Russian Lock for Maxim 08 Conversion

[Hoss]

Hi Guy,s
After seeing a gent on the internet convert his 08/15 Maxim for a Russian lock. I decided to try it from another angle.
I didnt want to remachine any German lock parts ie: the extractor etc. Be able to just change locks, leaving German rails etc.
Measuring M1910 Russian internals and 08 German I found them identical. Just the body shape and extractor dia. were different.
1 So with both locks disassembled measured from the lock face to end of the sidelevers shank (made a gig for accurate meas.)
and shortened the M10 shank and ground square.
2 Mill and lathe work (4140 bar) made some slot screw threads.
3 2114 Araldite was applied and these were pressed in by hand and adjusted at the right angle and put in the gun to set overnight.
4 I then drilled the shank on a mill and glued and pressed in a stainless pin.

As I said before I didnt want to grind away at the original German extractor so I relieved the Russian sidelevers.
The 08 extractor slides straight on (same dia.)
The only other job I had was to lengthen the trigger bar with a spot of tig weld.
It may sound a lot of work but not really and these locks (so far) can be found for $30-40 unlike German locks! and parts!
These jems also come with some useful internal parts ( most are still packed in grease) like , strong firing springs & pins, gib springs
(usually weak on well used German locks) can all be used in the 08 lock.
I also made a useful jig to 'time' all my locks to my gun.
Regards
Eric

[Alan Smith]

Eric,

That is some really clever machine work you have done; very cool stuff. I too have an '08 and would like to have some spare locks, but the original German ones are just too much $$$ these days for extra parts that I really don't have to have.

I have had my '08's lock upgraded by Bob Naess who replaced the spring with one from one of the Russian locks like you are working with. Bob told me that he and a friend purchased 1000 of the Russian Maxim locks several years ago, for use as parts in repairing German locks. I was not aware, until your thread, that these Russian locks can be modified to work in the German guns.

Have you tried firing your '08 using the modified Russian lock? I would be interested in hearing about how it functioned.

While I don't have the tools or the skills, I really enjoy watching and learning about machine tool projects such as this so if you have more photos of your work please post them.

Alan

[Hoss]

Thanks Alan
For the interest.
08 Maxim parts are getting even tougher to find. This lock Iam going to work on I located in Australia with matching # firing pin!
Me little lock tool kit I made: Firing pin depth gauge, Lock punches and a Timing gig made from a piece of scrap plate.
Keeps me busy and away from the TV!

The Russian 'Mule' works fine and no dropped rounds!

Regards
Eric