Do you guys mind another one of these "help" threads?

[JTD]

I would only disassemble it and give it a good cleaning. You will not do anything to improve it by buff/restore. It will just shine more. It is what it is. John

[historicus]

You are correct, that is the toggle. It isn't really stuck, it is being held in that position by an internal "hold-open" latch. The pistol is designed to stay in that position after you fire your last round and the magazine (clip) is empty. Simply remove the magazine and pull the toggle back about a mm or so. You should hear a faint "click". This is the sound of the hold-open disengaging the bolt. Then you can allow the toggle to settle back down on the pistol and reinsert the magazine.

Thanks Railsplitter.

Thats pretty much how it worked.

I'm going to invest some time this weekend looking for a manual to become comfortable with it.

I am really looking forward to taking this to the range!

[DavidJayUden]

Try youtube for some pretty good videos regarding firing, disassembly, care and feeding, etc.
Regarding restoration, that is a personal decision. You will probably end up with more in it than a restored gun is worth, but if it is something that you just want to do, well, I've certainly spend money more foolishly so I will not cast the first stone...
I have used the Lugerman with good results, and also Thor on this list does excellent work.
dju

[jamese]

You didn't list where you reside, I'm sure if one of us who lives close to you would be willing to show you how to disassemble, clean and re-assemble your family treasure

Jim

[Railsplitter]

I agree. I wouldn't be in a hurry to have it restored. Give it a good cleaning/oiling ... it will come up a notch or two and maintain its personality.

[historicus]

thank you one and all!

I live in Western Pennsylvania and am a member of a Gun club, so perhaps i will seek out help there too, but I do appreciate all of the advice.

I did see some of the videos on youtube, and they were very good, but the Holiday weekend will not afford me the time necessary to do much.

I seem almost happier knowing this is something I can enjoy shooting with friends and family as opposed to placing in a display case.

I'll spend some time tonight wiping it down with my gun oil until I can learn how to disassemble properly.

Have a good Holiday weekend everyone !

[Edward Tinker]

Well, I would be glad to take a look, but I am kinda out of the country

As everyone has said, this is a nice family heirloom, albeit a bit rougher And would only clean her with 0000 steel wool (lightly) and oil, then wipe it down. Be careful if you take the grips off, normally I say that because of damage to the grips is possible, but I say this because of the pictures.


Welcome to the forum!


Ed

[Pistol Whipped]

Before you decide to send any of your firearms to Eugene Golubstov (aka Lugerman) you would be best served by doing a search on past comments concerning his work and over all customer satisfaction. I sent him a Mauser C96 “Broomhandle” a few years ago for restoration work. To make a very long story short I had to threaten him with a lawsuit in order to get my gun back after over a year of unanswered emails and phone calls to him. And I’m not the only one who has had to go down this road with him; others have had the same problem too. It’s all here on the message board, just do a search under my name or Lugerman or Eugene Golubstov. Personally, I would never send him another gun no matter how nice a website he has.

[Lugerdoc]

The correct loading tool for your 1939 PO8 should be E/655 marked. I have these available @$75 + S&H. I also have repro ones marked with the E/63 available @$20 + $5 S&H. Tom