Mauser Parabellum sideplate question
 

I have a Mauser Parabellum P-08 in 30 Luger. So far I am pleased with the gun as it shoots surprisingly well (to me) at 25 yards.

I notice that with the sideplate properly installed, as far as I am able to tell, everything lined up and latched, there is some movement at the top of the sideplate as the trigger is pulled. It "wobbles," out - for lack of a better term, just a bit as the trigger pressure is applied to the sideplate lever.

Is this acceptable, and if not, what should be done to repair it? Any helpful advice would be much appreciated. I only own one "Luger" so I have nothing for comparison.

This is acceptable fit as long as the trigger pull is acceptable to you...

Repair? or tightening as the case may be involves BENDING <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> the tongue of the sideplate and should be avoided if not required... <img border="0" alt="[oops]" title="" src="graemlins/oops.gif" />

Jeff...
Every Mauser Parabellum that I have handled/shot has a very slight bit of play in the side plate. Not to worry as I assume that it is a normal characteristic of these Post War pistols.

Thanks much for the replies. Everything works fine and I won't attempt any "home improvements." I just thought I may have missed something in reassembly.

Jeff:

This wobble is more prevalent on grip safety models (1900, 1906, Parabellums) than on 08 models. IMO repeated squeezing on the trigger without the grip safety fully depressed exerts outer pressure on the side plate causing it to warp. I did see a 1906 so warped that it would not fire; adjustment of the side plate tongue corrected the problem. I doubt the factory would release a Luger that had excess movement in this critical area.

Regards

Ken D

Ken -

Very interesting observation and I can understand how this would happen. In fact, the P-08 Mauser Parabellum I have has a grip safety, being the repro. that it is . . . . However, I did purchase it new and have not ham-handed the trigger with the safety not depressed. I will keep an eye on this in the future. Right now, it is pretty subtle.

FWIW MY '93 aimco also demonstrates the same movement; possibly extensive hand fitting of this part was cost prohibitive ? The amount of play I have doesn't affect functionality.

I'd love to remove it but thoughts of bending stainless fill me with trepidation !

Stu, No guts, no glory. Actually a few taps in the RIGHT PLACE with a plastic hammer should do the job. Knowing where to tap is what you pay the gunsmith for, because you could make it worse. TH

That's teasing Tom <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> I read the first lines of your post and thought you might identify the RIGHT PLACE. I'm not aware of any gunsmiths in my area who are familiar with Luger's, so maybe some guts are called for !