Has anyone built a P08 Luger

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doger5

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I was thinking of purchasing a Luger frame and slide, and build it form there. Has anyone done this? What types of problems can you run into?

Thanks
 
The Luger has a reputation for being a hard pistol to build. Not only that, but I don't know where you could get a Luger frame. If there is such a place, please post it! Might be interesting.

If you can't get a frame, you might be better off getting a shooter, and working with that. Good Lugers in decent shooting condition can be had for about $500 or a bit less.
 
There really is no "slide" on the Luger, only the receiver. If you have the grip piece and the receiver, you about have the gun. But Lugers were pretty carefully fitted and building one from parts would not, IMHO, be practical in terms of proper fit, headspace, etc.

Nor would there be any advantage. Unlike the M1911, there is no industry turning out guns or parts. All the major parts are about unobtainable and prices are high when available. If one is not too demanding of condition, it is still possible to buy a Luger for around $600, and with a bit of luck get matching parts or at least parts from the same maker. Even fairly nice ones can be had for $900 if willing to take low-demand guns like the "1920 Commercial" in 7.65mm.

The Luger is a fascinating gun, and I am sure you will have fun studying it whether you build or buy.

Jim
 
Have I ever built a POS Luger? Nope.

Have you ever shot one?

Mine is a 1913 Erfurt, and even with a nasty, pitted bore, it will hold the 10 ring at 25 yards. It is extremely comfortable and easy to shoot, with almost no muzzle climb.
 
The sights are best described as "rudimentary", but the Lugers are sure fun to shoot, and it's surprisingly easy to hit where you aim.

Mine is a WW II souvenir of my father's. 1911 manufacture, and all matching numbers. A serious keeper. :)

Art
 
Aside from the comforable grip angle and common (9mm) caliber, are there any advantages that a Luger has, say, over a P38/Beretta/BHP/1911?

Or is it just that the "cool" factor is higher? :)
 
A luger is like a high maintenance woman. Good to look at, nice to be seen with, gets a lot of attention, but not for daily routine wear and tear. Lugers were made by DWM, Erfurt, and Mauser. Last original ones were made at the beginning of WWII but Mitchelll arms and Mauser made some commercial ones in the 80s. It is a 1908 design. It has no hammer. Each part was serial numbered to the gun including the magazines. The final fitting was done by hand. A good condition gun with the right ammo and a working magazine will shoot very well. I have a 1918 Erfurt that I sent to a mastergunsmith to have restored. Nor reblued or refinished, but restored to original as new condition. Using Finnish 1960s 9mm fmj it shoots very well. But, like a high maintenance woman, it gets looked at a lot more than it gets used. Check him out, he and these other folks are not cheap but definitely worth the money:


http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/left_frame.htm


http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/links.htm

rk
 
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