Do Luger Magazines Become Less Effective~

Heinz · 06-22-2021, 07:17 PM

the goodness of a spring depends on its elastic modulus. Up to a limiting stress, a body will be able to recover its dimensions on removal of the load. The applied stresses cause the atoms in a crystal to move from their equilibrium position. All the atoms are displaced the same amount and still maintain their relative geometry. When the stresses are removed, all the atoms return to their original positions and no permanent deformation occurs.

If you have a good spring, like one of GT's it will NOT deform or take a set. Deformation only occurs when the spring is pushed beyond its elastic modulus. I have seen Colt revolvers from the 1850s whose main springs have not changed a bit.

The demands of bent coil spring in the Luger magazine was a little bit beyond the metallurgical capabilities of its day. Either because of corrosion affecting the elastic modulus or because the spring was being pushed ever so slightly beyond it elastic modulus, the spring would not return fully to its original dimensions. Those micro failures add up over time.

Springs do not wear out or take a set unless they are pushed, even slightly beyond their limits. Did you exver wear out the valve springs in an old Ford or Chevy? (Who knows about the stuff they make them out of today.

I know this seems counterintuitive but it is real engineering and physics. A spring does not "take a set" unless you have exceeded its elastic modulus or it's carbon crystal structure is degrading.

rhuff · 06-23-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heinz

Did you ever wear out the valve springs in an old Ford or Chevy?

I sure have broken my share of them. I would consider that total spring fatigue.

06-22-2021, 07:17 PM	#1
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	the goodness of a spring depends on its elastic modulus. Up to a limiting stress, a body will be able to recover its dimensions on removal of the load. The applied stresses cause the atoms in a crystal to move from their equilibrium position. All the atoms are displaced the same amount and still maintain their relative geometry. When the stresses are removed, all the atoms return to their original positions and no permanent deformation occurs. If you have a good spring, like one of GT's it will NOT deform or take a set. Deformation only occurs when the spring is pushed beyond its elastic modulus. I have seen Colt revolvers from the 1850s whose main springs have not changed a bit. The demands of bent coil spring in the Luger magazine was a little bit beyond the metallurgical capabilities of its day. Either because of corrosion affecting the elastic modulus or because the spring was being pushed ever so slightly beyond it elastic modulus, the spring would not return fully to its original dimensions. Those micro failures add up over time. Springs do not wear out or take a set unless they are pushed, even slightly beyond their limits. Did you exver wear out the valve springs in an old Ford or Chevy? (Who knows about the stuff they make them out of today. I know this seems counterintuitive but it is real engineering and physics. A spring does not "take a set" unless you have exceeded its elastic modulus or it's carbon crystal structure is degrading.