Trommelmagazine remarks

[Vlim]

Hi,

Finally got a chance to check certain aspects of the TM with an LP08 and stock.

The drum magazine itself was a partially restored barn find of the non-functional kind, but I managed to get some stuff tested anyway.

Some observations:
-You can't attach the stock with the TM in the pistol. The magazine gets in the way.
-With and without stock, the TM throws the whole set off balance, as the drum is placed off centre.
-With stock and TM in place, I found it difficult to get a good shooting stance and a decent aim, as the TM got in the way of my left (supporting) elbow. Lying down with it, is a bit of a challenge as well.

Although it is a cute piece of kit, this makes my wonder whether it is actually as functional as thought? I know some of use have shot with the TM, I wonder what their thoughts on the subject are?

All in all, an LP08 with normal magazines is a pretty functional piece of kit, the stock comes on and off quite quickly, balance and handling is perfect, only the 8-round capacity lets it down, but this is greatly compensated by carrying lots of magazines.

[Vlim]

The Trommel Magazine Revisited

After obtaining a functional Bing type 2 trommel magazine and a loader, I got to work testing the kit in practice (after getting special permission to exceed the standard '5 rounds in the mag' rule at the range).

First test was to load the TM08 to full capacity, which worked perfectly. The increase in weight was quite considerable.

The next test was to run a TM08 with 32 rounds through my target practice luger, a VoPo refurbished S/42. This was mainly just to test if the combo would cycle before trying it in a 1917 LP08.

To my amazement the shortbarreled P08 in combination with the 32-round TM08 worked as a dream. The drum acts as a counter balance, levelling the whole system perfectly. It created the tightest groups I had shot in years (standing, 2-handed) at 25 meters.

I already knew that the LP08 / TM08 combination is a nice package, after testing the drum with a couple of rounds and a stocked LP08, but I was amazed to find that the normal P08 and the TM08 also work perfectly (even better) in combination.

All I can say is that I was very pleasantly surprised by the outcome of this little experiment!

[Edward Tinker]

Interesting reading Vlim, thanks!



Ed

[FNorm]

Vlim,

Thanks for sharing! Come on over to my range. I'll let you shoot mine, if.....


FN

[suum cuique]

I just saw a 1917 Trommelmagazin for sale at

www.egun.de

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=2359329

for 1799.- EURO (buy it now option)
Normal bidding starting price about 1600 0r 1650 EURO

1799 EURO = approx. 2550 US$

There is another one:

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=2374204

[Vlim]

There are a lot of fakes coming out of Poland at the moment, so caveat emptor.

Apart from that, Egun is surely a nice and interesting site, if your German language skills are good enough.

[suum cuique]

Vlim,
it is my understanding, that a lot people in the Netherlands understand/speak some German. Am I rgiht?
Andy

[Vlim]

Correct, many do. The German language is closely related to the Dutch language, that also helps.

[Vlim]

A small update on the TM08.

One of the stories I wanted to investigate is that the design of the 9x19 bullet in the German Imperial army was altered because it didn't feed well in the TM08. So far, my little experiments showed that the TM08 (Bing version) had no problems feeding either bullet type whatsoever. I'm still looking for a large enough batch of trapezoid rounds to conduct another experiment though.

In the mean time I decided to test a configuration that 'never was':
TM08 + .30 Luger + Swiss 06/29 pistol.

The result: Works like a dream. No failures to feed or extract, toggle open on last round fired, the works. The only issue I found was that the loaded magazine could not be inserted with a closed toggle, as the first bullet rode too high in the magazine, something that was simply rectified by opening the toggle first.

But basically: If a TM08 feeds .30 luger brass without problems in a pistol that wasn't designed or expected to use it, I sincerly doubt that any change in ammunition type can be traced back to the design of the TM08.

[Douglas Jr.]

Vlim,

Nice reading. Thanks for sharing your impressions on the TM at the range.

Douglas

[lugerholsterrepair]

Vlim, The only issue I found was that the loaded magazine could not be inserted with a closed toggle, as the first bullet rode too high in the magazine, something that was simply rectified by opening the toggle first.

I have found this to be true with my trommels loaded with 9mm.

Nice research..Something I have been wanting to do myself.

Jerry Burney

[George Anderson]

I have never been able to insert a loaded TM08 into an artillery with a closed breech block. I have also found that the rounds in a loaded TM08 tend to drop out of the throat if roughly handled so I always use a "dust cover" to hold the rounds securely in the magazine.

[lugerholsterrepair]

George, I had not given that much thought.....I always use a "dust cover" to hold the rounds securely in the magazine. But it stands to reason that this is another use for the dust cover besides protecting the feed lips .
If the winding lever is locked in place the rounds may shake loose and if it is released.. the rounds are under some pressure. Either way the dust cover is a good idea.
Never too late for an old dog to learn a new trick! Thanks!

Jerry Burney

[Vlim]

The winding lever should indeed be unlocked again after loading and it should assure that the rounds stay where they are. But the dust cover is indeed a good protection against rounds popping out when carrying loaded drums. Good thinking!