Looking for My First Luger
 

Hello everyone.

I'm new to the Luger, and I'm on the hunt for my first one (I say my first because I already know I'll end up getting addicted). I found one on Gunbroker that I thought would be a good first one. But, within the description was listed the following statement, "The toggle pin has a small chip missing but the gun still shoots and functions well."

Is a chip in the "toggle pin" necessarily a bad thing?

Thanks,
Steve

It depends on which pin and what kind of chip. The main, or rear pin has a cap or "shoulder" on it, like the head of a screw, which rests in a recess in the toggle arm. This keeps this pin from falling through the arm. It can only be removed from one direction. If a portion of this cap or head has been broken off, which I have seen on numerous occasions, it will not affect the function or safety of the part. It is, really, the only place on the typical pin which I can see "chipping"
Unless this part is numbered and you are buying a collector Luger this will not be a problem.

You didn't post a link to the auction, so any comments on this particular Luger will have to wait for pics or descriptions.

You didn't say if you were interested in shooting or collecting. A good collectible isn't one you'd want to shoot. Pieces break and/or fly off. Irreplaceable pieces (from a colletor's viewpoint).

A good shooter at a reasonable price would be a Russian capture or a VOPO Luger. Most if not all will have had their fragile parts replaced already. :)

My $.02

alanint, postino, thank you for the replies.

My apologies for not giving more information.

I'm looking for a shooter at the moment. Here's the link to the auction: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=192331269

Steve..Unless this part is numbered and you are buying a collector Luger this will not be a problem.
I have found otherwise. My shooter Navy had this ring shear off. Not good. These pins are replaceable but better to have one that is not disentagrating.

Jerry Burney

I took a quick look at the link and am not scared of it. If you can get it under $700 I'd think you'd be OK. These typically bring around $1000 with box and papers, unfired or little fired. I see that it is 9mm so that's a plus. Our LugerDoc may have those pins, but I've owned several older guns with that shoulder chipping off and it was no problem. The sides of the frame retain it anyway.
That one is the Swiss pattern, which may not be as preferred as the P08 with the flared lower frame, but that may just be me.
Have fun and let us know how you do on it.
dju

Thanks, everyone, for your help and quick responses.

Steve

I think the BIN price is not bad...It's not a wartime Luger, and the straight grip isn't my favorite, but I like the grip safety, and it looks pretty good finish-wise...Shipping is very reasonable...IMHO, $700 would be excellent, $750 still very good...

But I think that when it hits the reserve and the BIN disappears, it will go up to ~$1000...

Bookmarked; will check back in 5 days... :)

PM sent on Luger

Dan,

PM sent with question.

Thanks,
Steve

I was thinking $650 - $700, since it's only the gun. But, I wasn't sure. Thank you for confirming my opinion on it.

Steve

The first Luger I ever owned, a 1914 DWM, had a chip broken off the toggle axle pin. I shot it a lot and never had a problem, however, you could tell from marks on the back of the receiver "ear" on that side that it had become stuck and caused the toggle to jamb open on at least one occasion. I believe this possibility is the reason for the Mauser "hump."
KFS

Karl,

What do you mean by Mauser "hump?"

Steve

My 1918 DWM has an identical chip as the gun broker gun. I shoot mine allot and the first time I noticed the chip was when the gun jammed open once. The axel pin rotated to exactly the right spot on the chip to let it slip out while the gun was cycling. Maybe the chip was there before or maybe it happened right then I don't know. The solution was very simple, however, I bought another pin from Tom Heller.
Marc

Here http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121 #27, but there are better pics here if you do a search...

Man, that is a subtle variation. It seems I'm learning something new every few minutes about the Luger.

Lugers have a refined complexity I've not seen or experienced with any other firearm.

I've got the feeling it's going to be fun, rewarding, and down right frustrating all at the same time learning about them.

Few truer words have ever been written.:thumbup: Welcome to the hobby...enjoy it for all it is worth.