Can you identify this mystery part?
 

I've only had this luger for about 4 days now, and after the first time I took it apart to clean it, this part was laying inside the lower receiver on the right side of the groove where the upper attaches:http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...ger/th_029.jpg

I checked all the parts diagrams trying to figure out what it is or where it goes, with no luck. So, I put the gun back together without it, and have shot about 250rds through it since then.

The gun has been 100% reliable with no jams, but right after I put it back together, the toggle would stick in the up position after the last shot or when locking the toggle back on an empty mag, and it would take a pretty good whack with an empty magazine to get the toggle to close. Now that I've got some more rounds through it, it rarely sticks at all (had to tap it once yesterday out of about 100rds), so I don't think the mystery part had any effect on function/reliability. I took it apart again yesterday, and everything looks fine still too, but as complex as these guns are, I can't see it having a small part like that that doesn't do anything.

Any ideas on what it is, what it does, or where it goes?

thanks

Mag holdopen, also should have a flat spring that goes with it. That is why it fell out. Looking down on the frame, there is a place machined for this on the right hand side.

Thanks!

I had literally spent several hours trying to figure out what it is with no luck. All the online diagrams show the spring sitting on top like one piece, and the only other thing that looked similar was the trigger bar spring, so I had absolutely no idea what it was or where it went.

After putting it back together correctly however, it's pretty much impossible to get the toggle to lock back with an empty mag in it though. That's the way it was before I took it apart the first time, so I'm guessing both of my mags likely have weak springs or something.

With no mag in the gun, hold it open, and while the toggle is back, stick a finger in and manually raise the hold-open up on the back end to see if, once the toggle is carefully released, it will catch the toggle and hold it back. Upwards pressure must be maintained. and above all, watch out for the toggle catching your finger on closing! Very sililar to M1 Thumb...
That will helpp narrow it down to a back catch lever or a bad spring (or bad mags.).
dju

Here is the spring. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/...d+open&catid=0

you should also check the "notch" under the breechblock where the holdopen end sits to hold the toggle open... it may be worn.