Purchased A Luger
 

Well, as I have been mentioning lately...I have been wanting a WWII era shooter quality Luger. I wasn't looking for anything too fancy, but I wanted a decent piece.

Yesterday, I came across one that I felt fit my needs nicely and picked up it. To be honest, I don't know a ton about the specific codes or anything...but it is a WWII Luger that appears to be in decent shape and the bore is good. I think it will make a good shooter.

Here are the specifics as far as I understand them. It's a 1938 S/42 non-matching gun. Based on what I can tell, I believe it to be assembled from parts from two different guns as I only see two different numbers on it...I see 2745 and 4914. All the other numbered parts that I can find either show 14 or 45. It came with a non-numbered mag which my understanding means it was not an original mag but a replacement. I also see what looks like an "h" just in front of the trigger guard.

The finish is worn with some very minor pitting.

Here are some photos:


Any thoughts, opinions, or information about this gun would be very helpful. I also need to find a guide in dis-assembly, cleaning and lubrication so I can properly go through it prior to shooting it. Also, ammo recommendations would be great (I have heard that hotter surplus ammo is the way to go).

The frame is before Mauser started making them with the Mauser hump / bump (see FAQ for further info).

Ed

I read through the FAQs and it sounded like some had a hump on the back of the grip while others did not. I'm new to this and a little confused...I guess I need to find photos of a hump gun to understand.

But the takeaway message is the frame pre-dates the hump. From what I thought I read...that means the frame is probably older than the barrel/receiver assembly which is dated 1938. I thought I saw that after 1936 many had the hump. Is that correct?

I always start here with a new milsurp gun:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/pistolp08luger/index.asp

yes and a 1938 would not be strawed parts

so, frame is from earlier and the strawed / non-blued parts are either made like that or pre-blued era...

What does the "h" code mean? Also, who made the s/42 guns and what does "s/42" mean?

Mauser made the guns and S/42 was the "secret Code" to hide the gun's origin from the allies.

The "h" is a suffix and part of the pistol's serial number.

Since the frame serial number is generally the one used by the ATF, I would record the Luger's serial number as:

"4914h"

Marc

As to ammo, I would recommend Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ, or PMC 115gr FMJ. Do NOT use +p, +P+, or NATO 9mm ammo in this Luger. It is too hot and can damage it. Stick with std. velocity ammo.

I have been researching and trying to figure out how to disassemble the gun and properly clean and oil it. One thing I noticed in disassemble videos is that when the action is pulled open with an empty mag in the gun, the bolt locks open (as with most guns). Mine doesn't do that unless I also press the bottom of the magazine upward. I assume there is some wear portion on magazine...is this a correct assumption?

Also, is there a way to lock the bolt open other than with the mag...I can't seem to find a bolt release anywhere so I assume there is not.

your mag spring is weak or mismatched possibly and not fully seating to cause the holdopen to function correctly 100 percent. assembling it incorrectly and not having springs and such at proper angles will do this too. there is not a way to hold the gun open without an empty mag.

As I recall you don't need the toggle open to disassemble the gun. Just press the muzzle back to the rear then turn the takedown lever down. Or watch the youtube instructionals... And try a different magazine to get your hold-open to function as it should.
dju

Are there modern mags or do I just need to find a different old mag?

Luger magazines made by MecGar are the best.

Camaro, the lower part of your Luger is most probably a 1936 vintage. That's the only year until 1938 when a "h" suffix was used by Mauser.

I'll keep an eye out for Mec-Gar mags...looks like they are hard to find right now. Even though the one I have is worn...should it still function or is there anyway to predict?

Go to Greg Cote LLC. He just got a shipment of MecGar mag in stock. A nice guy to deal with, and prices better than most.

Thank you! I just ordered a pair. Really appreciate it!

Does anyone think the grips on this gun will clean up based on how they look?

They will improve somewhat, but if you really want them to pop, send them to Hugh for recheckering.