Fail to feed?

mauserk98k · 09-06-2005, 08:17 PM

Hello to all. I am new to the Luger Forum, and I would like to find some help if at all possible with a bit of a strange problem. I have a 1917 Erfurt that I take out to the range from time to time. I have recently encountered an odd problem, it will fail to feed from time to time for apparently no reason that I can find, or that anyone I showed it to could find. (Not that anyone else that has looked has had any experience with Lugers.) It is approx. every third round?

It does not jam, and it will eject the previous case, but it seems to be just missing the next round from the mag. I have noticed that the top of the brass from the missed round has a scuff as if the slide made contact, but did not strip it off. I thought it may be a magazine issue, but it does it with all three of my mags. and they all work fine in my S/42. (my only other Luger) If any of you folks have had a similar problem, or have any thoughts as to what I could do, please let me know. Thanks, Roger

John D. · 09-06-2005, 08:39 PM

Hi Roger!

Welcome to the LugerForum! Let me move this to the right Forum for you, OK?

Best to you!

John D.

John Sabato · 09-07-2005, 10:45 AM

Sounds like underpowered ammunition to me... what brand are you using? Fiocchi is well known for underpowered ammo as are a few others.

The Luger needs the proper load to function.

The forum members give excellent functioning reports for the Winchester branded bulk box of 100 rounds - 115 grain bullets sold at Walmart for about $11.00 a box...

Make sure that your Luger is properly lubricated and operates smoothly when operated manually.

If you continue to have this problem after trying the ammo I have recommended, I would think that the mainspring might be too strong... especially if it was ever replaced.

Let us know how you make out with the ammo change...

Lugerdoc · 09-07-2005, 11:38 AM

Rodger, If the Winchester 115 grain ammo doesn't solve your problem, I do work on lugers everyday and can analize you problem for $50 including insured return Fed Ex and would advise recommended repairs by phone or email to see if you wish to have me do the repairs or just sell you the required parts. Tom

mauserk98k · 09-07-2005, 07:40 PM

John, Thanks for the tip, I will try to change the ammunition the next time out. (I hope this weekend!) The range I have gone to the last few times requires that you purchase the ammo they sell, and it is Federal. I had not thought much of it since they seem to work in my P.38(s) with no problems.

I know it is well oiled as I always keep my weapons clean and lubricated. And the spring has not been changed as long as I have had it, and seems to function as it should. (I know the previous owner and he said he had not modified it either)

Tom, Thanks for the offer to check it out. I hope it does not come to that, but if it does I will take you up on it. I would hate to change a part because as far as I can tell it is matching, but the grips had been replaced. (I do not have a matching magazine either) It is not in the greatest shape, but I would not want to be the one to modify it. It does have a factory refurbish stamp on it that I identified from this site.

Thanks again, and I will let you know how I make out! Roger

John Sabato · 09-08-2005, 01:19 PM

Obey the rules by buying their ammo, but Definitely take a couple magazines full of the Winchester ammo to the range... I'll bet you will find that the problem evaporates.

09-06-2005, 08:17 PM	#1
mauserk98k New User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Fail to feed? Hello to all. I am new to the Luger Forum, and I would like to find some help if at all possible with a bit of a strange problem. I have a 1917 Erfurt that I take out to the range from time to time. I have recently encountered an odd problem, it will fail to feed from time to time for apparently no reason that I can find, or that anyone I showed it to could find. (Not that anyone else that has looked has had any experience with Lugers.) It is approx. every third round? It does not jam, and it will eject the previous case, but it seems to be just missing the next round from the mag. I have noticed that the top of the brass from the missed round has a scuff as if the slide made contact, but did not strip it off. I thought it may be a magazine issue, but it does it with all three of my mags. and they all work fine in my S/42. (my only other Luger) If any of you folks have had a similar problem, or have any thoughts as to what I could do, please let me know. Thanks, Roger

09-07-2005, 10:45 AM	#3
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 like underpowered ammunition to me... what brand are you using? Fiocchi is well known for underpowered ammo as are a few others. The Luger needs the proper load to function. The forum members give excellent functioning reports for the Winchester branded bulk box of 100 rounds - 115 grain bullets sold at Walmart for about $11.00 a box... Make sure that your Luger is properly lubricated and operates smoothly when operated manually. If you continue to have this problem after trying the ammo I have recommended, I would think that the mainspring might be too strong... especially if it was ever replaced. Let us know how you make out with the ammo change... __________________ 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..."*

09-07-2005, 11:38 AM	#4
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	Rodger, If the Winchester 115 grain ammo doesn't solve your problem, I do work on lugers everyday and can analize you problem for $50 including insured return Fed Ex and would advise recommended repairs by phone or email to see if you wish to have me do the repairs or just sell you the required parts. Tom __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

09-08-2005, 01:19 PM	#6
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	Obey the rules by buying their ammo, but Definitely take a couple magazines full of the Winchester ammo to the range... I'll bet you will find that the problem evaporates. __________________ 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..."*

09-06-2005, 08:39 PM	#2
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 477 Thanked 515 Times in 128 Posts	Hi Roger! Welcome to the LugerForum! Let me move this to the right Forum for you, OK? Best to you! John D.

09-07-2005, 07:40 PM	#5
mauserk98k New User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	John, Thanks for the tip, I will try to change the ammunition the next time out. (I hope this weekend!) The range I have gone to the last few times requires that you purchase the ammo they sell, and it is Federal. I had not thought much of it since they seem to work in my P.38(s) with no problems. I know it is well oiled as I always keep my weapons clean and lubricated. And the spring has not been changed as long as I have had it, and seems to function as it should. (I know the previous owner and he said he had not modified it either) Tom, Thanks for the offer to check it out. I hope it does not come to that, but if it does I will take you up on it. I would hate to change a part because as far as I can tell it is matching, but the grips had been replaced. (I do not have a matching magazine either) It is not in the greatest shape, but I would not want to be the one to modify it. It does have a factory refurbish stamp on it that I identified from this site. Thanks again, and I will let you know how I make out! Roger