P08 Shooter Recoil ejects magazine

Hugo Borchardt · 04-17-2009, 11:28 AM

Hi. I have a 1936 VOPO rework P08 great shooter with a 6" barrel on it. I can insert a magazine and it clicks securely and you cannot pull it out without pressing the mag release button.

However, when I fire the gun, the recoil causes the magazine to drop to the ground. (A new round is not chambered.) I am not shooting with my hand on the magazine release, and of course the issue is easily avoided by shooting with my left hand under the bottom of the magazine.

I have tried different magazines.

Does this mean the magazine spring needs to be replaced? Any advice is much appreciated.

Clark in Nashville TN

alanint · 04-17-2009, 01:27 PM

That or you have a severely worn of damaged mag catch, which allows the magazine to override it under recoil.

John Sabato · 04-17-2009, 02:14 PM

Removing the magazine catch for a closeup exam is pretty easy. Just CAREFULLY remove the left grip (caution not to break out the area around the safetly lever) and slide the mag catch spring out of its groove and the catch will then be free to remove it. You should be able to tell if the retention boss is worn down allowing the magazine to drop out under recoil.

Also check the retention notch in the magazine for excessive wear.

calibrator · 04-17-2009, 09:35 PM

Clark, I have been putting those replacement grips made in India on my shooters. After a little carving, filing, sanding and a #000 steel wool buffing they look quite good for a $15 investment. At first I didn't pay attention to the fit around the mag release spring and had a problem with mag retention, just a slight bit of interference was enough to release the mag when firing. The mag seemed to latch, but not when fired. Filing more clearance above the spring cured the problem. Best Regards Joe

Ron Wood · 04-17-2009, 10:42 PM

If you do remove the magazine catch spring, rotate it out at the top where it fits into the groove in the frame not out of the groove in the catch.

Hugo Borchardt · 04-18-2009, 04:10 AM

Joe, John, Alan and Ron:

Thanks a lot for reading, and for your recommendations! I'll examine the catch/spring over the weekend. It does have replacement grips on it, so I will examine those as well. Between these candidates for the culprit I should be able to figure it out.

Thanks again!

Clark

Hugo Borchardt · 04-18-2009, 06:46 PM

Update: Turns out it was indeed the grips. They were not fitted correctly. A small adjustment and all is well. Thanks again for your assistance!!!

Clark in Nashville

04-17-2009, 11:28 AM	#1
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 372 Thanks: 340 Thanked 143 Times in 48 Posts	P08 Shooter Recoil ejects magazine Hi. I have a 1936 VOPO rework P08 great shooter with a 6" barrel on it. I can insert a magazine and it clicks securely and you cannot pull it out without pressing the mag release button. However, when I fire the gun, the recoil causes the magazine to drop to the ground. (A new round is not chambered.) I am not shooting with my hand on the magazine release, and of course the issue is easily avoided by shooting with my left hand under the bottom of the magazine. I have tried different magazines. Does this mean the magazine spring needs to be replaced? Any advice is much appreciated. Clark in Nashville TN

04-17-2009, 02:14 PM	#3
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	Removing the magazine catch for a closeup exam is pretty easy. Just CAREFULLY remove the left grip (caution not to break out the area around the safetly lever) and slide the mag catch spring out of its groove and the catch will then be free to remove it. You should be able to tell if the retention boss is worn down allowing the magazine to drop out under recoil. Also check the retention notch in the magazine for excessive wear. __________________ 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..."*

04-17-2009, 10:42 PM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	If you do remove the magazine catch spring, rotate it out at the top where it fits into the groove in the frame not out of the groove in the catch. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-17-2009, 01:27 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	That or you have a severely worn of damaged mag catch, which allows the magazine to override it under recoil.

04-17-2009, 09:35 PM	#4
calibrator User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cave Creek Posts: 315 Thanks: 55 Thanked 244 Times in 93 Posts	Clark, I have been putting those replacement grips made in India on my shooters. After a little carving, filing, sanding and a #000 steel wool buffing they look quite good for a $15 investment. At first I didn't pay attention to the fit around the mag release spring and had a problem with mag retention, just a slight bit of interference was enough to release the mag when firing. The mag seemed to latch, but not when fired. Filing more clearance above the spring cured the problem. Best Regards Joe

04-18-2009, 04:10 AM	#6
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 372 Thanks: 340 Thanked 143 Times in 48 Posts	Joe, John, Alan and Ron: Thanks a lot for reading, and for your recommendations! I'll examine the catch/spring over the weekend. It does have replacement grips on it, so I will examine those as well. Between these candidates for the culprit I should be able to figure it out. Thanks again! Clark

04-18-2009, 06:46 PM	#7
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 372 Thanks: 340 Thanked 143 Times in 48 Posts	Update: Turns out it was indeed the grips. They were not fitted correctly. A small adjustment and all is well. Thanks again for your assistance!!! Clark in Nashville