Front sight

[roger s]

Hello all, new to this forum so excuse me if this is a novice question.
I have an Erfurt that I shoot from time to time and the front sight came loose. What method can be used to reseat it, or does it require replacement from be worn? Any thoughts would be welcome.

Also less signifiacant, I had noticed the last time out that I was having fail to feed problems that I never had before. I used two different magazines and they both work fine in a different Luger?

[DavidJayUden]

Gently peening the mating surfaces with a sharp punch may be enough to hold it in. A new sight blade may help but it could be that the dovetail is worn a bit. Our LugerDoc can probably give better advice and supply the sight blade. And I would not be above a tiny bit of silicone adhesive on my shooters.
Regarding the failure to feed issue try to ID any changes made from when it worked until when it did not. Did you change the ammo, clean it or not, different mag? The fact that the mags work in another gun does not mean that they will make yours run correctly. A tight grip, a good cleaning and oiling, and good ammo is the best place to start, but sometimes it all adds up to a bit of voodoo. Try holding your mouth differently...
dju

[roger s]

Rick, this was LOOSE. I noticed while shooting that the sight shifted to the left. I unloaded it and it took no pressure at all to push it out. I can reseat it by hand, but it would come out again during a fire I am sure. It is a 1917 date, and has some miles on it, but the bore is decent and the numbers match minus one grip panel and the magazine. Perhaps over the years it just wiggled it's way out enough that it said no more?

[Ron Smith]

Roger,

Remove the sight and use a socket extension or comparative round rod. Clamp the barrel firmly in a padded vise. Lay the socket extension so that it rests cross the dovetail. Hold it in place, and tap it very lightly with a hammer. Try the sight for fit, repeat until the sight will barely start under firm finger pressure, then drive it in. This will peen the dovetail edges down , tightening it. No need to punch divots in the metal.

Here's a link...

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...light=dovetail

Ron

[roger s]

Thanks for the tips, and I did look at the link to see the photos. I am glad to know I am not the only one this happened to, not that I am glad others have had trouble. I will give it a shot this weekend when I have a chance.

Thanks again,
Roger

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Rick W.

The issue with adhesives is a bit hard to change for windage issues once the adhesive sets up.

Which is why I use contact cement [brown bottle; brush in cap; smells like acetone] for stuff I don't want to come loose but don't want to ruin getting apart...

[Ron Smith]

Geez Rich!! Glue??? I thought you were a machinist? Where's your sense of adventure?

[roger s]

Since I was doing a little maintenance anyway, I figured now was as good a time as any to replace the recoil spring not knowing if it has anything to do with the fail to feed, probably not, but if it is to be shot, it never hurts.......
I only have two Lugers and this is the first time I replaced the spring in one of these. I have not cursed that much since I was in the Navy! I am embarassed to say how long it took to put the new one back in, but now that I have done it the hard way, do you folks have any pointers to make this easier should I ever do this again? (I am sure this is a beat to death subject, please pardon me for this, I am new here.)

[Ron Smith]

Use a leaf spring off of a 1938 Chevy, it's easier.

A tutorial by Ted Green "Thor"...

http://www.lugerforum.com/Mainspring_Install.html



Ron

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

Use a leaf spring off of a 1938 Chevy, it's easier.

If you watched Kirk Douglas string his bow in the movie "Ulysses", that's exactly how it's done...but you don't have to hold the arrow in your mouth...