[ithacaartist]

Way off topic...in for a penny, in for a pound. Yes, the La.22 has a special place in hell, close to the hub; the KGPs are in a slightly cooler corner!

Olle, other than the faux Lugers, the only other Erma I have experience with is the model '72 saddle gun, .22 lr lever action. It was purchased from Ithaca Gun's company store as a blemished example (The tapping in the tang for the butt-stock is hanging by only a few threads.).

But by process of extrapolation, as with the 1911 non-Colt knockoffs, I'd think that the basic, sound designs "borrowed" from other successful pistols, if faithfully executed, would work as well built by Erma as any other manufacturer--just as my High-Standard GI 1911, CNC machined in the Philippines, is dependable and safe as any knockoff in its price range. It is even pretty accurate.

I've considered expanding my Erma experience to other models, like an M1 to match my real M1, or a P-22, or one of the small, Colt style autos. I collected the Luger-esque ones because they cost less than original Parabellum pistols, so at this point the immediate future looks sparse for my collecting activities! If I find a nice "collectible" shooter from WWII era, I'll need to tap my retirement account...

David