Swedish M-40 pistol question

[kennethg]

I have a Swedish M-40 that I bought a few years ago. I am just now getting it to the range. I have read much info from the internet on this pistol. Mine is a Danish contract without any police markings on the right side of the slide. It is in very good condition. It was imported before the obscene import markings were required.
I removed the accelerator to see if it would function that way and it didn't. I reinstalled the accelerator for my next range trip.
When closing the slide slowly, the slide hangs up prior to locking up. When releasing the slide in the normal fashion, it does go into battery. I have not read anything about this happening and wondered if it was normal.
I am sure it has something to do with the locking block function. Lubrication does not correct this, and I am not inclined to do any polishing on the locking block at this time.
Has anybody else experienced this with their M-40?

 

[Walter Rego]

It's been a while since I owned an M40 Lahti but I believe what you are experiencing is the friction of the disconnector when the bolt rides forward. No big deal as you have seen when you let the bolt snap forward it easily overrides the friction.

Mine was also a Danish Police contract with the D prefix S/N. They seem to be about the best preserved of the M40's out there. I also tried shooting it without the accelerator and it would not function. The cracked barrel extensions that some Lahti's had were caused by firing the hot M39b sub gun ammo, the Danish Police guns were not exposed to that ammo so the problem was pretty much non-existent. But I would certainly stick to standard pressure 9mm loads in it.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Walter, thanks for adding the Lahti designation. Someday I'll remember all the hundreds of guns I've read about by all their various nomenclatures - but not today.

I better hurry, time's running out.

 

[4T5GUY]

"Walter Rego" is spot on.

I seemed to remember the slide not just sliding forward so I checked. Nope it takes a little help.

I haven't shot mine in almost 20 yrs. I received the flyer that had them and got one coming my way the next day. (I had a FFL.) It seemed a little pricey at $395.00 for a surplus pistol but I was and still am happy enough with having it. I was wanting a "real" Finnish Lahti though.

Mine is also a Danish Contract M/40, (D 13916,) and in terrific condition. It was made in 1946 and one of the 13,500 delivered.

Jim

 

[Golddollar]

I have a L-35 Lahti pistol from Finland, the daddy of your guns. I just looked up some of its origin, which stated that the accelerator was put in so that the bolt would go back the full required length for every shot. I believe that was deemed necessary for functioning in the Finnish winters, which can get a little nippy.

 

[DWalt]

The Lahti was designed for reliable functioning under arctic conditions. The Finnish models are highly desirable. I owned a Finn Lahti many years ago, when they were cheap milsurps. Another one I should have kept.

 

[Golddollar]

The Lahti was designed for reliable functioning under arctic conditions. The Finnish models are highly desirable. I owned a Finn Lahti many years ago, when they were cheap milsurps. Another one I should have kept.

One of my clubs has a Great Wars match for military pistols. I take my Lahti out to play there.

 

[Drm50]

I ruined a brand new S&W m39 with hot SMG 9mm. To young to know better. This ammo will also thrash all the old classic Mil Surps. At same time I had brand new Brn HP. The only thing that kept me from ruining it was primers were so hard it took 2 or 3 strikes with HP to fire.