What does the Sear do?

wdavid431 · 09-22-2007, 08:46 AM

During my reading of the posts on this forum I have seen many references to the "sear." And now I must confess that I do not know exactly what the sear is or what it does. For the Luger pistol, someone please answer for me:
What does the sear do?
Where is it located?
What does it look like?
Thanks in advance for any answers that will get me out of the dark on the "Sear."

Ron Smith · 09-22-2007, 10:35 AM

Hi Warren,

The sear engages the firing pin and holds it in a cocked position until the trigger is pulled. Note the long flat bar that runs along the left side of the receiver that actuates when the trigger is pulled, this is the sear bar.

When the trigger is pulled it compresses the L shaped trigger lever in the side plate, which causes it to press on the sear bar, causing the sear bar to pivot inward releasing the firing pin. The sear is the portion of the sear bar that engages the small square "tab" on the side of the firing pin.

Hope I have made this clear enough to understand.

Ron

wdavid431 · 09-24-2007, 08:41 AM

Thank you for the fast reply. I always wondered what that long metal piece was now I know. Plus, I also have a better understanding of the "sear."
This forum, and the people on it, is great. Thanks again.

John Sabato · 09-24-2007, 10:29 AM

I highly recommend the e-book on Luger Mechanicals by member Gerard Henrotin. He is the guy who did the Luger Animation graphic on our homepage and he has done a whole series of e-books on the Luger and other firearms. The books are available for download for less than $10.00 and the one on Mechanicals will tell you all you ever need to know about what makes a Luger pistol "work"... The link for his books are on the Links and Resources page...

09-22-2007, 08:46 AM	#1
wdavid431 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	What does the Sear do? During my reading of the posts on this forum I have seen many references to the "sear." And now I must confess that I do not know exactly what the sear is or what it does. For the Luger pistol, someone please answer for me: What does the sear do? Where is it located? What does it look like? Thanks in advance for any answers that will get me out of the dark on the "Sear." __________________ W David

09-22-2007, 10:35 AM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Warren, The sear engages the firing pin and holds it in a cocked position until the trigger is pulled. Note the long flat bar that runs along the left side of the receiver that actuates when the trigger is pulled, this is the sear bar. When the trigger is pulled it compresses the L shaped trigger lever in the side plate, which causes it to press on the sear bar, causing the sear bar to pivot inward releasing the firing pin. The sear is the portion of the sear bar that engages the small square "tab" on the side of the firing pin. Hope I have made this clear enough to understand. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

09-24-2007, 08:41 AM	#3
wdavid431 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Thank you for the fast reply. I always wondered what that long metal piece was now I know. Plus, I also have a better understanding of the "sear." This forum, and the people on it, is great. Thanks again. __________________ W David

09-24-2007, 10:29 AM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	I highly recommend the e-book on Luger Mechanicals by member Gerard Henrotin. He is the guy who did the Luger Animation graphic on our homepage and he has done a whole series of e-books on the Luger and other firearms. The books are available for download for less than $10.00 and the one on Mechanicals will tell you all you ever need to know about what makes a Luger pistol "work"... The link for his books are on the Links and Resources page... __________________ 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..."*