Should I buy this DWM 1917 shooter for $475
 

Hey Guys:
I'm a Newbie to Lugers, and a very casual WW1 and WW2 Collector, mainly interested in shooting and admiring. Obviously I must own a Luger, and a friend offered me one yesterday. 1917 DWM, matching Serial # on frame, upper receiver, trigger, & extractor. No serial # present on takedown lever or dust cover. Non matching serial on back of period correct DWM stamped Toggle. It has 1 metal and one chipped wooden base magazines, period correct/non-matching serials.

I was told that this may have been an artillery model that was reworked at the factory into a standard model. There IS a stock attachment groove on the handle, and there is no serial on the barrel, (which BTW, is excellent)
My assumption is that there is no collectors value to this gun, and it is just a shooter. But as a shooter, it had some issues today at the range. I had a failure to feed on basically every magazine, and the point of impact at 25 yds was at least a foot high and 2-4" right. The Gun was well lubed, and I was shooting Winchester target/range 115 gr. 9mm ammo.

SO....
1) Can these feeding issues be addressed?
2) What about this Revamped Artillery model business? Is it probable, and if so, Is that good, bad, or insignificant?
3) In light of 1 and 2, Is this a good deal? (i.e. could I expect to sell this gun for at least $450-$500 if I wanted to get out of it later?)

Many thanks for the fruits of your experience.
G Page
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Just a comment from a shooter rather than a Luger expert; all, (except for very early), Luger's have the stock cut, it's not restricted to arty's. At $475 it may be a few bucks too expensive, although there may be some value to the magazines, depending on condition and markings. You could sell these, (perhaps for a price that will surprise you), and just use repro's to shoot with.

As to the shooting characteristics; I'm sure one of the knowledgable members will shed some light.

Careful, buying these guns is an easy bug to catch !

Stu

Page I ended this thread, as this is the exact name and information as the other thread you had started.

Ed