Gasket for LP53

[jujonte]

Didn't someone on this Forum post a thread about constructing a gasket for the LP53 model out of rubber or plastic to replace the original leather ones? I seem to remember a thread but I can't locate it. Anyone recall that? Thanks in advance. ~J

[searcher451]

J: Check out Post No. 10 here:

Model 53 Luft pistol

Knew it was in there somewhere. Hope it helps.

[jujonte]

Thanks Searcher, that's it. Although I was a little off in my details. Good detective work. ~J

[searcher451]

You already scratched my back; it was my turn, is all.

[Bessa]

Been off for a while because this forum seems very much more inline with Walther firearms than Airpistols but i can help anyone with information regarding the Walther LP53, LP2 and LP3.
Ive owned the lot several times over and worked for ages trying to improve them.

The 53 can be improved the most but requires precision machine work.
The piston head requires replacement with a Teflon or Nylatron head fitted to a drop piston head unit.
The outer spring benefits slightly from a thrust bearing but please dont do it with the inner. Darn thing isnt ideal as a spring guide in the first place and the slightest hint of spring bushing will cause it to bind on the outer. Interestingly i experimented with improving the spring guide for the outer mainspring by removing the inner spring but replacing it with a short guide rod slipped over the existing guide integral to the screw cap. It really improved smoothness quite dramatically as the outer spring was now running on a correct, low friction guide rod of correct fit. I later dropped this ideal guide when i found that velocity was down by 10 percent on one spring (not a huge drop suprisingly) but it really was smooth with no twang.
My head unit is 1/16th of an inch shorter, affording a tiny volume increase and increased stroke which returns 21fps to 24fps (averaged) with the Hobby pellets i used. The teflon head is also slightly more efficient than the leather, returning 15 to 21 fps fps more velocity.
The gun should be run almost dry, with a hint of Weblube just to aid assembly of the piston washer unit. A tiny dab of silicone grease on the springs.

[searcher451]

That's good stuff, Bessa; thanks for taking the time to provide your experience and expertise to forum members.

[Bessa]

Pleasure.....glad to be of help.
For all of these pistols i found RWS Hobby gave the best results. Best fit and lightness of pellet being key but English pellets terrible in the tight fitting bores.

To my knowledge there was no LP52. (confirmed by a Walther engineer) There was one single development gun while they were designing and building it for a planned release in 1952 but the release date ws not met and the gun destined to be released a year later....hence LP53.
Nobody to my knowledge has ever managed to track down the development piece and it may even have been rebuilt.
Thus the