Looking for a shooter..
 

Rather than purchase a Luger of unknown origins/make/etc., I decided that such a purchase warrants a reasonable amount of research - which is why I joined this forum. I've read as many posts and stickies as I possibly can (but not all) as well as some FAQ's out on the 'net.

I'd really like a shooter - 9mm - that's not in terrible condition. I've been reading and understand the whole matching numbers concept and I really don't want to buy something to sit on a shelf (they ARE beautiful firearms) but something I can shoot as well. So rather than buy one and ask "what's my Luger worth?" as I've seen on here, I'd rather ask "is this deal a good value, considering what I'm looking for?"

This one has my attention but I'd like to know - is it worth what the seller is asking? I'm by no means hell bent on it, and I'm certainly in no rush to buy one, but if the right one that's a good value comes along, I'm not adverse to snatching it up.

Gunbroker Link

I realize the numbers don't match, and that it's not a true "dual date" and that the 1920 stamp is just a property stamp. The toggle is mismatched but there appears to be some strawing on parts?

I'd like to have something that's not quite perfect; in fact, something that's less than perfect so if I were to refinish it or clean it up, a collector wouldn't be upset or it wouldn't be a big loss in value for doing so.

All this being said, I really do like the concept of the stainless Lugers but understand that the Mitchell's version is less than desirable. Are there any stainless (made much later obviously) that are worthwhile shooters?

Oh, and I went to a local gun show just yesterday primarily to exercise my new found knowledge about Lugers (thanks to many on this forum!) but unfortunately only saw two Erma .22LR versions, and one actual Luger where the seller wanted upwards of $3000 but I couldn't get a close enough look to it to find out why; after seeing a sticker (yes, the kind from an old price gun!) stuck to it, I opted to pass. My budget is around $1000, preferably under.

Thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts!

It looks interesting, I wonder what that pistol's history was but I'm kind of curious what happened to the right hand side of the pistol and with the sort of 'chips' in the finish.

I hope more knowledgeable people can advise but good luck on your search.

I would pass. This gun has been exposed to some sort of caustic solution and don't be fooled by the liberal use of the word "reworked", which makes it somehow sound like the Germans did this in an official capacity. This is likely a Russian Import, but of the lowest quality that was brought in.

I think you can do much more with $750 if you shop around.

This is precisely why I asked! Thanks! I may drop by one of the bigger gun stores this afternoon since I'll be in that area. I went to the Houston gun show Saturday and there were very few collector booths, mostly "zombie" or "tactical" stuff that I either have or I'm not interested in. Very little in the way of historical firearms.

So this begs the question - where DO I "shop around" ? Any suggestions on where to look? The local gun show was a flop, and the gun store I went to wants outrageous prices.

I once saw a Luger at Cabela's up by Austin, TX - but I didn't have funding at the time. It was right under $800, but I didn't know what I do now from being on this forum so I had no idea what to look for (or what it might be worth.)

Right here is where you start. Place an ad in the items wanted column, describe your requirements, and wait for a response. Always insist on a 3 day non-firing inspection.
With a little luck AND patience...
If you go anywhere else you are paying for them to keep the lights on.
dju

For someone who wants a 'shooter' a 3-day non-firing inspection is not very good advice IMHO

You want to buy a functioning shooter so if you get any responese to a WTB post ask them if they shoot it and how does it perform.

Stopped in another one of my favorite gun shops today in hill country, to no avail. They have a lot of new stuff but also some used stuff. I'm really leary of buying something off the 'net sight unseen, especially a Luger.

Is there any documentation around what parts are serialized that I can look for?

There are quite a few reputable dealers selling on the net. If a shooter is what you want, try a VoPo refurb from RGuns...

Serialization varies as to whether military or commercial; whether from Imperial or WW II (or in between) years; from manufacturer to manufacturer...

If you're collecting, choose a period/type and then go to that sub-forum here...Or go to Jan Still's Luger forum, he breaks the Luger down even more distinctly...

For a shooter, serialization is pretty much a moot point...IMHO... :D

yes, read the FAQ here


READ and figure out what type of luger you want first, if it doesn't matter the 'type' which equals years, then just a shooter is what you want.

You will seldom find a decent shooter at your local gun stores. Lugers seem 'rare' when you are looking for one locally, yet there are hundreds for sale at any time.

There's a trailer trash Luger in the For Sale forum right now...oops; I mean 'blinged out whatziz' Luger... :evilgrin:

I secretly yearn to whip that baby out at the shooting range just to see the faces of the other shooters...
dju

That's actually a pretty good deal if someone wants to just have a Luger to shoot. I just don't have a private shooting range at the moment and the Bling Bling luger in public is just not me.

Dave

You just missed one over on Jan Stills site.

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...d-toggle-train)

do you have a backpage.com where you live. I bought both of my luger off of it in the past 6 months, $675 and $750 is what I paid for them. jim

Just saw two sport-grade Lugers being sold a few minutes ago at $1265 (BP included). Averagely, each one was $632.50

http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie.../1018/lid/2219

Wow, uhm.. I looked at the "blinged out" one and oddly, I find it interesting. I've done some firearm restoration in the past so it's nothing new for me to strip things down, blast them or remove finishes and then refurbish/refinish. For $450, my interest is peaked.

I've purchased before from RGuns and have no qualms about purchasing from them again. For the price, I could refurbish a non-numbers-matching gun without feeling guilty.

I'm interested in the hideous blinged out monstrosity only because I know I can refinish it. It might take me a while as my shop isn't up and running yet (I just moved recently and have to build out my shop) but for that price, I could wait.

Again, thanks so much for everyone's input.

Now I just need to get in contact with the FFL guy I bumped into at Home Depot so he can do my transfer!

Ken, do you do "TIG Welding" in your restoration process?

I do have a TIG welder, and am actually getting a new TIG welder in my shop soon that's more capable than my old one. My old one is mostly for medium sized projects like light chassis modifications/restorations on cars. I haven't used it (or needed it) for a firearm yet.

I had a Miller Shopmaster 300 w/TIG, foot rheostat, water cooled torch, and accessory MIG head...I hated to sell it... :crying:

Ouch. I've got a chinese made scratch-start at the moment. It works fine for basic chassis work on a car, but I'd never use it on a firearm as it has very little control to it. The new one is another chinese-made one, but has a foot control, does both AC and DC (old one only does DC) and a ton of controls to it. It also has a plasma cutter as well. Surprisingly, the chinese made stuff isn't as bad as it has been in the past.

I had a Bolo with slotted front sight in the past. That slot bothered me. I hated it. The original plan was "micro-TIG" it up so I got a Lincoln welder, argon container, gas regulator, micro torch etc. Played them a little bit on scrap steel. Some fun. But I worried high temperature could damage rifling..... the gun and the matching stock were sold without any work on it, and I sold those welding equipments later.... probably lost a few hundred dollars on those equipments.

Yikes, how big was the slot? It couldn't have been brazed with a jeweler's torch? TIG seems a bit overkill but I don't know how big the slot is either.