Newbie with a question - want to buy
 

I have a chance to buy an excellent shape (or so I was told) Mauser post war for $500. Is it worth it?
I'm afraid that is all the information I have until I see it tomorrow. What should I look for?

Dobe

Great place to start is to read the 'FAQs' under the New Collectors Heading.

FN

Thanks, and I like the Doberman. I recently lost mine to a heart condition.

Dobe

You're welcome. I'e had dobes for about 25 years now. I had one go down early to Cardio too. A sad day.

I didn't see at first that you are asking about a postwar Luger. So the FAQs may have a lot of info that doesn't apply. I have one too as a shooter. But I got the whole box, two mags, manual, cleaning rod and loading tool. New unfired.


Lessee... The original mags are marked on the spine, the flat part, with the Mauser banner. So is the tool. You'll want all of these. Condition is everything. $500 is not a bad price, but may be one of those, 'too good to be true' things. Do the usual as with used piece. Check everything, dry fire it, with a snap cap in. Make sure the firing pin point is sticking out of the breech when in the fired position. These can get broken easily if it has been dry fired a lot. Make sure the hold open works, i.e. the toggle says back on an empty mag.

Good luck,

FN

Thanks

Dobe

So by post-war do you mean an Interarms Luger?
dju

I haven't seen it, but from the description, I would have to guess so. I'll get to see it tomorrow at lunch.

Dobe,

That was a question I was coming back to ask. I also assumed that at that price it has been shot, and that you are buying as a shooter. Although these are coming to be collectible.

They made a few variations. They did both the P.08 frame and the Swiss type frame. No curve down at the bottom. A straight grip. The P.08 frame seems to be the preferred. They also made them in 9mm and 30 luger or 7.65. The 9mm serial no starts with an 11. The 30...??? memory fails me. Started with a 13? 30 luger is expensive ammo.

FN

I've been told it is a 9mm, and yes, I'm looking for a shooter. I want one that is in good shape. Being unfamiliar with the P08 in function, I don't want a gunsmithing project.

I found two things with mine. The mag springs on some are too strong. I had GT, on this forum, replace them. I also found that it likes Winchester white box ammo the best. That round is a tad bit longer than most other commercial.

I didn't like the modern Mauser grips. Very chunky or trapezoidal. I liked the DWM grip profile better, so had Hugh, taper those down.

FN

Didn't get to check it out today, but will tomorrow.

Ask to shoot it!

FN

I don't know, if they would really let me shoot it. Assuming they will not, and assuming I have a few problems, are there parts and gunsmith skilled who can make the needed repairs?

First of all find out if it is a military ww2 gun or a 1970's interarms Mauser Luger. There is always out beloved LugerDoc on the list who has parts for both and can fix them, but they are 2 distinctly different beasts.
dju

Saw it today. It is not in excellent condition, but is in very good condition. There are a few minor scratches. It is an Interarms with a gold plated trigger. It is a 4" 9mm, and has a grip safety, and what appears to be a US Army seal (the words US Army are NOT on the handgun). The sticker price is 799, but the owner told my friend, he could have it for 500. There are no box or docs, and it comes with one mag only.

FNorm, the serial number does indeed start with an 11.

What-da-ya-think?

I wouldn't let a few scratches stop me. It is a shooter. Really kindda up to you. Disappointing that there aren't two mags. Regardless you will need the take down/loading tool. Those mags are tough to fill. The crest is something they put on for the US market. Etched, not stamped, I think. If there's no rush on this, look at other shooter lugers for comparison. You could find a mismatched 1940's Mauser made luger for $5-700. I did. I was in the gun shop here last week. They had a refinished 1916 Erfurt for $750. Ummm... still too high.

Tom Heller, aka LugerDoc on this forum has parts and service. You can get new MecGar mags not sure of the price, but reasonable.

I'd really want to shoot it before I made any decision.

FN

Take a look at the 'For Sale forum: Just posted a 1938 S/42 for $695. not bad at all.

Appreciate the help.