Luger Questions

[6_gunner]

I'm interested in getting a Luger in the near future. I want a shooter, not a collectors' piece.
I'd really appreciate it if you guys could answer a few questions for me.

How do the modern, stainless steel repro Lugers compare to the originals?
I'm curious about reliability, fit and finish, ability to fire modern ammo, and most of all durability. Also, do original Luger mags fit the modern reproductions?
How would price compare between a reproduction and an original Luger in good condition, with a good bore with mismatched serial numbers.

For a shooter, would I be better off getting a stainless reproduction or an original?

Thanks.

 

[Onmilo]

The Stoeger Stanless steel Lugers were quite nice in fit and finish.
Unfortunately they are out of production and so few were made that they have become an expensive collectable in their own right.

Standard 1917 Erfurt Lugers along Russian and Finnish mismatch service pistols can be had for well under $1000.00 if one is diligent and prepared to buy when they are offered.
Guys are always looking for shooter Lugers and they don't stay on the shelves for very long. HTH

 

[6_gunner]

Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

Friend of mine has a Finnish 1923 with 9mm Tikka replacement barrel, funky square front sight blade, and "arsenal refinish" by the newest apprentice at the arsenal. They were over $900 at AIM the last I looked.

The gun shoots like a champ with my IDPA handloads (heavy bullet, low velocity) but with nothing else he can find. The common wisdom that a Luger needs hotter than US ammunition is an old wives' tale, the Luger was originally designed (and the Finns originally built) in 7.65x21 with a 93 grain bullet about 1250 fps. Early 9mm was a 123 at 1040 or 1090.

 

[unspellable]

Stainless Lugers

The stainless Lugers were ALL made by the same firm in Texas, AIMCO/Orimar. (Changed the name from AIMCO to Orimar.) Mitchell first marketed them and during this time they took a standard magazine. Then Stoeger took over marketing and defaced them with a giant logo and switched to a non-standard magazine that will not interchange with a standard magazine. Stoeger no longer markets them. Since the the firm that makes them has been marketing them (sans Stoeger logo) on an as ordered basis. For my money the Stoeger era ones are the least desirable of the three. The current ones may still have the non-standard magazine but are available with more options than either of the first two.

Finish is generally good on the outside, indifferent on the inside where it does not show. Reports on reliability of functioning have been spotty. My Mitchell has yet to malfunction, others say they have had malfunctions.

 

[Michael Zeleny]

Consider a post-war Mauser Parabellum for your recreational use. The first model, called 29/70, was very close to the 06/29 Swiss service variation. In 1973 came the 06/73 model, similar to the P06 model. Between 1975 and 1986, various commemorative variations were made for collectors. A common variation can be had NIB for about $1,200.