WW II Era German Luger

[cbmax]

Hi,

I have a pretty good collection of modern handguns. I think I would like to add a vintage firearm such as a WWII era German Luger. I would want the pistol to be a shooter. Number matching would be nice, but not a requirement. My primary concern would to have a pistol made by one of the better manufacturers and in tip top condition. I would not be upset if the pistol was re-blued.

Where should I look to do my research? Where should I look to make a purchase? In what price range would I be looking to find a good example with the parameters I set forth? What manufacturers should I consider? What should I be on the look out for?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

CB

 

[walt501]

GunBroker has what you're looking for....

http://www.gunbroker.com/Semi-Auto-Pistols/BI.aspx?Keywords=*luger&mfg=1000178

Gun Auction has a few WWII Lugers as well...

http://www.gunauction.com/shop/items.aspx

And a few on GunsAmerica....

http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=nazi luger

 

[MichaelK]

Wasn't the Luger standard for WWI? The Walther P38 was more the standard for WWII. Have you got a P38 in your collection yet?

 

[cbmax]

I don't have a P38. So I think I just learned something. If I want WWII era I should be looking for a Walther?

 

[cfullgraf]

Lugers were still made and issued into WWII. The Walther P38 was the main firearm but the German military was short of production and used about every manufacturing facility at their disposal that made handguns such as FN's High Powers in Belgium. They even bought some Astras from their buddy, Franco, in Spain.

 

[cbmax]

I didn't see any Walther P38's on Gunbroker. Is this what you would hold out for? I am not in a big rush! I am not looking for an investment piece. I will shoot the pistol somewhat regularly. Can some one tell me more about the stampings I should look for?

CB

 

[Jim K]

The P.08 (Luger) was made by Mauser for the German military into 1942, but production was discontinued in favor of the P.38 due to the higher cost of the Luger. P.38's were made during WWII by Walther (the designer), by Mauser, and by Spreewerke.

Jim

 

[Walt Sherrill]

The P38 was a lot less expensive to make, and a better combat weapon -- as it wasn't as finicky as the P-38 when less well protected from the elements.

I've had a couple of both and really enjoy the Luger; none of the P-38s I've owned, including an ANIB Manurhin-made P-38, were more than "generally" accurate. I had two "shooter" Lugers, and both were tack-drivers. (The second one, a Soviet capture with mismatched parts and a badly pitted barrel, internally, was exceptional.)

I'd wait around for a Luger.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Be careful with lugers - there was a good discussion on this topic here just a little while back.

The short version of the story is, prices are sky-high and even decent shooters are expensive and hard to come by. Lugers are very picky and are hard to repair if they are not running right. The odds of a given gun functioning well will decline sharply if the numbers don't match, and even something as simple as a mismatched magazine is a common source of trouble.

That said, if you can find an affordable gun, and you can verify it works, then by all means go for it. But the average gun you'll find on an internet action is likely to be either affordable or functional, but not both.

 

[Jim K]

As a collector's item the Luger is better and the prices of even poor quality guns have skyrocketed. But for a gun to depend on, the P.38 is better and there are much newer guns that are better still.

Jim

 

[Walt Sherrill]

As a collector's item the Luger is better and the prices of even poor quality guns have skyrocketed. But for a gun to depend on, the P.38 is better and there are much newer guns that are better still.

The original poster said he had a pretty good collection of other guns, and was looking for something different, from the WWII era -- and not a collectible: a shooter.

He doesn't need a gun he can depend on, or a newer, more-modern gun. He has those guns. He wants an interesting toy.

 

[cbmax]

Walt had it nailed. Still not sure I understand the difference between a PO8 and a P38. Can someone please shed some more light. Are we saying the P08 is a better choice based on my parameters? My budget for this pistol is approximately $1,500. Are spare magazines that will function difficult to come by? Can they not be rebuilt?

CB

 

[cbmax]

I think I should have said P08 would be preferable, right?

 

[Jim Watson]

A P08 is the German Army issue Luger.
A P38 is the double action Walther that was meant to replace the Luger.
Nothing in common but the caliber.

Both are authentic to WWII, it just depends on your budget and enthusiasm.
Lugers are expensive and getting worse. As one wag said, there were two million Lugers made and a Luger collector thinks each and every one was a separate and distinct model.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Mec-Gar makes magazines that worked pretty well in my two shooter-Lugers.

You may have to look around for a while, but you can probably find a fairly nice gun for $1500.

I never found anything all that interesting about the P-38s, but they were clearly a more modern design for service use. If you decide THAT the P-38 is an option, you'd might consider one of the post-war P-1s, which is basically a P-38 (they look the same) with minor changes to accommodate an aluminum frame. The price will be much more reasonable, and many of them are almost like new.

Another option is a WWII FN/Browning Hi-Power (or an Inglis, which was a Canadian-made version of the Browning/FN Hi-Power) built during the war and used by the Allies.

I had an Inglis, but mine (atypically), was a horrible shooter. My gunsmith worked on it for a while, and improved it, but it was still pretty bad. The only good part of that was that the seller knew it was a terrible shooter and priced it accordingly; it had been refinished before he got it, and I got it at a good price. I didn't get hurt when I traded it away.

The BHPs can be almost as pricey as Lugers, but in terms of service, repair, parts, etc., probably the best choice of the three.

In fact, with that budget, I'd give serious thought to a BHP from the post-war period as a first choice. It's as much of a classic as any of them.

 

[Jim K]

There were some Lugers made in the post-WWII period by Mauser but, while nice guns, they lack historical value and generally don't bring high prices. They were made on the Swiss machinery, which was bought by Mauser and moved to Oberndorf.

Jim

 

[Fremmer]

If you want something less expensive, Buy yourself a p-1 for a good inexpensive range gun. Lots of fun and it looks cool, too. Put some wood grips on it and you've got a WWII replica shooter (or Cold War era example). Then you won't have to worry about wear or broken parts on a collectible expensive gun. Just an option, I'm repeating what Walt said. I like my P1!

 

[Pilot]

In the mid 90's I acquired a shooter grade Luger that had been re-arsenalled in either Russia or East Germany. It is a fantastic shooter, and has never had a misfeed even with JHP ammo, and my 9MM flat point reloads. It is also VERY accurate, and a blast to shoot.

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

Here's one I got a few years ago for 800 wjth the holster. Numbers match except the grips and it's been reblued but shoots like a dream

 

[cbmax]

George, very nice pistol. Is it a P 08?

Walt, the Browning Hi Power is another great idea. Hopefully someday I will have both in my collection.

CB

 

[MK11]

My wife's grandfather had P08 and P38 bring-backs from WWII. Finally got to shoot the P08--super cool, surprisingly accurate and surprisingly snappy with that toggle slamming back and forth. For your budget and purpose, get the Luger. P38s are a better gun but they are far more common and far less cool.

He also had an Astra or Star, what a monster. Seemed like two pieces of pipe welded together.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Good Luck!
Lugers are like older Colts as far as variations go and a "shooter" is demanding top dollar these days.
However , there are places on line where good Luger info is available.
Locally, a "consignment" run of the mill Luger dosen't last long in the FFL's case.

 

[Pilot]

For the OP.

P-08 "Luger"



P-38

 

[batex]

cbmax,
I know just how you feel as I have a real appreciation for the history and the mechanical nature of guns like the P08, aka Luger. I had (still have) a "pretty good" collection of handguns myself and wanted something from WWII to keep my 1945 Remington Rand company. So, I set out to find a nice WWII Luger. Luckily I found one at my local pawn shop, a 1942 made Mauser made model in great condition with all matching numbers. The Luger is an engineering masterpiece or better yet, mechanical art. It's beautiful and iconic. For all those posters worried about reliability and combat readiness, well, just ignore them. First, I've shot about dozen of mags through mine at the range and it's been 100% reliable so far. If one isn't, it's often just a matter of finding the right load as I'm told the unique toggle link works best with "snappy" loads. Next, if I was worried about getting the best and most reliable combat gun, I'd be looking at modern Sigs, HK's and Glocks, not guns designed in 1908.. Just field stripping the gun is an amazing process and takes you back to another era. This type of gun, with all it's mechanicalness, will never be made again. P38's are nice, but they are not Lugers.

Here's a few not so great pictures of mine.

 

[cbmax]

Batex,

Thank you for the information and for posting pictures of that beautiful Luger! I am beginning my search with the information I have gathered from everyone here. I'll will let you know what I end up with!

Chris