I'm a bit late to the discussion on the loose sideplate, BUT, the correct way to tighten the sideplate is to GENTLY, with a cover shim or, a super clean flat faced hammer, supported on a clean steel block, to then tap on the flat side end of the sideplate arm where the radiused cutout area is, where it contacts the takedown lever.... Tapping on the arm end lengthens the arm, and sideplate as a whole...The TD lever has a cam machined into it right behind the lever, and the sideplate is held tight & firm by pushing it back against the frame, not forced in with the lever arm!!???... That is why you never see minty Factory Lugers scratched up in this area, and the sideplates are as tight as can be...
. ...nothing is bent on a Luger by design, all is square, straight, and parallel....These guys were pretty darn smart when they made these, and the basic funamentals didn't escape them... "Nothing is ever as it seems" One of the GT rules of life....number 2 I think???...
.... til....lat'r....GT