P08 Shooter Recoil ejects magazine
 

Hi. I have a 1936 VOPO rework P08 great shooter with a 6" barrel on it. I can insert a magazine and it clicks securely and you cannot pull it out without pressing the mag release button.

However, when I fire the gun, the recoil causes the magazine to drop to the ground. (A new round is not chambered.) I am not shooting with my hand on the magazine release, and of course the issue is easily avoided by shooting with my left hand under the bottom of the magazine.

I have tried different magazines.

Does this mean the magazine spring needs to be replaced? Any advice is much appreciated.

Clark in Nashville TN

That or you have a severely worn of damaged mag catch, which allows the magazine to override it under recoil.

Removing the magazine catch for a closeup exam is pretty easy. Just CAREFULLY remove the left grip (caution not to break out the area around the safetly lever) and slide the mag catch spring out of its groove and the catch will then be free to remove it. You should be able to tell if the retention boss is worn down allowing the magazine to drop out under recoil.

Also check the retention notch in the magazine for excessive wear.

Clark, I have been putting those replacement grips made in India on my shooters. After a little carving, filing, sanding and a #000 steel wool buffing they look quite good for a $15 investment. At first I didn't pay attention to the fit around the mag release spring and had a problem with mag retention, just a slight bit of interference was enough to release the mag when firing. The mag seemed to latch, but not when fired. Filing more clearance above the spring cured the problem. Best Regards Joe ;)

If you do remove the magazine catch spring, rotate it out at the top where it fits into the groove in the frame not out of the groove in the catch.

Joe, John, Alan and Ron:

Thanks a lot for reading, and for your recommendations! I'll examine the catch/spring over the weekend. It does have replacement grips on it, so I will examine those as well. Between these candidates for the culprit I should be able to figure it out.

Thanks again!

Clark

Update: Turns out it was indeed the grips. They were not fitted correctly. A small adjustment and all is well. Thanks again for your assistance!!!

Clark in Nashville