Broken detent spring?
 

So while reading another thread, I noticed that while I have the take down lever detent spring, if I turn my take down lever down, it can be pulled out. Is that bad?? And it's a 1939 military

It is more likely debris or built up grease. Try wiggling it while applying gentle pressure on the back end of the lever. Sometimes you have to rock them around a little and slowly work them out. I can't imagine a broken detent spring preventing this.

Some of these fit more loosely than others.

The spring should have a slight bend along it's long axis. this fits into a slot on the side of the lever. If the spring has lost it's bend, it becomes easier to remove the take down lever.

If this is a problem, consider getting and installing a replacement spring.

Marc

The take down lever can be pulled out at down position, I think that's normal, that's the way to disassemble it. At down position, the lever does not fall out freely, or fall out by shaking the frame, you have to pull it or push it out by applying some force from fingers -- at least, that the way it behaves on my Lugers. If it does fall out freely, sounds like hole on the frame and the lever are not fitting very well..... is the lever numbered to the gun?

I have had a Luger with the "L" shaped takedown lever spring so worn that the lever would fall out in the down position...A new/repro spring fixed it...

Dale, You luger sound normal. If the TD lever falls out, you probably have a worn spring. I only stock the new German made ones (better quality than the US made repro shown above) @$25 postpaid. TH

I hope it's better quality...The 'repro shown above' is the original worn one... :D

I bought one of the Luger Doc's springs and it was of very good quality and worked great.

:thumbup:I have one on the way, myself. Mine was missing altogether - thanx to some sharp eyed folks here, I found out about it. I would have been too stupid on my own... :burnout:

Thanks guys, postino, is that a 1911 long slide in your avatar?

I'm guessing either a Weimaraner or a Colt 1900. :)

Or a Third Marine Division Patch. I get SO dizzy!!!!

We can tell you're not a stupid person, so your cover is blown. Really, it's merely a matter of education and experience. Hard to spot something missing if you never knew it could exist...

Before you know it, you'll be changing main springs, extractors, and ejectors along with the best of them, able to completely dis/reassemble a Luger--and able to identify any part by looking at it.

Ah yes, such is Luger madness.:thumbup:

Actually, it turns out that part of the spring was still there - hoping LugerDoc's replacement shows up tomorrow as I'm taking the pistol to the range on Sunday!