Repro tool FAILURE

Edward Tinker · 11-14-2003, 10:16 PM

So, the day when I went to gently take the grips off of my new luger, I opened my desk drawer and grabbed one of the loading tools I own, I had bought a couple of the cheap repro ones when I first started collecting seriously several years ago, and now I just collect real ones. But this is an example of WHY you should try to get real ones ONLY. I stuck the screwdriver into the grip screw and took off the left grip, the right grip was tight and the tool bent like a poor cheapo tool like it is!

If I hadn't been careful, it could have slipped and really screwed up my grip!!

Ed

Dwight Gruber · 11-15-2003, 01:32 AM

Ed,

Truly a cautionary tale. I would recommend, to you or anybody, that you do not use a loading tool as a screwdriver--there's too much chance of buggering up the grip screws. I've taken a wide-bladed screwdriver and filed the blade so that it fits snugly, and won't slide out of the slot.

I do carry a loading tool with me at all times, and haave used the screwdriver function "in the field"--at gun shows and the like--but I'm very careful, and never entirely happy about it.

--Dwight

Edward Tinker · 11-15-2003, 01:54 AM

This one was nice and tight in the grip screw, so I thought I was okay, but the fake, non-hardened metal was too weak. Won't do that again...

policeluger · 11-15-2003, 08:48 AM

Ed, I always keep a solid brass screw driver for such work, costs a few bucks but well worth it.

saxman · 12-19-2003, 07:12 PM

By all means, use your gunsmith screwdrivers. If you don't have a set, get them, along with some good punches - brass and steel. You won't be sorry. And, you can always say 'Santa brought them!'

11-14-2003, 10:16 PM	#1
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,992 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	Repro tool FAILURE So, the day when I went to gently take the grips off of my new luger, I opened my desk drawer and grabbed one of the loading tools I own, I had bought a couple of the cheap repro ones when I first started collecting seriously several years ago, and now I just collect real ones. But this is an example of WHY you should try to get real ones ONLY. I stuck the screwdriver into the grip screw and took off the left grip, the right grip was tight and the tool bent like a poor cheapo tool like it is! If I hadn't been careful, it could have slipped and really screwed up my grip!! 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

11-15-2003, 01:54 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,992 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	This one was nice and tight in the grip screw, so I thought I was okay, but the fake, non-hardened metal was too weak. Won't do that again... __________________ 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

12-19-2003, 07:12 PM	#5
saxman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 301 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	By all means, use your gunsmith screwdrivers. If you don't have a set, get them, along with some good punches - brass and steel. You won't be sorry. And, you can always say 'Santa brought them!' __________________ You can lead 'em to the water, but you can't make 'em drink.

11-15-2003, 01:32 AM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Ed, Truly a cautionary tale. I would recommend, to you or anybody, that you do not use a loading tool as a screwdriver--there's too much chance of buggering up the grip screws. I've taken a wide-bladed screwdriver and filed the blade so that it fits snugly, and won't slide out of the slot. I do carry a loading tool with me at all times, and haave used the screwdriver function "in the field"--at gun shows and the like--but I'm very careful, and never entirely happy about it. --Dwight

11-15-2003, 08:48 AM	#4
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Ed, I always keep a solid brass screw driver for such work, costs a few bucks but well worth it.