Loose sideplate

[RET]

What is the best method of tightening up a loose sideplate? I usually just ignore a sloppy fit, particularly if the pistol will not be shot, but I was wondering if there is an approved armorer's method other than fitting a new one.


Bob

[Hugh]

Ah don no abot no "armors aproved" methud, but what ah do is bend the takedown lever a litl to mak it fit titer.

[John Sabato]

I have a 1918/1920 in real good shape that some dickhead tried to pry the sideplate off of with a screwdriver-it is bent out just enough that it sometimes does not fire.

you can look at it and see where it is twisted a tiny bit-in respect to the front tab. Have not tried putting it in a vise and twisting it back-afraid it will break-any experience with this?

MikeP

[John Sabato]

Armed with that info we may be able to advise you on whether or not it is safe to bend it back.


-John

This is too slight to show up in a photo-looks like someone slid a screwdriver in the front of the sideplate at the top corner and pried out-just enough that it shows and affects function.


if you looked at the plate from the front you would see that at the top it slants out a couple of degrees-given that you were looking straight on and the tab was perpendicular.


wondering what it would take to straighten this-barrel is perfect and I shoot all my lugers including 1900 swiss.


thanks Mike P

[John Sabato]

of your sideplate. Their experience in repairs will be invaluable in judging just how much bending will be required and if application of heat may be necessary. They can also rust re-blue if repairs make that necessary.


Best of luck.


-John

[Hugh]

Ah wud b hapy to bend that sucker bak, tha judiush use uv a sledge hamer kin wurk wunders