Wooden Bottom Mag problem..

03-16-2002, 09:33 PM

Hi All,

Does anyone know if there's an easy way to remove the wodden bottom of a WWI P08 magazine. It's cracked and I was wondering if I could disasemble it for repair (little drop of wood glue perhaps)!! Any help (advise) would be greatly appreciated since I'm a little afraid to screw up and make it worst (and the very worst...making it unserviceable!!)

Thanks a lot in advance

Marc

Marvin · 03-17-2002, 05:16 AM

Marc,

No problem working on the magazine bottom, Ijust finished working on one yesterday.

First you need to get a punch that is just a little smaller than the pin in the lower rear end of the magazine. The pin is approx. .100 diameter. Get a good support under the magazine and leave an area clear for the pin to come out of the magazine. Tap the pin gently and it should come out without any problem. Be careful and don't let it go "flying" away or you will never find it. Once the pin is out, pull the mag bottom out of the tube, Look at how the spring and plug are in the wood bottom so you can re-install the same way.

Now, repair he mag bottom and re-assemble in reverse order. Be carefull then tapping the pin back into the magazine, and don't let it go into the bottom at an angle; keep it going straight in. When the pin is almost in, turn it over and see if the pin is going into the hole in the mag body and if so, tap in so the pin is flush on both sides.

All German magazines except the late war "fxo" have the single pin in the rear bottom of the magazine. The "fxo" mags have them in the center of the mag bottom. It is best to leave these alone.

Marvin

03-17-2002, 08:51 AM

I agree with Marvin that the most critical step in mag bottom repair is getting the retaining pin back in correctly. You'll see a lot of repaired mags, where this has not been done. Unless your mag bottom is matching to your PO8, and depending where the crack is, it may not be worth repairing. If the crack, extends thru the pin hole area, I'd forget about it. Otherwise, lightly sand the cracked area on both pieces and apply a drop of super glue to both. Line up so that the outside surfaces are flush and clamp for at least an hour or better yet overnight. If you do screw it up, GT makes some outstanding unnumbered wood bottoms and might even install it in your tube at a reasonable price. Tom h

Luke · 03-17-2002, 03:02 PM

Have not attempted repair of a magazine bottom, but I have successfully repaired a left grip with the following method:

First use a cotton Q-Tip and clean the broken surfaces with acetone. Allow to dry and repeat. Allow to dry overnight. (ONLY APPLY ACETONE, A HIGHLY VOLATILE LIQUID, OUTDOORS IN GOOD WEATHER.) Then apply a VERY thin coat of 2-part epoxy and hold under pressure until the epoxy sets.

If done carefully the crack will not be visible except under a strong magnifier.

03-16-2002, 09:33 PM	#1
Ponpon Guest Posts: n/a	Wooden Bottom Mag problem.. Hi All, Does anyone know if there's an easy way to remove the wodden bottom of a WWI P08 magazine. It's cracked and I was wondering if I could disasemble it for repair (little drop of wood glue perhaps)!! Any help (advise) would be greatly appreciated since I'm a little afraid to screw up and make it worst (and the very worst...making it unserviceable!!) Thanks a lot in advance Marc

03-17-2002, 05:16 AM	#2
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Wooden Bottom Mag problem.. Marc, No problem working on the magazine bottom, Ijust finished working on one yesterday. First you need to get a punch that is just a little smaller than the pin in the lower rear end of the magazine. The pin is approx. .100 diameter. Get a good support under the magazine and leave an area clear for the pin to come out of the magazine. Tap the pin gently and it should come out without any problem. Be careful and don't let it go "flying" away or you will never find it. Once the pin is out, pull the mag bottom out of the tube, Look at how the spring and plug are in the wood bottom so you can re-install the same way. Now, repair he mag bottom and re-assemble in reverse order. Be carefull then tapping the pin back into the magazine, and don't let it go into the bottom at an angle; keep it going straight in. When the pin is almost in, turn it over and see if the pin is going into the hole in the mag body and if so, tap in so the pin is flush on both sides. All German magazines except the late war "fxo" have the single pin in the rear bottom of the magazine. The "fxo" mags have them in the center of the mag bottom. It is best to leave these alone. Marvin

03-17-2002, 08:51 AM	#3
tom h Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Wooden Bottom Mag problem.. I agree with Marvin that the most critical step in mag bottom repair is getting the retaining pin back in correctly. You'll see a lot of repaired mags, where this has not been done. Unless your mag bottom is matching to your PO8, and depending where the crack is, it may not be worth repairing. If the crack, extends thru the pin hole area, I'd forget about it. Otherwise, lightly sand the cracked area on both pieces and apply a drop of super glue to both. Line up so that the outside surfaces are flush and clamp for at least an hour or better yet overnight. If you do screw it up, GT makes some outstanding unnumbered wood bottoms and might even install it in your tube at a reasonable price. Tom h

03-17-2002, 03:02 PM	#4
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Wooden Bottom Mag problem.. Have not attempted repair of a magazine bottom, but I have successfully repaired a left grip with the following method: First use a cotton Q-Tip and clean the broken surfaces with acetone. Allow to dry and repeat. Allow to dry overnight. (ONLY APPLY ACETONE, A HIGHLY VOLATILE LIQUID, OUTDOORS IN GOOD WEATHER.) Then apply a VERY thin coat of 2-part epoxy and hold under pressure until the epoxy sets. If done carefully the crack will not be visible except under a strong magnifier.