How To Load the Magazine

[alterfritz]

Hi all,

I have a 1970s Luger, pretty new to me and I am getting used to it, so my question may sound rather ignorant, but here it comes anyway.

So far, when loading the magazine, I held it slightly "to the left", with the left hand pushing down the button. This way the cartridges naturally fell toward the rear end of the magazine. Sometimes I noticed that the mag would not fit into the grip. Today I looked at this closer for the first time and noticed that the rear end of the top cartridge protruded from the magazine and this is what kept it from fitting in smoothly. I tried to load the magazine now twisted to the right so that the cartridges all are aligned with the frontside of the magazine. This way it goes into the grip easily. Alas, I just returned from the range and wont go there again before next week so I have no way of trying if this also solves the occasional stovepipe malfunction I have, so I thought I ask here first for some theoretical help in that matter.

Also what I noticed recently, with Winchester ammonition though, that the toggle didnt stay open after the last round sometimes. Could this perhaps be a sign that the regular ammo is too weak for this particular gun? And that a slightly stronger load could help with the malfunction? I am currently learning how to reload and will get myself some equipment in the future because I understand from many other posts here, that is the ultimate way to go.

I am asking all these questions because I was shooting some full magazines at higher speed recently and had some malfunctions and got a "dude that gun is crap" comment from somebody. I don't believe it is the gun though. My opinion is, the German army wouldn't have kept it during two world wars if there really were so many problems, not to mention the police forces in so many countries.

Anyway, I would appreciate any input here. I have come so far as to look at the ammunition as the main culprit, that's why my long term goal is to start loading my own cartridges.