Loading / take down tool

[John1125]

Gentlemen ,

I was wondering about a loading tool . I do not need an original as I plan on using it to aid in loading mags.

Are there some repros that are good ? Or do any of you have one for sale or could perhaps point me in right direction ?


thanks for your help

[rhuff]

If you don't need an original, I purchased an inexpensive repo off of Ebay. It worked pretty good, but not perfect. I found that the back surface was not really flat(the side that fits against the mag body). I sanded the back surface on a flat surface covered with 320 grit sandpaper, and viola, it works perfect. YMMV

[lugerholsterrepair]

The most important feature is the very thin edge left in the hole. If it is not there..the tool cannot grasp the follower button and when the tool slips off it is not only irritating but worthless for the task of loading.

[Edward Tinker]

and years ago when I tried using a repro, the tip bent

so, it needs to be hardened

A in-between cheap and more expensive tool is an east german one, they have gone up in price, but still can be found for a decent amount

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

The most important feature is the very thin edge left in the hole. If it is not there..the tool cannot grasp the follower button and when the tool slips off it is not only irritating but worthless for the task of loading.

Moreover, if the little lip is too thick, or if it is beveled, it can bind between the follower button and the mag body when it's being pushed down.

My motley selection of mags includes some Imperial era originals, Haenels, MecGars, Swiss commercial post-war, Mausers, Ermas, SS flat-sided ones for the Texas guns, plus a handful of mutts.

It seems to me that each format requires a slightly different profile on back side to work with perfect smoothness. I'm presuming that it is because of small variations achieved by the different styles and manufacturers.

For example, the stainless flat-sided ones have no room behind their follower buttons to admit the lip of the tool. So for those, I ground out the lip entirely of a tool that worked crappy on the other mags.

I prefer the replica ones that are the WWI shape.

[Leather Neck]

Allow me to display my ignorance here. I've never loaded a Luger magazine before, but that should change soon. Are the tools necessary? I had assumed they were more of a convenience than a must have.

[John1125]

Originally Posted by Leather Neck

Allow me to display my ignorance here. I've never loaded a Luger magazine before, but that should change soon. Are the tools necessary? I had assumed they were more of a connivence than a must have.

Simply a tool that aids in the loading , my thumbs don't do well with those little follower buttons especially this time of year . I use mag loaders with all my guns .

One can load a luger mag all day without one if you're tough enough.

[4 Scale]

If your goal is only to load the magazine in the easiest and most efficient way, this $5 tool works perfectly:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/87...-22-long-rifle

And makes cleaning the upper section of the magazine easy.

My '38 Mauser shooter has a finicky hold-open that only works reliably with one magazine that has a stronger spring installed by G.T. Using just my thumb, it's painful to load rounds 5 through 8. This tool makes my range life much easier.

In general, Luger magazine springs seem noticiably stronger than those used in other pistols from that time. My guess is the springs are stronger because they need to be to insure reliable feeding, due to the steeper angle of the Luger grip vs. its contemporaries.

[Leather Neck]

Does anyone have thoughts on this one: http://www.keepshooting.com/luger-tool.html? It appears to have the lip inside the hole. But is it the right shape/thickness? I know you can only tell so much from the photos, but figured I'd ask. Thanks!

[John1125]

Originally Posted by 4 Scale

If your goal is only to load the magazine in the easiest and most efficient way, this $5 tool works perfectly:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/87...-22-long-rifle

And makes cleaning the upper section of the magazine easy.

My '38 Mauser shooter has a finicky hold-open that only works reliably with one magazine that has a stronger spring installed by G.T. Using just my thumb, it's painful to load rounds 5 through 8. This tool makes my range life much easier.

In general, Luger magazine springs seem noticiably stronger than those used in other pistols from that time. My guess is the springs are stronger because they need to be to insure reliable feeding, due to the steeper angle of the Luger grip vs. its contemporaries.

I use those for my 41 smith mags and they work wonderfully ! I guess I never thought of looking to see if they made one that fit a luger mag , I may give those a try , thank you sir.