First time P08 owner

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by HerrKaiser

I didn’t say they were “drop ins” just that my observations of shooter grade Lugers has been that most just have a mismatched side plate. Logic dictates that since they are most often the mismatched part, they must therefore be the most easily replaceable part.

Logic fails in this case, perhaps all it means is that people "lose" the side plate more often! JMHO.

Some times the side plate will "fit", but the take down lever won't move to its upper position; then if it does the trigger won't fire the weapon, and if it does, then maybe it does not re-set.

It can take an hour or more to fit a side plate and get it functioning; and some times after even longer it will still not function!
If it has been previously "fit", it may be too small in important dimensions to tighten up!

Better not to speculate and mislead someone into buying a "drop in" part that won't(I know you didn't say it would, but it is implied in your observation).