9x17 Luger

Jeff · 09-17-2001, 04:44 PM

I have a general question for luger experts. The Luger I have inherited was produced during the Nazi era, but chambers 9mm Kurz. I have not tried .32 from some of the readings I have done about "baby Lugers" but it does not look like those weapons as this one has 4in barrel. I have not done any shooting with it as I want to ensure I am using the correct ammo. Local gunsmith told me to use 9mm Kurz ammo, but didn't mention .380 equivalent. I suspect he is trying to sell me a more expensive brand not options for what will safely work. Any help?

09-17-2001, 04:58 PM

I don't beleive they made .380 Lugers, until around the 50's or so and were made by other makers than the "normal" Luger makers. Is yours marked as DWM, Mauser, etc? What kind of markings does it display?

I am sure that from the factory they were only produced in 9mm and 7.65 (not counting the .45's made or produced).

The 9mm Kurz is the .380, you can buy the more expensive ammo that is labeled 9mmKurz, but I am sure they are the same thing. At the Walther USA website, they list the 9mm Kurz (.380) as the same weapon. http://www.waltherusa.net/pp.htm

Thor · 09-17-2001, 06:03 PM

My guess is you have an ERMAWERKE pistol that resembles a small Luger.

Thor · 09-17-2001, 06:23 PM

or perhaps a real Luger, we need more description, who made it, what are the markings, etc! Thor

Steve Lempitski · 09-17-2001, 09:30 PM

9mm Kurtz or 9mm Corto (Italian military designation) is .380 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP)

BILL · 09-17-2001, 11:45 PM

Jeff, if your Luger is nazi era it is most likely 9mm Parabellum. Check the General Information on the left side bar of this page and/or the owners corner pictures and you can see if it is really a Luger or a Luger wanna-be. The Luger was chambered in 9mm parabellum and .30 Luger (7.65mm). Easy to check right here on this website.

Steve · 09-19-2001, 08:22 PM

Could you send a picture? Even without a camera you can use a flat bed scanner and get a surprisingly good picture. I would like to see it and I am sure most of the others would also.

Jeff · 09-20-2001, 08:29 AM

Thanks for your response. I'm checking the markings from the info listed on the site but I'm 99pct sure it is a 7.65mm. I think part of my problem is that I'm working with a "good old boy" who isn't very knowledgeable in this area. I'm just glad I did a little more research before I tried to fire a 9mm Kurz and hurt myself and the gun. Been kind of busy at work, I'll let you know what marking I get from it. Thanks again.

Jeff · 09-20-2001, 08:33 AM

I haven't had a chance to verify the markings, but I am pretty sure it is a 7.65mm. I think the gunsmith is a "good old boy" and is not the most knowledgeable in this area. I'm just glad I did a little more checking before I tried to fire the wrong ammo and hurt myself and the gun. I'll let you know what I find out from the markings. Thanks for your reply.

Jeff · 09-20-2001, 08:40 AM

Thanks for your response, I'm using the guides in here to help identify the year, make, caliber. I'm almost positive it is a 7.65mm. the gunsmith is a "good old boy" and not very informed in this area. I'm just glad I did a little more checking before I used the wrong ammo and hurt myself and the gun. It is German manufacture, it has the 'kyb' markings, I just haven't had time to identify the remaining symbols. Will let you know. Thanks again.

Jeff · 09-20-2001, 08:41 AM

I'll see if I can get one taken soon of all the appropriate markings and symbols.

Jeff · 09-20-2001, 08:46 AM

I'm now pretty sure it is a 7.65mm and the gunsmith was not very well informed in this area. I have not had a chance to complete the ID of the remaining symbols, but I do know it has the 'kyb' stamp on the top which according to the guide means it is German made. I spoke to a different gunsmith who had 7.65 Luger ammo and knew right away what I was talking about. I'm going in to see him and confirm that this is the correct caliber. He may have some suggestions on where to order ammo in a larger unit so it is not as expensive, his price was $32.50 for 50 rds. Thanks for your response you have been a big help.

09-17-2001, 04:44 PM	#1
Jeff User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	9x17 Luger I have a general question for luger experts. The Luger I have inherited was produced during the Nazi era, but chambers 9mm Kurz. I have not tried .32 from some of the readings I have done about "baby Lugers" but it does not look like those weapons as this one has 4in barrel. I have not done any shooting with it as I want to ensure I am using the correct ammo. Local gunsmith told me to use 9mm Kurz ammo, but didn't mention .380 equivalent. I suspect he is trying to sell me a more expensive brand not options for what will safely work. Any help?

09-17-2001, 04:58 PM	#2
66mustang Guest Posts: n/a	Re: 9x17 Luger I don't beleive they made .380 Lugers, until around the 50's or so and were made by other makers than the "normal" Luger makers. Is yours marked as DWM, Mauser, etc? What kind of markings does it display? I am sure that from the factory they were only produced in 9mm and 7.65 (not counting the .45's made or produced). The 9mm Kurz is the .380, you can buy the more expensive ammo that is labeled 9mmKurz, but I am sure they are the same thing. At the Walther USA website, they list the 9mm Kurz (.380) as the same weapon. http://www.waltherusa.net/pp.htm

09-17-2001, 06:03 PM	#3
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger My guess is you have an ERMAWERKE pistol that resembles a small Luger.

09-17-2001, 06:23 PM	#4
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger or perhaps a real Luger, we need more description, who made it, what are the markings, etc! Thor

09-17-2001, 09:30 PM	#5
Steve Lempitski User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Old Cape Cod Posts: 238 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger 9mm Kurtz or 9mm Corto (Italian military designation) is .380 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP)

09-17-2001, 11:45 PM	#6
BILL User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 826 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger Jeff, if your Luger is nazi era it is most likely 9mm Parabellum. Check the General Information on the left side bar of this page and/or the owners corner pictures and you can see if it is really a Luger or a Luger wanna-be. The Luger was chambered in 9mm parabellum and .30 Luger (7.65mm). Easy to check right here on this website.

09-19-2001, 08:22 PM	#7
Steve User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger Could you send a picture? Even without a camera you can use a flat bed scanner and get a surprisingly good picture. I would like to see it and I am sure most of the others would also.

09-20-2001, 08:29 AM	#8
Jeff User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger Thanks for your response. I'm checking the markings from the info listed on the site but I'm 99pct sure it is a 7.65mm. I think part of my problem is that I'm working with a "good old boy" who isn't very knowledgeable in this area. I'm just glad I did a little more research before I tried to fire a 9mm Kurz and hurt myself and the gun. Been kind of busy at work, I'll let you know what marking I get from it. Thanks again.

09-20-2001, 08:33 AM	#9
Jeff User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger I haven't had a chance to verify the markings, but I am pretty sure it is a 7.65mm. I think the gunsmith is a "good old boy" and is not the most knowledgeable in this area. I'm just glad I did a little more checking before I tried to fire the wrong ammo and hurt myself and the gun. I'll let you know what I find out from the markings. Thanks for your reply.

09-20-2001, 08:40 AM	#10
Jeff User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger Thanks for your response, I'm using the guides in here to help identify the year, make, caliber. I'm almost positive it is a 7.65mm. the gunsmith is a "good old boy" and not very informed in this area. I'm just glad I did a little more checking before I used the wrong ammo and hurt myself and the gun. It is German manufacture, it has the 'kyb' markings, I just haven't had time to identify the remaining symbols. Will let you know. Thanks again.

09-20-2001, 08:41 AM	#11
Jeff User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger I'll see if I can get one taken soon of all the appropriate markings and symbols.

09-20-2001, 08:46 AM	#12
Jeff User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 9x17 Luger I'm now pretty sure it is a 7.65mm and the gunsmith was not very well informed in this area. I have not had a chance to complete the ID of the remaining symbols, but I do know it has the 'kyb' stamp on the top which according to the guide means it is German made. I spoke to a different gunsmith who had 7.65 Luger ammo and knew right away what I was talking about. I'm going in to see him and confirm that this is the correct caliber. He may have some suggestions on where to order ammo in a larger unit so it is not as expensive, his price was $32.50 for 50 rds. Thanks for your response you have been a big help.