My first Luger!
 

I've always wanted a Luger. Picked this one up from RGUNS as a shooter. This was sold to me as a non-matching WWI for $699, but the date is 1937. I've tried to research the marks on this thing to determine its history. I've read that these were Soviet captures?

One question I do have is that the takedown lever will NOT move to a completely horizontal position, probably due to the side plate being a non-matching piece. Should I bother buying a replacement or do ya'll think it'll be fine such as it is?

Also, big thanks to whoever shadowdog500 is on YouTube, his Luger videos have been a big help to me thus far.

Brad,

Your Luger is a Russian Capture "RC" Luger, as indicated by the X following the serial number. This is a Russian propery mark.

The Russians captured 100s of thousands and kept them in reserve , without regard to matching the parts. They mixed and matched Imperial and Third Reich components. As long as it worked they didn't care about matching it.

Rather than buying another side plate, use a small fine-cut file to thin the side plate tang. A little at a time, just enough so that the take down lever will slip into position with some resistance. Use 240 grit paper to smooth it up, touch-up with cold blue.

Ron

Welcome and congratulations. This one is definitely a WW11 Russian capture. Looks like a few mismatched parts, but you did fine on the price.

I wouldn't shoot it until you get that side plate and takedown lever straight!

Thanks for sharing, and welcome to the club!

Clark

Got the takedown lever horizontal, so I finally took her shooting. I probably fired 30-40 or so rounds through it. Amazing, the accuracy of this thing. Shot at 10 and 25 yards without a hitch. Was hitting bottles and stationary skeet at a little over 25 yards.

Two jams, both came whilst shooting single-handed - no other problems. My buddy shot it wonderfully, my mom also gave it a try and REALLY enjoyed it.

I did notice that almost all of my shells were slightly charred looking on one side. Is this normal? I was shooting two separate boxes of white-box Winchester. My P38 did it, as well - I swear I don't remember this happening before.

Anyway, this puppy feels better and shoots better than both my Springfield 1911A1 and my Walther P38.

Here's a couple of pictures for the heck of it,

The "smoking" on the shell casings is normal in nearly any fire arm with certain loads.

Elmer Keith said that a smoked case means that the load is right for the gun. He would experiment with hand loads until he got smoked cases, claiming it's the load that the gun would shoot best.

I've found over the years that he knew what he was talking about. I have a Norwegian Krag that is a tack driver at 200 yds. It smokes cases all the way down one side to the base with it's favorite loads.

Lugers shoot and function best with a firm grip and stiff wrist. They will hang-up when "limp wristed".

Ron

Elmer Keith said that a smoked case means that the load is right for the gun.

Who can argue with Elmer Keith? I would think though that on a 9MM semi auto a smoked case might indicate less than a 100% positive headspace? That gas is escaping to the rear alongside the case. Really poor headspace will also dent the side of the case..

I don't know that much about it ...just thinking outloud.

Jerry Burney

Jerry,

A smoked case indicates that the bullet has fully seated in the barrel lands creating a perfect seal, which in-turn causes a minute amount of the gas to blow back along the case (path of least resistance).

A complete seal around the bullet, means that there isn't any "blow-Bye" of gases around the bullet. This puts even pressure on the base of the bullet, causing it to fly truer without any pitch or yaw as it leaves the barrel making it more accurate. It's nothing to do with head space, which is almost always indicated by the primer backing out, or in the extreme instance a separted case.

I've been an Elmer Keith fan since he used to write for American Rifleman in the 50's and 60's. I've tested many of his ideas, tips and thoughts on shooting, ammunition and reloading. I've found that he knew what he was talking about in many regards.

Young shooters learn from old shooters...

Ron

Ron, Thanks for the lesson..I have always been interested in headspace. I would have to say though that a primer backing out is indicative of extreme pressure which could be caused by many things. The same with a separated case..another instance where this could be caused by several things, not just headspace problems. At any rate it is a very complex subject of great interest to most any shooter who cares about function.

Jerry Burney

Brad,

Is your RC Russian Capture Luger import marked?

If not, it's a rather old import (pre-1968).

Many of these came over in the 1980's and 1990's, but those have import markings.

RC Lugers are becoming collectible in their own sub-genre variation. Search around this forum and you'll find more of their background.

Marc

Jerry,

If a primer backs out part way,it's a case of poor head space. If a primer flattens, blows out, or craters flowing into the firing pin hole, thats excessive pressure.

After firing a cartridge, slide your finger over the primer. If it's not still flush with the head of the casing, or is protruding (backed part way out), then it's a head space problem.

One of the primary causes of case separation is bad head space exceding .005". Extreme (overload) pressure is the other more common cause running neck and neck with brittle, over used (stretched), or weaked brass.

Granted, there are other extreme, uncommon and or rare causes for case separations, but these are by far the most common and the first to check for, 99% of the time.

Ron

Marc,

This is an RGUNS import, the marking is nearly invisible, sort of a holographic deal - took me a few hours before I found it. I don't know if it is true, but I have heard these were only recently let go by the Russian government.

- Brad

Brad,

I bought my first RC Luger in 1984 or 1985. I think the first batch came into the country around 1983, and have been coming in in smaller and smaller numbers since then. I don't know of any coming in in recent years, but I could be wrong.

Ron

I heard about RGuns getting in a batch a couple of weeks ago. Not sure where they originated...

Marc

Ron, ^Thanks! I wish I had more time to read...

Jerry

Jerry,

Not so much reading, as first hand experience, trial and error.

In addition I have had the privilege of knowing and accruing first hand knowledge from R.G."Bob" West who was P.O. Ackley's assistant in devloping his line of Wild Cat cartridges and was a premier custom rifle builder.

Larry Brace also a premier rifle builder and gunsmith.

Herman Waske a one armed master machinist who sold numerous patents to Huntington/RCBS.

As well as Rick Jamison, whom I've known for over 20 years.

One of my best friends and teachers was a gunsmith named Ron Lynaugh, who had forgotten more about guns and shooting than most people will ever know. He specialized in bluing, and blued many guns for Bob West and Larry Brace.

I've had a lot of very knowleagable friends to draw from.

Ron

Ron, An impressive cast of characters! It's fortunate as you say to be associated with such people. Friends like that bring a richness to life you cannot get any other way. I count each Friend I have as a treasure.

Jerry Burney

Normally the stepped ring in the chamber would act as an extra gas seal.
Since this is a relatively late issue P08 it may have been delivered without stepped chamber or with the step removed (for using steel cased P08 rounds).

It would be interesting to check the chamber for the presence of the stepped chamber ring.

What would the stepped chamber ring look like? I'll snap a photo.