Question about toggle hold-open
 

I've a BYF matching rig my father brought home in '45. The guys on the other forum have convinced me it is too valuable to shoot, so I bought an Interarms 6" Swiss frame NIB, which, agast, I am going to shoot! But I also would like an older DWM or Eurfurt to shoot, but I do not remember on which models does the toggle assy stay open on an empty magazine. Which models should I consider?
Thanks, Roger

Hi Roger,
The hold-open was introduced in 1914 but most of the earlier guns were recalled and retrofitted. Guns without a hold-open are not often seen.
Regards, Norm

As Norme said, but also consider that the later you go, the better the shooter. Much as I love the WW1 stuff, I'd opt for a WW2 gun to shoot, as they reportedly had fewer breakages, etc. And all the WW2 guns had the hold open.
dju

But I also would like an older DWM or Erfurt to shoot..bad idea. DWM and Erfurt had a half dozen problem areas that Mauser went to great lengths to correct. The early guns are much more prone to breakage than a Mauser. IF you want an DWM or Erfurt that's fine but you should be aware that a Mauser will hold up better at the range.

Quite a few of the forum members here own and shoot Interarms Lugers. They are fun shooters. Mine was an unfired example when purchased, but did not remain that way for more than a week. They are also quite accurate!!

NIB is nice, and I have one, but I have thought about shooting it :) heck, the box has wear on it :D

I shot 46 rds through it Saturday; stovepiped 2 & tried to load 2 at once at the last, this was using the Interarms mag. This weekend I'll try a Meg Gar, which has a noticably softer spring.

Actually, allow me to rephrase that; the Interarm mag springs are stronger than the matched mags in my BFY, and much stronger than the Meg Gar, really to the point I can hardly depress them.

I have one of those "commercial" '70s Mauser magazines, you are absolutely correct, the spring is very much stronger than any other mag I have- bar none, and that's compared to early, late originals, other after market brands, the only one that comes close is made by Erma....

Don't use the Mauser Parabellum magazines with the black plastic bottoms. The bottom will fail on yo sooner or later. The plastic they used was too brittle and already started tearing when the bottom was installed at the factory.

The combination of a brittle, already damaged plastic bottom, a very strong spring and a maximum load of 8 rounds will do the rest.

Isn't the fit of the Interarms Luger magazines slightly different as compared to the original Luger magazines?

does MecGar make magazines for the Interarms Lugers?

You are correct that the Interarms mag springs are really "healthy"!! I have used Mec-Gar mags in my Interarms Luger successfully. What I did that works the best, is I had GT install one of his wood mag bases, and his "whiz-bang" mag springs into a Mauser Parabellum mag tube(that GT had). The perfect combo as far as I am concerned. It works like a charm!!



These brand new Interarms Lugers need to be cleaned and lubed well during breakin. Things are a bit tight everywhere, and they get better after you put some rounds downrange. Stick with factory 115-124gr FMJ std. ammo. Enjoy!!

The magazines can be interchanged. In fact, the Dutch manufacturer made such a mess of their first attempts that Mauser actually sent them a functioning Haenel magazine to use as a reference :)

For a short period of time, Interarms had Mec-Gar magazines with their name and a Mauser-like logo on the spine. It is also not uncommon to see Interarms Parabellums NIB with the magazines swapped for Mec-Gars.

57 degrees & bright sun so I ran another 50 rds through the Mauser w/the Meg Gars. Had 2 rds horizontal pipe & 1 partial feed. I think the 2 pipes were limp-wristed. I'm content except the the stiffness of the toggle. Hopefully it will loosen.
The Mauser came complete, a lightly stained & yellowed box but also a package of silica, labeled in German. Was that normal?
Roger

Yes.

Probably should have had a manual, warrantee or registration card, & factory test target too.
dju

It did, I have the test target, manual & the blue medallion.
Roger

Roger in my opinion your Mauser is functioning within the normal range, at least compared to my own modest collection (which does not include any post-WWII pistols). Overall the Luger action is just not as reliable in terms of feeding and ejecting as more modern firearms.

However I'm always trying to get mine to feed/eject better. Actually I consider trying to make a shooter work more reliably to be part of the fun. I have found trying different magazines to be helpful in that quest.

I have read in many posts (and in this one) about how sensitive, finicky, etc. Parabellums are in shooting sessions. I can't "compare", because I don't have a "collection". All I have is one. 1918 Erfurt (all matching, all original, with original holster Jerry did his magic on).

I am ashamed to admit that I shoot it occasionally. With ball ammo of normal variety. The ONLY ammo it refuses, is steel cased Russian stuff. ANY other brass cased, factory ball 115gr, it digests without any complaints. Never a misfeed, never ANY stoppages. VERY accurate too. It became my constant companion in hiking/horseback riding on my property. I carry it in the US M3 shoulder holster (under the jacket), to protect it from branches, horse tack, etc.

Magazine is aluminum bottomed WW2 variety, but I also have original Erfurt with wooden bottom (which I don't use).

I keep it clean/lubed, and it keeps ticking.

DS, It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. Luger by Timex. TH

danielsand,
nothing to be ashamed of , carry and shoot, what it was designed and made to do.
Don't aggravate it with that Russian or steel cased ammo! It deserves original type brass fodder.;)

If it is a $5k version, maybe think twice; but a "common" Erfurt- shoot!