Luger toggle problem

PREDATARRRR · 06-17-2017, 03:22 PM

How's it going everyone? I bought my first P08 a little over a year ago and it was actually my first gun. It's a 1916 DWM and I believe it's a German military model based on the proof markings. It has all matching serial numbers except for the magazine, and aside from some trigger lever issues that I managed to fix, it still fires great. My only problem with it is the toggle won't lock back after firing the last round in the magazine. I can manually lock it back with an empty magazine in, but it's only ever locked back once on its own after the last shot. I've fired 115 grain rounds in it as well as 124 grain rounds. Could this be because it doesn't have the original magazine? If so, any suggestions on how I can fix it? If not, any idea as to what the problem might be? Thanks in advance.

ithacaartist · 06-17-2017, 03:48 PM

Check to see that the holdopen is moving freely within its well. A little accumulated crud can slow things down.

A weak mag spring is a common culprit. If the recoil spring is stronger than necessary, it could prevent the action from moving back enough for the breed block to be caught and held.

sheepherder · 06-17-2017, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PREDATARRRR

Could this be because it doesn't have the original magazine?

If the magazine button is dragging on the inside of the grip it could be.

PREDATARRRR · 06-17-2017, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

Check to see that the holdopen is moving freely within its well. A little accumulated crud can slow things down.

A weak mag spring is a common culprit. If the recoil spring is stronger than necessary, it could prevent the action from moving back enough for the breed block to be caught and held.

Good advice, any way I can test the recoil spring integrity? The mag spring seems fine given the blister on my thumb after I load it a few times (I should probably get the tool for it)

PREDATARRRR · 06-17-2017, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

If the magazine button is dragging on the inside of the grip it could be.

That could be it, I did buy some fancy grips for it. Maybe I'll try using the original grips and see if there's a difference.

Zorba · 06-17-2017, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PREDATARRRR

That could be it, I did buy some fancy grips for it. Maybe I'll try using the original grips and see if there's a difference.

An excellent idea, Luger grips *can* be problematic, and try a different magazine after that. My advice is also to change the recoil spring then troubleshoot the problem. Springs are cheap - I always replace the "usual suspects" when I acquire a used gun, just like I put new hoses, belts, and water pump on a used car. You don't know their condition, nor when they were last changed.

mccaslyn · 06-19-2017, 11:10 AM

I had a similar problem, mine ended up being the bolt hold open spring. got the part from numrich and so far have about 250 flawless rounds after. I would check to see that the bolt hold open moves freely.

Major Tom · 06-19-2017, 11:45 AM

With my first P08 I replaced the old worn grips with new replacement ones and immediately had problems. No amount on relieving the grip insides solved the problems. So, I put the old grips back on and it now performs like it should.

PREDATARRRR · 06-19-2017, 11:11 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice! So far I've put the original grips back on and cleaned the holdopen. When I get paid next I'll purchase a new recoil spring. It'll be a while before I go shooting again, but I'll let you all know the results!

06-17-2017, 03:22 PM	#1
PREDATARRRR New User Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Luger toggle problem How's it going everyone? I bought my first P08 a little over a year ago and it was actually my first gun. It's a 1916 DWM and I believe it's a German military model based on the proof markings. It has all matching serial numbers except for the magazine, and aside from some trigger lever issues that I managed to fix, it still fires great. My only problem with it is the toggle won't lock back after firing the last round in the magazine. I can manually lock it back with an empty magazine in, but it's only ever locked back once on its own after the last shot. I've fired 115 grain rounds in it as well as 124 grain rounds. Could this be because it doesn't have the original magazine? If so, any suggestions on how I can fix it? If not, any idea as to what the problem might be? Thanks in advance.

06-17-2017, 03:48 PM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,347 Thanks: 7,285 Thanked 2,579 Times in 1,366 Posts	Check to see that the holdopen is moving freely within its well. A little accumulated crud can slow things down. A weak mag spring is a common culprit. If the recoil spring is stronger than necessary, it could prevent the action from moving back enough for the breed block to be caught and held. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

06-19-2017, 11:45 AM	#8
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	With my first P08 I replaced the old worn grips with new replacement ones and immediately had problems. No amount on relieving the grip insides solved the problems. So, I put the old grips back on and it now performs like it should. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

06-19-2017, 11:10 AM	#7
mccaslyn User Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 85 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	I had a similar problem, mine ended up being the bolt hold open spring. got the part from numrich and so far have about 250 flawless rounds after. I would check to see that the bolt hold open moves freely.

06-19-2017, 11:11 PM	#9
PREDATARRRR New User Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks everyone for the advice! So far I've put the original grips back on and cleaned the holdopen. When I get paid next I'll purchase a new recoil spring. It'll be a while before I go shooting again, but I'll let you all know the results!