Opinions on first luger wanted
 

Hey all, I'm new here so please pardon my lack of knowledge about lugers. I've been looking at getting a luger for a good long while and have been looking around for a shooter, nothing fancy. I've been looking at one online and was considering getting it but I'd like to get the experts opinion on it before I pull the trigger, so to speak. The gun is described as a 1918 DMW with 92% blueing, very good bore, good (plastic) grips, 4" barrel, import marked, mismatched, non original sight blade, s/42 toggle, and refinished metal. They want $895 for it. Is that fair considering today's markets? Many thanks.

Could you post some pictures?

It sounds like a real "Heinz 57", thoroughly mismatched. The price sounds high to me, as it is on the lower end of shooters, maybe $500-$650 would me more appropriate. Lugers at that lower price can be hard to find, mind you. But you can usually find a lower end collectable Luger (80%+ bluing, matched except mag, etc.) for around $1000, a better investment IMHO.
dju

I' using a tablet right now and I'm not sure how to post pics with it, I'll try to figure it out. And David, do you have any idea where I might be able to track one of those down? I'm really just looking for a shooter that I don't intend to sell. Everything I've found otherwise was easily $1200 with a fair bore and more for a decent piece.

I keep hearing about CheckPoint Charlie for shooters, so do some research there. And start daily searches on GunBroker, GunsAmerica, etc. Post wanted ads here and keep moving it to the top. Some of the auction houses may be a possibility, but risky to the unititated. Sometimes wanted ads in the local newspaper will produce results.
dju

Check this link.
http://www.checkpointcharlies.com/sh...4&categoryid=9

Welcome to the forum.

Post a wtb add on this forum for a shooter.

that is rather high for a mismatched shooter. keep your money and invest in an all matching pistol. you will be much happier with your purchase. allso welcome to the forum and good luck, Padre Dan

Thanks for the advice guys, I apreciate it. And I've posted a ad on this form, still no bites though.

I'm thinking why pay extra for an all matching gun and then use it as a shooter. You wouldn't want to break any parts and lose value - would you?
Think it thru.
Jack

Jack:
By suggesting buying a matching 80% gun for a grand and shooting it, I'm playing the odds that a numbered part will not break. And if it does you are only out a hundred or so dollars if you bought it right to begin with. Also a serious range gun is one thing, but a Luger that you clean and fondle more than you shoot it is another. I guess I'd just rather look at and own a matching (or nearly matching) gun than a mutt.
dju

I was fortunate to have, locally, an old fashioned friendly dealer. They advertise wanted to buy Lugers, along with Colts and Winchesters. I put a bid in for one and, 2 months later, they took in a bringback with all matching in really good shape. Price was within perameters I set and am well pleased. Not too many dealers like that but you might check around area for same.