9mm Mags for a .30?

pauly · 08-21-2015, 09:22 PM

Hi all,
Lurking for some time, new to Lugers.
I have a 1900 DMW Commercial in .30 cal. Can I use a 9mm mag to take a shot or two? My toggle does not lock back with the mag in it. Is this normal? Pics over the weekend.
Paul

lugerholsterrepair · 08-21-2015, 09:39 PM

Paul, Yes..there is no difference in magazines..9MM or .30 is one and the same. Because..the base of the cartridge is the same..a .30 is a 9MM necked down.
My toggle does not lock back with the mag in it. The mag must be EMPTY for the lock back to function.

DonVoigt · 08-21-2015, 09:49 PM

Not all magazines will lock the hold open on all luger pistols; if it has a hold open they should.

For various reasons they won't; could be weak spring in the magazine or dried grease causing the hold open to have a stiff movement or no movement.

lugerholsterrepair · 08-21-2015, 10:51 PM

Paul, Don's post reminded me of something..The 1900 Luger magazine slot for the follower button is slightly longer..this MAY have something to do with it..OR possibly your pistol isn't fitted with a hold open..Have you looked inside to see if one has been installed?

DavidJayUden · 08-21-2015, 11:19 PM

Did the 1900's even come with the hold open?
dju

mrerick · 08-21-2015, 11:27 PM

Yes they did. This one a Swiss M1900:

lugerholsterrepair · 08-21-2015, 11:27 PM

David, Not that I know of..maybe one could have been added but I doubt it.

Eric, That was probably not the normal pistol though? I just don't know. Never owned on although I wish I did!

Ron Wood · 08-22-2015, 12:45 AM

All 1900 Lugers came with a hold open. It didn't go away until the 1908 Army contract.

DavidJayUden · 08-22-2015, 12:54 AM

Ron;
So why did it go away and then come back? A cost savings mistake?
dju

Ron Wood · 08-22-2015, 02:02 AM

Yep, exactly.

pauly · 08-22-2015, 08:18 AM

Thanks for the help. According to Ron it sounds like mine should have the hold open. I'll have a look today.

Sergio Natali · 08-22-2015, 08:36 AM

Paul

First off welcome aboard of this Luger devotee Forum. I think you'll find this Forum quite different from many other forums, among other things surely it's a lot more informative.

All the Swiss Lugers had the hold open, and there is no difference in magazines between 9mm and .30 Luger.

Rgds

Sergio

pauly · 08-22-2015, 09:00 AM

Sergio,

Thanks for the welcome.
Mine is a DMW Commercial Luger. Serial number in the 4 thousand range.

DavidJayUden · 08-22-2015, 09:26 AM

Sometimes it is easiest to remove the upper, and watch the HO as you press an empty magazine up into place, and if the HO does not raise, why not?
dju

Ron Wood · 08-22-2015, 11:00 AM

Paul,
May I also add my welcome to the forum. A Commercial in the 4 thousand range is a nice early gun. You do not indicate where you live in your profile, but in the US standard commercials are a bit scarce as most of the 1900s encountered are American Eagle marked. A few photos of your gun for us to enjoy would be most appreciated.
Ron

lugerholsterrepair · 08-22-2015, 11:44 AM

You learn something everyday if your not careful!

Sergio Natali · 08-22-2015, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauly

Sergio,

Thanks for the welcome.
Mine is a DMW Commercial Luger. Serial number in the 4 thousand range.

A DWM Commercial having the # in the 4 thousand range! It must be quite a nice Luger, is not an AE is it? Otherwise I assume you would have said it, could you try to post some close pictures of your gun?

Rgds

Sergio

pauly · 08-22-2015, 06:53 PM

I'll try and get some pics tonight or tomorrow AM. I am challenged when it comes to posting photos, I'll give it a try. I have a pic hosting thingy just need to find my password,
Ron, I'm in Wisconsin.
There are no AE markings that I can see. It is in nice shape, not perfect but not bad either. I want to put one or two rounds down the pipe and then leave it be.

DonVoigt · 08-22-2015, 07:40 PM

Pauly,
welcome from NC , too.

You do not have to have a working hold open to fire your Luger.

If the holdopen piece is in there, you can check the movement as suggested above.
I had one that the holding "part" was chipped off, and even though it raised, it would not hold open. This is a possiblitiy. But you can see that by removing the upper.

Enjoy your nice early Commercial. If it were an AE, it would have a nice large American Eagle seal type symbol right on top of the chamber.

pauly · 08-22-2015, 07:58 PM

There is no AE symbol on the pistol.

08-21-2015, 09:22 PM	#1
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 269 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	9mm Mags for a .30? Hi all, Lurking for some time, new to Lugers. I have a 1900 DMW Commercial in .30 cal. Can I use a 9mm mag to take a shot or two? My toggle does not lock back with the mag in it. Is this normal? Pics over the weekend. Paul

08-21-2015, 09:39 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Paul, Yes..there is no difference in magazines..9MM or .30 is one and the same. Because..the base of the cartridge is the same..a .30 is a 9MM necked down. My toggle does not lock back with the mag in it. The mag must be EMPTY for the lock back to function. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-21-2015, 10:51 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Paul, Don's post reminded me of something..The 1900 Luger magazine slot for the follower button is slightly longer..this MAY have something to do with it..OR possibly your pistol isn't fitted with a hold open..Have you looked inside to see if one has been installed? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-21-2015, 11:27 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Yes they did. This one a Swiss M1900: Attached Thumbnails __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-21-2015, 11:27 PM	#7
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	David, Not that I know of..maybe one could have been added but I doubt it. Eric, That was probably not the normal pistol though? I just don't know. Never owned on although I wish I did! __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-21-2015, 09:49 PM	#3
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,442 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Not all magazines will lock the hold open on all luger pistols; if it has a hold open they should. For various reasons they won't; could be weak spring in the magazine or dried grease causing the hold open to have a stiff movement or no movement.

08-21-2015, 11:19 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Did the 1900's even come with the hold open? dju

08-22-2015, 12:45 AM	#8
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	All 1900 Lugers came with a hold open. It didn't go away until the 1908 Army contract. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-22-2015, 12:54 AM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Ron; So why did it go away and then come back? A cost savings mistake? dju

08-22-2015, 02:02 AM	#10
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Yep, exactly. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-22-2015, 08:18 AM	#11
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 269 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	Thanks for the help. According to Ron it sounds like mine should have the hold open. I'll have a look today.

08-22-2015, 08:36 AM	#12
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Paul First off welcome aboard of this Luger devotee Forum. I think you'll find this Forum quite different from many other forums, among other things surely it's a lot more informative. All the Swiss Lugers had the hold open, and there is no difference in magazines between 9mm and .30 Luger. Rgds Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

08-22-2015, 09:00 AM	#13
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 269 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	Sergio, Thanks for the welcome. Mine is a DMW Commercial Luger. Serial number in the 4 thousand range.

08-22-2015, 09:26 AM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Sometimes it is easiest to remove the upper, and watch the HO as you press an empty magazine up into place, and if the HO does not raise, why not? dju

08-22-2015, 11:00 AM	#15
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Paul, May I also add my welcome to the forum. A Commercial in the 4 thousand range is a nice early gun. You do not indicate where you live in your profile, but in the US standard commercials are a bit scarce as most of the 1900s encountered are American Eagle marked. A few photos of your gun for us to enjoy would be most appreciated. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-22-2015, 11:44 AM	#16
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	You learn something everyday if your not careful! __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-22-2015, 06:53 PM	#18
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 269 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	I'll try and get some pics tonight or tomorrow AM. I am challenged when it comes to posting photos, I'll give it a try. I have a pic hosting thingy just need to find my password, Ron, I'm in Wisconsin. There are no AE markings that I can see. It is in nice shape, not perfect but not bad either. I want to put one or two rounds down the pipe and then leave it be.

08-22-2015, 07:40 PM	#19
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,442 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Pauly, welcome from NC , too. You do not have to have a working hold open to fire your Luger. If the holdopen piece is in there, you can check the movement as suggested above. I had one that the holding "part" was chipped off, and even though it raised, it would not hold open. This is a possiblitiy. But you can see that by removing the upper. Enjoy your nice early Commercial. If it were an AE, it would have a nice large American Eagle seal type symbol right on top of the chamber.

08-22-2015, 07:58 PM	#20
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 269 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	There is no AE symbol on the pistol.