Hand Loading Ouch!!!!
 

This coming month I'm buying a shooter from George. I'm going to the range to lose my luger virginity. I just realized the hard part. I have ten magazines to fill as my loader doesn't work on mags there goes my thumb!! Any suggestion would be priceless! I tried with the key which I find impossible after the first five rounds!! I can't imagine doing this in muddy trenches! Any suggestions? ~~Sore Thumbs Eric

I personally don't load more than five rounds when shooting my Luger....

I know that more will fit, but when on the bullseye range, I usually only load and fire five shots when practicing...

Brilliant, You can tell I'm new at this!!!! Debbie suggested useing the corner of a face cloth to protect your thumb!!It works great and no sore thumb!!

Wait, cirelaw you've been around since 2003 and are just getting a luger? Or you've only collected and never shot?

Mitchell arms made loading tools, similar to the original loading tools used in war time. I use one of these when loading magazines. You can still find them on ebay for 10-15 dollars. I picked one up at a gun store for $12. Otherwise...use gloves or your shirt.

Scott I own 15 to date. All are very nice. If something like a spring breaks and has to be replaced there goes my luger virginity! I've never fired any and with my accident prone, I wouldn't take any chance. So I asked George Anderson to sell one of his nice shooters! A damn good friend!! Thanks for asking! ~~~Eric

Chris
You have a Mitchell loading tool that works?:eek:
I have a chrome plated Mitchell loading tool and it was made without the little lip that holds the follower button.Worthless as a tool,but looks nice. :rolleyes:

Bob

Wow, thats crazy! :eek:

Yes, mine does have the lip on it! Its also nickel plated! Wonder why your's doesn't...did it break off?

MegGars and older aftermarkets are easy to load to 8 rounds. I suggest getting an aftermarket for shooting and keeping your original mags tucked away.

Eric, Neil Young makes a loader that looks nothing like the original skate key, but works fantastic!!! Made for use, not show. He may have an extra one for sale, I do not know for sure, but ask, and you will see.....
He gave me one at the SOS, and it is pretty slick!
The man is a master craftsman, John

Eric


Safe shooting!

Sergio

I think for now I'll stick to the face cloth. I have 12 mags that I can load at home. To you all I thank you as always for your input!!~Eric

JTD,

Please post a couple photos of Neil Young's loading tool! I am sure all would be interested to see one.

tonight I will try to get some pics posted. I do not know if he is even offering them for sale for sure. It is nothing fancy, but works great. John

Whether for sale or not, the design is what will intrigue most members here... so please do post photos.

Definitely~~~

I purchased one of the cheap replica/aftermarket loading tools, and it "sort of worked". It kept slipping off of the mag button. When I checked it out, I found that the back side that goes against the mag, was no where near flat. I resurfaced the back side by rubbing it over a piece of emery paper(approx 220 grit) that was on a piece of flat glass.

This technique squared up the back surface of the tool, and now it works like a dream.

Like Marc, I only load 5 rounds in a mag, or a cylinder when I am at the range. That gives me a 5 shot group.

I'm thankful I own 12 mags. At 5 loads each I will have 60 shots before reloading with my trusty face cloth!! My other alternative seems a little over board!~~Eric

I like the alternative!!! :D

Hi,

Using the original Luger "key" loader is really quite easy.

Place the bottom of your magazine on a firm, but slightly padded surface. Usually your regular shooting bench will do, padded by a towel, or even a small piece of cardboard.

Then draw down the key, with the thumb of your writing hand, just enough for each individual cartridge you are loading to slip under the magazine lips. Proceed until all 8 are in.

The last few are a bit more challenging, but that's why you have the firm surface to give you some leverage. Don't be shy in applying adequate pressure.

I always shoot from a full 8 round magazine, as this was how the pistol was designed to shoot.

I hope this helps.


Sieger

Seiger no luck with your method. Holding mag in left and covered with a face cloth allows you to use your protected thumb to not only draw down but hold down next to no effort as you load with your free hand~ it really works and the only way for me!!! Try it!!!

neil's tool pics
 

works great

Eric, Neil Young makes a loader that looks nothing like the original skate key, but works fantastic!!! Made for use, not show. He may have an extra one for sale, I do not know for sure, but ask, and you will see.....
He gave me one at the SOS, and it is pretty slick!
The man is a master craftsman, John

Fantastic! Yes..Neil is a fine craftsman..I didn't know he made these though!

John, there's a "lip" inside the hole for the follower, right?

Eric, this might just do the job for you!

Here's the one I made for the mags for my Erma KGP69, contoured to the side of the mag, it works great. (In NY State, we're not supposed to load a mag with more than seven rounds, unless at a range or competition.)

Yes, their is a lip inside the hole. Jerry, I wish you could have been present there this year. There was much good discussion. Virginia? John & Mike

Yeah Jerry, I found the regular loading tool not too comfortable to use, so I decided to try to make one that was easier on the thumb. I think it worked out okay. While I was set up, I made a few extras. I don't plan on making any more though.

Hi,

I can not load a full 8 rounds in a Luger magazine by holding it, freehand, in my left hand, while loading it, bullet by bullet with my right hand.

Different strokes for different folks, as they said in the 1970s, I guess.


Sieger

Perfection By Neil Young!
 

Neil sent me his loading tool made specically for lugers. It fits like a glove. The beauty is its simplicity~ No problem filling an entire mag!! Won't slip off! My Hero TKS ~~Eric

:thumbup: way to go Neil!

Don't Buy The One On Midway!!
 

Definitly A great way cool luger tool!! Years ago I purchased this worthless piece of## from Midway! Its still being sold today! Its not sized for luger and never was!! "Caveat Emptor" Buyer Beware!! Eric

This week I'm fireing my first luger that George sent me. I tried out the loader and it work perfect! I'll take some pictures. Tks to all for your generous support!~~Eric

ithicaartist - what material is that made from? May try making one myself. I have one from a Bersa 380 that works fine, but it is the type that you push down, load one shell, lift up, slide shell back, repeat; not quite as convenient as the follower style.

I'm not sure what medal he use. Its solid maybe steel. We have to ask Neil my hero!!

Chris, It's plain ol' mild steel, mig welded curved handle, ground to fit the thumb comfortably and ground on the back side to match the contours of these mags. KGP 69 factory mags have a concave channel instead of straight flat sides, and the factory loading tool kept slipping off, mostly 'cause it's flat on the back side, with nothing to keep it lined up/oriented. Also, the originals have a simple hole punched in them for the follower button. Experience showed that a little bit of a lip, like the Luger loading tools, keeps it hooked on; so my creation has one. It is thinner than the Luger tool's lip because there's not as much clearance behind the Erma follower buttons. If you don't have a mill to offset the hole, thereby creating the "lip", just go at it with a carbide bit on a Dremel or Foredom.

The lovely fire-blue/blackened color came right out of the toaster oven, set on "toast" for 10-15 min.

Eric, remember...first loading. Only two rounds!

Got it tks

I like it, looks like it works great and has a lot of character. Love the heat/coloring treatment! Good suggestion on the lip, I imagine that makes a big difference. Thanks.

Somebody has to go commercial. The one they sell is a cheap piece of crap!

Eric, sometimes your unintentional misspellings are a blessing in disguise :cheers: :thumbup:

... I hate having to edit someone else's posts because they slipped and let a "bad" word get posted... :)

John I intentionaly typed "ship" in deference and respect to all and changed my post! It was still a rip off!~~~Eric