sear bar repair?

[G.T.]

Hi to all, does anyone here remember the email address of the overseas luger custom pistol smith that makes all the exotic Lugers? He also repairs sear bars and I wish to contact him to that effect?... Let me know if you know... best, til...lat'r....GT

[Vlim]

If you mean Herbert Werle, he unfortunately passed away early this year.

[G.T.]

Well, that sucks! He was very talented, sorry to hear of yet another Luger artesian passing away ... best to all, til....lat'r.....GT

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by g.t.

well, that sucks! He was very talented, sorry to hear of yet another luger artesian passing away...

+1

[Edward Tinker]

and he made some really cool luger creations

GT - it must be a special sear bar?

[G.T.]

Hi Ed, no, nothing special. He would just weld up the sear nose and re-machine and re-heat treat? They looked perfect.
I have a bunch of worn or altered ones that could use the repair he performed? I was going to see if he would repair and then split them with me? I have quite a few that i don't trust in my shooters, so I'm always looking for sources and solutions... Best to you Ed, til....lat'r....GT...
BTW, the ones I got from you were excellent! Thanks, best to you Ed, til...lat'r....GT....

[Vlim]

It seems there are new reproductions out there?

https://jackfirstinc.com/luger-po8-t...-plunger-10-10

[G.T.]

Hi Vlim, the price isn't too bad, might be a viable source, it's just that i have the (bad) sear bars in quantity right now? I think Luger man has made them new as well... I'm going to go thru mine and test them in a known gun and see what is really bad?... I like a nice trigger pull, but definitely want it in the correct parameters, not too light. Best, til....lat'r.....GT...

[DonVoigt]

GT,
I've seen a number of sear bars that had the sear nose/catch repaired.
They were spot welded and re-shaped.
Not much weld is needed, I suspect you know someone with a tig welder that could spot the nose of the sear catch. Then just work it down with a file.

If the weld is done with the right wire it will be sufficiently hard; if not just re-treat/case harden with Kasenite(Casenite?) and normalize.

However, if it costs much to do the weld or your time is valuable ; it is not worth it- except to save a matching number part. JMHO.

[G.T.]

Hi Don, good to hear from you! I know it can be done correctly, it's just that Mr. Werle was the complete package? I can probably get the welding done, but to be finished correctly, the sear nose would have to be ground back into shape and all of them jigged up for consistency. I don't want to create more headaches than i can cure?... Just a thought, on the very back burner for now.... best, til....lat'r....GT....

[DonVoigt]

GT,
You don't have to make them all the "same".
Sear bars were fit individually to the luger, as were other numbered parts.
So- welding and fitting to a single luger is probably more effective than doing a bunch of them to some arbitrary "norm". Then they will likely require be fit to individual pistol/striker for use.

Line up a series of sear bars and observe the height, location, and shape of the sear nose- there is considerable variation on original bars.

Don't let the "perfect" preclude the useful in this case.

[G.T.]

Hi Don, I agree, but as I may want to sell some of them in the future, They would have to be perfectly to spec for me to sleep well... It's a curse, I know, but i can live with it! ... best, GT

[Eugen]

When I read these posts of the passing of a talented Luger repair/restoration/customization gunsmith I have to wonder if the talent pool is shrinking to near the point of extinction. Is new talent appearing to replace the dear "artisans " lost?

[HerrKaiser]

One day I’d like to become a competent gunsmith who can work with them. But that’s a goal far from my current spot in life.

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by Eugen

When I read these posts of the passing of a talented Luger repair/restoration/customization gunsmith I have to wonder if the talent pool is shrinking to near the point of extinction. Is new talent appearing to replace the dear "artisans " lost?

I think there are significant numbers of those with the particular, necessary skills who are coming along. But focus on Lugers may be missing. Odds are that a few will be bitten by the Luger bug.

[K.Wilhelm]

Unfortunately this isn't just in relation to Luger work. The really skilled gunsmiths are mostly old with seemingly not that many young ones taking up the art. Sad- like many other things of late.