Do Luger Parts Wear Out And Need Replaceing

cirelaw · 08-02-2014, 02:40 PM

In normal use? If so what parts are most vulnerable? How do replacement parts affect the guns value? I would assume Erfurt lugers are hardest to replace due to the multible proofs and on just about on every part. ~~Eric

alanint · 08-02-2014, 02:45 PM

The bullets have almost no life at all. I have to replace them virtually every time I go shooting! !

cirelaw · 08-02-2014, 02:46 PM

What about the shell casings?

sheepherder · 08-02-2014, 03:23 PM

The takedown lever retaining spring wears out frequently...So much that it no longer holds the lever in...

Model 1900 mainsprings 'wear' [fatigue] from repeated flexing and one leaf will break...

Rifling wears out...Probably due to those lowlife boolits...

cirelaw · 08-02-2014, 04:40 PM

Are parts interchangeable between DWM and Erfurt? For what its worth!! http://www.chuckhawks.com/dwm_luger.htm

ithacaartist · 08-02-2014, 10:19 PM

Yup, although just about every Erfurt part has its own proof mark. Somebody stuck an Erfurt takedown lever onto my DWM some time in the past. It fits fine, of course, and the #50 matches my s.n., but it is wrong because it has the Erfurt proof, right there next to the last 2 serial # digits.

WTB/WTT Need DWM takedown lever #50!

sheepherder · 08-02-2014, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

Somebody stuck an Erfurt takedown lever...#50...onto my DWM...

I have Erfurt sideplate #06 on my Mauser...

(Unless Erfurt stamped them upside down...Then it's #90...)

cirelaw · 08-02-2014, 11:07 PM

Are all parts from both maker interchangeable?

John Sabato · 08-02-2014, 11:43 PM

They CAN be Interchangeable but often require fitting by an armorer. Once all the parts on a newly manufactured Luger were fitted, and inspected they a were numbered alike to make sure all the correct parts were assembled after the bluing process. So if a numbered part had to be replaced the substituted replacement part would have to be fitted to work properly with the rest of the gun. Sometimes you get lucky and a replacement part would drop right into place and be functional. Other times you might have to try several parts that were a close fit and then polishing would complete the job of restoring functionality. It is why the Luger was so much more expensive to manufacture and maintain.

cirelaw · 08-02-2014, 11:48 PM

And worth every dollar!

Sergio Natali · 08-03-2014, 04:17 AM

John is absolutely correct, in fact the odd time I happened to replace a part it NEVER fitted!

Sergio

kurusu · 10-28-2014, 08:42 AM

This is already an old thread but...

Last weekend saw another hold open break in a friend's hands.

That makes about 4 of them I saw break in some 20 years. The other parts I saw break where: 1 Extractor; 2 Ejectors.

Lugerdoc · 10-28-2014, 09:28 AM

K, These are the 3 parts that experience the most movement (wear) and prone to breakage. TH

Zorba · 10-28-2014, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurusu

This is already an old thread but...

Last weekend saw another hold open brake in a friend's hands.

That makes about 4 of them I saw brake in some 20 years. The other parts I saw brake where: 1 Extractor; 2 Ejectors.

These parts all stopped?

kurusu · 10-28-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zormpas

These parts all stopped?

That's what you get when your'e typing with your feet.

But the parts definetly stopped.

Thanks for the head's up.

Dwight Gruber · 10-28-2014, 01:42 PM

See the second stickied discussion in this forum.

--Dwight

spacecoast · 10-28-2014, 04:46 PM

Any concerns about the mainsprings in 90+ year old guns? Do they need periodic replacement?

Karl · 10-28-2014, 07:22 PM

I used to always replace the mainspring in a new (to me) Luger because it is a cheap part and I reasoned that there was no harm in replacing the spring but potential harm in shooting with a weak spring. However, now that I reload and have more experience with lugers I have learned that the old springs, despite the age, are usually just fine. Coil springs seem to keep their vigor better than leaf springs. Can anyone here with real engineering knowledge support this opinion?
KFS

kurusu · 10-29-2014, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Gruber

See the second stickied discussion in this forum.

--Dwight

This is my own 20 year survey of about 20 to 30 Lugers used in target competition 70 rounds per event 2 to 3 events a year.

I forgot to mention 4 failures of the rear toggle link because the parts didn’t actually broke but developed cracks and would break if continued to be used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl

I used to always replace the mainspring in a new (to me) Luger because it is a cheap part and I reasoned that there was no harm in replacing the spring but potential harm in shooting with a weak spring. However, now that I reload and have more experience with lugers I have learned that the old springs, despite the age, are usually just fine. Coil springs seem to keep their vigor better than leaf springs. Can anyone here with real engineering knowledge support this opinion?
KFS

No engineering knowledge but, The luger mainspring is almost at no tension when at rest.

LugerVern · 10-29-2014, 10:26 AM

Just a small note: there is a really big difference between being functional and serviceable-- I have seen many many lugers that would fire but would no longer meet the anyone's concept of consistency or accuracy.

Just a Note

Vern

08-02-2014, 02:40 PM	#1
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	Do Luger Parts Wear Out And Need Replaceing In normal use? If so what parts are most vulnerable? How do replacement parts affect the guns value? I would assume Erfurt lugers are hardest to replace due to the multible proofs and on just about on every part. ~~Eric

08-02-2014, 03:23 PM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,183 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	The takedown lever retaining spring wears out frequently...So much that it no longer holds the lever in... Model 1900 mainsprings 'wear' [fatigue] from repeated flexing and one leaf will break... Rifling wears out...Probably due to those lowlife boolits... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

08-02-2014, 10:19 PM	#6
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,347 Thanks: 7,285 Thanked 2,579 Times in 1,366 Posts	Yup, although just about every Erfurt part has its own proof mark. Somebody stuck an Erfurt takedown lever onto my DWM some time in the past. It fits fine, of course, and the #50 matches my s.n., but it is wrong because it has the Erfurt proof, right there next to the last 2 serial # digits. WTB/WTT Need DWM takedown lever #50! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

08-03-2014, 04:17 AM	#11
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	John is absolutely correct, in fact the odd time I happened to replace a part it NEVER fitted! Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

10-28-2014, 08:42 AM	#12
kurusu User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 2,679 Thanked 930 Times in 509 Posts	This is already an old thread but... Last weekend saw another hold open break in a friend's hands. That makes about 4 of them I saw break in some 20 years. The other parts I saw break where: 1 Extractor; 2 Ejectors. Last edited by kurusu; 10-28-2014 at 12:50 PM.

08-02-2014, 02:45 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	The bullets have almost no life at all. I have to replace them virtually every time I go shooting! !

08-02-2014, 02:46 PM	#3
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	What about the shell casings?

08-02-2014, 04:40 PM	#5
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	Are parts interchangeable between DWM and Erfurt? For what its worth!! http://www.chuckhawks.com/dwm_luger.htm

08-02-2014, 11:07 PM	#8
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	Are all parts from both maker interchangeable?

08-02-2014, 11:43 PM	#9
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	They CAN be Interchangeable but often require fitting by an armorer. Once all the parts on a newly manufactured Luger were fitted, and inspected they a were numbered alike to make sure all the correct parts were assembled after the bluing process. So if a numbered part had to be replaced the substituted replacement part would have to be fitted to work properly with the rest of the gun. Sometimes you get lucky and a replacement part would drop right into place and be functional. Other times you might have to try several parts that were a close fit and then polishing would complete the job of restoring functionality. It is why the Luger was so much more expensive to manufacture and maintain. __________________ 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..."*

08-02-2014, 11:48 PM	#10
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	And worth every dollar!

10-28-2014, 09:28 AM	#13
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	K, These are the 3 parts that experience the most movement (wear) and prone to breakage. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

10-28-2014, 01:42 PM	#16
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	See the second stickied discussion in this forum. --Dwight

10-28-2014, 04:46 PM	#17
spacecoast User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL and PA Posts: 332 Thanks: 276 Thanked 243 Times in 109 Posts	Any concerns about the mainsprings in 90+ year old guns? Do they need periodic replacement?

10-28-2014, 07:22 PM	#18
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 522 Thanks: 0 Thanked 271 Times in 118 Posts	I used to always replace the mainspring in a new (to me) Luger because it is a cheap part and I reasoned that there was no harm in replacing the spring but potential harm in shooting with a weak spring. However, now that I reload and have more experience with lugers I have learned that the old springs, despite the age, are usually just fine. Coil springs seem to keep their vigor better than leaf springs. Can anyone here with real engineering knowledge support this opinion? KFS

10-29-2014, 10:26 AM	#20
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Just a small note: there is a really big difference between being functional and serviceable-- I have seen many many lugers that would fire but would no longer meet the anyone's concept of consistency or accuracy. Just a Note Vern