hold open spring replacement

k98mike · 03-10-2018, 09:24 PM

How do you remove the hold open to replace the hold open spring?

DonVoigt · 03-10-2018, 09:48 PM

Lift up at the rear and push/pull toward the rear, while depressing the front.

Sounds strange but it is not hard to do.

Diver6106 · 03-15-2018, 06:28 PM

Use caution in purchasing a replacement. I bought two off a gun parts dealer and one broke while putting it on. The second broke after just a couple of action tests. The steel was too brittle for the action. Fortunately, the dealer took them back and refunded my money. The spring needs to be of the right steel and tempered right for the motion.

lugerholsterrepair · 03-15-2018, 07:46 PM

Removing the hold open is one thing. Removing and replacing the flat spring is another. Once you have the hold open out you must push the old/weak/broken spring out right to left with a VERY small drift. I usually use a small finish nail I flattened the end on. Then take your new spring and line it up..see if it will start enough to hang on then either press it in with smooth faced pliers or set it on a steel block and gently tap tap..
If you can find an original you have confidence in it's going to be much better. Repro's I have never had much luck with.

Once you have installed the spring..getting it back into the pistol is a tad tricky..push the end of the flat spring into/onto the well ramp to start noticing that it must be depressed some to engage the hook into the round catch below while shoving forward. Just look at it closely before attempting insertion. It's pretty logical really. It helps to have the pistol stabilized so you can use both hands.

4 Scale · 03-15-2018, 11:27 PM

I think Tom Heller either has originals or useable replacements; the one I purchased from him has worked perfectly.

DonVoigt · 03-16-2018, 08:21 AM

If you get a "black" replacement spring, for get it- it is brittle as mentioned above; and too thick too boot. An original spring is quite thin and should be "in the white" or light blue.

Even at that maybe 50% will fit without modification, good luck; and as 4 scale says- buy a spring from Tom- Lugerdoc.

Lugerdoc · 03-16-2018, 11:37 AM

Don, The thicker HO springs that you mentioned are for use only in the SARCO repro HOs that have a wider cut for the spring. After trying a couple of their repro HOs, I returned the rest since they are cut too low at the rear, to work dependably. At the moment, the only complete HO assys that I'm selling are NOS Swiss M29s, which also work well in most standard PO8s with minor fitting. TH

03-10-2018, 09:24 PM	#1
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	hold open spring replacement How do you remove the hold open to replace the hold open spring?

03-10-2018, 09:48 PM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Lift up at the rear and push/pull toward the rear, while depressing the front. Sounds strange but it is not hard to do. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

03-15-2018, 07:46 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,928 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Removing the hold open is one thing. Removing and replacing the flat spring is another. Once you have the hold open out you must push the old/weak/broken spring out right to left with a VERY small drift. I usually use a small finish nail I flattened the end on. Then take your new spring and line it up..see if it will start enough to hang on then either press it in with smooth faced pliers or set it on a steel block and gently tap tap.. If you can find an original you have confidence in it's going to be much better. Repro's I have never had much luck with. Once you have installed the spring..getting it back into the pistol is a tad tricky..push the end of the flat spring into/onto the well ramp to start noticing that it must be depressed some to engage the hook into the round catch below while shoving forward. Just look at it closely before attempting insertion. It's pretty logical really. It helps to have the pistol stabilized so you can use both hands. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-16-2018, 08:21 AM	#6
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	If you get a "black" replacement spring, for get it- it is brittle as mentioned above; and too thick too boot. An original spring is quite thin and should be "in the white" or light blue. Even at that maybe 50% will fit without modification, good luck; and as 4 scale says- buy a spring from Tom- Lugerdoc. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

03-16-2018, 11:37 AM	#7
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	Don, The thicker HO springs that you mentioned are for use only in the SARCO repro HOs that have a wider cut for the spring. After trying a couple of their repro HOs, I returned the rest since they are cut too low at the rear, to work dependably. At the moment, the only complete HO assys that I'm selling are NOS Swiss M29s, which also work well in most standard PO8s with minor fitting. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

03-15-2018, 06:28 PM	#3
Diver6106 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mt. Vernon VA Posts: 244 Thanks: 1,424 Thanked 117 Times in 75 Posts	Use caution in purchasing a replacement. I bought two off a gun parts dealer and one broke while putting it on. The second broke after just a couple of action tests. The steel was too brittle for the action. Fortunately, the dealer took them back and refunded my money. The spring needs to be of the right steel and tempered right for the motion.

03-15-2018, 11:27 PM	#5
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	I think Tom Heller either has originals or useable replacements; the one I purchased from him has worked perfectly.