I want a Luger P08

[Lightsped]

I would like to buy a decent Luger P08. This P08 does not need to be a pristine museum piece, but it does need to be in nice condition. It would rarely be shot, maybe just a few rounds per year.

Are there any good websites to learn more about Luger P08s and a good place to buy one?

 

[renaissance]

http://www.lugerforum.com/

OR

I'll sell you one of mine

 

[Lightsped]

Tell me about your Lugers. Any pics?

 

[BigG]

There is a gunshow on this Saturday & Sun at North Atlanta Trade Center on N I85 near Indian Trail/Killian Hill. There are usually many Lugers there. It's Atlanta's best gun show by far.

In the area of Lugers there is plenty to know and you should be well informed before you buy anything over $400 to $500, imho. There is a big collector thing about them and unless you know what you're doing you could get stung. For $400 or $500 I would expect to get a good condition shooter with magazine, probably pre WWII issue.

They are really cool pistols. I love mine and it shoots like a laser pointer. 1938 Mauser S/42 Code.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have a 1939 '42' Code by Mauser, I just sort of lucked into it.

Three things before you buy:

1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. There are a lot of them around and not everyone is woth a collector's price.

2. Shoot 124gr hot ball ammo, forget about hollow points in a Luger.

3. The safety isn't as robust a system as a modern firearm, I wouldn't carry it with the chamber loaded, unless you are absolutely sure the gun will NOT fire with the safty engaged.

That being said its a neat peice of history, and it's fun to shoot. Even the old Vopo Lugers from E. Germany are supposed to be good shooters, even if the numbered parts don't match. Its also hard to find a good 'modern' holster for a Luger, though in a pinch it will fit in a GI-style 1911 flap holster.

 

[Lone Star]

Dr. Rob-

Repro military Luger holsters are offered in many ads in, "Shotgun News."

For a good commercial rig, try El Paso Saddlery. I suspect their .22 models could be adapted, and the basic Threepersons rig might be "makeable" for a P '08. The quality is what one would expect of the successor to the old S.D. Myres firm.

Lone Star

 

[Bainx]

One thing you need to know about the high priced Lugers you find at gunshows. Most do not have matching serial numbered magazines and therefore, are not worth the high price.
That is one thing that definately separates the true collector grade from the shooter grade.
I have argued with many Luger "experts" at gunshows asking $1,000-1,500 for an S/42 without matching magazine.

If you don't do your homework, you can get burned really bad on one of these. Go for the shooter in the price range of $350-500.
They are extremely picky about the ammo they shoot. Mine likes S&B. Finding an authentic holster is truly your brain-on-drugs.
Big, Big bucks.

 

[alamo]

I'm one of the lucky ones. The easiest way to get a Luger is to inherit one! I've got one complete with a holster and papers that my grandfather brought back from WWII. It's one of the early ones, made before the first World War. Unfortunately, the serial numbers don't match but it is in pretty good condition.

 

[curt]

I'm one of the lucky ones. The easiest way to get a Luger is to inherit one! I've got one complete with a holster and papers that my grandfather brought back from WWII. It's one of the early ones, made before the first World War. Unfortunately, the serial numbers don't match but it is in pretty good condition.

That's interesting. I wonder why the numbers don't match. I would think that if it had been arsenaled by the germans that they would have ensure all parts were matched. Is it in .30 or 9mm?

 

[BigG]

The military issue Lugers were all 9mm (P08). The gun could have been a commercial which was in 30 or 9mm. The same magazine was used for both ctgs.

I believe the military guns came with TWO magazines serially numbered to the pistole.

 

[alamo]

Mine is a military 9MM. Non-matching serial numbers are pretty common on Lugers, that's why those with matching numbers are much more valuable. As old as it is, I'm sure parts had to be replaced over its life as with many Lugers.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Um what I meant was it's not like you can go down to the local gunshop and get a Desantis Speed Scabbard for a Luger. I've used a GI holster for expediency, not for looks. In fact the GI holster is like half the size of the Greman repros, though it doesn't have a place for your spare mag.

I did a lot of research online before I traded for the Luger I have.. there really is not such thing as knowing too little to get into this specialty market.