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03-26-2007, 09:45 AM | #1 |
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Lugers for Self Defense?
This is a topic that kinda-started elsewhere under another topic heading, but I thought it deserved its own heading.
The question is: does anyone on the list keep a Luger for self defense purposes? Jim |
03-26-2007, 10:23 AM | #2 |
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Thanks Jim for starting this here!
To just sort of bring the discussion up on things; under Off Topic & Other Firearms, we'd digressed from favorite revolvers to choices for a self defense weapon. Several 9 mm automatics were mentioned. Having worked in several independently owned service stations back in my college days, I remembered that just about every one was owned by a WW II vet who kept a pistol someplace, several were war trophies like a Walther P38, but never a Luger. That's when I asked, "would anyone choose to have a Luger for such circumstances, a really nice shooter (or at least nothing too collectible), say with a Mec-Gar and Wally's white box ammo?"
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03-26-2007, 10:33 AM | #3 |
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My reply from the afore mentioned thread..
Herb, Not too many would keep a loaded Luger these days, but back in it's day, it was common, I would think. Consider the number of 1920/23 commercials that were purchased. Most were probably used for self, and home defense. Ron
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03-26-2007, 11:00 AM | #4 |
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I wouldn't keep anything for self defense I would not be willing to see the police spirit away forever.
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03-26-2007, 11:31 AM | #5 |
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Gents,
The first rule of self-defense pistol craft is never use anything that doesn't have the number 4 as the first digit of its caliber. Tom A |
03-26-2007, 01:39 PM | #6 |
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Personally, I don't like using anything for home defense that was manufactured before my father was born.
Just as a general rule... |
03-26-2007, 06:42 PM | #7 |
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A social gun should be something strong, reliable, simple to operate and service, and with night sights. You might get #2 with a Luger.
That said, I have been invited to a Action (three gun) match this weekend, and am considering taking the Luger and my K98. Bound to make conversation anyway. H |
03-26-2007, 07:10 PM | #8 |
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For home defence I have my 12 gauge handy and ready to go. For carry I would not use anything that would have to be "kept" as evidence so I would use one of my more modern S&W pieces.
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03-27-2007, 09:16 AM | #9 |
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If I may be permitted to moderate for a moment:
The question here isn't really what would be the best handgun for home or self defense, but how about a Luger? Is there's not one member of this forum who actually keeps a loaded Luger someplace in there home? Not necessarily with a round in the camber, but with a loaded magazine. If so, what is it and with what for a magazine and ammunition? In the other discussion (where I showed my own preference, a S&W Model 10 with a 6" barrel) I speculated that perhaps a good Luger shooter, or at least nothing too collectible, with a Mec-Gar and Wally's white box ammo might do. P.S. If you or anyone you know is seriously into the venerable Colt Single Action Army revolver and/or the many reproductions, then you have undoubtedly come across discussions concerning the use of such a weapon for self defense. I'm not just talking about Cowboy Action Shooting competitions, though that certainly is what they're practicing.
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03-27-2007, 10:10 AM | #10 |
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As for all who mention the undoubted efficacy of a 12 gauge (my choice would be a Remington 870 cylinder bore & Remington Express Buckshot), consider for the moment the many scenarios in which a handgun may be desired because one is required to use one hand for taking care of task other than holding a weapon. You know, like holding a flashlight, opening doors, making a phone call to 911, or managing a large dog.
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03-27-2007, 11:16 AM | #11 |
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If all you have is a luger then it is better than no gun. I have a hard time seeing the sights durning the day time so at night it would be point and pray, not something I would want around the family menbers.
Jerry |
03-27-2007, 03:39 PM | #12 |
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I love Lugers, always have! I love them for their design, beauty and history. For home defense and personal armament I don't want anything without a hammer. I don't want something that can go proactive in a glove compartment or pocket.
Scattered about where I work and play are 1911A1's, PP's and a CZ75. |
03-28-2007, 09:53 AM | #13 |
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I love my Lugers, but they are just not reliable enough for me. I keep a wheelgun in the nightstand drawer for that.
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03-28-2007, 01:37 PM | #14 |
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Speaking of night stands
I just picked up a well worn S&W Victory lend lease revolver in 38S&W for mine. It's covered with all kinds of US property and British tons stamps . Will that work?
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03-28-2007, 08:59 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
Jim |
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04-06-2007, 09:21 PM | #16 |
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41 S/42 mismatched and rebuilt, functions almost flawlessly at the range. It's my everyday shooter and it's dependable. Sits on my workbench at home in an inexpensive nylon holster with a loaded Meggar magazine (chamber is always empty) with cheap +P 9mm Chinese import ammo - just in case it's ever needed (at home). It's the only loaded gun in the house and it sure likes that hot ammo!
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04-06-2007, 11:32 PM | #17 | |
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Chinese +P Ammo
Quote:
I have a matching byf 41 and the Chinese stuff batters the hell out of it. Your rebilder must have installed a recoil spring that had formerly been used as a bumper spring on an old Dodge or something. If it works, use it! Sieger |
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04-07-2007, 09:27 AM | #18 |
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What do you mean by "functions almost flawlessly?"
Can't help but wonder if using any kind of +P is ever appropriate ammunition for a 60+ year old Luger? So far, that's just one member of this forum who says they actually keep a Luger loaded.
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04-07-2007, 09:49 AM | #19 |
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Herb, over the last 6-7 years (since I retired from the army and had to find steady work ), I have kept a loaded Luger a couple of times. As Tom alluded to, if it ain't a 45, 1911A1 variant then I'd rather not bet my life on it, the luger is just generally not reliable enough for me, let alone the caliber. That said, my Makarov or a PP are the ones that sit loaded many times at the house.
Ed
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04-07-2007, 01:18 PM | #20 |
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Herb/Sieger: I usually go to the range with my luger with about 500 rounds of that Chinese ammo +P I bought and my gun digests it very easily. The worst that happens is sometimes (about 6 to 10 times) I will get a stove pipe jam but short of that I do not have any difficulties whether rapid firing or slow careful shooting . All the pins and axles in the gun have been replaced with hardened steel pins/axles and the recoil spring is very stout to say the least as well as the magazine spring which has also been replaced - headspacing is within tolerance for the 9mm cartridge. The firing pin flutes have been enlarged and the feedramp has been polished. I am using an aftermarket extractor and had it hardened also as to avoid breakage ensuring positive extraction of a case especially when the brass expands excessively due to heat and is a bit difficult to remove from the chamber. To say the least I am please with my luger and enjoy it very much.
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