New member here
 

Since I first took interest in firearms, I've had a growing interest in Lugers, for their historical significance, and unique action.

I ended up purchasing a .22 Stoeger Luger from a family member which contrary to what I hear about them shoots quite well and is probably the most accurate .22 pistol I own. Then I started looking at the Erma .22's, and bought one of the scaled down KPG69's off an auction site which so far has also proven to be a another fun and reliable shooter.

However, while I really get a kick out of the pot metal .22 imitations, instead of sating my desire for a Luger, they've simply made it worse. So I've started looking for a non collectable shooter that I wouldn't have to worry about devaluing through regular range trips and handling.

Is there anything specific I should be looking for, or to avoid in a shooter grade Luger?

I apologize for the long post, thanks to those who took the time to read it, and for any advice given.

George

welcome

If wanting a shooter, do ask if they have shot it. If someone says they have one they have shot many times and its a good shooter for sale, then you probably should grab it up. I've picked up a mixed parts gun and being mixed parts, it may or may not function well. Although a parts gun may shoot really well, if you find a reblued but matching gun, then it at least it likely left the factory with its original parts and was fitted to them.

I say that and I have sold a number of shooter grade lugers that I had only test fired.

Hi George and welcome to the forum.

Do download a copy of our FAQ document. It has quite a bit of useful reference material collected over the years at this forum.

If you want a shooter Luger, look for something that was properly assembled by a qualified person familiar with Lugers and their action. This could be a factory gun with finish issues, or a properly fitted gun with mixed parts.

Make sure that it actually does function properly.

You may find some available that have been Russian Capture and armory refitted. Many of these can be good shooters.

My shooter is an all matching Mauser 1937 vintage Luger with finish issues. I like the later Mauser pistols for shooting.

You'll want a 9mm pistol since .30 Luger is more expensive to shoot.

Marc

Hi George! And welcome:)
You've come to the right place for learning more about Lugers of all types.... the experts here have a wealth of knowledge and experience second to none. Only thing I would add to the above is to take your time looking, enjoy the process and the search, ask questions, and, if possible, post photos here of a gun you are thinking about before you "take the plunge." There is a wealth of YouTube videos available, and many posts and threads here which have lots of Know-how and valuable information.

A general price range for a reliable shooter with minimal pitting and finish issues would be between $700 and $1000. (I assume a shooter to be reblued with this comment on finish.) Please, experts out there, correct me if needed!

Hope to hear from you soon!

George, welcome to the forum. I also have an ERMA, a KPG68a (32cal), that is a sweet little pocket 'Luger' that I love to shoot. Several folks on this forum own ERMAs. Cool little guns.

Review the FAQ section as it is really a Luger primer and many of your questions will be answered. As you already experienced, once you buy a Luger, or even the toggle action look-a-likes, you will want more. These things are addictive.

Keep us posted.

You will always love your first luger love!

Welcome to the forum.

I appreciate the welcome, I have checked out the FAQ, very useful, and put together well.

My initial thought was to find a mixed parts gun, until I started reading here it didn't occur to me that non matching pistols would be more likely to have functioning issues(that should have been obvious to me). I understand that an all matching pistol loses quite a bit of value from being refinished, but does a refinish really relegate it to a shooter to be used and abused?

I've been watching what appears to be a matching chromed BYF 41 thats been relisted 3-4 times, I lost track. Judging from the lack of interest I thought the $1000 price tag might be a bit much, but its still kind of tempting because I wouldn't end up in a bidding war.

Initially I had no interest in a .30 Luger, but if/when I get a 9mm, it might be fun to have both to compare.

Collectors are, in general, looking for pieces "as close to original factory condition as possible."
A "refinish" is, by that definition, a major departure from, "original factory," rendering the prices of some beautiful guns far more affordable for the shooting enthusiasts who would hopefully "use" more than "abuse."

That matching chromed byf41 sounds like it might become your first Luger!! Since you know it's been relisted a few times, why not start with a bid of $800 or so? Are you convinced the seller is reliable? The .30's are a bit more expensive to shoot though..... in that regard, the 9 mm's are better.....

Funny thing about Lugers- they have a "magnetism" which I have not seen in quite the same way as with other firearms.....

Yes... please keep us posted :)

$1000 byf 41,,, is probably a reblued. In most cases, sellers know their items better than remote buyers. The pricing is usually not random. But God knows, could it be "widow sale"? Unlikely though, deal usually goes long time collectors. New collectors in a domain commonly reject original as reblued, and buy reblued as original, seldom find deep discount. That's not unusual.

Assume it's reblued, $1000, buy one and shoot it occasionally. Not a big deal. Even if it's original, so what, people buying $1000 modern gun for shooting, nothing wrong with that.

Good point!
A Smith & Wesson Model 41 goes for an incredible €1895 NIB!
They're beautiful firearms but people pay that price purely for shooting- one of the best target 0.22's ever made! Mine was built in 1980... I've put now > 1000 rounds through her.... no problems at all...

Welcome George,

A .30 Luger will be a bit more than twice as expensive to feed than a 9mm. Reloading the .30 Luger round is one way to economize. If these concerns are not very weighty in relation to how much you would be shooting it, don't dismiss one automatically. They are more enjoyable to shoot than the 9mm IMHO--maybe not 2X more fun (which would completely justify the higher price), but darned close to it!

My first was a mismatch. The entire toggle assembly was from one gun and the frame was another. It had some rust on one side which I had to remove. The gun functions flawlessly. I imagine someone at some point put some work into it to make it function.

Sounds like your mismatch was a great buy- reliable to shoot, great fun, and no worries about breaking a numbered part in a collector:))
You still have your first??

So after doing some reading, I'm thinking about getting an Interarms in 9mm to start with. A couple of older threads mentioned $1,000 to $1,500 as a fair price for these pistols, is that still reasonably accurate?

Hi ttarp,
$1000 to $1500 seems a bit steep for a shooter, unless it is all matching (therefore should function very well) is reblued (but that's OK for a shooter) and has minimal pitting, a good bore and grips with minimal wear.

This from a person who considers himself familar with these guns, but by no means an expert. I have one collector Luger and one shooter.

Experts out there... if I am way off, please let me know! Thanks.

Yes - $1000 and up is reasonable, and the Interarms pistols are very well made. They come in a number of patterns and in 9mm as well as 7.65mm Luger.

A shooter grade Interarms Luger should be at the lower range you quoted. The magazines and grips do not interchange with military pistols so make sure all the accessories you need are included.

Marc

I wanted a Luger for a long time, and purchased a Ruger Standard .22 because it sort of looked like a Luger. I call it "the poor man's Luger". While I enjoy the Ruger and still have it, it just made me want the real deal even more.

I looked hard at the post-WWII Interarms/Mausers but decided to get an original Luger as a shooter, as the price is about the same. I wound up with a WWII era military Mauser shooter. Unless you feel a pull for a different era, I think that is the best way for most new collectors to go.

Where the heck is the "golden triangle"?:confused:

If you put your state, there may be a member around with something you could look at/buy.

I know one with an Interarms mauser luger for sale.

I'll agree with the price range, but differ on the mag interchangeability. The Mauser mags are very good, with a nice, beefy spring, although the plastic bottoms are a bit vulnerable from what I hear. Interchanging mags should be no problem. Military, Commercial, MecGar, Mauser, and Erma should all swap out just fine. The stainless steel, '90s Lugers made by Aimco in Houston have slightly larger mag wells, so mags for them often do not fit at all. I have one Mauser mag, but reserve it and shoot my Mauser Parabellum with MecGars.

Grips for the 70s Parabellums are generally interchangeable with originals, but within the two separate configurations (there are two frame styles--Swiss, with the straight front, and P.08. Grips). Some fitting may be required...

Beaumont, Orange, and Port Arthur, Texas used to be called the Golden Triangle, just a local thing, I don't usually put locations down on forums, just did it on a whim. I'll change it to S.E. Texas.

For me the draw to Interarms is its a newer pistol with less history attached to it, I won't fret and worry about parts breaking every time I shoot it. Not saying the originals are super delicate and easily broken, I'll just have better peace of mind not risking damaging a piece of history. Am I taking that thought too far?

I appreciate the input.

WW-II Era Lugers are well made, and have excellent metallurgy. They hold up well. Of course, any pistol can experience breakage.

My shooter is a Mauser S/42 WW-II Luger - all matching - with finish condition issues...

- - - -

On the magazine, I must have mixed up comptability issues with the Aimco pistols. I thought I remembered that there were subtle differences in the Mauser Interarms guns.,..

If you do break a part, they are even harder to find(Interarms that is)!

Yes, you are worrying too much- JMHO.

DWM and Erfurt lugers are quite well made also, and served for scores of years in tough environments and many firings without problems.

Marc, thinks the Mausers are better- I think they are just different.

Use standard US 9mm loadings and not +P or Nato rounds and you will be fine. Parts can break eventually on any pistol, some right out of the box. Parts are plentiful for original lugers, that should say something about survivability in itself.

Just buy your first luger, which ever comes along first in good shape at a good price- and enjoy it!:D

Thanks for the reality check. I've had a lot of preconceived notions about Lugers that I've been learning over the last couple of years were completely false, still working through some of them.

Welcome to Luger University where you will find Luger Doctorates sharing decades of actual luger subject matter. It includes both research sections as well as the worlds largest luger sourcs at your touch. Thousands of posts with wonderful luger pictures!There are luger professors on line who actually wrote books on the subject you seek! You can raise your hand at any time day or night. Ask away because that is how you learn to love and feed your luger addiction! Someone is always here worldwide! You don't always have to read through ten thousand topics for your one question! Mearly post in in an appropriate section. You can send a private message to another member if they allow as most do. Just remember your manners and respect. Respectively Submitted Eric~

"If you do break a part, they are even harder to find(Interarms that is)!

Yes, you are worrying too much- JMHO."

I think I am worrying too much too after breaking the holdopen in my shooter. It's a SHOOTER after all. Take care of it, enjoy it and stop fussing. I'm talking to myself here. BUT.. I'm not shooting a collector piece. To preserve history; no ttarp, you're not taking that thought too far at all.
Don, mrerick, thanks - your points are well taken.

Welcome to our forum.

If I were you I would look for a fairly recent caliber 9 Para MAUSER P08 made in 1942, you probably can find a nice "Russian capture" for a good price.

Safe shooting.

Great info above. I own original Lugers, and post war Parabellum Lugers. I shoot all of my Lugers, as I don't own any rare Lugers. The Mec-Gar mags work 100% in all of my Lugers. Just find a nice Luger that you feel like you can afford, and desire, and go for it!!! It likely will not end up being your only Luger. :rockon:

Rhuff: Very true.
The Mec Gar mag I have for my shooter has been faultless so far. I have two Lugers right now, a collector 1917 DWM all matching including grips and 1 mag- that gun I don't shoot.

My shooter is a 1918 DWM, reblued, a beautiful gun, which WAS all matching until I broke the holdopen the other day. :( But... I bought it to shoot, and shoot it I will!!

At heart I am more a shooter than a collector, although I do very much appreciate the value of collecting those special collector pieces, which, in my opinion, should not be shot. (Collector, IMO, = original finish, all matching, "pretty close to original factory condition")
Once a part in an all matching gun breaks, it breaks, and the gun is compromised. A pity really. As one person aptly said, "They just ain't makin' these things no mo' "

BUT, it's WONDERFUL to have shooters to SHOOT!!

JMHO. I know... now I'm rambling....

Bob are there many lugers in the Netherlands?

"Bob are there many lugers in the Netherlands?"

In my experience of keeping my eye out for these guns (about 10 months), there are relatively few. The collector DWM which I ended up buying I saw on the shelf of a gunsmith / friend who lives about 3-4 miles from our house, while the shooter I now have I bought from a forum friend. Other than these two.... I have only seen two others, a Swiss 7.65 mm also for sale by a collector here in the area (a beautiful gun... rig I should say... I'm still pondering that one), and a badly abused P08 in a gunshop south of here- significantly damaged grips, rather "beat up" really, asking price was Eu 1075. Badly overpriced IMO.

That's it really.
There is a well recognized NL website for selling firearms; all kinds of guns come and go through there... but a Luger only pops up very occasionally. Same basically true for 1911's, P38's, and other WWI and WWII classics.

Probably there are far more here in NL.... but not for sale. Also, people tend to be rather secretive about the guns they own, it's not a subject which is widely discussed here at all. Only a small community actively collects and shoots firearms here... nothing like the press guns are getting in the US, not even close.

Basically- Lugers are not easy to come by here.

You are fortunate in the US re. availability of these and other unique masterpieces of engineering... but I do think prices in the US are about 10-15% higher than they are here from what I have seen and from conversations I have had.

You are absolutely right and better yet they are much easier to divorce!!

I have a 42 dated mauser thats matching besides the toggle train. After replacing the hold open spring ive shot about 800 rounds so far thru her with mecgar mags with no malfunctions whatso ever accurate aswell. Lugers are an itch you cant scratch and im already looking for an erfurt or dwm shooter

Mccaslyn:
Ahhh very nice!
What ammo are you using?
I know what you mean....

I bought alot of bulk lax ammo just standard 115gr brass. But have also shot remmington. Wwb. Perfecta and federal and all have worked excellent. Perfecta i had to stop because it seemed to have alot of flash and was pretty hot so it made me a little nervous haha.