, we had folks bringing guns into the shop that had been FILLED with vasoline. It had been published as a poor mans cosmoline by some one and,....boy!...was that stuff hard to remove after a number of years!

Use a good lubricant and forget the Vasoline!

Orv Reichert

tracyp · 08-10-2002, 12:35 AM

Herb,

I believe you. I'm just wondering if anyone does use vasiline.

Herb · 08-10-2002, 12:49 AM

Orv, you are out of touch, try K-Y jelly!!

tracyp · 08-10-2002, 12:57 AM

Make sure you use a condom on your Luger.

Orv Reichert · 08-10-2002, 01:27 PM

I am not out of touch...I am just so OLD that it is no longer a problem!

Orv

stymie · 08-10-2002, 01:39 PM

um... well! I just substitute white lithium grease for vaseline. EEZOX goes on everything else. No... not on condoms! Orv... don't give up hope... there's always vitamin *V*!

08-06-2002, 12:00 PM	#1
konrad New User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: cincinnati, oh Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	jamming I have 3 lugers and they all seem to have a problem with jamming. Any hints as how to avoid the problem. I have use S&B, Wolf and Pmc ammo. They all seem to jam. Do I need to get the guns fixed or is there some ammo better that might not jam the gun. Konrado

08-06-2002, 12:21 PM	#2
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	Describe the problem in a little more detail. Are your guns not cycling ie. toggle does not close or short cycle (main spring or firing pin spring) . Or is it jamming during the feed cycle (bad mag spring or lips) If it is not cycling than you might try some of the Fiocchi or RWS ammo. It is quite hot and should make it go. __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

08-09-2002, 07:34 PM	#5
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	Just FYI the RWS GECO ammo is not expensive. It costs me about $6 a box if I do a case at a time. I have promised Thor to chronograph some and post the results. __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

08-09-2002, 07:42 PM	#6
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Konrad, all of the forgoing suggestions should help. Before spending any money give this a try; I have a reprint, 1964, (in english) of the original DWM Luger manual, The "Parabellum" Automatic Pistol. In it DWM recommends using nothing but 'vaseline' on all working parts for lubrication. Give this a try making sure to grease the sliding rails and everything else well with it to see what happens. Assuming the magazine 'lips' are not deformed it just might cure your problem. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

08-09-2002, 11:30 PM	#8
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	<img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" /> Tracy, I schidt you not, here is the item __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

08-06-2002, 01:12 PM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Konrad, are your Lugers 9mm or .30 cal.? If they are 9mm try the Winchester 100-round bulk-pack (i.e., cheap!) boxes from WalMart. I shoot them in four different Lugers, and in the last 1500 rounds or so have had maybe three or four malfunctions. If they are .30 I can't offer much help, the only .30 ammunition I have found commercially is Fiocci,and it is way too underpowered to operate a Luger reliably. Check your shooting technique. Lugers require being shot with a firm hand. Letting them fly up under recoil ("limp-wristing") releases too much of the recoil energy to your hand, and interferes with proper operation of the action. Are you using the original magazines which came with the guns? If so, the magazine springs may have become weak or compressed, or the feed lips may have sprung out of proper alignment. Get ahold of a newly manufactured magazine--I recommend those manufactured by Mec-Gar--and see if that solves the problem. My original magazines all jam at least some of my Lugers; Mec-Gars provide me part of the reliability noted above. Let us all know how it works out. Good luck, and good shooting. --Dwight

08-09-2002, 07:09 PM	#4
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 239 Times in 111 Posts	Konrad, I completely agree with Dwight's post above. Bad magazines are the number one cause of Luger feeding problems and Walmart Winchester is not only the cheapest ammo available it is also the among the most reliable for Lugers. FYI, Doug George who also posted above is an excellent source for Mec Gar mags. I use the nickled Mec Gars and replace the plastic bases with repro walnut bases so that they resemble WWI mags. KFS

08-09-2002, 11:03 PM	#7
tracyp User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 391 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Has anyone used vaseline on the rails of their Lugers. I've never heard of this, I just oil them when I clean them. It there any long term efects of leaving vaseline in the gun? And I agree, magazines are usually the problem. Try switching magazines and see if this corrects the problem.

08-10-2002, 12:34 AM	#9
Orv Reichert RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SW Washington State Posts: 339 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Considering the giant leaps in technology in the past 40 years, I would not consider using vasoline on anything but a condom! In the '60s, we had folks bringing guns into the shop that had been FILLED with vasoline. It had been published as a poor mans cosmoline by some one and,....boy!...was that stuff hard to remove after a number of years! Use a good lubricant and forget the Vasoline! Orv Reichert __________________ ORVEL L. "ORV" REICHERT

08-10-2002, 12:35 AM	#10
tracyp User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 391 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Herb, I believe you. I'm just wondering if anyone does use vasiline.

08-10-2002, 12:49 AM	#11
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Orv, you are out of touch, try K-Y jelly!! __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

08-10-2002, 12:57 AM	#12
tracyp User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 391 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Make sure you use a condom on your Luger.

08-10-2002, 01:27 PM	#13
Orv Reichert RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SW Washington State Posts: 339 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I am not out of touch...I am just so OLD that it is no longer a problem! Orv __________________ ORVEL L. "ORV" REICHERT

08-10-2002, 01:39 PM	#14
stymie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: KC,MO USA Posts: 114 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	um... well! I just substitute white lithium grease for vaseline. EEZOX goes on everything else. No... not on condoms! Orv... don't give up hope... there's always vitamin V! __________________ "Irony can be pretty ironic!"