New to the Clubhouse--please rate my purchase!
 

How-dee!

I just joined the cult of the Luger with the purchase of a 1936 S/42 for $500. I've always wanted a genuine Luger and this looked like a good deal to me. Still, I'd like to ask the experts to rate my purchase and to seek advice on this gun.

Again, it is a 1936 S/42--which I understand means it was made by Mauser for the German military. The only #s that DON'T match are on the takedown lever (the thing that hinges forward so you can remove the top half og the gun), and the magazine. Also, the side plate (the square thing) does NOT look original and there is no serial# on it.

The finish is, for the most part, worn off and the barrel looks like it was shot with corrosive ammo and never cleaned--it looks more like a shotgun barrel than a pistol barrel. Other than that, the gun seems fine mechanically. I'm figuring that this places it well within the "shooter" category.

Though I plan to shoot the gun before I make any changes, I was thinking of re-lining the barrel at Redman's and throwing a nice finish on it. Is is possible to re-line a 9mm barrel to a .30 (the Luger's original chambering)? If not, then how about just re-lining in 9mm. Is re-lining the barrel even a good idea? I'd like to keep everything original. Also, the aforementioned side plate is very loose. Can it be tightened up?

Thank you for any help!

Hard to rate it without pictures.... But, lets see.

Welcome to our forum! Why are you in hell?


As a "shooter" price, unless really mucked up, you did ok price wise.

What number is on your takedown lever?

7.65mm is a nice cartridge (oops, never shot one), but so I have been told. 9mm is cheap and plentiful, you can shoot 3x 's as much 9mm as 7.65 (30 luger).

You can get a gun relined, in either caliber. Might be easier just to put in a new barrel, heck, put in a 6 incher, thye are lots of fun!

Ed

If you are talking about Redman's in Washington? I would have him reline it. You would retain the original numbers and markings.

Ron

MM, Your unnumbered repro side plate can be tighten up by someone who knows how (usually a matter of slightly bending front arm). But rather than spend money on a mismatched part, if you can find the matching Mauser side plate, fit that one. TH

First, your Luger was originally 9mm, not 7.65mm, so you do not need to reline it for that reason. Stick with 9mm, it is a heck of a lot cheaper to shoot. Second, your idea to shoot it first is a good one. You may be surprised at how accurate it is. I have seen Lugers with bores that looked like sewer pipes that grouped better than some modern pistols. Sounds like you made a pretty good buy.

The gentlemen present a good scenario... Shoot the pistol and see how she does. Fix the small parts. I bet it will be a sweet handgun like nothing you have experienced.