trigger sticks

thater · 11-07-2002, 12:45 AM

When I fire my S/42, the action doesnt fully close. The upper part of the the pistol stops about 1mm short. The trigger doesnt return to the right position either. I have to push the trigger the other way, then the action snaps into place and then I can shoot again. I know that it is because the trigger lever is out and stops the sear bar from returning to the ready position, which also stops the upper half of the pistol. This happens because I like to slowly squeeze the trigger and hold it. This holds that trigger lever out. Anybody know anything about this? I know nothing about lugers, so I dont know if this is normal. It is an anoyance tho. Thanks.

John Sabato · 11-07-2002, 01:13 AM

Sounds to me like the trigger return spring (located on a peg on the back of the trigger) has been broken, is totally missing, or has been replaced with one that is too weak to perform the trigger return function. The sear bar return spring is not intended to return the trigger to the forward position.

Is there a coil spring back there?

ViggoG · 11-07-2002, 02:51 AM

John,
I get the opinion that he is having trouble with a sticking trigger disconnect pin ans spring in the forward end of the sear. [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]
I believe that it is sticking in extended position and holding the cannon from returning fully to battery.
This also would lock the lever and trigger in a half way position until forced forward and releasing the pin from the lever allowing the cannon to return to battery and the trigger to reset.
imo.
ViggoG [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]

John Sabato · 11-07-2002, 10:58 AM

Viggo,

After considering what you have suggested, and analyzing the movement of the parts I have come to the conclusion that it is a combination of the trigger and trigger linkage which includes the disconnector pin on the sear bar that are the culprit here.

We shall have to wait until he writes back about whether or not the trigger spring is present, but if pushing forward on the trigger pulls the trigger lever out of the way and the slide moves forward to battery, then you are very likely right. If the problem had only been the trigger in the rear position, and the trigger lever were still in front of the sear, then the slide should not be prevented from achieving the battery position unless there is a problem with the disconnector. It may be worn and have a notch in it which prevents depression on the recovery cycle, or it may have dirt and/or rust under it.

thater, Check the pin sticking out of the front of the sear bar and see if it can be easily depressed rearward into the sear bar. If this is not possible, then this is where your problem is. This pin should have easy freedom of movement.

The sear/disconnector can be easily disassembled with the correct size pin punch. There is a spring under the disconnector pin. Make sure you don't lose it when you release the disconnector.

Clean the and examine the disconnector pin for damage. If it is not damaged, then clean it's recess (hole) in the sear, and clean the spring. Lubricate all parts with breakfree and then reassemle it making sure that the pin that holds these parts does not protrude from the sear and that the disconnector pin can be pushed into the sear and immediately pushes itself back out under spring pressure.

This should end your trigger problems.

Please report back and let us know what you find and if you were able to fix the problem by this procedure.

thater · 11-07-2002, 02:20 PM

It does have a spring under the trigger and it seems that it takes a good deal of force to pull it. I took off the plate on the side of the pistol and I see that the end of the sear bar wants to stick out. The way that I see it is that the end of the sear slams into the trigger lever. The trigger lever sticks out because I hold the trigger in. When I push the trigger opposite, it draws the trigger lever back in and then releases the sear bar and lets it get that 1mm forward to the natural position. Which way is the sear bar spring supposed to hold the end of the sear bar to? Is the spring supposed to hold the end of the sear bar out, like it happens with mine, or is it supposed to hold it to an intermediate like position? Thanks.

thater · 11-07-2002, 02:39 PM

I read your post again John, and I think I see what you are getting at. The knob on the end of the sear bar should be able to be depressed. I am nearly certain that it doesnt on my luger. I will inspect it when I get home.

John Sabato · 11-07-2002, 03:01 PM

These four images show the disconnector cycle. The partial images shown were extracted from the E-Book, The Luger Mechanicals, by Gerard Henrotin. I highly recommend this informative electronic book for Luger beginners. Just do a Internet Search for Luger E-books and you will find it. It is downloadable and contains many excellent hand drawn illustrations by Mr. Henrotin. The E-book is only about $8.00 and he has written three other E-books on the Luger that are also excellent Luger reference reading...

The first image "A" shows the trigger lever and sear in the cocked position prior to firing.

Image "B" shows the trigger lever has pushed in the sear by applying pressure to the side of the disconnector pin. The firing pin has been released and has fired the pistol.

Image "C" shows the sear & disconnector in between the instant of firing and the point where the pistol becomes re-cocked.

Image "D" shows the pistol in the fired and reloaded position. Notice how the disconnector pin has been compressed by contact with the trigger lever prior to releasing the trigger. This is the point where you claim your slide is one millimeter back from the foward position. The only way this could happen in my opinion is if the disconnector pin does not compress properly upon contact with the trigger lever during the forward movement of the slide. This would hold the action open until the trigger lever is moved back to the pre-fire condition.

You should be able to compress this pin by pressure to the rear of the pistol. If it hangs or is frozen in the extended position, this is your problem.

Once again, my thanks to Mr. Gerard Henrotin (also a member of this forum) for his excellent illustrations...

thater · 11-07-2002, 09:49 PM

I fixed it. I found that the pin on the end of the sear bar was frozen into place. I removed the sear bar and soaked it in penetrating solution. I viced it up in a brass vice and tapped on the pin with a brass hammer. I got it to work in and out. After pushing it in and letting it out about a hundred times, I oiled it up and reinstalled it. It seem to operate properly now. I havent shot it yet, I will tomarrow. Thanks John and Viggo. I couldnt have fixed it without you. Ben Thate

billdo · 04-09-2007, 12:09 AM

i know this is an old thread, but you guys just saved my day, thank you all!!! this weapon is a mechanical marvel!

11-07-2002, 12:45 AM	#1
thater User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	trigger sticks When I fire my S/42, the action doesnt fully close. The upper part of the the pistol stops about 1mm short. The trigger doesnt return to the right position either. I have to push the trigger the other way, then the action snaps into place and then I can shoot again. I know that it is because the trigger lever is out and stops the sear bar from returning to the ready position, which also stops the upper half of the pistol. This happens because I like to slowly squeeze the trigger and hold it. This holds that trigger lever out. Anybody know anything about this? I know nothing about lugers, so I dont know if this is normal. It is an anoyance tho. Thanks.

11-07-2002, 01:13 AM	#2
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	Sounds to me like the trigger return spring (located on a peg on the back of the trigger) has been broken, is totally missing, or has been replaced with one that is too weak to perform the trigger return function. The sear bar return spring is not intended to return the trigger to the forward position. Is there a coil spring back there? __________________ 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..."*

11-07-2002, 10:58 AM	#4
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	Viggo, After considering what you have suggested, and analyzing the movement of the parts I have come to the conclusion that it is a combination of the trigger and trigger linkage which includes the disconnector pin on the sear bar that are the culprit here. We shall have to wait until he writes back about whether or not the trigger spring is present, but if pushing forward on the trigger pulls the trigger lever out of the way and the slide moves forward to battery, then you are very likely right. If the problem had only been the trigger in the rear position, and the trigger lever were still in front of the sear, then the slide should not be prevented from achieving the battery position unless there is a problem with the disconnector. It may be worn and have a notch in it which prevents depression on the recovery cycle, or it may have dirt and/or rust under it. thater, Check the pin sticking out of the front of the sear bar and see if it can be easily depressed rearward into the sear bar. If this is not possible, then this is where your problem is. This pin should have easy freedom of movement. The sear/disconnector can be easily disassembled with the correct size pin punch. There is a spring under the disconnector pin. Make sure you don't lose it when you release the disconnector. Clean the and examine the disconnector pin for damage. If it is not damaged, then clean it's recess (hole) in the sear, and clean the spring. Lubricate all parts with breakfree and then reassemle it making sure that the pin that holds these parts does not protrude from the sear and that the disconnector pin can be pushed into the sear and immediately pushes itself back out under spring pressure. This should end your trigger problems. Please report back and let us know what you find and if you were able to fix the problem by this procedure. __________________ 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..."*

11-07-2002, 03:01 PM	#7
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	These four images show the disconnector cycle. The partial images shown were extracted from the E-Book, The Luger Mechanicals, by Gerard Henrotin. I highly recommend this informative electronic book for Luger beginners. Just do a Internet Search for Luger E-books and you will find it. It is downloadable and contains many excellent hand drawn illustrations by Mr. Henrotin. The E-book is only about $8.00 and he has written three other E-books on the Luger that are also excellent Luger reference reading... The first image "A" shows the trigger lever and sear in the cocked position prior to firing. Image "B" shows the trigger lever has pushed in the sear by applying pressure to the side of the disconnector pin. The firing pin has been released and has fired the pistol. Image "C" shows the sear & disconnector in between the instant of firing and the point where the pistol becomes re-cocked. Image "D" shows the pistol in the fired and reloaded position. Notice how the disconnector pin has been compressed by contact with the trigger lever prior to releasing the trigger. This is the point where you claim your slide is one millimeter back from the foward position. The only way this could happen in my opinion is if the disconnector pin does not compress properly upon contact with the trigger lever during the forward movement of the slide. This would hold the action open until the trigger lever is moved back to the pre-fire condition. You should be able to compress this pin by pressure to the rear of the pistol. If it hangs or is frozen in the extended position, this is your problem. Once again, my thanks to Mr. Gerard Henrotin (also a member of this forum) for his excellent illustrations... __________________ 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..."*

11-07-2002, 02:51 AM	#3
ViggoG RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Side Virginia Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	John, I get the opinion that he is having trouble with a sticking trigger disconnect pin ans spring in the forward end of the sear. [img]rolleyes.gif[/img] I believe that it is sticking in extended position and holding the cannon from returning fully to battery. This also would lock the lever and trigger in a half way position until forced forward and releasing the pin from the lever allowing the cannon to return to battery and the trigger to reset. imo. ViggoG [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]

11-07-2002, 02:20 PM	#5
thater User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It does have a spring under the trigger and it seems that it takes a good deal of force to pull it. I took off the plate on the side of the pistol and I see that the end of the sear bar wants to stick out. The way that I see it is that the end of the sear slams into the trigger lever. The trigger lever sticks out because I hold the trigger in. When I push the trigger opposite, it draws the trigger lever back in and then releases the sear bar and lets it get that 1mm forward to the natural position. Which way is the sear bar spring supposed to hold the end of the sear bar to? Is the spring supposed to hold the end of the sear bar out, like it happens with mine, or is it supposed to hold it to an intermediate like position? Thanks.

11-07-2002, 02:39 PM	#6
thater User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I read your post again John, and I think I see what you are getting at. The knob on the end of the sear bar should be able to be depressed. I am nearly certain that it doesnt on my luger. I will inspect it when I get home.

11-07-2002, 09:49 PM	#8
thater User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I fixed it. I found that the pin on the end of the sear bar was frozen into place. I removed the sear bar and soaked it in penetrating solution. I viced it up in a brass vice and tapped on the pin with a brass hammer. I got it to work in and out. After pushing it in and letting it out about a hundred times, I oiled it up and reinstalled it. It seem to operate properly now. I havent shot it yet, I will tomarrow. Thanks John and Viggo. I couldnt have fixed it without you. Ben Thate

04-09-2007, 12:09 AM	#9
billdo User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i know this is an old thread, but you guys just saved my day, thank you all!!! this weapon is a mechanical marvel!