LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Luger stock lugs

PhilOhio · 05-11-2009, 01:16 PM

Thanks Bill, Ron. I went back and looked at ATF's lists. It appears that the only reason all short barrel Lugers have not been exempted from the shoulder stock attachment prohibition is that nobody has asked.

FYI: While it is not so stated in the listings, ATF has issued update letters stating that the use of reproduction shoulder stocks is also exempt; this is true despite wording in the actual list stating that it applies to "original" stocks. I'm not aware of any further rulings on how finely the line has been cut as to what qualifies as an acceptable "reproduction".

Early short barrel DWM Lugers are already exempt for stock attachment...bbls. of 4" and 4 7/8". They are listed.

Browning HiPowers are exempt, as are the Inglis guns.

All Broomhandles of any caliber, manufactured before 1940, are exempt. The exemption is short, concise, and all inclusive.

A request to exempt all Lugers mfg. before 1946 or some such cutoff date would most likely end all this pointless complexity and the need to list a host of obscure variations. The Broomhandle wording should be the model; it has already been determined by ATF to be reasonable and acceptable; at least pre-Obama.

A little perspective on pointless prohibitions, for you younger people: Back in the 1950s, when I acquired my first S/42 Luger, there was a law on the books which made all Lugers with shoulder stock lugs contraband, subject to seizure and imprisonment of the person possessing one. I learned this after buying mine, from a pawn shop owner with an FFL. I was worried. I began carefully checking around.

I learned ATF had published guidelines for legalizing one's Luger by grinding off the lug. But I never saw such a butchered Luger. Not one.

Lugged Lugers were all over the place in gun stores. They were privately owned. What in the world was going on?

It took me awhile to figure out that nobody was honoring the stupid rule and nobody was enforcing it.

So whatever happened? Was the law changed? Or is it still on the books, but universally ignored? I have no clue, but I positively know it was law in the 1950s.

I guess it's time for somebody to ask ATF for an update, worded as for Mauser Broomhandle pistols. In recent years ATF seems to have been most reasonable and cooperative. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Obama Factor might taint this refreshing common sense approach. I hope not.

05-11-2009, 01:16 PM	#17
PhilOhio User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 145 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Thanks Bill, Ron. I went back and looked at ATF's lists. It appears that the only reason all short barrel Lugers have not been exempted from the shoulder stock attachment prohibition is that nobody has asked. FYI: While it is not so stated in the listings, ATF has issued update letters stating that the use of reproduction shoulder stocks is also exempt; this is true despite wording in the actual list stating that it applies to "original" stocks. I'm not aware of any further rulings on how finely the line has been cut as to what qualifies as an acceptable "reproduction". Early short barrel DWM Lugers are already exempt for stock attachment...bbls. of 4" and 4 7/8". They are listed. Browning HiPowers are exempt, as are the Inglis guns. All Broomhandles of any caliber, manufactured before 1940, are exempt. The exemption is short, concise, and all inclusive. A request to exempt all Lugers mfg. before 1946 or some such cutoff date would most likely end all this pointless complexity and the need to list a host of obscure variations. The Broomhandle wording should be the model; it has already been determined by ATF to be reasonable and acceptable; at least pre-Obama. A little perspective on pointless prohibitions, for you younger people: Back in the 1950s, when I acquired my first S/42 Luger, there was a law on the books which made all Lugers with shoulder stock lugs contraband, subject to seizure and imprisonment of the person possessing one. I learned this after buying mine, from a pawn shop owner with an FFL. I was worried. I began carefully checking around. I learned ATF had published guidelines for legalizing one's Luger by grinding off the lug. But I never saw such a butchered Luger. Not one. Lugged Lugers were all over the place in gun stores. They were privately owned. What in the world was going on? It took me awhile to figure out that nobody was honoring the stupid rule and nobody was enforcing it. So whatever happened? Was the law changed? Or is it still on the books, but universally ignored? I have no clue, but I positively know it was law in the 1950s. I guess it's time for somebody to ask ATF for an update, worded as for Mauser Broomhandle pistols. In recent years ATF seems to have been most reasonable and cooperative. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Obama Factor might taint this refreshing common sense approach. I hope not.