1970's era Mauser
 

Good afternoon gentlemen,

My local gunstore has a 1970's era Mauser Luger in .30. I also remembered reading over the forums here many years ago that some Lugers made in the 70's had quality issues. Was it just Mitchell Arms that had issues or did Mauser also have problems back then. Furthermore, what should I be looking for if I were to purchase this Mauser?

1970's Mausers are made very well, they have nothing to do with mitchel lugers.

I am not familiar with glaring quality issues with the post war Mauser Lugers. I have owned mine (9mm) for a number of years and run a fair amount of ammo through it with no problems. I had the grips cut down to better fit my hand. Perhaps others will chime in, as there are quite a number owned by the forum.

My 6" Swiss style in 9 mm does just fine, although I don't demand a lot of it. Dependable function, more accurate than I am, not ammo fussy.

You will find shooting with original grips to be very similar to holding a rough cut 2" x 4" and you will have the heavy checkered pattern embossed into the skin on the web of your hand! A rework or different grips will make the experience much better.

.30 Luger is nice to shoot, as well, albeit more expensive than 9 x 19.

I noticed the grip safety is the means of lowering the safety bar that blocks the trigger bar from moving... does that technically make it drop safe when its not gripped?

I would not want to drop Lugers more than I have to, but the external sear bar-regardless of safety-does not exactly inspire drop safe confidence regardless of condition the Luger is in either mechanically, or carry condition.

I don't know of any issues with the Mauser made post war lugers. Frequently you can find them for less money than a shooter grade wartime or prewar luger so there is that. 30 luger ammo is out there and so are components if you want to load for them.
I never had any issues with the grips being too large and my hands are pretty small. I've enjoyed shooting my lugers over the last 50 years. The 30 and 9mm guns are great fun.

Frank

Post WWII Lugers
 

The only issues I have heard about post WWII Lugers involved the stainless steel pistols. They were sold under several brands then including Mitchel and Stoeger.

The Mauser produced Lugers in the 70's never had any issues that I recall.

I have one in .30 Luger and shoot it
Reloading is a plus for this caliber both availability and cost.
The reloading section of this forum is a treasure.

Issues - did break the mainspring guide - got a replacement from G.T. on this forum. G.T. sent me two, a '70's Mauser OEM which is cast. But (God bless him) also included a 1930's Mauser guide which is forged (much stronger) the forged one does fit and many rounds have passed since installation.

As Ithacaartist noted the grips are not as smooth as one would wish, but also a bit wide at the back in the web of your hand. This hinders compression of the grip safety a bit.

Magazine springs are very strong, Mec Gar are a lot easier to load.

But overall a beautiful firearm and a pleasure to shoot.