Toggle Question

Bob Kovacs · 12-27-2001, 03:56 PM

Hey Guys..happy holidays

I noticed that the Toggle on my 1916 Erfurt Luger

has a slight wobble as it sits in the frame.

How muck "play" from side to side should there

really be? I guess if it were too tight it

would not operate correctly. Do all Lugers have

some degree of play at the toggle in the closed position?

Thanks...Bob

Dan Clemons · 12-27-2001, 05:10 PM

I have a little movement back and forth side to side. However the toggle is held down tight by the spring.

Happy New Year to all!

Dan Clemons

John D. · 12-28-2001, 08:20 PM

I think you'll find that Lugers will have a bit of side-to-side "play", regardless if they are cocked or not. If it is in battery and cocked, the tension is on the mainspring within the firing pin housing (part of the toggle), rather then the recoil spring - so side movement is NOT limited by that recoil mainspring. Also, side to side of the toggle will not effect accuracy specificially ((as cannon movement in the frame would), but not as much as folks think - as the sighting plane is on the cannon, rather then the frame being responsibe for the sight plane.).

Anyway - side to side "looseness" in the toggle can be attributed to several things on a Luger including wear of the "runners", the Axel pin is worn, etc. In any event - side to side movement should be fine if nothing is mechanically broken....

HTH!

Marvin · 12-29-2001, 08:01 AM

John,

I agree that the side play is normal in most Lugers and is required for proper functioning in a combat weapon. What I do when shooting is to use a light coating of a high pressure grease on the sliding surfaces. This keeps any metal to metal contact and allows good funtioning of the toggle assembly. I use Castrol wheel bearing grease for the sliding surfaces and a light coating with a Q-Tip swab on these surfaces will give you a good coating and protect the pistol from wear. A high pressure grease will not be "squeezed" out. After shooting, clean this grease off and put on a good quality, rust preventative oil or light grease coating like RIG. In addtion, RIG makes a good coating for the toggle assembly when shooting a few magazines. For extended shooting, I recommend the high pressure grease.

Marvin

12-27-2001, 03:56 PM	#1
Bob Kovacs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Toggle Question Hey Guys..happy holidays I noticed that the Toggle on my 1916 Erfurt Luger has a slight wobble as it sits in the frame. How muck "play" from side to side should there really be? I guess if it were too tight it would not operate correctly. Do all Lugers have some degree of play at the toggle in the closed position? Thanks...Bob

12-27-2001, 05:10 PM	#2
Dan Clemons User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 184 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Toggle Question I have a little movement back and forth side to side. However the toggle is held down tight by the spring. Happy New Year to all! Dan Clemons

12-28-2001, 08:20 PM	#3
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 477 Thanked 515 Times in 128 Posts	Re: Toggle Question I think you'll find that Lugers will have a bit of side-to-side "play", regardless if they are cocked or not. If it is in battery and cocked, the tension is on the mainspring within the firing pin housing (part of the toggle), rather then the recoil spring - so side movement is NOT limited by that recoil mainspring. Also, side to side of the toggle will not effect accuracy specificially ((as cannon movement in the frame would), but not as much as folks think - as the sighting plane is on the cannon, rather then the frame being responsibe for the sight plane.). Anyway - side to side "looseness" in the toggle can be attributed to several things on a Luger including wear of the "runners", the Axel pin is worn, etc. In any event - side to side movement should be fine if nothing is mechanically broken.... HTH!

12-29-2001, 08:01 AM	#4
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Toggle Question John, I agree that the side play is normal in most Lugers and is required for proper functioning in a combat weapon. What I do when shooting is to use a light coating of a high pressure grease on the sliding surfaces. This keeps any metal to metal contact and allows good funtioning of the toggle assembly. I use Castrol wheel bearing grease for the sliding surfaces and a light coating with a Q-Tip swab on these surfaces will give you a good coating and protect the pistol from wear. A high pressure grease will not be "squeezed" out. After shooting, clean this grease off and put on a good quality, rust preventative oil or light grease coating like RIG. In addtion, RIG makes a good coating for the toggle assembly when shooting a few magazines. For extended shooting, I recommend the high pressure grease. Marvin