What breaks in a Luger?

Terry Tiell · 08-30-2012, 12:34 PM

After replying in the thread about how many members own but never have fired their Luger's I'm wondering, what exactly would break that would be a numbered part that people are so afraid to fire their Lugers? Replacing springs shouldn't be an issue cause they're not numbered right? For the life of me I can not understand what parts are prone to breaking the Luger seems pretty sturdy to me but then I am FAR from an expert.

So what parts on the Luger are so prone to breakage that people are afraid to fire them? What should I watch for/expect to have break in my Luger that I'll have to replace with a different numbered piece?

Norme · 08-30-2012, 01:51 PM

Here you go. Regards, Norm

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...-range-failure

Terry Tiell · 08-30-2012, 02:12 PM

I can't see the pictures but is a catastrophic failure like what he had happen common? I mean how many Lugers were made vs how many fail like his did? Anyway you an post the pics so I can see them and possibly what to look for.

Norme · 08-30-2012, 03:02 PM

Can you see the pictures now? In answer to your question, no, it's not common, but as you can see, it does happen. Regards, Norm

Karl · 08-30-2012, 03:16 PM

There was a survey on the forum a while back concerning what parts break. As for numbered parts I recall it was mainly extractors and grips. I have personally broken and extractor and two ejectors. If you have nice, matching Luger another hazard of shooting is wear to the blueing, especially the grip straps. All of my Lugers are flawed shooters - I don't have the temperment to own a gun I can't shoot.
KFS

mrerick · 08-30-2012, 04:03 PM

Extractors break too...

Blowback into breech blocks that don't have relieved firing pins blow out the back of the breech block that holds the firing pin spring retainer.

Marc

Vlim · 08-30-2012, 05:05 PM

Generally speaking, only the wooden and metal parts tend to break. Sometimes the plastic as well.

In other words: breakage is always an option, but not that often though.

After 7 years of shooting with a refurbished 1937 S/42 this is the score:
1 extractor.
1 ejector.

mrerick · 08-30-2012, 05:37 PM

Norme,

Perhaps a new variation? "After Market Cutaway"?

Marc

Ron Wood · 08-30-2012, 06:43 PM

I call it spontaneous disassembly.

Edward Tinker · 08-30-2012, 08:08 PM

I have had a breachblock blow out, not once, but twice, once using +p (bad I know, was using a long barrel luger and couldn't get it to cycle), the second was just a failure.

As said before, its your choice, they were made for shooting, but you break a part, its half the value.

your choice...

I have known many guys who say "I don't own a gun I won't shoot" and then I see that they have a 98% Mauser and I just think, well, my mauser will be worth more, because this one will slowly become a 95% gun

Ed

Terry Tiell · 08-30-2012, 10:39 PM

So then I probly don't have anything to worry about I guess. I mean stuff happens but I have about 2000 rounds thru mu Luger sine I started rebuilding it and I guess if something was gonna break it already would have let go.

Thanks for the pics I couldn't see em cause I'm not a member I guess, weird how it just snapped like that but I guess its a good thing that doesn't happen often or I'd be forced to conclude the Luger is an inferior gun.

Vlim · 08-31-2012, 03:40 AM

Just like anything else that has been on the market for a very long time, the luger pistol design was improved now and then. The last years the empfasis was on the steel composition. In the early years, they still had difficulty producing a coherent strong steel type, which led to differences in hardness and brittleness. An old article, about 1911, stated that barrel boring drills would sometimes wear out after doing only a few barrels, while others would last for many barrels. Also, local hardening techniques progressed over time and the quality of the spring steel improved.

Interestingly enough, Mauser, for example, did not use German steel in the early years (around the turn of the century - 1900), but Sheffield steel because of the better quality.

Anyway, it is expected that early guns can be damaged easier than the later ones. Something to consider with ammunition as well: The older the gun, the milder the load. A late 1930s, early 1940s Mauser will eat just about anything.

Edward Tinker · 08-31-2012, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Tiell

So then I probly don't have anything to worry about I guess. I mean stuff happens but I have about 2000 rounds thru mu Luger sine I started rebuilding it and I guess if something was gonna break it already would have let go.

Thanks for the pics I couldn't see em cause I'm not a member I guess, weird how it just snapped like that but I guess its a good thing that doesn't happen often or I'd be forced to conclude the Luger is an inferior gun.

I did not say tht, in fact to say, well I have shot 2000 rounds through it nd nothing happens makes no sense.

The point Is that something can happen at any time. You are taking a chance every shot. If you have an expensive Collectable, you might be destroying history. If you have a lower grade Collectable, then you are only risking a bit of money.

Terry Tiell · 08-31-2012, 12:54 PM

Gotcha. Now I just need to figure out if I want to keep it or get rid of it cause I'm one of those guys who can't see having a gun if you can't shoot it.

cirelaw · 08-31-2012, 02:27 PM

I'm handling mine with kit gloves!!Is there any way to forsee thit tragic result? Did this happen with one maker! I saw Erfurt was mentioned!

08-30-2012, 12:34 PM	#1
Terry Tiell User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Fascist State of Maryland Posts: 224 Thanks: 55 Thanked 26 Times in 14 Posts	What breaks in a Luger? After replying in the thread about how many members own but never have fired their Luger's I'm wondering, what exactly would break that would be a numbered part that people are so afraid to fire their Lugers? Replacing springs shouldn't be an issue cause they're not numbered right? For the life of me I can not understand what parts are prone to breaking the Luger seems pretty sturdy to me but then I am FAR from an expert. So what parts on the Luger are so prone to breakage that people are afraid to fire them? What should I watch for/expect to have break in my Luger that I'll have to replace with a different numbered piece? __________________ Trying to redo grand dads Luger the best I can.

08-30-2012, 02:12 PM	#3
Terry Tiell User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Fascist State of Maryland Posts: 224 Thanks: 55 Thanked 26 Times in 14 Posts	I can't see the pictures but is a catastrophic failure like what he had happen common? I mean how many Lugers were made vs how many fail like his did? Anyway you an post the pics so I can see them and possibly what to look for. __________________ Trying to redo grand dads Luger the best I can.

08-30-2012, 03:02 PM	#4
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Can you see the pictures now? In answer to your question, no, it's not common, but as you can see, it does happen. Regards, Norm Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

08-30-2012, 04:03 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Extractors break too... Blowback into breech blocks that don't have relieved firing pins blow out the back of the breech block that holds the firing pin spring retainer. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-30-2012, 05:37 PM	#8
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Norme, Perhaps a new variation? "After Market Cutaway"? Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-30-2012, 01:51 PM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Here you go. Regards, Norm http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...-range-failure

08-30-2012, 03:16 PM	#5
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 515 Thanks: 0 Thanked 252 Times in 112 Posts	There was a survey on the forum a while back concerning what parts break. As for numbered parts I recall it was mainly extractors and grips. I have personally broken and extractor and two ejectors. If you have nice, matching Luger another hazard of shooting is wear to the blueing, especially the grip straps. All of my Lugers are flawed shooters - I don't have the temperment to own a gun I can't shoot. KFS

08-30-2012, 05:05 PM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,042 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,920 Times in 1,193 Posts	Generally speaking, only the wooden and metal parts tend to break. Sometimes the plastic as well. In other words: breakage is always an option, but not that often though. After 7 years of shooting with a refurbished 1937 S/42 this is the score: 1 extractor. 1 ejector.

08-30-2012, 06:43 PM	#9
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: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	I call it spontaneous disassembly. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-30-2012, 08:08 PM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	I have had a breachblock blow out, not once, but twice, once using +p (bad I know, was using a long barrel luger and couldn't get it to cycle), the second was just a failure. As said before, its your choice, they were made for shooting, but you break a part, its half the value. your choice... I have known many guys who say "I don't own a gun I won't shoot" and then I see that they have a 98% Mauser and I just think, well, my mauser will be worth more, because this one will slowly become a 95% gun Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

08-30-2012, 10:39 PM	#11
Terry Tiell User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Fascist State of Maryland Posts: 224 Thanks: 55 Thanked 26 Times in 14 Posts	So then I probly don't have anything to worry about I guess. I mean stuff happens but I have about 2000 rounds thru mu Luger sine I started rebuilding it and I guess if something was gonna break it already would have let go. Thanks for the pics I couldn't see em cause I'm not a member I guess, weird how it just snapped like that but I guess its a good thing that doesn't happen often or I'd be forced to conclude the Luger is an inferior gun. __________________ Trying to redo grand dads Luger the best I can.

08-31-2012, 03:40 AM	#12
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,042 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,920 Times in 1,193 Posts	Just like anything else that has been on the market for a very long time, the luger pistol design was improved now and then. The last years the empfasis was on the steel composition. In the early years, they still had difficulty producing a coherent strong steel type, which led to differences in hardness and brittleness. An old article, about 1911, stated that barrel boring drills would sometimes wear out after doing only a few barrels, while others would last for many barrels. Also, local hardening techniques progressed over time and the quality of the spring steel improved. Interestingly enough, Mauser, for example, did not use German steel in the early years (around the turn of the century - 1900), but Sheffield steel because of the better quality. Anyway, it is expected that early guns can be damaged easier than the later ones. Something to consider with ammunition as well: The older the gun, the milder the load. A late 1930s, early 1940s Mauser will eat just about anything.

08-31-2012, 12:54 PM	#14
Terry Tiell User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Fascist State of Maryland Posts: 224 Thanks: 55 Thanked 26 Times in 14 Posts	Gotcha. Now I just need to figure out if I want to keep it or get rid of it cause I'm one of those guys who can't see having a gun if you can't shoot it. __________________ Trying to redo grand dads Luger the best I can.

08-31-2012, 02:27 PM	#15
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	I'm handling mine with kit gloves!!Is there any way to forsee thit tragic result? Did this happen with one maker! I saw Erfurt was mentioned!