Collectables - to shoot them or not to shoot them- that is the question

[DonVoigt]

I avoid the question by having too many firearms to shoot them all; that way I don't feel the need to fire every collectible that crosses my path and comes home with me.

I would not shoot a luger with matching small parts, nor use a matching magazine. The parts are impossible to replace- there is only one truly original numbered part for each luger(though some search for parts with the same digits); reproduction magazines are cheap and also work well-better than many originals.

I have 8 or 7 shooter lugers, in essentially all configurations and calibers- so when the urge strikes- I just shoot one of them. Bought some, built some- that is what I really enjoy- the hands on; collectibles sit in the safe or shared by examination with friends who appreciate them.

I finally got the last shooter acquisition to work today- a 1900 7,65mm- common model that someone had already re-finished and cobbled up with replacement parts.

A previous owner probably broke an original breech block and/or extractor - those were missing and replaced with P 08 parts. It took me two weeks to finally discern that they had also changed the S link on the original rear toggle for a P 08 type- the 1900 S link is shorter- and works with the leaf spring.

The wrong one screws up the closing pressure of the toggle!
Which is probably why this nice looking piece ended up for sale.

Bottom line- Buy a Shooter!