1938 S/42 First Range Report

Redcoat3340 · 05-28-2017, 08:24 PM

So I had my first Luger to the range today and I can gladly report not only did it work, I didn't bust it! Actually, it seems a stout little gun....far stronger than I thought.

Put a box of Remington 115gr. ball through it and no hangups.

It shoots high at 7 yards (and 5 yards) maybe three inches.

Sights are just short of ugh....and if weren't a Luger and my first Luger, I'd have my bottle of white-out out and paint the front sight blade.

As for the trigger, it ain't a transcendental experience. Matter of fact it's kinda different. There's some take up, which is fine; then it stops dead and more pressure and it goes bang....but there isn't a clean break...it just sort of shoots.

Clearly I need a lot more trigger time to get used to it. Normally, I'd dry fire with a snap cap at home (at lot)....but with the toggle it's a bit more than a chore than with my Walther P99AS or a S/A where all you have to do is thumb back the hammer.

I need to met more WWB or Rem 115gr.....I don't want to shoot 124 gr. (my usual 9mm load) and a lot more time at the range if I want to get good with it.

I was on the paper, mostly in the black, but I shot the other guns I had with me today, my PPS, Walther 230 and Sig 226 (with .22 conversion) a lot better.

Wondering if it is the trigger design that's different or just my pistol.

Overall, I gotta say it was a good decision to get this gun....I'm happy with everything about it....and will be happier when I can shoot out the X ring consistently.

OIF2 · 05-28-2017, 09:19 PM

G.T. here on the forum can hook you up with a taller front sight. Send him the upper receiver and barrel and he'll install it, too. As far as triggers go, Lugers will not compete with a tuned 1911. Most are simply terrible. Not much you can do about that. The way of the Luger is fraught with hills, valleys, twists and turns...but it's fun and challenging to shoot one well. Takes some work, though. Try the 124 grain stuff to see if you have a different point of impact.
Bob

DavidJayUden · 05-28-2017, 09:32 PM

I'd not worry about a bit of white paint n the front blade if that is what you want. It will come off by itself eventually.
dju

Redcoat3340 · 05-28-2017, 11:41 PM

Thanks guys....sounds like two good suggestions. I'll try the 124 on Tuesday and like they used to say about Brylcreme ...a little dab ill do ya.

(And I'm glad to hear its the design, not my gun.)

DonVoigt · 05-29-2017, 09:13 AM

Yes,
the trigger design, with more moving parts is different than other pistols. Some lugers are "cleaner" than others, but you will learn to live with it- or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redcoat3340

So I had my first Luger to the range today and I can gladly report not only did it work, I didn't bust it! Actually, it seems a stout little gun....far stronger than I thought.

Put a box of Remington 115gr. ball through it and no hangups.

It shoots high at 7 yards (and 5 yards) maybe three inches.

Sights are just short of ugh....and if weren't a Luger and my first Luger, I'd have my bottle of white-out out and paint the front sight blade.

As for the trigger, it ain't a transcendental experience. Matter of fact it's kinda different. There's some take up, which is fine; then it stops dead and more pressure and it goes bang....but there isn't a clean break...it just sort of shoots.

Clearly I need a lot more trigger time to get used to it. Normally, I'd dry fire with a snap cap at home (at lot)....but with the toggle it's a bit more than a chore than with my Walther P99AS or a S/A where all you have to do is thumb back the hammer.

I need to met more WWB or Rem 115gr.....I don't want to shoot 124 gr. (my usual 9mm load) and a lot more time at the range if I want to get good with it.

I was on the paper, mostly in the black, but I shot the other guns I had with me today, my PPS, Walther 230 and Sig 226 (with .22 conversion) a lot better.

Wondering if it is the trigger design that's different or just my pistol.

Overall, I gotta say it was a good decision to get this gun....I'm happy with everything about it....and will be happier when I can shoot out the X ring consistently.

Sergio Natali · 05-29-2017, 10:30 AM

Congratulations, would be nice to see some pictures of your targets.

So now you'll have to start shooting from further away, FWIK Lugers back sight were made to shoot at the distance of 50 metres (54.68 yds)

Regards

rhuff · 05-29-2017, 02:46 PM

I have been using a product called Bright Sights for many, many years on my pistol sights. It comes in different colors. It is easy to apply, and easy to remove. It sure makes my Luger and 1911A1 sights much easier to pickup.....along with all of the others.

hayhugh · 05-29-2017, 04:02 PM

Which color did you find the best for target shooting with a Luger?

rhuff · 05-29-2017, 04:08 PM

MY eyes see their Intl. Yellow better than the other colors. I tried them all on various handguns over time, but the yellow works the best for me.

DavidJayUden · 05-29-2017, 04:22 PM

I find that I shoot best if I focus on the target, not the sights, and all the colored paint, dots, and Christmas lights in the world only make me shoot more poorly. They only serve to distract my eye.
Flat black for me.
dju

rhuff · 05-30-2017, 03:27 PM

A true example of "different strokes for different folks"!! When I try to shoot with black iron sights, they just "fuzz" and go away.

05-28-2017, 08:24 PM	#1
Redcoat3340 User Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	1938 S/42 First Range Report So I had my first Luger to the range today and I can gladly report not only did it work, I didn't bust it! Actually, it seems a stout little gun....far stronger than I thought. Put a box of Remington 115gr. ball through it and no hangups. It shoots high at 7 yards (and 5 yards) maybe three inches. Sights are just short of ugh....and if weren't a Luger and my first Luger, I'd have my bottle of white-out out and paint the front sight blade. As for the trigger, it ain't a transcendental experience. Matter of fact it's kinda different. There's some take up, which is fine; then it stops dead and more pressure and it goes bang....but there isn't a clean break...it just sort of shoots. Clearly I need a lot more trigger time to get used to it. Normally, I'd dry fire with a snap cap at home (at lot)....but with the toggle it's a bit more than a chore than with my Walther P99AS or a S/A where all you have to do is thumb back the hammer. I need to met more WWB or Rem 115gr.....I don't want to shoot 124 gr. (my usual 9mm load) and a lot more time at the range if I want to get good with it. I was on the paper, mostly in the black, but I shot the other guns I had with me today, my PPS, Walther 230 and Sig 226 (with .22 conversion) a lot better. Wondering if it is the trigger design that's different or just my pistol. Overall, I gotta say it was a good decision to get this gun....I'm happy with everything about it....and will be happier when I can shoot out the X ring consistently.

05-29-2017, 10:30 AM	#6
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Congratulations, would be nice to see some pictures of your targets. So now you'll have to start shooting from further away, FWIK Lugers back sight were made to shoot at the distance of 50 metres (54.68 yds) Regards __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

05-28-2017, 09:19 PM	#2
OIF2 User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: TEXAS Posts: 83 Thanks: 133 Thanked 73 Times in 25 Posts	G.T. here on the forum can hook you up with a taller front sight. Send him the upper receiver and barrel and he'll install it, too. As far as triggers go, Lugers will not compete with a tuned 1911. Most are simply terrible. Not much you can do about that. The way of the Luger is fraught with hills, valleys, twists and turns...but it's fun and challenging to shoot one well. Takes some work, though. Try the 124 grain stuff to see if you have a different point of impact. Bob

05-28-2017, 09:32 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'd not worry about a bit of white paint n the front blade if that is what you want. It will come off by itself eventually. dju

05-28-2017, 11:41 PM	#4
Redcoat3340 User Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks guys....sounds like two good suggestions. I'll try the 124 on Tuesday and like they used to say about Brylcreme ...a little dab ill do ya. (And I'm glad to hear its the design, not my gun.)

05-29-2017, 02:46 PM	#7
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	I have been using a product called Bright Sights for many, many years on my pistol sights. It comes in different colors. It is easy to apply, and easy to remove. It sure makes my Luger and 1911A1 sights much easier to pickup.....along with all of the others.

05-29-2017, 04:02 PM	#8
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 885 Thanks: 851 Thanked 508 Times in 271 Posts	Which color did you find the best for target shooting with a Luger?

05-29-2017, 04:08 PM	#9
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	MY eyes see their Intl. Yellow better than the other colors. I tried them all on various handguns over time, but the yellow works the best for me.

05-29-2017, 04:22 PM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I find that I shoot best if I focus on the target, not the sights, and all the colored paint, dots, and Christmas lights in the world only make me shoot more poorly. They only serve to distract my eye. Flat black for me. dju

05-30-2017, 03:27 PM	#11
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	A true example of "different strokes for different folks"!! When I try to shoot with black iron sights, they just "fuzz" and go away.