Thanks Frank, & hi Mike! Luger magazines are like a can of worms... Once opened, it alway takes a bigger can to hold them again! Disassembly isn't to hard, most of the time, but reassembly can be your worst nightmare... and the parts are fragile .. So proceed with slow and deliberate steps.. or, you might end up with little or nothing .. That being said, here we go...
1) You are correct, the only way to repair a P.08 mag is thru the bottom.. But to clean, you can use both light gun oil, and compressed air to acheive satisfactory results with out ever dissambling the mag ... ONLY take it apart for repair of a fit or function issue...
2) If we are going to take it apart, make sure it is well supported and carefully drive the pin out into a a predetermined relief area on your support plate, Gently pull the bottom out of the shell keeping in mind that some residual drill hole flashing may remain from when it was originally made. Just use gentle force, and maybe you'll get lucky... But this flashing will have to be removed prior to reassembly.
3) Inspect the tube for setback dents, and shell spreading both at the top feed lip area and bottom area where the mag bottom sits.. If these areas seem symetrical, then check the over all width (front spine to back spine) target dimension 1.100" + or - .002" ..a gentle squeeze with a LARGE padded jaw slip-joint pliers will shrink this to the correct dimension, be careful though, as to much squish will defeat the seams and then you have nothing!
.. A special mandrel for inside the tube helps alot!
4) Of course this whole tune up operation is a lot easier with the follower removed... and this is another area that luger mag repair goes to H### in a heartbeat! The only way to remove this part with out damage is to have a fixture plate with the proper reliefs for the follower button and support for the mag shell. you then have to sandwich the mag shell with strips of spring steel, (inside and out, under the fol. button head area) to keep the follower from denting the shell while trying to tap the follower button free with a small dia., short tipped punch thru the access hole... Done with that?? On we go..
5) Follower spring (and spring cap) is probably the most important part you can replace. Original springs, although great when new, are now probably more of the major cause of mag malfunction then all others put together. Use, time, modification and abuse takes it's toll on them.. Lugerdoc on the forum here has the best available, this is where you should start.. (should have made it step 1 huh??
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6) Bottom repair, you may have to shim the bottom to make it fit tight in the shell, (I use aluminum tape) or install a new bottom... This require drilling a new hole, a # 40 wire gauge drill bit will work great... drilling straight thru is a crap shoot... If you don't totally ruin your P.08 mag trying to get the follower button out, then you'll get another excellent chance here..
... Luger mag repair is not for the faint of heart... But, I really do wish you the best of Luck. Lugerdoc has all the parts needed ... Best to all, til...lat'r...GT