Converting 30 Luger to 9mm

Revolvr · 12-29-2005, 05:11 PM

I have a '20 or '23 DWM commercial Luger in 30 Luger, all numbers match but has been refinished. It's a good shooter and I'd like to shoot it more, but the ammo is hard to find and expensive. Done a bit of searching in this group and here are my options as I see them:[list=1][*]I'm crazy, 30 Luger is much more fun to shoot. [*]Have someone bore out the barrel to 9mm. Who could do this and how much would it cost? Would it add or subtract from the value of this Luger (which I picked up for $550). Also I will need a 9mm recoil spring right?[*]Find a 9mm barrel/receiver assembly on eBay, swap it in when I want to shoot 9mm. What would be a fair price for this assembly? What other parts should I get to assure something that might be reliable? (Side plate? toggle assembly?)[*]Replace the barrel with a 9mm barrel.[/list=1]
I am leaning towards 2 or 3. Item 3 seems the most interesting. These parts show on eBay all the time. But, given the close tolerances required, am I likely to end up with a parts gun that shoots reliably?

Asking for your expert thoughts and opinions.

thx

-- Dan

Dwight Gruber · 12-29-2005, 05:44 PM

Dan,

Since your Luger has been refinished it is suitable for shooting. Modifying it should not alter its value, although it would be useful to know what the serial number is, whether it is four digits with suffix or five digits (the answer might focus your alternatives).

Yes, to shoot 9mm you will need a recoil spring designed for 9mm.

--Dwight

Rod WMG · 12-29-2005, 06:40 PM

If feasible, my choice would be letter "three."

Herb · 12-29-2005, 06:51 PM

I'd take option 5. Leave it alone and buy a good 9mm shooter. I say this because I have taken out the main spring and put it back again, don't really care to do that again.

Revolvr · 12-29-2005, 08:00 PM

Yea, getting a 9mm shooter might be the best option. Originally thinking my next Luger would be much more collectable, about 3x the cost, and I want to keep one shooter in my collection. But if I could find one for say, under $700, I could buy it and sell my .30. The cost difference might be less than the other options.

Anyone have a good 9mm shooter?

-- Dan

Herb · 12-29-2005, 08:48 PM

They are out there, I got one last week for $445 and just missed one from a company in Canada for $398. Both shooters, mismatched part and both refinished. Try putting an ad in your local paper, I did that once and got two responses, and both wanted too much for their shooters.
I just noticed it, Tom has some for sale right now, look at the bottom of the forum main page, the For Sale section.

Lugerdoc · 12-30-2005, 09:30 AM

Rev, Reboring your barrel or installing a new barrel will cost you around $100 plus the cost of the barrel. So if you can swap your 7.65mm + $100, that might be the better way to go. TH

Revolvr · 12-30-2005, 11:09 PM

If I did decide to have the barrel bored out to 9mm, is there someone who participates in these forums who can do the job?

Thx

-- Dan

Dwight Gruber · 12-31-2005, 12:19 AM

Dan,

Asked more plainly, what is the serial number of this Luger (with suffix, if it has one); also, does it have a proof mark (upright or lazy), is it marked GERMANY or MADE IN GERMANY?

Thanks for the extra info.

--Dwight

Revolvr · 12-31-2005, 12:40 AM

Sure. The S/N is 82285, no suffix. It is marked "GERMANY" on the right hand side. DWM on the toggle, no date over the chamber. C/N on left side upright and on toggle lazy. Gesichert for safe, and whatever the german word is for Loaded. No other marks other than serial numbers.

Regards,

-- Dan

12-29-2005, 05:11 PM	#1
Revolvr User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 86 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Converting 30 Luger to 9mm I have a '20 or '23 DWM commercial Luger in 30 Luger, all numbers match but has been refinished. It's a good shooter and I'd like to shoot it more, but the ammo is hard to find and expensive. Done a bit of searching in this group and here are my options as I see them:[list=1][]I'm crazy, 30 Luger is much more fun to shoot. []Have someone bore out the barrel to 9mm. Who could do this and how much would it cost? Would it add or subtract from the value of this Luger (which I picked up for $550). Also I will need a 9mm recoil spring right?[]Find a 9mm barrel/receiver assembly on eBay, swap it in when I want to shoot 9mm. What would be a fair price for this assembly? What other parts should I get to assure something that might be reliable? (Side plate? toggle assembly?)[]Replace the barrel with a 9mm barrel.[/list=1] I am leaning towards 2 or 3. Item 3 seems the most interesting. These parts show on eBay all the time. But, given the close tolerances required, am I likely to end up with a parts gun that shoots reliably? Asking for your expert thoughts and opinions. thx -- Dan

12-29-2005, 06:51 PM	#4
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'd take option 5. Leave it alone and buy a good 9mm shooter. I say this because I have taken out the main spring and put it back again, don't really care to do that again. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

12-29-2005, 08:48 PM	#6
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	They are out there, I got one last week for $445 and just missed one from a company in Canada for $398. Both shooters, mismatched part and both refinished. Try putting an ad in your local paper, I did that once and got two responses, and both wanted too much for their shooters. I just noticed it, Tom has some for sale right now, look at the bottom of the forum main page, the For Sale section. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

12-30-2005, 09:30 AM	#7
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	Rev, Reboring your barrel or installing a new barrel will cost you around $100 plus the cost of the barrel. So if you can swap your 7.65mm + $100, that might be the better way to go. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

12-29-2005, 05:44 PM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Dan, Since your Luger has been refinished it is suitable for shooting. Modifying it should not alter its value, although it would be useful to know what the serial number is, whether it is four digits with suffix or five digits (the answer might focus your alternatives). Yes, to shoot 9mm you will need a recoil spring designed for 9mm. --Dwight

12-29-2005, 06:40 PM	#3
Rod WMG User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Edge of Texas Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If feasible, my choice would be letter "three."

12-29-2005, 08:00 PM	#5
Revolvr User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 86 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yea, getting a 9mm shooter might be the best option. Originally thinking my next Luger would be much more collectable, about 3x the cost, and I want to keep one shooter in my collection. But if I could find one for say, under $700, I could buy it and sell my .30. The cost difference might be less than the other options. Anyone have a good 9mm shooter? -- Dan

12-30-2005, 11:09 PM	#8
Revolvr User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 86 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If I did decide to have the barrel bored out to 9mm, is there someone who participates in these forums who can do the job? Thx -- Dan

12-31-2005, 12:19 AM	#9
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Dan, Asked more plainly, what is the serial number of this Luger (with suffix, if it has one); also, does it have a proof mark (upright or lazy), is it marked GERMANY or MADE IN GERMANY? Thanks for the extra info. --Dwight

12-31-2005, 12:40 AM	#10
Revolvr User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 86 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sure. The S/N is 82285, no suffix. It is marked "GERMANY" on the right hand side. DWM on the toggle, no date over the chamber. C/N on left side upright and on toggle lazy. Gesichert for safe, and whatever the german word is for Loaded. No other marks other than serial numbers. Regards, -- Dan