Couple of Luger questions ....

[Swing]

The Practical Question: If one's goal was to obtain shooter in 9x19mm, what should one look for? That is, I don't care about matching numbers, date of manufacture, codes, etc. Just a safe-to-shoot Luger in 9mm. Also, what would be a reasonable price? I realize Luger collecting is a study in and of itself, but there has to be some basic things to look for.

The Just Wonder'n Question: A while back while at a gunshow, I saw a, for all intents and purposes, shrunk down Luger in .32ACP. It looked just like a Luger, it appeared to have a toggle action, but it was a little thing. Any idea what I saw? Google turned up some leads, but I haven't seen exactly what I remember as of yet.

Thanks all for any info.

 

[ku4hx]

One LGS here has a Nazi collection complete with helmets, 12 Lugers (some the Naval version), a Broom Handle and other stuff. You can't buy individual items, but the collection is priced at $85,000.

We'll just have to make do with our Browning, Rugers and Glocks chambered in 9mm Luger.

 

[unspellable]

The little 32

The little 32 sounds like an Erma Luger look like. Internally it's nothing remotely like a Luger. It's also a blow back, not recoil operated like a Luger. I have one as a curiosity. They don't have a really good reputation for holding up under a lot of use.

As for the real Luger, it's what you can find. One thing I have learned is that if you open up seven of these shooter grade Lugers you will find five different recoil springs, only two of which are to spec. There have been a lot of people messing about with these recoil springs over the years while having no idea of what they were doing. The Wolfe spring is NOT to spec. If it comes to that, I know where to get an in spec spring.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Sadly, even a shooter-grade luger is an expensive proposition. I do not have much experience with them, but I understand that even a mismatched magazine can be a likely cause of feeding problems. There are not many gunsmiths around who understand their quirks well enough to get them into good running order, and parts can be expensive and hard to find.

If you are willing to buy and sell a few of the mismatched guns, you'll find a good one, sooner or later. You could spend the money on a matched gun, but if a part breaks, then you've lost a lot of cash. No easy way out, I'm afraid.

 

[Y-T71]

A couple of years ago I was able to find a stainless repro Luger made in '91.

Now, I know these are a blasphemy to purists...

and I know they have a reputation for QC issues...

and I also know that finding parts for ANY Luger including this one could be a chore...

But I have always had an affection for stainless firearms and I think it's one beautiful pistol.
This one runs flawlessly with both the factory mag and an aftermarket MecGar one.
I feel like I can shoot the @#$% outta this one and save my 1917 Eurfurt as a safe queen.

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[rcmodel]

IMO: A miss-matched shooter grade Luger is not a 'shooter' until you have shot it and proven it works.
Only if it works, it is a shooter.

If it doesn't work?
It's a royal PITA to find a young gunsmith that ever had one apart before, let along made one work correctly.

Matched part original Lugers at best, are a problem waiting for a place to land in your wallet.

A miss-matched one at a gun show or dealer even more so.

If they won't let you test shoot it first?
Don't buy it.

rc

 

[Jim K]

Luger pricing is interesting. At a gun show a year or so ago, I saw a Luger at one table with a bunch of other Lugers with a tag of $1800, in so-so condition. At another table, several aisles away, there was another Luger, same maker, same year, in about the same shape, among a bunch of other stuff (helmets, belts, etc.), for $800.

I think if I wanted to buy a decent Luger today, I would just cruise the gun shows and gun shops and put out the word that I was interested and see what happened. The auction sites, IMHO, are very over-priced and you can't really look at the guns.

But mainly, if I were not well informed, I would do a lot of reading and a lot of looking before buying anything.

Jim

 

[Swing]

Thanks guys for all the info. Out of curiosity, who put out the stainless steel Luger?

 

[rcmodel]

Stoeger American Eagle for one.

Mitchell for another.

You can Google Stainless Luger and get all the info.

rc

 

[Swing]

Thanks for info.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Another option is a 70's-80's vintage Mauser "Parabellum". Mauser made commercial Lugers for a while and while they can be pricier than a Mitchell, they were built like the originals. Many have the 'Swiss' straight grip profile.

A 'shooter' grade Luger can easily run $800. My 1939 Mauser is going to get too valuable to shoot someday.. so I've been 'looking' for a 'shooter' too. Thing is, they are finicky, jams are a three handed affair, good magazines are expensive and good leather is tough to find. Really.. a Luger is a range toy more than a defensive arm. It is literally the LAST gun I would pull out of the safe if I NEEDED a gun. Yes they are NEAT, over engineered and mystical-and if you realllllly want one ok. But as collectors.. you could easily pay 3 thousand dollars for a 'good' one (whatever that may mean). Lugers have so many variations and grades that a grand is your 'starting point'. That's a lot for a range toy.

You MIGHT look for a GI bring back that's been nickel plated. They have little collector value, and if the plating is intact its a good sign it wasn't shot a lot.

Good place to look for a Luger: http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=179

 

[aka108]

While most are nicely machined and good looking pieces they are very prone to hang ups. Pretty much jamb 0 matics. A self defense weapon they are not. If you can get along with some stove pipes every so often they are fun to shoot and feel great in the hand. A far superior pistol is the P38.

 

[Onmilo]

What rcmodel said.
Mismatch guns are a crapshoot unless you find one of the East German "VOPO" reworks or a Russian or Finnish rebuild.
German rebuilds are normally correctly numbered and were tested before issue as were the others mentioned.
Sadly, these guns are now realizing prices not too far distant from "All Original" German issue Lugers now.

Find something not one of these and the price is right, the bore is good, everthing looks and hand function checks as it should, always ask for opportunity to test fire.
If seller refuses for whatever reason, pocket your money and walk away

 

[czhen]

Yeap, blasphemy.
However, it is a very nice piece. Last year, I lost a Mauser new production NIB, papers etc. for $700 iddish (last year of the make) by 7 minutes. I called the dealer and the phone bussy for 30 minutes before reach him.
Congrats, on your Luger.

CZhen.