Very VERY tight Take Down Lever (Locking Bolt)

Quiet1 · 04-11-2015, 01:55 PM

As noted in a previous thread I just acquired a code 42 1940 Luger.

I've only field stripped it twice. I carefully followed disassembly, re-assembly instructions so I know that I have an issue with this gun, not my technique.

The issue I have is the locking bolt is REALLY, REALLY REALLY tight. Both to open and to close. I've had to resort to a hard plastic makeshift tool to "crowbar" it open and closed. From watching YouTube videos I know that is not normal.

What I've discovered after several hours of working with it, is that the lever itself toggles fine without any binding when the gun is disassembled. It also works fine if I just reinstall the barrel / toggle assembly without the sideplate. I can open and close it perfectly.

However, when the sideplate is in place it's an entirely different matter. It's EXTREMELY tight and impossible to move either up or down without using my plastic "tool" and a great deal of force for leverage.

I've carefully inspected the side plate. It looks fine. No bends or sharp edges and it slips into place and removes easily. It looks like it fits perfectly when it's in place. But, the dang takedown lever won't budge past halfway without very strong pressure on my "crowbar".

I know there's great depth and breadth of knowledge here in this forum. I'm hoping someone may have a guess or theory as to what causes this problem and, more importantly, how to fix it.

.

04-11-2015, 01:55 PM	#1
Quiet1 User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 14 Thanks: 10 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Very VERY tight Take Down Lever (Locking Bolt) As noted in a previous thread I just acquired a code 42 1940 Luger. I've only field stripped it twice. I carefully followed disassembly, re-assembly instructions so I know that I have an issue with this gun, not my technique. The issue I have is the locking bolt is REALLY, REALLY REALLY tight. Both to open and to close. I've had to resort to a hard plastic makeshift tool to "crowbar" it open and closed. From watching YouTube videos I know that is not normal. What I've discovered after several hours of working with it, is that the lever itself toggles fine without any binding when the gun is disassembled. It also works fine if I just reinstall the barrel / toggle assembly without the sideplate. I can open and close it perfectly. However, when the sideplate is in place it's an entirely different matter. It's EXTREMELY tight and impossible to move either up or down without using my plastic "tool" and a great deal of force for leverage. I've carefully inspected the side plate. It looks fine. No bends or sharp edges and it slips into place and removes easily. It looks like it fits perfectly when it's in place. But, the dang takedown lever won't budge past halfway without very strong pressure on my "crowbar". I know there's great depth and breadth of knowledge here in this forum. I'm hoping someone may have a guess or theory as to what causes this problem and, more importantly, how to fix it. .