Wood magazine bottom falling out

Vlim · 09-26-2003, 02:47 PM

Hi,

Had quite a weird experience at the range. Just loaded the mag with 5 bullets, placed it back in the luger, picked the luger up, ready to hit the target (or at least something near it)

The mag bottom failed, dropped out, followed by the mag spring and five bullets...

Now I know how these poor dutch KNIL people felt using the first series spring-catch magazines

The good news was that I was using a later woodbottomed magazine with a replacement wood piece. Guess the replacements that Sarco sells are not really fit for duty... The wood bottom piece snapped right off at the pin area.

John Sabato · 09-26-2003, 03:28 PM

The replacement mag bottoms that Sarco sells frequently have the wood grain running the wrong way... this means that the stress of the mag spring is ALWAYS on the bottom and being held in only by the small piece that the pin runs through... if the grain is parallel to the bore it will eventually suffer a failure just like you show...

The wood grain should properly run perpendicular to the bore for strength.

Vlim · 09-28-2003, 06:08 AM

Oh well,

It did have the 'made in india' warning sticker

I don't use my original nickel mag for the same reason. The wood bottom on my shooting mag had a chip missing from one of the 'buttons', so I thought I'd replace it with a fresh one.

Needless to say the old bottom is in place again..
(and I still have a new mecgar as a spare)

Lugerdoc · 09-29-2003, 09:23 AM

For better replacement wood bottoms, I do stock GT's entire line (standard unmarked commerical, also available marked Germany or Cal.9mm, Naval concentric circle type and the Swiss metal insert style). TH

lugerholsterrepair · 09-29-2003, 07:40 PM

I have had G.T.'s Navy wood bottoms installed on three of my WW1 mags and they are the best. Made right and beautiful too. You really can't find any better than he makes. Grain is correct, G.T. knows what he is doing. I doubt if he is making all that many more of these so get em while you can...Jerry Burney

JR. · 09-29-2003, 08:47 PM

Thanks Jerry! For your most kind words! Alas, it is true, I haven't made as many for sale as in years past... just too many irons in the fire! Hopefully in the future, I'll be able to offer complete mags! Thanks again! I think your navy rig is top shelf! till....later.....GT

09-26-2003, 02:47 PM	#1
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	Wood magazine bottom falling out Hi, Had quite a weird experience at the range. Just loaded the mag with 5 bullets, placed it back in the luger, picked the luger up, ready to hit the target (or at least something near it) The mag bottom failed, dropped out, followed by the mag spring and five bullets... Now I know how these poor dutch KNIL people felt using the first series spring-catch magazines The good news was that I was using a later woodbottomed magazine with a replacement wood piece. Guess the replacements that Sarco sells are not really fit for duty... The wood bottom piece snapped right off at the pin area.

09-26-2003, 03:28 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	The replacement mag bottoms that Sarco sells frequently have the wood grain running the wrong way... this means that the stress of the mag spring is ALWAYS on the bottom and being held in only by the small piece that the pin runs through... if the grain is parallel to the bore it will eventually suffer a failure just like you show... The wood grain should properly run perpendicular to the bore for strength. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-29-2003, 09:23 AM	#4
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	For better replacement wood bottoms, I do stock GT's entire line (standard unmarked commerical, also available marked Germany or Cal.9mm, Naval concentric circle type and the Swiss metal insert style). TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

09-29-2003, 07:40 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	I have had G.T.'s Navy wood bottoms installed on three of my WW1 mags and they are the best. Made right and beautiful too. You really can't find any better than he makes. Grain is correct, G.T. knows what he is doing. I doubt if he is making all that many more of these so get em while you can...Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-28-2003, 06:08 AM	#3
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	Oh well, It did have the 'made in india' warning sticker I don't use my original nickel mag for the same reason. The wood bottom on my shooting mag had a chip missing from one of the 'buttons', so I thought I'd replace it with a fresh one. Needless to say the old bottom is in place again.. (and I still have a new mecgar as a spare)

09-29-2003, 08:47 PM	#6
JR. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Jerry! For your most kind words! Alas, it is true, I haven't made as many for sale as in years past... just too many irons in the fire! Hopefully in the future, I'll be able to offer complete mags! Thanks again! I think your navy rig is top shelf! till....later.....GT