9mm Mags for a .30?
 

Hi all,
Lurking for some time, new to Lugers.
I have a 1900 DMW Commercial in .30 cal. Can I use a 9mm mag to take a shot or two? My toggle does not lock back with the mag in it. Is this normal? Pics over the weekend.
Paul

Paul, Yes..there is no difference in magazines..9MM or .30 is one and the same. Because..the base of the cartridge is the same..a .30 is a 9MM necked down.
My toggle does not lock back with the mag in it. The mag must be EMPTY for the lock back to function.

Not all magazines will lock the hold open on all luger pistols; if it has a hold open they should.

For various reasons they won't; could be weak spring in the magazine or dried grease causing the hold open to have a stiff movement or no movement.

Paul, Don's post reminded me of something..The 1900 Luger magazine slot for the follower button is slightly longer..this MAY have something to do with it..OR possibly your pistol isn't fitted with a hold open..Have you looked inside to see if one has been installed?

Did the 1900's even come with the hold open?
dju

Yes they did. This one a Swiss M1900:

David, Not that I know of..maybe one could have been added but I doubt it.

Eric, That was probably not the normal pistol though? I just don't know. Never owned on although I wish I did!

All 1900 Lugers came with a hold open. It didn't go away until the 1908 Army contract.

Ron;
So why did it go away and then come back? A cost savings mistake?
dju

Yep, exactly.

Thanks for the help. According to Ron it sounds like mine should have the hold open. I'll have a look today.

Paul

First off welcome aboard of this Luger devotee Forum. I think you'll find this Forum quite different from many other forums, among other things surely it's a lot more informative.

All the Swiss Lugers had the hold open, and there is no difference in magazines between 9mm and .30 Luger.

Rgds


Sergio

Sergio,

Thanks for the welcome.
Mine is a DMW Commercial Luger. Serial number in the 4 thousand range.

Sometimes it is easiest to remove the upper, and watch the HO as you press an empty magazine up into place, and if the HO does not raise, why not?
dju

Paul,
May I also add my welcome to the forum. A Commercial in the 4 thousand range is a nice early gun. You do not indicate where you live in your profile, but in the US standard commercials are a bit scarce as most of the 1900s encountered are American Eagle marked. A few photos of your gun for us to enjoy would be most appreciated.
Ron

You learn something everyday if your not careful!

A DWM Commercial having the # in the 4 thousand range! It must be quite a nice Luger, is not an AE is it? Otherwise I assume you would have said it, could you try to post some close pictures of your gun?

Rgds


Sergio

I'll try and get some pics tonight or tomorrow AM. I am challenged when it comes to posting photos, I'll give it a try. I have a pic hosting thingy just need to find my password,
Ron, I'm in Wisconsin.
There are no AE markings that I can see. It is in nice shape, not perfect but not bad either. I want to put one or two rounds down the pipe and then leave it be.

Pauly,
welcome from NC , too.

You do not have to have a working hold open to fire your Luger.

If the holdopen piece is in there, you can check the movement as suggested above.
I had one that the holding "part" was chipped off, and even though it raised, it would not hold open. This is a possiblitiy. But you can see that by removing the upper.

Enjoy your nice early Commercial. If it were an AE, it would have a nice large American Eagle seal type symbol right on top of the chamber.

There is no AE symbol on the pistol.