[DonVoigt]

Spacecoast,
I guess you missed my last post on your other thread:

"If you really want to try the drum with 7,65mm; just switch your upper to a frame that the drum fits!

Another "trick" to the loader, and I believe it is covered in the original manual of which you should have a copy in the box, is to load the first two rounds by hand- they require pressing the spring loaded follower stud in, while loading a round, then you have to manipulate the follower/round to get the second round in. When that is done, place the loader on the magazine, put the strut in place, and load more rounds, up to a total of 32.

Of course the drum is wound and the winder latched, before starting the loading process.

After the drum is loaded, remove the strut and loader, release the winder arm from its latch(slowly, and keep it under firm control). Tap the drum with your hand, a rubber mallet, or on a rug or something to "settle" the rounds in the magazine- this is important. Then if you are not going to use the drum right away, re-latch the arm in its slot to release the significant pressure from the guide lips on the drum."
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I don't usually disagree with GT on these things, but none of my drums will load if I don't put the first two rounds in by hand, the button is not pushed in far enough by the loading tool to allow the button to clear the slot. I guess you could force it, but that is never a good sign to me.
Sounds like yours is pushed in far enough to let the follower move up, a difference in tolerances.

I store my drums with the spring unloaded if they are empty, and do not store a loaded drum more than over night. Springs don't like full compression, just a fact of life. If I load a drum for shooting, I will latch the arm into its slot to remove pressure from the magazine lips like I said above.

Yes, the follower will slip out if you do not keep it under control, it is a design "fault" and has nothing to do with your particular drum- just the way it is.

I use a rubber mallet to "settle up" the cartridge column. I have three of these reproduction mags and one just takes a shake with your hand, and the other two need a little tap.

You are way overthinking this, just play with it and learn. Do take it apart but follow GT's warning to wind and latch the spring before you open.

I personally do not like the thick red grease and have removed it and use Dupont's Teflon lube in the blue bottle. Works for me; but you must have some lube in the drum!

You should probably re-read all these posts and get the "hints" in your head, then practice loading and stripping cartridges. Use makes these drums work better.

I wear thin gloves or my hands get raw from the loading and unloading. Cartridges are hard to strip from the drum - at first quite hard , and get easier as the drum is emptied. I use a wooden dowel to push the out, but also run them through a pistol.

Do remove the striker and operate the toggle smartly.

Hope this helps!

I should have added that of the two or three shooters I have used with the drums, only my well worn and ugly Navy pistol is 100% with the drums.
The others will occasionally have a FTF or FTE; I don't know why - again just the way it is! I did shoot my original one time for 30 rounds, it is exactly the same- had one or two "problems"; the GT re-worked/improved drums are better than originals in my book!