My Luger Would Not Fire!

max2cam · 11-08-2002, 08:18 PM

Yes, I had it apart before shooting it. And here's what happened next....

I loaded up with Russian 9mm ammo and charged the gun. Fine so far. But when I dropped the safety and pulled the trigger --- nothing.

No click. No nothing. I didn't pull too hard for fear of breaking something.

I cleared the chamber and dry-fired it.

It clicked -- firing pin dropped.

So I loaded back up and the same thing happened again -- no click -- no nothing.

I unloaded again and dry-fired it -- clicked again.

On my third firing attempt the gun fired and kept on firing thru 40 rounds of ammo with 100 percent functioning (Russkie ammo sehr gut!)

So what gives? I didn't take the gun apart to fix it. Rather it fixed itself after I dry fired it a couple of times.

I'm guessing the problem is the side-plate sear-bar thingie.....

Roadkill · 11-08-2002, 09:03 PM

Several things could have happened. The toggle possibly could not have been completely in the locked position. If it keeps up try different types of ammo. Since I started reloading and measuring, the differences in the lengths of 9mm shells has surprised me. It hasn't mattered with my other shooters but it makes a difference with a Luger.

rk

max2cam · 11-09-2002, 12:33 PM

Thanks. I'm pretty sure the toggle was in locked position. But if it happens again I'll be sure to double-check before I eject the round. That could have been the problem. I'll have to see if it happens next time...

Stu · 11-09-2002, 12:42 PM

Please tell us the result. It does sound as though you may have had something preventing the toggle from closing completely. I believe that the design is supposed to obstruct the firing pin unless the toggle is fully in battery, but I've no idea how sensitive it is ?

Perhaps you could try, (with the gun UNLOADED), to lift the toggle a fraction at a time and see if you could reproduce the fault ?

Edward Tinker · 11-09-2002, 08:42 PM

I have had this problem with a firing pin just a bit tooooo worn.

My guess is that if it was in the "right" position, it fired, not and it dry fired click sound?

Just another possibility?

Stu · 11-11-2002, 04:44 PM

Hi Edward. Do you think a worn firing pin might not be caught, and therefore, cocked by the sear, or alternatively, the sear is not releasing the pin ?

Edward Tinker · 11-11-2002, 05:37 PM

I'm not sure, with "mine", it sounded like it did everything but pop the cap, and looking at the pin it was fine, but next to another pin it was a bit short. I would imagine that if I welded, you could put a tip back on. I solved it by;

1. Buying a spare off of gun auction
2. Getting a replacement from Lugerdoc

so, it could be a number of things, but that was the solution for me [img]wink.gif[/img]

unspellable · 11-11-2002, 06:11 PM

Warning! A Luger in good mechanical condition WILL fire with the toggle almost closed but not locked! This question came up a bit ago and I ran the simple experiment of chambering a primed case, setting the toggle almost closed and pulling the trigger. I did this several times with two different Lugers. They both fired each and every time! The consequences with a fully loaded cartridge do not bear thinking about!

I don't know if this has any bearing on the problem that started this thread, but do be aware that a Luger will fire with an unlocked toggle.

Stu · 11-11-2002, 06:22 PM

Good to have the warning ! I'm going to test mine to see how far open it goes but think I'll use a snap cap and paint.

So a worn firing pin might not quite make it to the primer sometimes ?

I think 1 clue to max2cam's problem is that when it didn't fire it may no sound whatsoever when the trigger was pulled but did 'click' during the dry firing test. Does this suggest anything to anyone ?

Roadkill · 11-11-2002, 08:20 PM

My experience is limited to one gun but it had everything possible wrong with it. If the gun made no noise then keep in mind how to decock a Luger: pull togle to rear, ease forward almost all the way and pull trigger. Nothing happens. If the toggle is pulled far enough back it should ****, then will fire if far enough forward. Pure speculation bit either the gun wasn't cocked (pull toggle almost all the way back,let go, then pull trigger - nothing happens)or the toggle wasn't all the way forward. Why is a different matter.

rk

unspellable · 11-12-2002, 07:53 AM

Is it possible the disconnector plunger at the front of the sear bar is not moving forward under the trigger lever? I've encontered this sort of problem.

John Sabato · 11-12-2002, 05:17 PM

I tend to agree with Roadkill on his diagnosis. If the toggle was eased forward during the loading process and not pulled completely to the rear and allowed to slam forward to strip the first round it is possible that the toggle was closed the first two times without the firing pin being cocked.

Make sure the trigger linkage, sear bar, firing pin, springs and retaining parts, as well as the breechblock recess for the firing pin is real clean and properly lubricated (I recommend breakfree for lubrication) and you should have no further problems.

Artsi · 11-12-2002, 08:04 PM

Just underlining Unspellable's view.
I had a small bit break loose from said plunger. Made my shooter a non-shooter. It jammed the little plunger inside sear bar cavity.
Same would result if plunger is allright, but mating component does not for some reason allow plunger to pop out from sear bar. That funny looking linkage between said plunger and trigger itself may have limited travel due to crud or whatever muck inside pistol action.

Does the trigger spring do a good job in returning trigger to front position?

-Artsi

11-08-2002, 08:18 PM	#1
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My Luger Would Not Fire! Yes, I had it apart before shooting it. And here's what happened next.... I loaded up with Russian 9mm ammo and charged the gun. Fine so far. But when I dropped the safety and pulled the trigger --- nothing. No click. No nothing. I didn't pull too hard for fear of breaking something. I cleared the chamber and dry-fired it. It clicked -- firing pin dropped. So I loaded back up and the same thing happened again -- no click -- no nothing. I unloaded again and dry-fired it -- clicked again. On my third firing attempt the gun fired and kept on firing thru 40 rounds of ammo with 100 percent functioning (Russkie ammo sehr gut!) So what gives? I didn't take the gun apart to fix it. Rather it fixed itself after I dry fired it a couple of times. I'm guessing the problem is the side-plate sear-bar thingie.....

11-09-2002, 08:42 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,063 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	I have had this problem with a firing pin just a bit tooooo worn. My guess is that if it was in the "right" position, it fired, not and it dry fired click sound? Just another possibility? __________________ 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

11-11-2002, 05:37 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,063 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	I'm not sure, with "mine", it sounded like it did everything but pop the cap, and looking at the pin it was fine, but next to another pin it was a bit short. I would imagine that if I welded, you could put a tip back on. I solved it by; 1. Buying a spare off of gun auction 2. Getting a replacement from Lugerdoc so, it could be a number of things, but that was the solution for me [img]wink.gif[/img] __________________ 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

11-12-2002, 05:17 PM	#12
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 tend to agree with Roadkill on his diagnosis. If the toggle was eased forward during the loading process and not pulled completely to the rear and allowed to slam forward to strip the first round it is possible that the toggle was closed the first two times without the firing pin being cocked. Make sure the trigger linkage, sear bar, firing pin, springs and retaining parts, as well as the breechblock recess for the firing pin is real clean and properly lubricated (I recommend breakfree for lubrication) and you should have no further problems. __________________ 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..."*

11-12-2002, 08:04 PM	#13
Artsi User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Finland Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just underlining Unspellable's view. I had a small bit break loose from said plunger. Made my shooter a non-shooter. It jammed the little plunger inside sear bar cavity. Same would result if plunger is allright, but mating component does not for some reason allow plunger to pop out from sear bar. That funny looking linkage between said plunger and trigger itself may have limited travel due to crud or whatever muck inside pistol action. Does the trigger spring do a good job in returning trigger to front position? -Artsi __________________ A golf course is a waste of perfectly good rifle range. (- someone in the net-)

11-08-2002, 09:03 PM	#2
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,634 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Several things could have happened. The toggle possibly could not have been completely in the locked position. If it keeps up try different types of ammo. Since I started reloading and measuring, the differences in the lengths of 9mm shells has surprised me. It hasn't mattered with my other shooters but it makes a difference with a Luger. rk

11-09-2002, 12:33 PM	#3
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks. I'm pretty sure the toggle was in locked position. But if it happens again I'll be sure to double-check before I eject the round. That could have been the problem. I'll have to see if it happens next time...

11-09-2002, 12:42 PM	#4
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Please tell us the result. It does sound as though you may have had something preventing the toggle from closing completely. I believe that the design is supposed to obstruct the firing pin unless the toggle is fully in battery, but I've no idea how sensitive it is ? Perhaps you could try, (with the gun UNLOADED), to lift the toggle a fraction at a time and see if you could reproduce the fault ?

11-11-2002, 04:44 PM	#6
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Hi Edward. Do you think a worn firing pin might not be caught, and therefore, cocked by the sear, or alternatively, the sear is not releasing the pin ?

11-11-2002, 06:11 PM	#8
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Warning! A Luger in good mechanical condition WILL fire with the toggle almost closed but not locked! This question came up a bit ago and I ran the simple experiment of chambering a primed case, setting the toggle almost closed and pulling the trigger. I did this several times with two different Lugers. They both fired each and every time! The consequences with a fully loaded cartridge do not bear thinking about! I don't know if this has any bearing on the problem that started this thread, but do be aware that a Luger will fire with an unlocked toggle.

11-11-2002, 06:22 PM	#9
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Good to have the warning ! I'm going to test mine to see how far open it goes but think I'll use a snap cap and paint. So a worn firing pin might not quite make it to the primer sometimes ? I think 1 clue to max2cam's problem is that when it didn't fire it may no sound whatsoever when the trigger was pulled but did 'click' during the dry firing test. Does this suggest anything to anyone ?

11-11-2002, 08:20 PM	#10
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,634 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	My experience is limited to one gun but it had everything possible wrong with it. If the gun made no noise then keep in mind how to decock a Luger: pull togle to rear, ease forward almost all the way and pull trigger. Nothing happens. If the toggle is pulled far enough back it should ****, then will fire if far enough forward. Pure speculation bit either the gun wasn't cocked (pull toggle almost all the way back,let go, then pull trigger - nothing happens)or the toggle wasn't all the way forward. Why is a different matter. rk

11-12-2002, 07:53 AM	#11
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Is it possible the disconnector plunger at the front of the sear bar is not moving forward under the trigger lever? I've encontered this sort of problem.