Worn strap lugs on M2

[roadchuck]

I've just received my first M2. Functions look good (supposedly it was just CLA'd), but the lugs are worn to the point I'm a little wary to hook up a strap. I've Googled but haven't been able to find anything about replacing these guys. Has anybody here had any experience doing this or having it done? Thanks much for any leads...

 

[John Elder]

Sherry Krauter replaced and or secured loose lugs on my M4 during a full cla. Great job by the way. I have no idea what she would charge for just the lugs. However she can and does do it. Call her late at night or e-mail her.

 

[Tom A]

You can replace them with the stainless steel lugs, which wear much better. It is not as easy as it sounds though. The bodycover needs to come off and the old lugs removed. The hole for them needs to be enlarged (from 3 to 4 mm if my memory is correct) and the replacement lugs has to have a corresponding large "rivet" surface. A special tool is used to crimp the flared end of the mount.
If you are using the M2 with a lightweight lens, you will probably be OK for a while - and/or you can stick a piece of brass tubing through the eyelet and cut it to size and then "flare" the edges so that it stays in place - at least until you are willing to give up the M2 for a full replacement of the lugs. Any good Hobby store will have the tubing and a you can use a metal "punch" with a tapered point to flare out the edges. Dont hammer on it - use a pair of pliers or even a leather punch with one of the "pins" filed to shape.

 

[peterm1]

Lug replacement is a pretty common job with older Leica Ms that have seen a bit of use. Its apparently not hard for a service person to do. its not somehting that I hear about every day, that is but certianly I hear about this being done often enough that its far from a rarity.

 

[januaryman]

Loose lugs is my problem, but they seem safe. Worn lugs, I'd be very careful.

 

[xayraa33]

I have a smooth sweet beater M2 with worn lugs.
my low cost solution was to always use it with the bottom half of the Leitz ever ready case and strap.

 

[Papercut]

While it's in for a CLA I'm having Youxin Ye replace the lugs (loose lug syndrome) on my M4, but he says he doesn't do that and has to send it to DAG. Price is reasonable enough, but the fact that Youxin doesn't do it himself says something about it...

 

[roadchuck]

Thanks to all for your input. I guess I was hoping to hear somebody say that they just screw out, you get some new ones, apply a little loctite and you're good. No such luck. Thanks, Tom, for the detail of the operation. Since I don't have the special tools, I won't be performing this operation myself. The insert idea is pretty good- I can find something to use as a flaring tool and put this to use for now. By the way, I recently bought a couple of your softies and really like 'em. I've mounted the red one on this M2. The case/strap idea sounds like a good option too. I'm fairly new here, but think this is one of the best forums around because of the passion and knowledge of the members. It's become one of my daily stops. Thanks again for the help!

 

[roadchuck]

One more thing - to John Elder, I've become a Sherry Krauter fan since I sent her an inquiry a while back about an M5 I have. This was on a Saturday night and I didn't expect any reply for a while, but she answered within a half-hour. I'm pretty impressed with the folks in the Leica community. Y'all have a good weekend...