First Post Details!!! + are 9mm & 765mm mags interchangeable?
 

So my fist question that is so obvious it must not even be discussed,
but I need to know, does the 9mm & .30 Lugers take the same
clip? I always assumed no but I just realized that the widest part of the cartridge might be the same dimension, with the round and end tapering off smaller on the .30

I guess my formal introduction will be that after looking at 1st handguns at my store in Lyons, IL, the sales guys were trying to fit my big hands with something in the $500 range, throwing gorgeous Beretta's, Taurus and other hi-tech composites, lasers etc etc. at me.

By the time I got to the last case of pre-owned, saw a Dirty Harry 29, a few others and then my heart fluttered when I saw the Luger!
After sitting in my hand I was truly amazed at how this smaller pistol could be so ergonomically perfect to my hands, the weight, balance and appearance made me fall in love instantly and he was shocked when I said I'll throw down.

We looked up in the book and determined it to be a 1920 DWM Commercial 7.65, all matching except the mag which was a WWII Alum button. Probably reblued but long ago since it has developed such a nice patina to it. Also the only smooth walnut grips I've ever seen.

After the 3 day period I picked it up, along with a box of Fiocchi, and took my free first range time. Popped off about 40 with only 1 jam and will go back with my dad this week for some more.

But, I'd like to get a 2nd clip just to have, but if I'm limited to a .30 -specific then it's going to be hard to find on auctions.

Unless you have a company that makes them new?
And good quality?

Thanks for your feedback and suggestions in advance.
BTW, I got this for $450, and yes I plan on shooting a box a month because it's so much fun and a helluva conversation piece.....

-matt
Chicago (well, ok a suburb where it's legal, haha)

Hi,

Before anything else, try a new MecGar magazine. These work well in both 9mm and .30 luger variations.

Thanks Vlim, when you say variations, does that mean that they must be 9/7.65 specific?
Their website only offers 9mm, but some retailers say they'll work in both Lugers.

Anyone recommend a reputable retailer with reasonable cost online?

Both magazines are the same, there isn't one for 7.65mm and 9mm; only difference in the two is the actual spring in the grip.

Ed

You got a heck of a shootin' iron for only $450! The bad news is that 7.65mm ammo is expensive and not always that easy to find. Hope you hand load if you are planning to run a box full through every month. At any rate, congratulations on your purchase.

Yeah! They're a hoot to shoot, ain't they?

A little background: As the story goes, Herr Luger first made the toggle top in 7.65. A very popular cartridge in old Europe. Someone wanted more knock down power. So he expanded the neck of the brass to take the 9mm. Thus the 9mm Parabellum (Luger, aka 9 X 19) was born. If you compare the two casings, you'll see that the bottom two-thirds and the base of the 7.65 is identical to the 9mm. So, same mag. Some loading manuals even have the same powder charge. Thus the 7.65 is around 100fps faster and has more penetrating power than the 9mm.

Yes, yes and yes to all of this.

I'm getting (in Crook County) 50 Fio. for $30 + tax.
The same store/range has 50 Win's for $40 + tax.
I assume the Win's are full metal coppertops, whereas the
Fiocchi's are copper/softpoint lead tip.

An interesting note, I've seen it a little cheaper online, but with
shipping and sometimes CC# fees not enough to warrant
doing auctions or mail order.

Ed when you say spring in grip then not related to the clip itself I assume.
OK good to know. Lot's of Mec's out there on auction, although the salesman
recommended to keep it 'purist' find a wood-assed "Germany" mag for the
commercial.

Anyone know how I can get my #'s to the Database PDF I downoaded?

FYI the Luger I bought was a 'red dot' tag there so it was being sold by the store for someone.
So that someone named the price. No doubt they would have asked for more if it was the store's.

As for accuracy, I used the Police Target Silhouette's 17x23 spooled out to about 15 yards and got them all in the black chest cavity. All the first pistol I ever shot.

The second sheet I had 8" groupings but all wide left as I only used one hand! Well practice makes perfect.

All I gotta say is, DAMN was that 1911 3 stalls down loud!!! What a cannon.

Matt,
Post the info in this thread... http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=16314

Bungalocity -

You can get MecGar brand Luger magazines from Luger Doc (Tom Heller) on this Forum. I've gotten some from him and he is the source I would recommend to you.

Congratulations on such a nice Luger.

Mauser720 - Ron