1911 or Luger?

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Eightball

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Ahoy all. As of this week, my local gun shop might be getting in a "shooter"-grade Luger. I told them to let me know if they ever would, and this *might* be "the thing." The thing is, I want a 1911 (as all true red-blooded Americans tend to), but I also want a shooter-grade Luger, because I think they're awesome. My 21st birthday's coming up, and the rough guess they had at the price of the Luger would be about the same I would sink into the 1911, so it looks like it might be an "either/or" type scenario, and I cannot decide! It would be my first 9mm or .45, as well as my 21st bday gift to self. I'm in college, so ammo cost is some consideration, but I also reload, so it wouldn't be too hard to adapt to whatever "new" round I would purchase.

And as for the purpose of either--I've always wanted one of both. Would realistically be used as an awesome range toy, and *possibly* looked into carrying either (yeah, I know, the concept of carrying a Luger sounds weird, but it's not like it'd be a definite carry piece, I'm planning on purchasing carry-specific items as well).

Help me decide! And, alternatively, anyone have an idea of what, precisely, to look for on the Luger to see if it is in good/usable condition? Thanks!
 
A Luger is a toy. Shooting reliability is unpredictable with current ammo. Nothing to count on for carry. The one I had - at age 17, my first centerfire - would shoot the Canadian surplus then available just fine. When that dried up, I never found anything else that would work at the time. So I sold it to a collector.

My first 1911, bought at age 21, I still have.
 
Buy a shooter grade Luger while you can prices are only going to increase and they haven't been made in over a half century. You can ALWAYS buy a 1911 later after all they still make those.
 
Buy a shooter grade Luger while you can prices are only going to increase and they haven't been made in over a half century. You can ALWAYS buy a 1911 later after all they still make those.
Click to expand...


Agree 100%
 
For a shooter my tendancy is to say go with the 1911, and I think that would be the correct thing to do "if" you are wanting a good reliable shooter.

Your fairly young yet however and what I see in the future is a long period of time where the 1911's will be available. I don't see that for the Luger, so therefore, if you want one, maybe now is the time ? Not an easy choice - but yours to make. Of course the particular Luger you will be looking at will also make a difference in the choice - don't go blind because you want one badly. Check it over, make sure it will serve your needs. I agree with Jim , it is not a gun I would depend on for carry, or serious work. It is a fun toy more than a workhorse. (my opinion)

edit : wow - two more for the Luger first before I finished typing - maybe something to consider ?
 
1. I have had two P08s and both functioned flawlessly. I realize that's a very small sample but many folks say "all Lugers are unreliable." No, they are not all unreliable.

2. I wouldn't recommend a Luger for carry. There are much better choices and if this gun HAS to be used for carry get something else.

3. Look around the gun shops. How many 1911s do you see? Now count the Lugers. Point made?

I would try to buy the Luger and start saving to buy a more practical pistol.
 
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There are points in favor of the Luger if you want a showpiece. If that is the case, don't settle for a "shooter." That is the code word for a worn, mismatched, reblued, etc. wreck that a collector won't pay for. Save up and get at least a reasonably nice one.

If you just insist on a "shooter" Luger, be sure that you get to SHOOT it before you pay.
 
Get the Luger as they are not made anymore and 1911's are everywhere. If you can snag a decent Luger, even a shooter grade, get it. I have a VOPO rework I got in the mid 90's, and its a great shooter which has been 100% reliable with standard WWB, UMC and my reloads. They are also very accurate due to the fixed barrels.
 
Distinguish between a "shooter" Luger (which might be a good buy) or a junker Luger, which should be "good-bye."

Basic good condition with some wear and maybe a couple of mismatched parts makes a shooter.

Rusted, pitted, badly worn or buffed the heck out of and reblued with cold blue, plus mismatched parts equals junk. The price for the junker would have to be no more than that of any usable parts.

Jim
 
Jim--thanks for the reality check. That being said, I've seen a few rustbuckets here and there, and am damn picky when it comes to firearms I intend to purchase for myself.

The status of the thing as the guy first called me was that it was a variety of SNs on parts, but didn't give me an idea as to the wear on the thing. I might stop by there before going in to work today, then post later on tonight after I get a good look at the thing.
 
I'd really try to get the store to let you shoot it first before you buy it, or insist on a good return policy in writing in case it doesn't function reliably. I too went on a quest for a shooter Luger several years ago, and found that most of the shooters were unreliable, and the ones with matching serial numbers and in good condition were collector items that I couldn't afford -- and wouldn't want to shoot anyway.

I now have 3 shooter Lugers, and they're indeed toys that work on good days, with the right mags, etc. I'd never depend on them for self defense.

However, having said all that, I'd go with the consensus on the forum, the supply of Lugers is limited, and prices will only go up. Good luck.
 
Your title for this thread mystifies me. As others have said, the Luger is an interesting range gun, and can be very accurate, despite its lousy sights. But it is basically a novelty, albeit an engineering marvel that could not be made today for a reasonable cost. The 1911 is a gun that most everyone either owns or wants. Trying to find a "shooter Luger" is a crap shoot. I own only one, which I bought from the guy who runs www.lugerforum.com . Cost was less than $1000, but not by much. From what I can gather it was used by the police force in Berlin after WWII. All the serial-numbered parts match except for the right hand grip panel and the magazine. Finish is original (not much left, but at least it's not a reblue). Mine seems to thrive on WWB ammo, but the ejected cases are distorted to the extent they are rendered unusable. I love it for the nostalgia factor, having lived through WWII as a youngster. If you truly want a Luger, I would suggest you sign up on the forum referenced above (it's free), and explore the extensive info available there. Don't jump into the vast world of Lugers too fast, unless you have a chance to actually shoot the gun you're interested in.
 
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i would get the 1911.

plain and simple, it is a far superior design.

p38 - bratwurst
1911 - one inch T-bone

kidding.

but seriously, 1911 is the most successful auto handgun ever created by god or man.
 
It's an Erfurt Luger, and it is, as the counter-dude told me, a distinctive "parts gun" Luger. It has a decent finish on some parts, while others are completely worn, etc. There's no serial on top of the chamber, that might help people decide? It's priced at about $850-900, and the guy said that he would most likely work with me on the price of it. I think he said it was ......either WWI or inter-war, and still had the cut in the grip for the shoulder stock. Dunno if that helps you guys out or not.

Does that help you guys decide what your advice is to help me decide?
 
I'm glad I don't have to choose. :D

100_1081Medium.jpg

I would like a pair that I felt comfortable actually shooting though.

FlyinBryan said:
i would get the 1911.

plain and simple, it is a far superior design.

p38 - bratwurst
1911 - one inch T-bone
Click to expand...

The P38 is a Walther, not a Luger.
 
Funny, I never considered my Luger a novelty or a toy. It is a fine range gun and I have found it very useful as a training gun for new shooters. As for concealed carry, I don't know of many holsters that are made for that purpose.

Of course, there are no night sights for the Luger, no rail attachments, but you can add a shoulder stock!
 
I can understand your fascination with the Luger. I have one that I purchased fifty years ago. Mine has been reliable and it is very accurate. Of course, it is not an ideal carry piece because of the thickness of the receiver and the length of the grip. It is however a delightfully overengineered marvel, second only to the C-96. Go for it.
 
I vote for the .45 now, and the Luger as soon thereafter as possible. Satisfy your shooting NEEDS first. THEN go after the fun stuff.

JIM WATSON, did you ever figure out what was different about the Canadian surplus that made it work so well? Was it hotter than usual? I've heard that SMG ammo will batter most "normal" 9x19mm service pistols, but the luger, with its considerable strength seems to digest it just fine.
 
To call a Luger a novelty or toy is a bit misleading. Its a war proven combat pistol. They were carried as self defense pistols during and after both World Wars and are very reliable if maintained in a decent manner. They're old. If you get a decent one it will run fine, but if its a part gun it might take some tweaking as the machining tolerances are tight. Go to the Luger Forum and read up.
 
Normally I'd say the Luger, but your description turns me off. The Ehrfurt was made for WW1 and probably saw use between the wars as well as WW2. That's a lot of wear and tear. I'd look for a P-08 made in the 1930s to 1942. The price seems a bit high for a gun in that condition.
 
It's an Erfurt Luger, and it is, as the counter-dude told me, a distinctive "parts gun" Luger. It has a decent finish on some parts, while others are completely worn, etc. There's no serial on top of the chamber, that might help people decide? It's priced at about $850-900...
Click to expand...

Eight ball, given this information I personally would pass on this Luger, you can buy a pretty decent Luger for this price, not a worn parts gun. That said, I have a 1920 Commercial DWM 30cal that I picked up in excellent condition a few years ago for $300.00. It is reliable if you use the right loads, accurate as any fixed sighted pistol and best part-value just keeps going up whether I shoot it or not. Check out some of the auctions and watch the for sale sections of the different gun forums.

If you want a 1911 framed pistol then take the money and buy quality, you won't ever be sorry.
 
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