New challange! Old problem!

[G.T.]

Hello to all, well, the latest quest has reared its ugly head over the weekend! And it's not one for the timid! I have on my bench, a WW1 Luger drum magazine with a broken (in several places!) mainspring! First off, the spring, even when broken, is just short of impossible to remove, and probably the same to install as well?... And, talk about over kill, it has approx. a 92" relaxed length all scrunched up in a 2.750" dia. and this is without tension!!!.....All this, just to preload approx. 250 degrees of rotation??... So, my questions are.. has anyone ever attempted this repair/replacement? And, most importantly, is there a source for springs either original or aftermarket? And maybe even more importantly, is there any need for these springs or are they a rare occurrence on the breakage issue?... If anyone has one setting around, or a drum that is otherwise disabled, let me know, best to all, til...lat'r....GT....

[cirelaw]

I will pray for you!

[George Anderson]

Gerald, when you get done with the "spring" why don't you go get a rattlesnake to play with?

[G.T.]

Yes, but by comparison, I think there is a remote chance I could get the rattlesnake in there??...........best to you all, til...lat'r....GT

[sheepherder]

Did it break in the middle or near the end?

I have seen old spiral springs, but don't recall what they were for...clock maybe? Old wind-up time clocks, like used in factories in 1900's...I have one on my wall, four feet high, two key wind-up mechanisms...I knew a guy who repairs them (he even has his own forge/foundry for casting iron parts)...I bought my time clock from him...

[G.T.]

Hi Rich, actually it broke in two spots, and the shorter sister spring is cracked at/near the attach /anchor end? I thought about just making a single leaf spiral spring, but I've not yet figured out the reason behind the stiffener spring about half the length of the main coil spring?? I could grind off the rivet, and shorten it up some and try that.. but until I get more springs as usable parts or samples, I hate to alter this one as I might need to submit it to a spring company to get any further along on this??....... Best to all, til...lat'r....GT.....

Also, I have no idea what preload is required to make it function correctly.. probably put a fish scale on the end of the lever on a good unit to see?....GT
Also, also squared... I can get spring steel coils close enough to make the springs..... but still need to understand design and demands??

[cirelaw]

One Dumb Question!! How long could a mag be loaded to capasity before it loses its' punch? Are all mags the same? Who made the finest? Eric

[G.T.]

I would rate them as follows, considering the mags are as designed and new condition.....
1) Any standard mag with my GTHQ follower spring installed, (lifetime!, loaded or not!)
2) New Mec-Gar mags with nylon followers.. I believe spring improved!
3) 06/29 Swiss, top quality, maybe the best Luger mag ever...
4) New code 122 or fxo
5) all the rest?? all the same?? (I've replaced hundreds if not a thousand or more, of springs in these mags..... )
This is just my experience on what I think would stand up to full load storage.. the only one I can guarantee is mine!...... best to all, til...lat'r....GT......

[lugerholsterrepair]

Gerald, Not long ago George Fortier had one of the new Numrich Arms repro drums come un glued. As I recall he overwound it and the welds broke. You might try to see if he remembers anything about it.

[G.T.]

George and I will certainly discus this adventure! Thanks Jerry, til...lat'r....GT

[Curss]

You might even be able to get the dern spring from numrich gunparts, since they are making new drums. Give them a call and see!

Good luck!

[G.T.]

I'll try that, if nothing else, they may have a discounted return??....GT ...Thanks Chris!....

[G.T.]

Hi to all, Ok, we've opened up the Saturday afternoon beer cooler, and the real problem solving can now begin? ..... sooo, I figure, the added sister spring, and the extra long mainspring, have been designed to give the drum an extremely consistent force thru the 200+ degrees of rotation, where it has to perform? I'd love to test an original to see what the tension is thru that slice of the pie.... Best to all, til...lat'r....GT
BTW, Eric, keep praying!!!!

[Hugh]

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

Gerald, Not long ago George Fortier had one of the new Numrich Arms repro drums come un glued. As I recall he overwound it and the welds broke. You might try to see if he remembers anything about it.

Ask George what his cat Charlie thinks about those mags!

[sheepherder]

Tom Heller doesn't have one in his stock of parts???

[Lugerdoc]

GT, Sorry no snail drum springs in stock, and I doubt that Numrich has them available separately, but may sell you a defective drum for parts. I took one of those "clock work" spring out of a drum once and replaced it, but don't care to try it again. Tom

[Vlim]

I'm away from home at the moment, but I have a semi-relic (ok, mostly relic) state drum magazine lying around. The follower spring is long gone, but the flat main spring is still there and it has tension, if I remember correctly. An option perhaps?

[G.T.]

Hi Gerben! If by "state Drum" you mean 32 round Luger drum Than yes! by all means!...... But, if some other application, it would be better to make new, than to try and alter....... I have been hot into the research on making the spring but have a lot to learn prior to submitting specs to a manufacture..... But again, if a good spring for a Luger drum magazine, I'd LOVE to have it!!!! I will certainly make it right by you when received?... Let me know, and, as always, Best to you Gerben, til...lat'r.....GT

My address if you have one to send:

Gerald L. Tomek Sr.
316 West Straford Dr.
Chandler, AZ 85225 - 7117
U.S.A.

[Vlim]

GT, I'll look into it when I get back home!

(yes, it's a 32 round Bing magazine that has seen much better days)

[G.T.]

I will put all on hold till you see what's available??..... Best to you, til...lat'r.....GT....Thanks again for the effort Gerben......GT