[John Sabato]

TAC... In the past I have found specific weapons where it was possible to close the takedown lever on an incorrectly installed sideplate. It usually happens with an abused takedown lever that has been prodded by a well intentioned screwdriver to try and get it open without raising the toggle.

Crotter, with the top half of the luger assembled and not attached to the grip frame you should be able to work the toggle and then release the striker (firing pin) by pressing on the front of the sear bar in the same place that the L-shaped trigger lever in the sideplate does. If you can do this consistently, then the top half should be okay.

Next thing to try is assembly of the side plate on the lower grip frame without the upper assembly installed. In this way you can watch the movement of the L-shaped lever. Is the lever or the sideplate loose when it is installed without the top half of the gun installed? If it is loose, this can contribute to your problem.

Try these things and report back your findings and we will guide you through to a resolution of your problem if at all possible without the gun being in a trained luger gunsmiths hands.