Magazine Fit

05-09-2001, 08:29 AM

I just brought two after-market magazines from Marstar. Both hung up BADLY and wouldn't release. Fortunately, they were empty, I had to take the grips off and force them out with a screw driver. My original mag works just fine. Needless to say, I now have a full appreciation for the importance of quality Luger magazines. Can any one recommend repo mags by brand (and what to avoid)? Also, what is the going price for orginal surplus mags and, as a practical matter, can you find them?

Dok · 05-09-2001, 09:44 AM

Tom Heller would be the guy to speak to on mags, and I believe he has both original and after market. Everone seems to rave about Mec-Gar magazines as being the most reliable after market mag out there... (if you can find any) They cost around $30. They're so good that the company is seriously backlogged. But give Tom a shout he should be able to help you (He's in the Links & Resources)

Frank · 05-09-2001, 10:48 AM

Hi Roger, Original magazines will range from about $50 to $200 range, or more depending on the rarity. If you go for an original, I would look for one marked 122 or fxo. They both have what is known as zig-zag springs and are the better of the designs. They should run you $75 to $125 depending on the condition. Good Luck.

05-09-2001, 02:37 PM

Frank, thanks. Guess I'm back to saving my pennies or hoping Mar-Gar steps up production. The original I have has a zig-zag spring. Probably explains why that one works so well.

Frank · 05-09-2001, 05:48 PM

Yep, it does. Mar Gars are suppose to be pretty good. I have never used one. If you can get one marked with a 2/1001 on the side, they may be a little less expensive and were suppose to be made by the same equipment as the fxo by the East Germans.

Hugh · 05-09-2001, 07:13 PM

Roger, Meg Gar & original mags can be found on ebay, Auction Arms, & Gunbroker. The nickel plated Swiss mags with the brown plastic bottoms are excellent also, and can usually be gotten a little cheaper than the FXO style.

Matt · 05-09-2001, 09:53 PM

I have an aftermarket mag from Sarco. It is easy to load and feeds okay but only holds seven rounds and doesn't always lock the toggle open on the last shot.

05-10-2001, 08:19 AM

All luger mags are susposed to hold only 7 rounds if they are in spec. When you see the PO8 rated as an 8 round pistol, they are counting the round in the chamber. The 3K mags that Sarco and others are selling do have a lighter spring than the Mec-Gars or most originals, thus making them a bit easier to load, but can result in hold open problems, as you mentioned. Many owners of the post WW2 Mauser produced Parabellums, tell me that they find that the 3K work best in these pistols. I do have several M29 Swiss and original FXO mags available in the $75 price range, and a couple of EG made or renumbered Nazi mags as low as $50.

Matt · 05-10-2001, 09:17 PM

Is it not correct to load them with 8 rounds?

05-11-2001, 09:02 AM

If your luger mags hold 8 rounds, the spring are probably weak. I general only load them with 5 rounds for testing purposes.

Frank · 05-11-2001, 11:10 AM

Five rounds for testing is just great!!

05-09-2001, 08:29 AM	#1
Roger Seymour Guest Posts: n/a	Magazine Fit I just brought two after-market magazines from Marstar. Both hung up BADLY and wouldn't release. Fortunately, they were empty, I had to take the grips off and force them out with a screw driver. My original mag works just fine. Needless to say, I now have a full appreciation for the importance of quality Luger magazines. Can any one recommend repo mags by brand (and what to avoid)? Also, what is the going price for orginal surplus mags and, as a practical matter, can you find them?

05-09-2001, 09:44 AM	#2
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Magazine Fit Tom Heller would be the guy to speak to on mags, and I believe he has both original and after market. Everone seems to rave about Mec-Gar magazines as being the most reliable after market mag out there... (if you can find any) They cost around $30. They're so good that the company is seriously backlogged. But give Tom a shout he should be able to help you (He's in the Links & Resources)

05-09-2001, 10:48 AM	#3
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Re: Magazine Fit Hi Roger, Original magazines will range from about $50 to $200 range, or more depending on the rarity. If you go for an original, I would look for one marked 122 or fxo. They both have what is known as zig-zag springs and are the better of the designs. They should run you $75 to $125 depending on the condition. Good Luck.

05-09-2001, 02:37 PM	#4
Roger Seymour Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Magazine Fit Frank, thanks. Guess I'm back to saving my pennies or hoping Mar-Gar steps up production. The original I have has a zig-zag spring. Probably explains why that one works so well.

05-09-2001, 05:48 PM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Re: Magazine Fit Yep, it does. Mar Gars are suppose to be pretty good. I have never used one. If you can get one marked with a 2/1001 on the side, they may be a little less expensive and were suppose to be made by the same equipment as the fxo by the East Germans.

05-09-2001, 07:13 PM	#6
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Magazine Fit Roger, Meg Gar & original mags can be found on ebay, Auction Arms, & Gunbroker. The nickel plated Swiss mags with the brown plastic bottoms are excellent also, and can usually be gotten a little cheaper than the FXO style.

05-09-2001, 09:53 PM	#7
Matt User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 196 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Magazine Fit I have an aftermarket mag from Sarco. It is easy to load and feeds okay but only holds seven rounds and doesn't always lock the toggle open on the last shot.

05-10-2001, 08:19 AM	#8
tom h Guest Posts: n/a	Re: PO8 Magazines All luger mags are susposed to hold only 7 rounds if they are in spec. When you see the PO8 rated as an 8 round pistol, they are counting the round in the chamber. The 3K mags that Sarco and others are selling do have a lighter spring than the Mec-Gars or most originals, thus making them a bit easier to load, but can result in hold open problems, as you mentioned. Many owners of the post WW2 Mauser produced Parabellums, tell me that they find that the 3K work best in these pistols. I do have several M29 Swiss and original FXO mags available in the $75 price range, and a couple of EG made or renumbered Nazi mags as low as $50.

05-10-2001, 09:17 PM	#9
Matt User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 196 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tom, my original mags hold 8 rounds Is it not correct to load them with 8 rounds?

05-11-2001, 09:02 AM	#10
tom h Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tom, my original mags hold 8 rounds If your luger mags hold 8 rounds, the spring are probably weak. I general only load them with 5 rounds for testing purposes.

05-11-2001, 11:10 AM	#11
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Yep, Me too !!!! Five rounds for testing is just great!!