Many years ago I bought a Luger outside a bar on the wrong side of town from a down on his luck gentleman. Cost - $20.00
I remembering thinking "will this gun explode" when I fire it.
I took it home and thoroughly cleaned and checked the gun out.
I removed a lot of rust and pitting, checked for cracks along the rail (the good old tuning fork check) and replaced the take-down lever spring and the hold-open latch (the gun didn't have one).
I checked the barrel as much as I could ... it had a bright shiny bore with excellent lands and grooves ... I was kinda surprised by this but pleased.
The barrel was a replacement and had a target style sight ... I think it had once been someones proud little shooter project.
The gun is a marriage of 2 Guns ... the frame is DWM (3003-h) & the receiver is a 1938 Mauser (6879) with the trigger bar being the only other mismatch (91)
Still I have to tell you that I was very nervous the 1st time I fired it.
But it was phenomenal ... tight groupings with zero feed or misfire problems ... I had the foresight to use a new MecGar mag.
I don't have any 'before' pictures (mores the pity) but here she is after I cleaned her up... million dollar chip and all.
Long since gone but still in my memory.
The point of this post is someone was NOT so lucky ... Scott @ Kentucky Ballistics ... and so i present this sobering video followed by an excellent educational and informative video by Ian McCallum @ Forgotten Weapons.
My 50 Cal Exploded ... By Kentucky Ballistics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1449kJKxlMQ
Earth-Shattering ka-Boom! How (and Why) Guns Explode ... By Ian McCallum and Forgotten Weapons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71OGayW7CnI