Hey guys, I have an Artillery Luger that is malfunctioning and I was wondering if anyone may have some advice. It locks the toggle back even with rounds in the magazine. I changed the mag and it is still doing it. Any advise at all is much appreciated.
Luger malfunctions
- Thread starter blaisenguns
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It sounds like the hold open latch spring might be broken or missing, letting the hold open latch move in response to recoil and lock the breech open. To check, remove the barrel/receiver unit from the grip frame and you can see the hold open latch in front of the magazine well. There is (or should be) a small flat spring attached to it to hold it down unless the button on the magazine is pushing it up.
Jim
Jim
Maj Dad
Member
I have the same problem with my 1938 S42 Standard Luger. I replaced the latch spring (on back order for something like 6 months), and it still does it. I suppose the new spring could be no good, but I think something else is involved because it started doing it out of the blue. I used to shoot it several times a year with standard FMJ loads, just to keep it engaged, but I haven't shot it much in the past 2-3 years because of it... 
I was thinking if I took a bit of metal off the hold open that would help, but I really don't want to do that.
It is possible that some part of the magazine other than the button is contacting the hold open latch. That is easy to check with the receiver and barrel off the grip frame.
Jim
Jim
1911WB
Member
When I ran into this problem, I found that my holdopen lever spring had an incorrect bend which was making it sit too high in the frame thus causing it to lock back the slide with rounds still in the mag. Take out the holdopen mechanism carefully by raising the flat part of the lever (not the spring) with a fingernail. Then grasp the lever and gently slide it straight back out of the frame so that the complete mechanism is out of the frame. Check the spring contour- it should gently taper downward. If it tapers upward, gently bend it until it seems right. Then reinsert the holdopen in the frame and try it. "Rinse and repeat" if necessary! Good luck, WB
Be careful. Those springs are getting scarce and expensive. I recall them being all of $.50; GPC now wants $14.40. They can be made pretty easily from clock springs or binder clips.
Jim
Jim
I have seen an improperly reassembled luger can exhibit that characteristic. The coupling link (connected to the upper) can bind if not reassembled properly. Beyond that I would take the upper off the lower and look for any major burrs or abrasions that could cause a bind.
It looks like the part that connects the connecting link too the mainspring is a bit worn, could that cause it? I am going to remove the hold-open and test fire to see if it still has issues.
If you haven't already, replace the springs with a Wolff spring kit. I had one that gave all kinds of intermittent malfunctions and the PO swore he put in new springs. The Wolff kit made it 100% with all ammo I ran through it.
"Does this look right?"
No. I can't be sure, but that spring looks a bit thick and might be one made by a gunsmith. It should have more of a downward angle at the left end, too. I do see one area you can also correct. The wider part of the spring should end right at or even a bit behind the wide part of the catch. I am not sure it would affect anything, but it isn't right. That darn spring is tricky; it is small, yet has to have a lot of tension and fit exactly without rubbing.
Jim
No. I can't be sure, but that spring looks a bit thick and might be one made by a gunsmith. It should have more of a downward angle at the left end, too. I do see one area you can also correct. The wider part of the spring should end right at or even a bit behind the wide part of the catch. I am not sure it would affect anything, but it isn't right. That darn spring is tricky; it is small, yet has to have a lot of tension and fit exactly without rubbing.
Jim
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1911WB
Member
Luger holdopen part
Lugers function perfectly well without the holdopen (originally they were made without a holdopen); they just won't lock back after the last round is fired.
Lugers function perfectly well without the holdopen (originally they were made without a holdopen); they just won't lock back after the last round is fired.
Actually, the Luger is probably better without the holdopen than with a mal-functioning one, since a holdopen that rises part way can be chipped by the bolt, or vice versa.
Jim
Jim
I believe every pistol that I own with a hold open device has been disabled. I have seen too many instances of actions locked open with rounds remaining to trust one. It might be a magazine problem or a slide stop problem or an ammo problem. I agree with Tuner - a locked open action (for what ever reason) is a feed stoppage. I'll take a manual operated only hold open with a heavy spring to hold it "off", but automatic operation? - no way.
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