Magazine bottom cracked

[G.T.]

Hi Christian, You unfortunately discovered one of the more challenging aspects of Luger mag repair... How could something that looks so easy, be so darn hard to do correctly!!?? Well, first off, I have certainly and permanently ruined my share of Luger parts, and it brings up the old adage, "If you want to make an omelet, you're going to have to break a few eggs!!" Meaning, that you don't acquire the skill or knowledge, without some cost, to you or to others!.. I have made the following observations that might help some others thru the repair journey, just before they ruin their prized magazine...

1) Even though the mags are originally numbered to the gun, it was certainly realized that they would be damaged, lost, switched and replaced in practical use... So, they were somewhat expendable...... with this in mind, you can be critical of the way they were mass produced... no different then tin cans and /or other containers. They were made fast and cheap, out of non-strategic materials. And with this philosophy, comes our problems with repair, they were really not intended to be repaired, or even disassembled for that matter.....

2) the bottoms were put into the tube in final assembly and the whole item was drilled through, (this is proven by the internal drill flashing inside, sometimes, external drill flashing far outside), and then pinned in one operation... because of loose placement in the fixtures, and drill bit wander, they might all start in the same hole on one side, but, the hole in the mag bottom will never line up with the hole on the far side, if switched from one tube to another!!!.. unless you're really, really lucky! So the common result is a bigger hole then when you started, and sometimes even worse, broken bottom or cracked shell.....

3) along with the proper tools, you have to have some type of self taught technique, and as a result, I don't mess up too often anymore...

ridearmstr, you can come and stay, or go as you wish, no one wished upon you a bumpy start.. There won't be looking in any mirrors over an internet comment or thread, it's just not that important... But if you stay, it would be far more advisable to treat members of long standing with a bit of respect... as most of these people are now good friends over time and interaction.. As for me, I will certainly answer your questions if they are clear and concise, and do not poke at ones eyes with sarcasm... If I have to guess at what you want to accomplish, It will take a bit longer to come up with an answer that suits you... At any rate, best to you and good luck with your mag repair... til...lat'r....GT