The first thing I do is completely disassemble, clean and lubricate a new (to me) luger. Look at the parts for wear, and feel the metal to metal contact.
Remember first that you're firing a 100 year old gun. It wasn't designed to handle the high pressure charges common in today's (particularly NATO standard 9mm) ammunition.
If you don't reload, find some common run of the mill white box Winchester like sold in the USA at many Walmart stores. 115gn or 124gn.
When I first fire an unknown gun, I start with only one cartridge in the magazine. Fire and see if everything cycles correctly. Then I do two cartridges in the magazine and see if reloading is correct.
Many Lugers are pretty sensitive to ammunition, and will misbehave by mis-feeding, stove pipeing etc... If this happens it can be caused by weak or improper springs (recoil and magazine feed), or unusual wear.
Above all have fun!
Marc
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