Luger Pistols

The Luger semi-auto pistol was one of the first really practical semi-auto pistols and its silhouette is one of the most recognizable in the world. The guns served the Germans through two World Wars and hundreds of thousands of the guns have been brought back by returning GI’s and imported.

Bob Dunlap is a renowned expert on most of todays and yesterday’s important AND obscure firearms. He has been a warranty station for most manufacturers, both large and small. His understanding of the design, function, and repair of firearms in general is unsurpassed, and his appreciation of European and exotic arms is legendary among his students. This course is designed to help all of you Luger owners who love the gun, but are a little mystified about its workings. In typical AGI fashion, we use a cut-away gun,  although we almost cried when we cut up a beautiful 1938 Luger, that allows you to actually see how the various parts work and interact.

If you want the “quick” course on how to get this German classic semi-auto pistol apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the “long course”, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course).
Among the items covered are:

History

• Several reference books discussed
• Designed by Georg Luger, and was descended from the Borchardt pistol which also used a toggle lock which he got from Hiram Maxim
• The gun is beautifully designed and made, tightly machined and very reliable as long as it is kept clean. It is not tolerant of dust and mud, a real failure for a military pistol
• The gun was patented in 1898 and went into production in 1900.
• It was produced by the Germans through 1943, although it was officially replaced as the military’s primary service pistol by the Walther P-38 in…..1938.

Design Variations

• All Lugers have a sear blocking thumb safety. The majority have a thumb safety that it in the “Safe” position when the lever is down. A few have a safety that is safe in the “Up” position.
• Many Lugers also have grip safeties that also block the sear when in the rearward position
• Some of the guns also have a magazine disconnect safety that has a tab that blocks the rearward movement of the trigger when the magazine is out of the gun
• Because the Germans knew that the Luger is one of the few semi auto pistols that will fire (without blowing up) with the top end off of the gun, a very few destined for the police and civilian market had a safety that prevented the sear from disengaging with the sideplate off
• Other variations shown, along with 32 round “Snail Drum” magazine

Design & Function

• Demonstration and explanation of the operation of the toggle lock action
• The bolt retaining pin, its limitations
• Sear system operation and firing pin retraction shown, explained, and demonstrated.
• The “Rube Goldberg” around the corner and over the hill trigger linkage shown and demonstrated as well
• Trigger job discussed, but tendency to multiple with limp hold discussed, as well as cure. PAY ATTENTION!
• Disconnector system operation shown
• Thumb safety operation shown, simple, safe, effective
• Slide and bolt operation shown, as well as the feed ramp setup
• Take down lever function and operation demonstrated
• How the bolt hold open catch is operated by the magazine loading button
• The reason the “S” shaped mainspring in earlier guns was replaced with a coil spring and linkage
• Extractor and ejector operation demonstrated
• Loaded chamber indicator. “Geladen”

Disassembly

• Extensive disassembly, and instructions on how to take apart those parts/assemblies not disassembled, and the reason that they should not be disassembled is explained
• Three different types of magazine end cap retention shown, and one magazine disassembled
• Grip and upper receiver removal
• Upper receiver disassembled
• Sideplate disassembly
• Lower receiver disassembled
• Bolt and toggle disassembled
• You get a good look at how the various parts fit together and interact (particularly the springs) after they are removed from the gun and Bob “’splains” things

Cleaning & Lubrication

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use
• After cleaning, dry with air gun, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)
• Lubing the “Bob” way, and what kind he likes

Reassembly

• Magazine reassembled
• Sideplate reassembled
• Bolt and toggle, including firing pin and extractor, reassembly demonstrated
• Firing pin protrusion spec given
• Lower frame assembled
• Upper receiver reassembled
• Upper receiver reassembled on to lower, make sure strut and link get together
• Grips and final reassembly

Accessories

• Be aware of the rules if you attach a shoulder stock
• Original guns are prized, so aftermarket accessories are rare

Troubleshooting

• Trigger problems discussed again
• Failures to feed, cycling problems, their causes and cures discussed. Don’t use wimpy loads in a Luger, particularly longer barreled guns
• What parts tend to break
• Summary

If you noticed how often the terms “explanation”, and “demonstration” are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a “must have” for any Luger owner, or someone who intends to be.

Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap is a renowned expert on firearms. He has been a warranty station for most manufacturers, both large and small. Learn about the history of this firearm and why it was so popular with the United States Military. The design and function of all the parts are explained in detail, in typical AGI fashion.
This course will enable you to understand the differences and similarities between the M1 (semi auto) and the M2 (selective or full auto fire) versions of the gun. Extreme close ups of the various parts allow the viewer to see the function and movement of the parts as they work in the gun. The fact that so many people own this firearm makes this course extremely valuable. If you want the “quick” course on how to get this .30 caliber carbine apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the “long course”, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course).

Among the items covered are:

• Brief history of the firearm’s designer, “Carbine Williams”
• Similarities to the M1 Garand are discussed
• U.S. military usage and history
• Learn about the various models and variations of this weapon
• Over 7 million manufactured
• This firearm is still being manufactured by several different companies
• Intended use for as an alternative for the larger M1 Garand and smaller .45 caliber 1911 pistol

• Learn how the gun operates and understand the firing sequence
• The gas system and its operation is thoroughly explained and demonstrated
• Clearly see how the piston in the gas system functions
• Extreme close ups of the cam that rotates the bolt are shown and its function explained
• See how the action spring works and how the hammer is cocked
• Safety features are thoroughly explained and shown
• Extractor and ejector identified and their function explained
• Clear views of the sear and fire control system
• See how the magazine and catch operates
• Be able to understand the similarities and differences in the semi and full auto versions of this weapon
• How the trip lever and sear functions in full auto
• Understand how the position of the magazine lips affect the feeding of the cartridges into the chamber
• Learn how the harmonics of the gun affect the cycling in full auto mode

• How to field strip the gun for cleaning and maintenance
• Learn how to completely disassemble the M1 and M2 carbine
• Close up of various parts and their function are further discussed
• How to take out the extractor and ejector without launching parts into orbit
• See how the firing pin is retained in the bolt
• Understand why the rear sight is only taken out when you have to, as it can easily be damaged
• Learn about the two and three pronged piston nuts and the special military tool that is used to take the nut off
• The correct sequence and techniques for taking apart the trigger housing are shown and explained
• Caution is given when taking out the magazine catch and safety so that you will not lose parts, or have to chase them

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use
• The parts that get the dirtiest are identified
• How to clean the bore is explained
• After cleaning, dry with air gun, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)
• Bob discusses what he uses for lubrication and why it works the best

• The correct order of parts for reassembly is given so that you don’t have any parts “Left over”
• Which tools are used for an easy reassembly of the gun
• Bob discusses which parts wear quickest and specifies certain areas to examine closely
• How to test the extractor with a cartridge to make sure it has a slightly positive angle
• Correct position of the trigger spring is shown as well as a special tool that is used to get it in place
• The correct relationship between the hammer and sear is explained to prevent hammer follow down and to ensure safe operation
• The importance of good bedding in the stock for the recoil lug is discussed
• Final assembly

• Plastic stocks are shown and discussed
• Various hand guards are shown
• Recoil pads and flash hiders that are available
• High capacity magazines

If you noticed how often the terms “explanation” and demonstration are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a “must have” for any M1/M2 Carbine owner, or someone who intends to be.