Trigger Frustration!

jonnyc · 12-23-2008, 03:21 PM

Pistol is now cycling, feeding, and ejecting just fine. BUUUT...the trigger is not resetting. I did the suggested bevelling work to the disconnector pin and the trigger lever. I put in a new original trigger lever pin to reduce the wobble of the lever. My "bolt-action" Luger is getting a bit frustrating, where do I go from here???
Thanks.

John Sabato · 12-23-2008, 03:30 PM

Sounds like the trigger return spring (behind the trigger) is weak. Try stretching some new life into it to make it longer and give it more push... IF that doesn't work, then a new one might be in order.

I once had a Luger that I found had the trigger return spring replaced with a short length of ball point pen spring to lighten the trigger... it too was unreliable... just like you are describing.

jonnyc · 12-23-2008, 03:33 PM

I will check that, but I don't believe that's the problem. It seems to be strong enough to push the trigger forward.

Just checked, return spring seems to be plenty strong.

alvin · 12-23-2008, 09:16 PM

Pull the toggle manually then it works?

Could it be this -- the firing pin is not locked by the sear in the recoil process, but it marginally locks when you pull the toggle because manual operation is relatively gentle.

jonnyc · 12-23-2008, 09:41 PM

Guess that's possible. How is that checked and fixed?

alvin · 12-23-2008, 10:16 PM

To check it in range, load a **single** round into the magazine, load it into the chamber, (if your gun has "hold-open" feature, remove the magazine after loading), and fire it. Then don't touch the toggle, remove the side plate and use your finger to push down the front tip of the sear (**beaware where the gun points, even if the chamber is supposed to be empty** ), if the firing pin does not move, it's not cocked.

If that's the problem, I would not suggest fixing it yourself. Find a professional gunsmith and he would handle it.

John Sabato · 12-24-2008, 08:05 AM

What ammo are you using? Winchester 115gr. (white bulk box of 100) that is sold at walmart is recommended for the correct ballistics to operate the pistol. Maybe your ammo is underpowered?

Lugerdoc · 12-24-2008, 09:27 AM

Jon, PM sent. Yours is a problem common to lugers. Usually either the wrong angle trigger lever or weak trigger or disconnector springs. Hugh's method of cutting an angle on the disconnector plunger &/or the trigger lever is a short cut solution, but not really getting down to the real problem. TH

jonnyc · 12-24-2008, 11:10 AM

John, I've been using only WWB.

Tom, at your suggestion, I'm fixing my installation of the trigger lever pin and seeing what I can do about the trigger return spring. I believe the disconnector spring is beyond where I want to go. I will also think about your PM'd offers and get back to you.
Thanks.

Happy Holidays to you guys.

jonnyc · 01-15-2009, 05:12 PM

OK, time for an update.
Just got my baby back from Lugerdoc. He had to replace the trigger lever and do some recontouring of the side-plate. A previous owner had inflicted some grievous injury on the pistol (don't ask), but Tom worked some magic and brought it back to life. I just braved 20 degree weather to give it a test run and all worked 100%.
Tom Heller is my hero!

Lugerdoc · 01-15-2009, 05:51 PM

Aw Shucks! Thanks for the Kind words Johnnie. Tom

12-23-2008, 03:21 PM	#1
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	Trigger Frustration! Pistol is now cycling, feeding, and ejecting just fine. BUUUT...the trigger is not resetting. I did the suggested bevelling work to the disconnector pin and the trigger lever. I put in a new original trigger lever pin to reduce the wobble of the lever. My "bolt-action" Luger is getting a bit frustrating, where do I go from here??? Thanks.

12-23-2008, 03:30 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Sounds like the trigger return spring (behind the trigger) is weak. Try stretching some new life into it to make it longer and give it more push... IF that doesn't work, then a new one might be in order. I once had a Luger that I found had the trigger return spring replaced with a short length of ball point pen spring to lighten the trigger... it too was unreliable... just like you are describing. __________________ 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..."*

12-23-2008, 03:33 PM	#3
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	I will check that, but I don't believe that's the problem. It seems to be strong enough to push the trigger forward. Just checked, return spring seems to be plenty strong. Last edited by jonnyc; 12-23-2008 at 04:28 PM.

12-24-2008, 08:05 AM	#7
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	What ammo are you using? Winchester 115gr. (white bulk box of 100) that is sold at walmart is recommended for the correct ballistics to operate the pistol. Maybe your ammo is underpowered? __________________ 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..."*

12-24-2008, 09:27 AM	#8
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Jon, PM sent. Yours is a problem common to lugers. Usually either the wrong angle trigger lever or weak trigger or disconnector springs. Hugh's method of cutting an angle on the disconnector plunger &/or the trigger lever is a short cut solution, but not really getting down to the real problem. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

12-23-2008, 09:16 PM	#4
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Pull the toggle manually then it works? Could it be this -- the firing pin is not locked by the sear in the recoil process, but it marginally locks when you pull the toggle because manual operation is relatively gentle.

12-23-2008, 09:41 PM	#5
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	Guess that's possible. How is that checked and fixed?

12-23-2008, 10:16 PM	#6
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	To check it in range, load a single round into the magazine, load it into the chamber, (if your gun has "hold-open" feature, remove the magazine after loading), and fire it. Then don't touch the toggle, remove the side plate and use your finger to push down the front tip of the sear (beaware where the gun points, even if the chamber is supposed to be empty ), if the firing pin does not move, it's not cocked. If that's the problem, I would not suggest fixing it yourself. Find a professional gunsmith and he would handle it.

12-24-2008, 11:10 AM	#9
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	John, I've been using only WWB. Tom, at your suggestion, I'm fixing my installation of the trigger lever pin and seeing what I can do about the trigger return spring. I believe the disconnector spring is beyond where I want to go. I will also think about your PM'd offers and get back to you. Thanks. Happy Holidays to you guys.

01-15-2009, 05:12 PM	#10
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	OK, time for an update. Just got my baby back from Lugerdoc. He had to replace the trigger lever and do some recontouring of the side-plate. A previous owner had inflicted some grievous injury on the pistol (don't ask), but Tom worked some magic and brought it back to life. I just braved 20 degree weather to give it a test run and all worked 100%. Tom Heller is my hero!

01-15-2009, 05:51 PM	#11
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Aw Shucks! Thanks for the Kind words Johnnie. Tom __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net