Couldn't chamber a P08 by toggle-release

[Bang]

Was shooting a Luger (9mm) the other day. Couldn't get the top round to manually feed. Figuring actual designed recoil might do it, I chambered a cartridge and released the bolt. As anticipated, it fed and fired perfectly. That toggle beat me. Don't recall having that problem when I was younger.

Got on a couple of Luger cites. It appears manually operating the toggle is too much for others as well.

And yes, it stayed open on the last round.

[Pilot321]

If I understand you correctly you could not manually chamber a round by racking the toggle mechanism with a loaded magazine in the pistol? I've never had that problem with my Luger. It may need a spring change, cleaning, lube, etc.

[cdi]

You need to pull and release in a fairly aggressive way with the luger toggle.
They also like ammo on the hotter side.

[abner13]

My first thought was it needs a fresh set of springs.

And perhaps a new mag. I just picked up a new Mec-Gar P08 mag for my BYF-41. Heard they are the way to go. Save the originals for the collectors.

[Gunsnwater]

Man's gun.

[Bang]

Zachary. Don't get old.

[SaraMaru60]

Mag springs. How tough is it to change them? I have two period correct for my 1939 but they just don't have the ass anymore to chamber the last 3 or 4 rounds. Aftermarkets cycle perfect. Would like to rebuild the originals.

[Bang]

The spring may not need replacing. I'd suggest try cleaning the interior of the mag first to eliminate drag caused by crud.You're going to want to clean it anyway prior to replacing the spring if you do.

To change the spring in the magazine, drive out the pin above the lugs at the bottom. You may have to carefully work with the bottom piece to get it out, and may have to gently pry the follower.

P08 forums speak of using MecGar repro mags for shooting. If wooden bottom is period correct, they are available as reproduced item. I replaced a MecGar bottom with a wooden one just for appearance.

[Gunsnwater]

Dad’s p08 byf was the first pistol I ever shot. Brother (4yrs older) and Dad were saying if you can cock it you can shoot it. Hard as I tried I could not get that toggle all the way up. Dad loaded it and let me shoot one round. Never so much joy produced by a clean miss as that most careful aimed shot from a real nazi Luger by a very young boy. Dreams of capturing enemy soldiers with their own guns followed that night and a deep fascination with all things gun the rest of my life.

[abner13]

Was at my club shooting my BYF-41 one day. A man who I recognized as the VP of our club was there with his young son shooting a .22 rifle, who I heard say, "Dad , he's shooting a Luger!". So I went over during a cease-fire and made some small talk , and then asked the kid if he would like to shoot it. The kid's eyes became huge , and he looked at his Dad and said, ''Can I?". I gave him a quick handling lesson with an empty gun , then loaded a mag with 5rds and let him shoot.