Heydrich,
Welcome to the club. [img]biggrin.gif[/img] You should definately clean your new toy before shooting it. I would be sure to remove and clean the firing pin assembly, the trigger bar and the hold open. At least clean around the extractor and ejector (the ejector is fairly delicate, remove carefully if you do so). When lubricating the gun, get some light penitrating oil, like WD40, around the extractor and the button on the front of the trigger bar.
Other answers and comments:
â?¢ The toggle should lock open with an empty magazine (you experienced this). To close it either remove the magazine or insert a loaded magazine and pull back the toggle.
â?¢ Ammo: a number of forum members, including myself, like the cheap Winchester target ammo from Walmart (100 rd. box for $11.) but any standard commercial ammo with round-nosed bullets is OK.
â?¢ Lugers need a strong magazine to feed and function properly, you may find that the original mag needs work. Fully loading a magazine requires a loading tool or pushing the follower button back on the edge of a wooden object (like a shooting bench).
â?¢ There is a loaded-chamber indicator on the extractor, when there is a round in the chamber it sticks up with the word "geladen" appearing on the left side.
â?¢ I recommend getting some "snap caps" from your local gun shop to practice with before shooting for the first time. This allows you to load and dry fire the gun without damaging it. They are also a good way to safely show your friends how to use the gun before firing it. KFS
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