Luger newbie looking for advice

John Sabato · 08-17-2004, 02:15 PM

Things to look for? Smoothness of operation, reliability of the trigger linkage to drop the striker, good fitting magazines (MecGar, FXO37 Extruded, Code 122 Extruded), Good fitting grips...Condition of the finish and grips that appear to be evenly matched to each other...

All makes of Luger are quality guns no matter who made them, but the latest wartime Lugers (Mauser and Krieghoff) were of the best and most durable metallurgy...

Buy a gun with matching parts if you can for a bargain (not likely) but since what you are looking for is a shooter, a parts gun (mixed serial part numbers) is a gun you don't have to worry about devaluing in the off-chance that you break a part. The breakage of a single part on a matched number Luger can easily cut the collector value in half.

Find yourself a good Mauser made Luger that hasn't been buffed to death... a refinished Luger is good for shooters, but some mechanics have done this poorly... Original finish is of course preferable.

If you find a Luger you want to consider, post the specifics (photos if possible) here regarding serial number, maker, and all the visible markings, and the forum can advise you on it's current market value so you don't get taken ...

Good Luck and welcome to the Lugerforum.

08-17-2004, 02:15 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,157 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,311 Times in 1,099 Posts	Things to look for? Smoothness of operation, reliability of the trigger linkage to drop the striker, good fitting magazines (MecGar, FXO37 Extruded, Code 122 Extruded), Good fitting grips...Condition of the finish and grips that appear to be evenly matched to each other... All makes of Luger are quality guns no matter who made them, but the latest wartime Lugers (Mauser and Krieghoff) were of the best and most durable metallurgy... Buy a gun with matching parts if you can for a bargain (not likely) but since what you are looking for is a shooter, a parts gun (mixed serial part numbers) is a gun you don't have to worry about devaluing in the off-chance that you break a part. The breakage of a single part on a matched number Luger can easily cut the collector value in half. Find yourself a good Mauser made Luger that hasn't been buffed to death... a refinished Luger is good for shooters, but some mechanics have done this poorly... Original finish is of course preferable. If you find a Luger you want to consider, post the specifics (photos if possible) here regarding serial number, maker, and all the visible markings, and the forum can advise you on it's current market value so you don't get taken ... Good Luck and welcome to the Lugerforum. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*