New to the Clubhouse--please rate my purchase!

maxmanta · 03-05-2005, 03:10 AM

How-dee!

I just joined the cult of the Luger with the purchase of a 1936 S/42 for $500. I've always wanted a genuine Luger and this looked like a good deal to me. Still, I'd like to ask the experts to rate my purchase and to seek advice on this gun.

Again, it is a 1936 S/42--which I understand means it was made by Mauser for the German military. The only #s that DON'T match are on the takedown lever (the thing that hinges forward so you can remove the top half og the gun), and the magazine. Also, the side plate (the square thing) does NOT look original and there is no serial# on it.

The finish is, for the most part, worn off and the barrel looks like it was shot with corrosive ammo and never cleaned--it looks more like a shotgun barrel than a pistol barrel. Other than that, the gun seems fine mechanically. I'm figuring that this places it well within the "shooter" category.

Though I plan to shoot the gun before I make any changes, I was thinking of re-lining the barrel at Redman's and throwing a nice finish on it. Is is possible to re-line a 9mm barrel to a .30 (the Luger's original chambering)? If not, then how about just re-lining in 9mm. Is re-lining the barrel even a good idea? I'd like to keep everything original. Also, the aforementioned side plate is very loose. Can it be tightened up?

Thank you for any help!

Edward Tinker · 03-05-2005, 09:24 AM

Hard to rate it without pictures.... But, lets see.

Welcome to our forum! Why are you in hell?

As a "shooter" price, unless really mucked up, you did ok price wise.

What number is on your takedown lever?

7.65mm is a nice cartridge (oops, never shot one), but so I have been told. 9mm is cheap and plentiful, you can shoot 3x 's as much 9mm as 7.65 (30 luger).

You can get a gun relined, in either caliber. Might be easier just to put in a new barrel, heck, put in a 6 incher, thye are lots of fun!

Ed

Ron Smith · 03-05-2005, 09:31 AM

If you are talking about Redman's in Washington? I would have him reline it. You would retain the original numbers and markings.

Ron

Lugerdoc · 03-05-2005, 09:59 AM

MM, Your unnumbered repro side plate can be tighten up by someone who knows how (usually a matter of slightly bending front arm). But rather than spend money on a mismatched part, if you can find the matching Mauser side plate, fit that one. TH

Ron Wood · 03-05-2005, 10:59 PM

First, your Luger was originally 9mm, not 7.65mm, so you do not need to reline it for that reason. Stick with 9mm, it is a heck of a lot cheaper to shoot. Second, your idea to shoot it first is a good one. You may be surprised at how accurate it is. I have seen Lugers with bores that looked like sewer pipes that grouped better than some modern pistols. Sounds like you made a pretty good buy.

G.W. Gill · 03-06-2005, 12:06 AM

The gentlemen present a good scenario... Shoot the pistol and see how she does. Fix the small parts. I bet it will be a sweet handgun like nothing you have experienced.

03-05-2005, 03:10 AM	#1
maxmanta User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: I'm in HELL! That's where I'm at! Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New to the Clubhouse--please rate my purchase! How-dee! I just joined the cult of the Luger with the purchase of a 1936 S/42 for $500. I've always wanted a genuine Luger and this looked like a good deal to me. Still, I'd like to ask the experts to rate my purchase and to seek advice on this gun. Again, it is a 1936 S/42--which I understand means it was made by Mauser for the German military. The only #s that DON'T match are on the takedown lever (the thing that hinges forward so you can remove the top half og the gun), and the magazine. Also, the side plate (the square thing) does NOT look original and there is no serial# on it. The finish is, for the most part, worn off and the barrel looks like it was shot with corrosive ammo and never cleaned--it looks more like a shotgun barrel than a pistol barrel. Other than that, the gun seems fine mechanically. I'm figuring that this places it well within the "shooter" category. Though I plan to shoot the gun before I make any changes, I was thinking of re-lining the barrel at Redman's and throwing a nice finish on it. Is is possible to re-line a 9mm barrel to a .30 (the Luger's original chambering)? If not, then how about just re-lining in 9mm. Is re-lining the barrel even a good idea? I'd like to keep everything original. Also, the aforementioned side plate is very loose. Can it be tightened up? Thank you for any help!

03-05-2005, 09:24 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,924 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,518 Times in 2,087 Posts	Hard to rate it without pictures.... But, lets see. Welcome to our forum! Why are you in hell? As a "shooter" price, unless really mucked up, you did ok price wise. What number is on your takedown lever? 7.65mm is a nice cartridge (oops, never shot one), but so I have been told. 9mm is cheap and plentiful, you can shoot 3x 's as much 9mm as 7.65 (30 luger). You can get a gun relined, in either caliber. Might be easier just to put in a new barrel, heck, put in a 6 incher, thye are lots of fun! Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-05-2005, 09:31 AM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	If you are talking about Redman's in Washington? I would have him reline it. You would retain the original numbers and markings. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-05-2005, 09:59 AM	#4
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	MM, Your unnumbered repro side plate can be tighten up by someone who knows how (usually a matter of slightly bending front arm). But rather than spend money on a mismatched part, if you can find the matching Mauser side plate, fit that one. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

03-05-2005, 10:59 PM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,005 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 5,139 Times in 1,689 Posts	First, your Luger was originally 9mm, not 7.65mm, so you do not need to reline it for that reason. Stick with 9mm, it is a heck of a lot cheaper to shoot. Second, your idea to shoot it first is a good one. You may be surprised at how accurate it is. I have seen Lugers with bores that looked like sewer pipes that grouped better than some modern pistols. Sounds like you made a pretty good buy. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-06-2005, 12:06 AM	#6
G.W. Gill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 369 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The gentlemen present a good scenario... Shoot the pistol and see how she does. Fix the small parts. I bet it will be a sweet handgun like nothing you have experienced.