Was a DA conversion ever made?

Blindeye · 08-30-2014, 02:47 PM

Ludwig Seacamp was a gunsmith who served in the German army during WW2, and felt that the double-action mechanism of his issued P-38 saved his life when he had to draw his pistol.

After immigrating to the USA, his general gunsmithing shop gained a real reputation among 1911 pistolero's who wanted a DA 45 ACP pistol. I have a 1911 with the Seacamp conversion and it's an interesting solution to problem not everyone agrees on.
Whether you think a DA 1911 is a good thing or not, I am impressed with the simplicity of his design and how robust it is.

So my question: was there ever a "one-off" custom DA Luger P08 conversion done by gunsmiths?
I've never heard of one or seen one, but I'm curious if it was ever done.

Thanks,

Garrett

MikeP · 08-30-2014, 07:43 PM

Absolutely a good idea IMO.
I have a Hi Power I like a lot-that would be a good feature.

Pistols are rarely actually used in combat, but an instantly ready feature is an asset.

I know "cocked and lock" is the supposed SOP for 1911s, but I never liked it.

rhuff · 08-31-2014, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeP

I know "cocked and lock" is the supposed SOP for 1911s, but I never liked it.

It is the SOP for a Hi Power also.

alanint · 08-31-2014, 08:00 PM

I don't think the Luger design could ever lend itself to a DA conversion. You would have to literally redesign the entire pistol.

sheepherder · 08-31-2014, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

I don't think the Luger design could ever lend itself to a DA conversion. You would have to literally resigned the entire pistol.

I recall looking at a full-auto conversion for the Luger. Extended sideplate, modifed sear/firing pin IIRC. Considering that you only need to move the firing pin back until it locks, it might not be too radical. The Seecamp doesn't chamber a round; it just cocks the hammer. The Luger would need a trigger re-design, but maybe not too difficult.

I bet Olle or Rick W. could come up with something.

John Sabato · 09-01-2014, 08:43 AM

I agree with alanint. Not possible with a side plate redesign. The striker mechanism does not lend itself to a DA modification. If it did, it would have not even required a side plate to engage the trigger.

ithacaartist · 09-01-2014, 11:22 AM

I'm with Doug, too. Not feasible with this design.

In the Erma wannabes, the sear interface with its release runs underneath the barrel extension, and there is no side plate to transfer the trigger pull. It would be much easier to convert one of them. For a Luger, it would be necessary to create a similar action, then effectively divorce the sear's set and release from the recoil-powered cycling of the action (extraction and chambering). It could be done, but what would we do without our pretty little side plates? The external lines would necessarily change!

Vlim · 09-01-2014, 02:19 PM

Here is the Mauser Model 90 DA. Produced by FEG for Mauser, based on the S&W Model 56, which in turn was a combination of the FN Hi-Power and the P38's double action feature.

Shown together with Mauser's / FEG FN Hi-Power clone.

Michael Zeleny · 09-02-2014, 08:45 AM

A Luger equipped with a properly sprung grip safety is as safe to carry in a properly constructed holster with the manual safety off as with it on. Just sayin'.

08-30-2014, 02:47 PM	#1
Blindeye User Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Was a DA conversion ever made? Ludwig Seacamp was a gunsmith who served in the German army during WW2, and felt that the double-action mechanism of his issued P-38 saved his life when he had to draw his pistol. After immigrating to the USA, his general gunsmithing shop gained a real reputation among 1911 pistolero's who wanted a DA 45 ACP pistol. I have a 1911 with the Seacamp conversion and it's an interesting solution to problem not everyone agrees on. Whether you think a DA 1911 is a good thing or not, I am impressed with the simplicity of his design and how robust it is. So my question: was there ever a "one-off" custom DA Luger P08 conversion done by gunsmiths? I've never heard of one or seen one, but I'm curious if it was ever done. Thanks, Garrett

08-31-2014, 08:00 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I don't think the Luger design could ever lend itself to a DA conversion. You would have to literally redesign the entire pistol. Last edited by alanint; 09-02-2014 at 09:19 AM.

09-01-2014, 08:43 AM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I agree with alanint. Not possible with a side plate redesign. The striker mechanism does not lend itself to a DA modification. If it did, it would have not even required a side plate to engage the trigger. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-01-2014, 11:22 AM	#7
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,284 Thanks: 7,013 Thanked 2,478 Times in 1,320 Posts	I'm with Doug, too. Not feasible with this design. In the Erma wannabes, the sear interface with its release runs underneath the barrel extension, and there is no side plate to transfer the trigger pull. It would be much easier to convert one of them. For a Luger, it would be necessary to create a similar action, then effectively divorce the sear's set and release from the recoil-powered cycling of the action (extraction and chambering). It could be done, but what would we do without our pretty little side plates? The external lines would necessarily change! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

09-01-2014, 02:19 PM	#8
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,035 Thanks: 1,020 Thanked 3,889 Times in 1,187 Posts	Here is the Mauser Model 90 DA. Produced by FEG for Mauser, based on the S&W Model 56, which in turn was a combination of the FN Hi-Power and the P38's double action feature. Shown together with Mauser's / FEG FN Hi-Power clone. Attached Thumbnails

08-30-2014, 07:43 PM	#2
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Absolutely a good idea IMO. I have a Hi Power I like a lot-that would be a good feature. Pistols are rarely actually used in combat, but an instantly ready feature is an asset. I know "cocked and lock" is the supposed SOP for 1911s, but I never liked it.

09-02-2014, 08:45 AM	#9
Michael Zeleny Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 525 Thanks: 129 Thanked 138 Times in 76 Posts	A Luger equipped with a properly sprung grip safety is as safe to carry in a properly constructed holster with the manual safety off as with it on. Just sayin'. __________________ Michael Zeleny@post.harvard.edu -- http://larvatus.livejournal.com/ -- 7576 Willow Glen Road, Los Angeles, CA 90046 -- 323.363.1860 All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. -- Samuel Beckett