Safety Lever Pin

Base · 09-03-2002, 01:11 PM

Hello to All:

New to the forum and just recently a first time Luger owner. Now in pocession of a 4 inch Luger marked 1917. Four digit serial number.

Disassembly to clean revealed the safety lever pin to be broken and I am wondering if this is common. I have ordered replacements from Sarco (new) and from MarStar (orginal) but neither have arrived yet.

Have received a replacement magazine from Mitchel (wood bottom) and am disappointed with it. It will "unlock" when mag release pushed but it will not drop any length. Fails to hold the toggle back as well. Does anyone have experience in how to "tweak" it so that it will hold open the toggle? Wooden base looks "cheesey" when compaired to orginal. Are there better quality replacements out there? Are they 8 round capacity? What is the best source for orginal mags?

Not set up to reload for 9 MM yet - what would be a recomendation for factory loads that are on the mild side?

Any response appreciated. Thank You.

Base

Edward Tinker · 09-03-2002, 02:31 PM

Hello DJ, welcome to the forum,

Any Luger is nice to have, that is for sure, is yours a DWM or Erfurt or not marked?

I have found that cetain magazines work better in certain Lugers, so I can't say whether the Mitchel one is no good or just has a slight problem with your gun. On one of mine, I put new replacement grips on it and had to adjust them, they were preventing the magazine from locking and or unlocking. The wood kept pushing against the magazine and release. I wouldn't mess with your grips, just pointing out that you never know what the problem is unless you think of all options. I would try another magazine in it, the one that came with it, had no problems?

I have reloading equipment, but 9mm from major manufacturers is fairly inexpensive, Winchester, Remington, and others are good prices os I don't reload for 9mm again. 100 Winchester at Wal-mart for 11 bucks, not bad.

Ed

Roadkill · 09-03-2002, 02:37 PM

Afternoon and welcome, I'll try to handle a few items, Luger magazine wells are tighter than most others, they don't "drop" when released,plus the angle is steeper. You have to remove them by hand. There is a toggle hold open, yours is probably worn. Check on the technical data sheet on the resources section and it will provide a part and name. Two recommended magazines are Mecgar and KKK, they are available if you post a request in the "want to buy/items for sale" section. An often recommended ammo is the Winchester 115g from Walmart at $11.00 per 100 rounds. A favorite handload for 9mm is 124g lead roundnose and FMJ at various loads according to specified data in manuals. Mild side loads generally don't work in Lugers unless mainspring is replaced with weaker spring. Happy shooting.

RK

Alain · 10-03-2002, 01:43 PM

If you are looking for nice mags, good safety lever pins and excellent parts and service in general; I suggest you get in touch with Lugerdoc (Tom Heller) who will expertly help you.
I have found treasures and warm service with him
as have many members of this forum.

Rgds,

Alain

merc · 10-03-2002, 07:03 PM

I have a similiar problem with the hold open.
After playing around with it for awhile I found that the magazine is touching the side of the lever that holds the toggle open.
When you pull back the slide, the bolt presses down the hold open lever and the magazine prevents it from popping back up in front of the bolt to hold it open.
Maybe that is the same problem.
merc

Lugerdoc · 10-04-2002, 07:57 AM

I believe that Mitchell Arms is selling Triple K's stainless wood bottomed mag. I had problems with the last batch of these that I received from 3K and returned them. The Mec-Gar mags seem to be the least thick of any of the new repros available, and have the best chance of easy release from your pistol, if all else is in Spec. I sell these new MG mags @$25 each postpaid. Tom H.

Luke · 10-06-2002, 06:17 AM

Having bought several of the Mec-Gar magazines, I can strongly recommend them. The Triple-K types appear to be poorly made and don't work as well for me.

The price of $25 from Lugerdoc (Tom Heller) for Mec-Gar is about as good as you will find, and he is a very reliable source for other Luger parts.

Enjoy your Luger.

Luke

Karl · 10-14-2002, 09:23 PM

Base,

Welcome aboard. You have received good advise, although I respectfully disagree with Roadkill that Luger mags don't drop: if a mag doesn't drop then there is something wrong with the mag or the Luger. Regarding mags: good, functional, original WWI era mags are expensive, perhaps $100 - $150 (look on e-bay). For shooting, I recommend Mec Gar nickled mags with an original wood plug added. Tom Heller has the wood plugs at a reasonable price and you will have a new, perfectly functioning magazine that looks original in the gun. Regarding the holdopen: this is among the most common problems with the Luger (and John S. we need to do an FAQ on this). The source of the problem could be the magazine, the ammunition or the holdopen itself, in that order. First, completely disassemble and clean the gun, manually operate the hold open with your finger and make sure it's not sticking. Second, with the grips off, and using a good magazine, check out the magazine and make sure that the loading button isn't rubbing against the frame or the right grip (when installed). Third, try out your ammo, load one round in a magazine at a time. The Walmart Winchester ammo mention by Roadkill works very well with a standard (original) recoil spring. Good luck. KFS

09-03-2002, 01:11 PM	#1
Base User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Safety Lever Pin Hello to All: New to the forum and just recently a first time Luger owner. Now in pocession of a 4 inch Luger marked 1917. Four digit serial number. Disassembly to clean revealed the safety lever pin to be broken and I am wondering if this is common. I have ordered replacements from Sarco (new) and from MarStar (orginal) but neither have arrived yet. Have received a replacement magazine from Mitchel (wood bottom) and am disappointed with it. It will "unlock" when mag release pushed but it will not drop any length. Fails to hold the toggle back as well. Does anyone have experience in how to "tweak" it so that it will hold open the toggle? Wooden base looks "cheesey" when compaired to orginal. Are there better quality replacements out there? Are they 8 round capacity? What is the best source for orginal mags? Not set up to reload for 9 MM yet - what would be a recomendation for factory loads that are on the mild side? Any response appreciated. Thank You. Base

09-03-2002, 02:31 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Hello DJ, welcome to the forum, Any Luger is nice to have, that is for sure, is yours a DWM or Erfurt or not marked? I have found that cetain magazines work better in certain Lugers, so I can't say whether the Mitchel one is no good or just has a slight problem with your gun. On one of mine, I put new replacement grips on it and had to adjust them, they were preventing the magazine from locking and or unlocking. The wood kept pushing against the magazine and release. I wouldn't mess with your grips, just pointing out that you never know what the problem is unless you think of all options. I would try another magazine in it, the one that came with it, had no problems? I have reloading equipment, but 9mm from major manufacturers is fairly inexpensive, Winchester, Remington, and others are good prices os I don't reload for 9mm again. 100 Winchester at Wal-mart for 11 bucks, not bad. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

10-03-2002, 07:03 PM	#5
merc User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NH Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a similiar problem with the hold open. After playing around with it for awhile I found that the magazine is touching the side of the lever that holds the toggle open. When you pull back the slide, the bolt presses down the hold open lever and the magazine prevents it from popping back up in front of the bolt to hold it open. Maybe that is the same problem. merc __________________ Merc Living without liberty is not living

10-04-2002, 07:57 AM	#6
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I believe that Mitchell Arms is selling Triple K's stainless wood bottomed mag. I had problems with the last batch of these that I received from 3K and returned them. The Mec-Gar mags seem to be the least thick of any of the new repros available, and have the best chance of easy release from your pistol, if all else is in Spec. I sell these new MG mags @$25 each postpaid. Tom H. __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

10-06-2002, 06:17 AM	#7
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Having bought several of the Mec-Gar magazines, I can strongly recommend them. The Triple-K types appear to be poorly made and don't work as well for me. The price of $25 from Lugerdoc (Tom Heller) for Mec-Gar is about as good as you will find, and he is a very reliable source for other Luger parts. Enjoy your Luger. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

09-03-2002, 02:37 PM	#3
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Afternoon and welcome, I'll try to handle a few items, Luger magazine wells are tighter than most others, they don't "drop" when released,plus the angle is steeper. You have to remove them by hand. There is a toggle hold open, yours is probably worn. Check on the technical data sheet on the resources section and it will provide a part and name. Two recommended magazines are Mecgar and KKK, they are available if you post a request in the "want to buy/items for sale" section. An often recommended ammo is the Winchester 115g from Walmart at $11.00 per 100 rounds. A favorite handload for 9mm is 124g lead roundnose and FMJ at various loads according to specified data in manuals. Mild side loads generally don't work in Lugers unless mainspring is replaced with weaker spring. Happy shooting. RK

10-03-2002, 01:43 PM	#4
Alain Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: france Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you are looking for nice mags, good safety lever pins and excellent parts and service in general; I suggest you get in touch with Lugerdoc (Tom Heller) who will expertly help you. I have found treasures and warm service with him as have many members of this forum. Rgds, Alain

10-14-2002, 09:23 PM	#8
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 515 Thanks: 0 Thanked 252 Times in 112 Posts	Base, Welcome aboard. You have received good advise, although I respectfully disagree with Roadkill that Luger mags don't drop: if a mag doesn't drop then there is something wrong with the mag or the Luger. Regarding mags: good, functional, original WWI era mags are expensive, perhaps $100 - $150 (look on e-bay). For shooting, I recommend Mec Gar nickled mags with an original wood plug added. Tom Heller has the wood plugs at a reasonable price and you will have a new, perfectly functioning magazine that looks original in the gun. Regarding the holdopen: this is among the most common problems with the Luger (and John S. we need to do an FAQ on this). The source of the problem could be the magazine, the ammunition or the holdopen itself, in that order. First, completely disassemble and clean the gun, manually operate the hold open with your finger and make sure it's not sticking. Second, with the grips off, and using a good magazine, check out the magazine and make sure that the loading button isn't rubbing against the frame or the right grip (when installed). Third, try out your ammo, load one round in a magazine at a time. The Walmart Winchester ammo mention by Roadkill works very well with a standard (original) recoil spring. Good luck. KFS