Looking for my first luger, how to start
 

So I have always wanted a luger and am looking to buy one but I am woefully uninformed about that. I am not really a hardcore collector but I love old firearms, especially military, so I have acquired quite a few. I am not the sort of guy looking or collectors pieces, I am more into shooters and prefer a beater with miles on it and a story to tell.

However, with handguns I know what too look for in 1911s, old revolvers, etc, but the luger and its toggle action? I am in the dark here.

So what should I look, and maybe where should I look, for a nice, accurate, shooter grade luger?

The easiest way is posting a WTB ad in the trader column, put specification and price range there. And, require 50-round firing inspection upon delivery. It's not unlike buying a used car, test drive.

How to start
 

Since I went through the process of being a new Luger collector within the past six months, let me give you some of my thoughts at random:
--- see if there is a forum member near you- there should be several in Penn. These guys are fantastic about sharing their wealths of knowledge with us newbies, and someone will probably sit down with you to go over a lot of the basics, and possibly show you some of their "babies".

--- get some books. I started with "The Luger Book" and "Lugers at Random" which are both very helpful.

--- look at some websites like Simpson's to see the great variety of Luger variations that we're faced with. Prices are overboard, but good pictures and descriptions to study.

Good luck and good hunting. :) Bill

Set a budget for your first one and try to stick to it. $1,000 would bring a real decent shooter. Hard to get nice ones cheaper but you can get lucky.

First above all, read, read, read! Educate yourself and try not to be taken on your first purchase as I and so many others before me did. Take your time and don't be hasty.

Good luck with that. Good idea, but most sellers I've seen won't go for it.