LUGER has Function Issues??

DYNOMIKE · 01-25-2009, 08:47 PM

I'm Hoping it may be an easy Fix but I sure could use some help..

I received my missing Parts on Friday and promptly installed them.. An issues with the Trigger Bar Pin was quickly apparent and while I was able to get it to fit "O.K." I was not getting warm fuzzies as the Pin did not, nor would not go all the way through the second hole on the Sidplate.. Since I assume FLUSH would be correct I was way under that and in fact it barely went through to the other side at all, it is just too short..

However as LUCK would have it a LUGER Forum regular lives very close to me and he had 4 Original PINS in his stash.. We met at the Funshow and installed one of the original pins which BTW did in fact go through to the other side or FLUSH on the Sideplate.. At this point I'm pleased because missing another range trip with this psitol was really gonna blow...

Soo today after shooting Rilfes for a couple hours I put them away and headed to the Pistol range for the last Hot Range of the day. PERFECT or so I thought...
Unfortunately it was a bit dissapointing as although the Gun shoots great and is as accurate as I had hoped there is an issue I will have to look into?? My "ISSUE" popped up right away and am pretty much baffled by the cause??

Sights are regulated perfectly and hitting POA was no prob, Feeding, Extraction, Ejection all good..
BUT She only goes BANG once, not BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, etc..??
The best I could get was two or three consecutive firings without manualy cocking the striker by pulling the Toggle assy up slightly?? It "seems" for whatever reason the Striker is not Re-setting/Cocking? If/When you work the action (unloaded) and then pull the trigger it works normally everytime, but why it won't when actually shooting is a mystery to me??
I tried THREE mags and 4 Types of ammo, none seemed much better then the other? Hoping it is an easy fix, I just don't know? May be ammo related but again it's just a guess..

BTW ammo tried was Fed American Eagle 124 Gr FMJ, FIOCHI 115 FMJ, WINCHESTER NATO 115 FMJ ( I think?), and I even tried some UZI (IMI) 115 FMJ and it seemed to matter not at all what I used??

You LUGER Experts got any ideas, or advise.. I sure would appreciate the help..

Ron Wood · 01-25-2009, 10:38 PM

Check that the disconnect moves freely. If it sticks, it precludes the next shot. Hotter ammo is rarely the solution. A properly lubricated Luger with freely moving parts and a good magazine will work like a clock.

jonnyc · 01-25-2009, 11:05 PM

I had the same problem, but I didn't get the 2 or 3 shots! I tried beveling the disconnector and trigger lever. I checked, cleaned, and lubed the disconnector and trigger return springs. I checked the trigger bar/sear interface. In the end I sent it to Tom Heller who fixed the problem, something internal with the side-plate and a bad trigger lever.
Try all the above. If no soap...you've got Tom's address.

DYNOMIKE · 01-25-2009, 11:17 PM

I only got the Multiple shots once or twice, MOST (almost all) were one shot at a time, and then Only after I raised the Toggle a bit...
The disconector seems to move freely, and is not sticking from what I can tell.. Striker parts are also clean, and I do believe I had enough lube on the gun.. NOT a lot, but I think enough..
I also figured 4 AMMO types would be sufficient for testing, but wanted to be sure I at least mentioned what I used.. Seems to me "IF" it was working correctly ONE of those ammo types would have run her for sure??

"IF" I have to send it off I will do so but I'm hoping I can correct it myself??

G.T. · 01-25-2009, 11:32 PM

Hello, always check for a loose sideplate... field strip the pistol and just reinstall the sideplate, if you can wiggle it back'n'forth on the frame...then,...the same thing is happening when you shoot it! just a plact to start... keep plugging away..you'll be a bit smarter when you done!

Best to all, til...lat'r...GT BTW, My father used to say, " I hit myself with a hammer, cuz it fees so good when I quit!" Welcome to the world of shooter Lugers!!!

jamese · 01-26-2009, 07:27 AM

Mike,
lets get together again, I'll take a look at it I'm sure we can get it resolved !

I work 2pm to Midnight today, give me a call while I'm at work

Jim

DYNOMIKE · 01-26-2009, 08:09 AM

Thank you for the tips Gents, I will try to cover them all.. The Sideplate "seems" to fit pretty well with no dicernable WIGGLE..

LOL, YES It would seem hitting myself with a hammer is close to the same feeling.. I do hope the problem is a minor one so I can get her back out to the range for some fun.. A SINGLE shot LUGER aint much fun at all...

Jim~
Will do, and BTW thank you for your help the other day I really appreciate that.. I honestly don't know what it is so maybe you will see it right away? I have field stripped the pistol again and looked everything over but nothing jumps out at me??
I'll call this afternoon...

jamese · 01-30-2009, 07:02 AM

Mike,
I fixed the Luger for ya, come by or give me a call so you can check it this weekend
Jim

jonnyc · 01-30-2009, 04:05 PM

I'd be interested to know the hows and whys.

John Sabato · 01-30-2009, 04:23 PM

Yes Jim,

Please post what you found wrong with it...

Lugerdoc · 01-31-2009, 07:57 AM

Mike, Yours does not sound like an ammo problem. If you are getting multiple rounds fired with one pull of the trigger, I suspect that the striker is not properly engaging the sear and at least one of these parts will need to be replaced. If on the other hand, your striker is cocking properly, then I would suspect that the disconnector plunger in the trigger bar, is not pushing the trigger lever in the side plate out of the way to reset to fire the next round. TH

jonnyc · 02-03-2009, 04:39 PM

Tom, I think he meant that he could get 2 or 3 consecutive shots before it failed to reset.

Jamese, what did it take to fix the girl?

jamese · 02-04-2009, 07:19 AM

For those would like to know, I replaced the trigger. What I really needed was Trigger Tuning device as mentioned in an earlier post http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=21041

It seems that the Trigger Lever would not retract or swing back far enough to allow the sear bar Plunger to move fully forward for the reset after the first shot. My tests indicated that every re-set failed, not just the first 2 or 3 shots

I have in the past adjusted the Trigger levers by bending slightly, but I didn't have any replacement Triggers levers (in case I broke it). So replacing the trigger was the safest course of action on a gun I didn't own.

I have found that some of the Trigger Levers are repo's and seem to be made out of a brittle pot metal, rather than good quality carbon steel and they don't take to kindly to bending.

Tom you are right, I could have tried and replaced the Plunger Spring which might be a little weak. If he continues to have a problem, that will be next.

Thank you everyone for your help
Jim

jonnyc · 02-04-2009, 07:39 AM

Very good to know, thanks.

jamese · 02-10-2009, 06:49 AM

Mike,
Can we get a range report
how did the gun preform on the range this past weeked ??

Jim

DYNOMIKE · 07-12-2009, 09:17 AM

WOW!!
I did not know it's been this long since I posted here..
VERY sorry for the delay in doing so..

First I would like to thank Jim for his help with my pistol.. I do indeed have a "SEMI" Auto Luger now and not a SINGLE shot..
Thanks Jim, I really do appreciate your help..

Okay the gun shoots, and shoots multiple times.. It does NOT like WIN NATO Ball ammo though as function was not so good.. Ammo the gun liked worked great and accuracy was very good at 15 yards..

The only "issue" if you will I am dealing with now is that the mag wants to drop down just enough to not feed the next round.. This does not happen all the time and I even wonder if I may be hitting the mag release (don't think so though)?

If I kinda hold the mag up with my pinky all is well.. I think maybe the nag release spring is weal or possibly the release itself may be worn a bit? Not sure since the Luger is so weird to me..

Will post back with any new info..

Ice · 07-12-2009, 11:30 AM

You might try a new magazine; Mec Gar is best. If you continue to have problems then it might be a worn magazine catch.

Charlie

DYNOMIKE · 07-12-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice

You might try a new magazine; Mec Gar is best. If you continue to have problems then it might be a worn magazine catch.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie, I appreciate the input..
Both mags are Brand NEW MecGars.. Is the mag catch hard to work with or remove for inspection?

jonnyc · 07-12-2009, 10:35 PM

The mag catch and spring are fairly simple to remove and replace. How do your grips fit? I had a problem, very easily fixed, with the edge of my new repro grips preventing the mag catch from functioning fully. Might be something to check.

01-25-2009, 08:47 PM	#1
DYNOMIKE User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Fl Posts: 16 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	LUGER has Function Issues?? I'm Hoping it may be an easy Fix but I sure could use some help.. I received my missing Parts on Friday and promptly installed them.. An issues with the Trigger Bar Pin was quickly apparent and while I was able to get it to fit "O.K." I was not getting warm fuzzies as the Pin did not, nor would not go all the way through the second hole on the Sidplate.. Since I assume FLUSH would be correct I was way under that and in fact it barely went through to the other side at all, it is just too short.. However as LUCK would have it a LUGER Forum regular lives very close to me and he had 4 Original PINS in his stash.. We met at the Funshow and installed one of the original pins which BTW did in fact go through to the other side or FLUSH on the Sideplate.. At this point I'm pleased because missing another range trip with this psitol was really gonna blow... Soo today after shooting Rilfes for a couple hours I put them away and headed to the Pistol range for the last Hot Range of the day. PERFECT or so I thought... Unfortunately it was a bit dissapointing as although the Gun shoots great and is as accurate as I had hoped there is an issue I will have to look into?? My "ISSUE" popped up right away and am pretty much baffled by the cause?? Sights are regulated perfectly and hitting POA was no prob, Feeding, Extraction, Ejection all good.. BUT She only goes BANG once, not BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, etc..?? The best I could get was two or three consecutive firings without manualy cocking the striker by pulling the Toggle assy up slightly?? It "seems" for whatever reason the Striker is not Re-setting/Cocking? If/When you work the action (unloaded) and then pull the trigger it works normally everytime, but why it won't when actually shooting is a mystery to me?? I tried THREE mags and 4 Types of ammo, none seemed much better then the other? Hoping it is an easy fix, I just don't know? May be ammo related but again it's just a guess.. BTW ammo tried was Fed American Eagle 124 Gr FMJ, FIOCHI 115 FMJ, WINCHESTER NATO 115 FMJ ( I think?), and I even tried some UZI (IMI) 115 FMJ and it seemed to matter not at all what I used?? You LUGER Experts got any ideas, or advise.. I sure would appreciate the help..

01-25-2009, 10:38 PM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,035 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,242 Times in 1,719 Posts	Check that the disconnect moves freely. If it sticks, it precludes the next shot. Hotter ammo is rarely the solution. A properly lubricated Luger with freely moving parts and a good magazine will work like a clock. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-25-2009, 11:32 PM	#5
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,525 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,708 Times in 1,013 Posts	loose sideplate... Hello, always check for a loose sideplate... field strip the pistol and just reinstall the sideplate, if you can wiggle it back'n'forth on the frame...then,...the same thing is happening when you shoot it! just a plact to start... keep plugging away..you'll be a bit smarter when you done! Best to all, til...lat'r...GT BTW, My father used to say, " I hit myself with a hammer, cuz it fees so good when I quit!" Welcome to the world of shooter Lugers!!!

01-26-2009, 07:27 AM	#6
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Mike, lets get together again, I'll take a look at it I'm sure we can get it resolved ! I work 2pm to Midnight today, give me a call while I'm at work Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

01-30-2009, 07:02 AM	#8
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Mike, I fixed the Luger for ya, come by or give me a call so you can check it this weekend Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

01-25-2009, 11:05 PM	#3
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	I had the same problem, but I didn't get the 2 or 3 shots! I tried beveling the disconnector and trigger lever. I checked, cleaned, and lubed the disconnector and trigger return springs. I checked the trigger bar/sear interface. In the end I sent it to Tom Heller who fixed the problem, something internal with the side-plate and a bad trigger lever. Try all the above. If no soap...you've got Tom's address.

01-25-2009, 11:17 PM	#4
DYNOMIKE User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Fl Posts: 16 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I only got the Multiple shots once or twice, MOST (almost all) were one shot at a time, and then Only after I raised the Toggle a bit... The disconector seems to move freely, and is not sticking from what I can tell.. Striker parts are also clean, and I do believe I had enough lube on the gun.. NOT a lot, but I think enough.. I also figured 4 AMMO types would be sufficient for testing, but wanted to be sure I at least mentioned what I used.. Seems to me "IF" it was working correctly ONE of those ammo types would have run her for sure?? "IF" I have to send it off I will do so but I'm hoping I can correct it myself??

01-26-2009, 08:09 AM	#7
DYNOMIKE User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Fl Posts: 16 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you for the tips Gents, I will try to cover them all.. The Sideplate "seems" to fit pretty well with no dicernable WIGGLE.. LOL, YES It would seem hitting myself with a hammer is close to the same feeling.. I do hope the problem is a minor one so I can get her back out to the range for some fun.. A SINGLE shot LUGER aint much fun at all... Jim~ Will do, and BTW thank you for your help the other day I really appreciate that.. I honestly don't know what it is so maybe you will see it right away? I have field stripped the pistol again and looked everything over but nothing jumps out at me?? I'll call this afternoon...

01-30-2009, 04:05 PM	#9
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	I'd be interested to know the hows and whys.

01-30-2009, 04:23 PM	#10
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	Yes Jim, Please post what you found wrong with it... __________________ 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..."*

01-31-2009, 07:57 AM	#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	Mike, Yours does not sound like an ammo problem. If you are getting multiple rounds fired with one pull of the trigger, I suspect that the striker is not properly engaging the sear and at least one of these parts will need to be replaced. If on the other hand, your striker is cocking properly, then I would suspect that the disconnector plunger in the trigger bar, is not pushing the trigger lever in the side plate out of the way to reset to fire the next round. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-03-2009, 04:39 PM	#12
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	Tom, I think he meant that he could get 2 or 3 consecutive shots before it failed to reset. Jamese, what did it take to fix the girl?

02-04-2009, 07:19 AM	#13
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	For those would like to know, I replaced the trigger. What I really needed was Trigger Tuning device as mentioned in an earlier post http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=21041 It seems that the Trigger Lever would not retract or swing back far enough to allow the sear bar Plunger to move fully forward for the reset after the first shot. My tests indicated that every re-set failed, not just the first 2 or 3 shots I have in the past adjusted the Trigger levers by bending slightly, but I didn't have any replacement Triggers levers (in case I broke it). So replacing the trigger was the safest course of action on a gun I didn't own. I have found that some of the Trigger Levers are repo's and seem to be made out of a brittle pot metal, rather than good quality carbon steel and they don't take to kindly to bending. Tom you are right, I could have tried and replaced the Plunger Spring which might be a little weak. If he continues to have a problem, that will be next. Thank you everyone for your help Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

02-04-2009, 07:39 AM	#14
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	Very good to know, thanks.

02-10-2009, 06:49 AM	#15
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Mike, Can we get a range report how did the gun preform on the range this past weeked ?? Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

07-12-2009, 09:17 AM	#16
DYNOMIKE User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Fl Posts: 16 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	WOW!! I did not know it's been this long since I posted here.. VERY sorry for the delay in doing so.. First I would like to thank Jim for his help with my pistol.. I do indeed have a "SEMI" Auto Luger now and not a SINGLE shot.. Thanks Jim, I really do appreciate your help.. Okay the gun shoots, and shoots multiple times.. It does NOT like WIN NATO Ball ammo though as function was not so good.. Ammo the gun liked worked great and accuracy was very good at 15 yards.. The only "issue" if you will I am dealing with now is that the mag wants to drop down just enough to not feed the next round.. This does not happen all the time and I even wonder if I may be hitting the mag release (don't think so though)? If I kinda hold the mag up with my pinky all is well.. I think maybe the nag release spring is weal or possibly the release itself may be worn a bit? Not sure since the Luger is so weird to me.. Will post back with any new info..

07-12-2009, 11:30 AM	#17
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	You might try a new magazine; Mec Gar is best. If you continue to have problems then it might be a worn magazine catch. Charlie

07-12-2009, 10:35 PM	#19
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	The mag catch and spring are fairly simple to remove and replace. How do your grips fit? I had a problem, very easily fixed, with the edge of my new repro grips preventing the mag catch from functioning fully. Might be something to check.