New Luger owner any tips?
 

Hello. I'm a new Luger owner who just acquired a byf 41 luger from my local dealer and was hoping to find out some information about it and learn any beginner tips. I was told to stick to 115gr ammo to avoid damaging toggle, and just fired it today with 115gr Winchester white box without a single jam in 50 rounds. All the numbers match except rhe magazine and it has bakelite grips which I was told meant it was a Russian capture. I will take some better pictures tonight when I'm off work if anyone has any pictures they'd like me to take. After firing I cleaned with hoppes number 9 and a boresnake, dried completely and then applied ballistol for around 20 minutes to the metal areas spring and firing pin, then wiped dry till a light coat was left and re assembled before putting Into a silicone sock. I would also like to know if there are any better cleaning methods for a gun of this age because I know hope's can be a strong cleaner, I thought about using mpro7 or clp but w get the cosemeline off.

Need better pictures of the serial #'s on front of frame and bottom of barrel. Pictures of all other visible markings would also help. Preferably in natural light. Could be a Russian capture, won't know until more pics are posted. You picked the right ammo, that is the preferred ammo for Lugers and I have always had luck with that brand. I don't know if I would have shot it without disassembling first and giving it a good look,just MHO. Also if it is all matching and original finish most guys would be a little hesitant about shooting it as it is more collectible, but do what you want it's your pistol but if not sure post the pics and wait for more comments and see what the other members have to say. Thanks for posting and welcome aboard!

Jim

Welcome to the Forum

It sounds like you know how to take good care of a Luger. That's pretty much what I do, although I don't use the Ballistol on the internal parts (I think it's beeswax).

The German's used a petroleum grease (vaseline) on the rails - I use gun grease.

I'm not surprised you chose to shoot it, either, but if has matching parts, it's probably a collectable Luger, so don't risk breaking old parts.

The photos are too dark to make out very much, but it looks good, from what I can see. It should be very dark and the bakelite grips were proper and probably original.

I think you have a very nice Luger.

Yeah i did disassemble before firing it also was looked at by gunsmith who I've had work done from, and bought from a store and seller who I've bought around 15 guns from and does specialize in historical arms. He works at a historical gun shop in v.a called southern gun works w'll get some better pictures tonight. I paid around 1800 before tax.

Just sat down to take some better pics but I'm having issues with lighting. I also had a question about the firing pin retaining screw, mine seems to stick out at a slight angle, is this normal? Or should it be even? I've tried to re align it but it seems this is the way the shoulder is on mine.

It takes intense lighting from several angles and you have to force your camera to over-expose. But, these are much better. A darker background will get your camera to open-up a little more. Otherwise, you just have to take the gun outside in the sunlight.

The firing pin does sound like a problem. It should fit flush.

Those parts can be replaced fairly easily, if you decide to shoot it.

I'm not an expert, but I don't think the finish is original and it has a "CAI" import mark etched under the barrel.

2nd post

I'll go out and take a few in the soun, but it was sold as original finish and does have Browning an scratch marks

Hi Mibit, welcome to the forum. Your gun has definitely been reblued and the grips are not original. It should make a good shooter.
Norm

Sideplate is forced to match. It's cut for a sear safety, but no rivet hole on the extension.

Do not use direct sunlight for your pictures. It causes deep shadows and bright areas that hide details. Open shade or a cloudy day are best.

The grips are Russian made replacements. Coupled with the side plate cut for a sear safety, it's likely that your Luger is a Russian Capture. The Russians often dip blued the Lugers before selling them and if yours has been re-blued, that's how it appears to have been done as I see no evidence that anything has been buffed. All the edges are sharp.

However, it looks good and obviously shoots well if you put 50 rounds through it without a failure. IMO you have a WINNER!!

So what would the collectors value be? Would it be considered shooter, mid collectible or collectible? And was the value of around 1800 close to the mark or a bit over paid in that case?

As far as shooting goes, yeah it took a full 50 rd box of wincester white box with not a single jam or failure, the toggle locked open when empty everytime. And at about 15 yds shooting a shoot and see target around 6 inches it made most of them on target with a tendency to shoot a bit high

$1800 is somewhat high for a shooter like yours but thats okay. You didn’t buy it to resell. Keep it for a few years and if prices keep rising like they have been you’ll make it back. Just enjoy shooting it as a bonus with shooters if a part breaks not a big deal as it won’t affect value. Your Luger has seen some service so enjoy the history connected to it. The smart thing you did was joining this forum so before your next purchase do some research because in the Luger world there are lots of pitfalls, believe me.
Jim

So is the sideplate the only replacement part it seems?
I do know the bakelite grips were replacement but I heard that added to the value as more of a Russian capture kind of thing. Either way I enjoy the gun, and haven't been hurt on too many gun purchases but I also mainly deal in Revolvers and with so many luger variations I could understand if I got hit for a couple hundred. Now if my luger is less than 1500 range or sub 1000 then I'll have a problem with the purchase as I was under the assumption all parts were matching.

It could explain why the trigger does not feel smooth on mine. Very mushy like your squishing it till it fires, but not ridiculously bad just not what I expected from a luger. I here alot of conflicting things about trigger pull but I could see that if my aideplate was replaced it could be what is causing the less than stellar trigger pull.

One tip - should you decide to reload - browse through the reloading section of this forum.
Perhaps the main reason I joined the forum

I have never, ever greased any of my guns on the inside on a continuing basis. Usually like Hoppes on everything (lightly). Depends on the person ;0
There is a FAQ for lugers here on the forum.
Use the search for other postings, like yours.
Welcome to the luger world!

Your pistol probably came from Ukrainian storage in the mid-1990s. These guns had been buried in cosmoline for decades before they were sold off, so it was easier to ditch and replace the grips.

It's a nice piece of WW2, Cold War and early post-Cold War history.

I can't say if those vertically-grooved grips add to the value but I consider them unusual and they seem to be rather rare. I bought a set in pristine condition several years ago and IIRC I paid ~$200 for them. I've had them on several of my Lugers at various times but always pack them away again until I get a really great [original or not] condition Luger; preferably a VoPo/RC refurb. I don't mind non-matching numbers but I [would] insist on dip-bluing only. ;)

I agree; you have a WINNAH!!! :D