Hammerli SP-20 .32 magazine problem

[EdStevens]

I use an old SP-20 in .32 for my centre fire, and it's started having an odd problem recently that I'm open to ideas for as to cause.

Often the magazine pops out of the gun on the last shot, not enough to drop out of the gun, but by about a quarter of an inch. It happens with both magazines. When I put the magazine into the gun and tug on it it is firmly engaged and shows no inclination to come free. Sometimes it's not on the last shot when this happens, which obviously results in a malfunction, and often the cartridge case doesn't eject properly when the magazine does this, either.

I've taken a brush and cleaned both the magazine and the magazine well, concentrating on the lever that holds the magazine in place, but to no avail. The magazine release/engagement lever is plastic, so could be worn, but like I say the magazine seems to be held firmly when inserted.

Has anybody experienced this? I am theorizing that maybe the release lever is letting it go under recoil, for some reason when the magazine is lightest, but I just don't know.

[David M]

Could be a weak magazine catch spring or worn/rounded catch ?