Mild rounds

jeb111 · 04-06-2021, 07:49 PM

I know it's a bad idea to shoot Lugers that are all matching due to chance of breaking certain parts but would that risk go down if you were to reload milder than factory rounds? I understand that being an automatic a certain amount of energy is needed inorder for the action to work. i'm pretty sure I know the answer already but just thought I'd ask anyway.
Thanks
Jim

Karl · 04-06-2021, 08:05 PM

It has been my experience that lugers will not perform correctly with anything less than a "factory" load. The correct solution is to shoot a "shooter."

KFS

gunnertwo · 04-06-2021, 08:06 PM

Lower powered ammo may not cause the action to work. IIRC, that was a problem with earlier US made ammo. I don't shoot any of my collector grade Lugers, parts that break are tough to replace. If the gun is a "shooter" then it doesn't matter as much.

G2

Sieger · 04-06-2021, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeb111

I know it's a bad idea to shoot Lugers that are all matching due to chance of breaking certain parts but would that risk go down if you were to reload milder than factory rounds? I understand that being an automatic a certain amount of energy is needed inorder for the action to work. i'm pretty sure I know the answer already but just thought I'd ask anyway.
Thanks
Jim

Hi,

If you are Handloading, here is a very accurate, yet, very mild load for you with a readily available and highly popular powder.

124 Grain, FMJ, Round Nose Bullet

O.A.L. of cartridge 1.69 to 1.173 inches (critical for jam free operation)

3.6 to 3.8 grains of Bulls Eye powder.

This is a nice load that will not overly stress your very fine Parabellum.

I will be very happy to share more proper "Luger Loads" with you upon request.

Good shooting,

Sieger

Sieger · 04-06-2021, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnertwo

Lower powered ammo may not cause the action to work. IIRC, that was a problem with earlier US made ammo. I don't shoot any of my collector grade Lugers, parts that break are tough to replace. If the gun is a "shooter" then it doesn't matter as much.

G2

Hi,

I am sorry to have to disagree with you on this idea, as German Army Pistol ammo had a 123 Grain Bullet traveling at only 1,076 f.p.s. from a standard 100 mm barrel.

Respectfully,

Sieger

gunbugs · 04-06-2021, 08:51 PM

I know folks will say you shouldn't shoot your matching P-08. They already have. I shoot mine, without problems, so far. It will depend on the risk you are willing to accept, and mitigate. I reduce the risk of breaking matching parts by replacing them before I go to the range. Typically, the firing pin and extractor. I also mostly shoot WW2 Mauser production guns, as the durability seems to be better, (although once in a while, I will shoot an older DWM gun). That all being said, I try to only use Winchester White box ball. It appears to be the gold standard of commonly available 9mm ammo for use in the Luger pistol.

mrerick · 04-06-2021, 09:04 PM

Under loaded rounds can generate excessive chamber pressures, and damage firearms.

Get a shooter. You'll enjoy it more.

jeb111 · 04-07-2021, 01:29 PM

Thanks everyone for the input. I have a couple of Lugers that I won't shoot, and a couple of shooters. I was just wondering about mild loads not only for #'s matching guns but also more for saving wear and tear on my shooters. From what I gather from what everyone posted I won't worry about it for the shooters. Nonshooters were only shot once to verify that they do work, no interest in shooting them beyond that. I will try the load Sieger posted as I have those components.
Thanks All
Jim

rhuff · 04-07-2021, 04:10 PM

Hi JEB

I also am a handloader, with Lugers. None of my Lugers are high dollar collectables, so, basically, they are all shooters to me. I tried to develop "soft" loads for my old Lugers using different bullet weights, and different burn rate powders. I was not able to produce good reliability unless I was willing to change some springs, etc. I was not, so My loads, both 7.65Para, and 9mm are as close to the original velocities as I can get them. My Lugers thank me for that by behaving in a manner that pleases me.

Most all true handloaders have to "try" different combos to achieve a certain end result......some times you accomplish it, and sometimes you don't. Good luck, and enjoy!!

Sergio Natali · 04-08-2021, 06:25 AM

WWI and WWII production pistols were not built for longevity, the steels used were not selected to be still firing about one hundred years later.
I belong to the "don't shoot collectibles school", I'd rather see someone shooting a refinished mixmaster or a Russian capture P08 rather than an all original piece that, that should be preserved for a number of reasons.
IMO.

STEINBVG · 04-08-2021, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Under loaded rounds can generate excessive chamber pressures, and damage firearms.

Get a shooter. You'll enjoy it more.

I'm not sure I follow you, could you explain?
The logic and experience suggest: the more powerful round, the more back pressure[longer barrel, silencer] - the more wear and potential for gun damage, correct?

04-06-2021, 07:49 PM	#1
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 712 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	Mild rounds I know it's a bad idea to shoot Lugers that are all matching due to chance of breaking certain parts but would that risk go down if you were to reload milder than factory rounds? I understand that being an automatic a certain amount of energy is needed inorder for the action to work. i'm pretty sure I know the answer already but just thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks Jim

04-06-2021, 09:04 PM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Under loaded rounds can generate excessive chamber pressures, and damage firearms. Get a shooter. You'll enjoy it more. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-07-2021, 04:10 PM	#9
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	Hi JEB I also am a handloader, with Lugers. None of my Lugers are high dollar collectables, so, basically, they are all shooters to me. I tried to develop "soft" loads for my old Lugers using different bullet weights, and different burn rate powders. I was not able to produce good reliability unless I was willing to change some springs, etc. I was not, so My loads, both 7.65Para, and 9mm are as close to the original velocities as I can get them. My Lugers thank me for that by behaving in a manner that pleases me. Most all true handloaders have to "try" different combos to achieve a certain end result......some times you accomplish it, and sometimes you don't. Good luck, and enjoy!! __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

04-08-2021, 06:25 AM	#10
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	WWI and WWII production pistols were not built for longevity, the steels used were not selected to be still firing about one hundred years later. I belong to the "don't shoot collectibles school", I'd rather see someone shooting a refinished mixmaster or a Russian capture P08 rather than an all original piece that, that should be preserved for a number of reasons. IMO. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

04-06-2021, 08:05 PM	#2
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 522 Thanks: 0 Thanked 271 Times in 118 Posts	It has been my experience that lugers will not perform correctly with anything less than a "factory" load. The correct solution is to shoot a "shooter." KFS

04-06-2021, 08:06 PM	#3
gunnertwo User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 623 Thanks: 826 Thanked 930 Times in 363 Posts	Lower powered ammo may not cause the action to work. IIRC, that was a problem with earlier US made ammo. I don't shoot any of my collector grade Lugers, parts that break are tough to replace. If the gun is a "shooter" then it doesn't matter as much. G2

04-06-2021, 08:51 PM	#6
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 659 Thanks: 365 Thanked 1,177 Times in 394 Posts	I know folks will say you shouldn't shoot your matching P-08. They already have. I shoot mine, without problems, so far. It will depend on the risk you are willing to accept, and mitigate. I reduce the risk of breaking matching parts by replacing them before I go to the range. Typically, the firing pin and extractor. I also mostly shoot WW2 Mauser production guns, as the durability seems to be better, (although once in a while, I will shoot an older DWM gun). That all being said, I try to only use Winchester White box ball. It appears to be the gold standard of commonly available 9mm ammo for use in the Luger pistol.

04-07-2021, 01:29 PM	#8
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 712 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	Thanks everyone for the input. I have a couple of Lugers that I won't shoot, and a couple of shooters. I was just wondering about mild loads not only for #'s matching guns but also more for saving wear and tear on my shooters. From what I gather from what everyone posted I won't worry about it for the shooters. Nonshooters were only shot once to verify that they do work, no interest in shooting them beyond that. I will try the load Sieger posted as I have those components. Thanks All Jim