"Slipping" safety lever

TooTech · 04-11-2008, 12:20 AM

I had a 1920 commercial Luger with a loose safety lever. I pulled the safety out to look it over, and when reinstalling it noticed that the position of the locking pin affected the tightness of the safety.

So before doing any bending, try tapping the pin up or down just a fraction within the frame. If the pin is worn but still tight in the frame, you might get lucky and find that the safety now bears against an unworn portion of the pin and the safety is now tighter. I might also suggest removing the pin that locks the safety into the frame and swapping it end-over-end and reinstalling it.

If this doesn't work, someone on this or Jan Still's forum suggested placing a small diameter drill bit (1/16" or smaller) on a hard surface, and then placing the back side of the safety lever (the portion that's against the frame when installed) on the bit and applying a bit of pressure to increase the bend in the exposed portion of the safety lever.

Rolling the safety back and forth slightly across the drill bit as you press down should help spread the area being bent.

You are looking for a VERY small increase in the amount of bend, do NOT be a gorilla and bend the safety across the drill bit so that both ends touch the hard surface. Press lightly and then try for fit. The amount of increase in the bend you're looking for is infinitesimal and will not be visible to the eye. If you lack patience send your gun to someone who does have it!

I like this method because it strikes me as being more controlled than using a hammer and vise.

Between moving the locking pin and a bit of judicious bending the safety lever is now tight on my commercial Luger.

04-11-2008, 12:20 AM	#4
TooTech User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 23 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I had a 1920 commercial Luger with a loose safety lever. I pulled the safety out to look it over, and when reinstalling it noticed that the position of the locking pin affected the tightness of the safety. So before doing any bending, try tapping the pin up or down just a fraction within the frame. If the pin is worn but still tight in the frame, you might get lucky and find that the safety now bears against an unworn portion of the pin and the safety is now tighter. I might also suggest removing the pin that locks the safety into the frame and swapping it end-over-end and reinstalling it. If this doesn't work, someone on this or Jan Still's forum suggested placing a small diameter drill bit (1/16" or smaller) on a hard surface, and then placing the back side of the safety lever (the portion that's against the frame when installed) on the bit and applying a bit of pressure to increase the bend in the exposed portion of the safety lever. Rolling the safety back and forth slightly across the drill bit as you press down should help spread the area being bent. You are looking for a VERY small increase in the amount of bend, do NOT be a gorilla and bend the safety across the drill bit so that both ends touch the hard surface. Press lightly and then try for fit. The amount of increase in the bend you're looking for is infinitesimal and will not be visible to the eye. If you lack patience send your gun to someone who does have it! I like this method because it strikes me as being more controlled than using a hammer and vise. Between moving the locking pin and a bit of judicious bending the safety lever is now tight on my commercial Luger.