Can a take the magazine apart to examine the interior without damaging the wooden base?
No..This would be foolish IMO. Monkeying with an original magazine will almost always end badly.
I would bet there is nothing wrong with it anyway. Luger rounds fit at a pretty steep angle. My advice is to put away your original wood bottom mag and acquire a MecGar replacement if your intent is to shoot the pistol.
If you are concerned that two different ammunition manufacturers have made their 9MM ammo too long..you should invest in a dial caliper so you can sooth your irrational fears with accurate measurements. This is not the first thought that would come into my head.
You should be able to load 5-6 rounds and cycle them in the pistol by hand to test feed. It seems I should mention here that you should do this at the range as it is live ammunition. Just load the rounds and test fire the pistol..I bet it works.

Remember that a magazine is a pretty delicate compilation of sheet metal and springs, and they do get dented over the years, especially in combat settings. I concur with Dr. Burney, a MecGar is the best option here.
Getting everything right for the Luger to feed correctly can take time and experimentation. Be patient.
dju

One option I failed to mention is that our own magazine whiz, G. T., makes what I call the "Super MecGar", and if you plan to shoot a P08 over time, they are a great investment. Lugers may come and go, but my G. T. mags. stay with me.
dju

Jim, Generally, you would do well to avoid the steel cased ammo like the Russian manufactured Tula.

The Federal is likely to behave better in your Luger.

Marc

"If you are concerned that two different ammunition manufacturers have made their 9MM ammo too long..you should invest in a dial caliper so you can sooth your irrational fears with accurate measurements. This is not the first thought that would come into my head. "

Actually I said the opposite. I said that since two ammo types behaved the same, I suspected that the magazine was at fault.

I will take the advice and get a new mag for shooting.

Yesterday I shot it at the range. Actually I carried an arsenal to the range and shot them all, P08 Luger, KelTec P3AT, Nagant revolver, Remington Mod 1100 SA 12 ga, and my recently completed AK-47 Super.

But as Mrerick suggested, the TulAmmo steel cased ammu was not fully functional and the Federal was flawless.

The Tulammo apparently has a lighter charge, or a smaller bullet, because it would appear that the chamber pressure was lower than the Federal. The reason I say this is that while the Tulammo cycled properly, after the last round it did not lock back. The Federal locked back after the last round every time. I assume that this means the bolt is not cycling all the way back, but is cycling enough to pick up the next round from the magazine.

If this is the case, then I would imagine that over a period of time there would be other problems, like a light load not cycling back enough to pick up the next round.

But the Federal worked every time.

The Super AK was flawless in operation. Its a Romanian AK with a Yugo RPK machine gun barrel grafted on instead of the standard AK barrel. This makes it about 6" longer.

With a bit of cleaning and lube of the toggle train AND the hold open, it may work with Tula stuff, but why? Find one that works and use it.
Fun, aren't they?
dju

The original DWM 9mm barrel has a stepped chamber that is designed to work with the relatively soft brass case cartridge. The steel Tula cases bind in the chamber which causes retarded extraction. Obviously there is enough energy left to cycle the next round from the magazine but not enough to cause the toggle train/breechblock to fully retract, so the holdopen does not catch after the last round. The steel cases are made for more modern chambers that lack the step. The steel cases are being forced past the step so either the step is already worn somewhat or you will eventually wear it down. Bottom line, don't shoot steel cases in original WWI Lugers.

Unless I missed it another consideration should be made. Periodically the user should take the weapon to a shooting range an fire the gun. It makes sure the gun functions after some time (months or more?) and the user skills are tweaked.

Yes, all things considered a concealed carry 380 auto of which there are many to choose from is a better way to go.

Not to mention the fact that a Luger in your safe will be there waiting for you when you feel like shooting it. A Luger carried for concealed purposes (shudder) will suffer increased wear and potential for breakage and perhaps most importantly.. depending on where you live, if your wife actually IS involved in a shooting with the Luger, chances are it will become evidence in the possible criminal and certain civil lawsuits which follow most (justified) shootings, and chances are you might lose your Luger iwhen this occurs. Are you willing to risk all this?? (Not even mentioning the legal nightmares that a self defens shooting precipitate)

The concealed carry question is resolved. I got her a Walther PP in 32 cal. Yes I know, its too small, but its better than nothing and she isnt going to carry a large pistol. The KelTec P3AT whould, perhaps be a better choice in caliber, thats what I carry, BUT she cannot rack it.

A Walther is 100% a more reliable gun. And, I was kinda hoping that the .32 vs .380 question would come up. I personally find the .380 to be an under powered charge. The powder vs weight of the bullet is just not right. The .32, with the right ammo, imho, is a much better round with better penetration. Make sure you get her some old black talons or glaser safety slugs

For a ladies carry, I have recommended the S&W 5-shot snub nosed shielded hammer 38 special revolver in a purpose designed carry bag [purse]. I don't recommend the rubber grips [Pachmayr, etc].

My last GF was very pleased with her S&W. :)

Revolvers are my personal choice for 'home defense'. I carry an automatic for CC. :rolleyes:

From my days of working in a gun shop, I recall that many women perfered the "tip up" barrel Berettas, since with a loaded mag installed, all they had to do was place a round in the empty chamber, close the barrel and it would be ready to fire the entire mag, without having to pull back the slide. TH

What is the model number of that Beretta?

It's the Beretta 3032 "Tomcat":
http://www.jgsales.com/beretta-tomca...ew-p-2119.html

Jack