Want a hunting Luger....

dfm · 04-04-2010, 02:37 PM

I like the .30 Luger cartridge for general purpose pistol varmint hunting. So far I've used a BHP and Ruger P89 w/switch barrel in the caliber. But after shooting a friend's Commercial 1923 I've decided to get a Luger platform to use.

Would it be best to get an old shooter of no particular value and have it rebarreled or pick up an Interarms Mauser import to use? I'm leaning towards the Interarms gun (Swiss version) as it has a bit longer barrel for balance and ballistics, plus I won't be ruining a historical piece. Open to all thoughts and opinions.

Vlim · 04-04-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

plus I won't be ruining a historical piece

Don't be too certain about that, the post war Parabellums are getting more collectible as well.

It shouldn't be too difficult to pick up a decent pistol in .30 luger. The caliber is not very popular with shooters because of the ammunition prices.

Ron Smith · 04-04-2010, 03:15 PM

Hi Tom,

Welcome to the forum. I built my own .30 shooter. I've had a couple of the Interarms guns, neither was very reliable or accurate. If I wanted one off the shelf, I would go with a DWM Alphabet Commercial (AKA "1920 Commercial"). They are available from several on-line dealers as well as Gun Broker. Most will have the standard 3 7/8" barrel, but occasionally a 6" barreled one will show up. Vlim is right, these are also usually cheaper than the Interarms guns.

Or, get an Alphabet Commercial and have a 6" after market barrel installed. We have a couple of members who could do it for you at a reasonable price.

Here's an example at Simpson Ltd. Prices will run from $600 to $1000+, often cheaper at local shops and gunshows.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...b5fe525a23bd73

Ron

sheepherder · 04-04-2010, 05:22 PM

Coincidentally, one of our other members posted a pic of a varmint Luger just last week...and it was relatively inexpensive...

dfm · 04-05-2010, 06:34 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. A local shop has a 1920 Commercial in clean shape with an excellent barrel for $750. I'll most likely pick it up tomorrow. Will post shooting results when I find out what she'll do.

Ron Smith · 04-05-2010, 07:32 PM

Good Deal ! Let us know. Some of the import houses back in the 20's put Marble's Gold Bead sights on the commercials after import. They work great for what you will be using it for. They're impossible to find now days, maybe this Luger will have one.

sheepherder · 04-09-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfm

Thanks for all the suggestions. A local shop has a 1920 Commercial in clean shape with an excellent barrel for $750. I'll most likely pick it up tomorrow. Will post shooting results when I find out what she'll do.

Did you get it??? Post some pics!!!

dfm · 04-11-2010, 07:49 PM

Sorry guys, but I blew the deal by being a bit late. I work nights and sleep days so I didn't get back to the shop until late afternoon. Someone had walked in off the street and bought the piece about an hour before my arrival. The hunt continues!

Hugh · 04-11-2010, 11:30 PM

dfm,
I may be able to help you out. email me at hhclark@wildblue.net

04-04-2010, 02:37 PM	#1
dfm User Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 20 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Want a hunting Luger.... I like the .30 Luger cartridge for general purpose pistol varmint hunting. So far I've used a BHP and Ruger P89 w/switch barrel in the caliber. But after shooting a friend's Commercial 1923 I've decided to get a Luger platform to use. Would it be best to get an old shooter of no particular value and have it rebarreled or pick up an Interarms Mauser import to use? I'm leaning towards the Interarms gun (Swiss version) as it has a bit longer barrel for balance and ballistics, plus I won't be ruining a historical piece. Open to all thoughts and opinions.

04-04-2010, 03:15 PM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Tom, Welcome to the forum. I built my own .30 shooter. I've had a couple of the Interarms guns, neither was very reliable or accurate. If I wanted one off the shelf, I would go with a DWM Alphabet Commercial (AKA "1920 Commercial"). They are available from several on-line dealers as well as Gun Broker. Most will have the standard 3 7/8" barrel, but occasionally a 6" barreled one will show up. Vlim is right, these are also usually cheaper than the Interarms guns. Or, get an Alphabet Commercial and have a 6" after market barrel installed. We have a couple of members who could do it for you at a reasonable price. Here's an example at Simpson Ltd. Prices will run from $600 to $1000+, often cheaper at local shops and gunshows. http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...b5fe525a23bd73 Ron Attached Thumbnails __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-05-2010, 07:32 PM	#6
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Good Deal ! Let us know. Some of the import houses back in the 20's put Marble's Gold Bead sights on the commercials after import. They work great for what you will be using it for. They're impossible to find now days, maybe this Luger will have one. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-11-2010, 11:30 PM	#9
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	dfm, I may be able to help you out. email me at hhclark@wildblue.net __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

04-04-2010, 05:22 PM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	Coincidentally, one of our other members posted a pic of a varmint Luger just last week...and it was relatively inexpensive...

04-05-2010, 06:34 PM	#5
dfm User Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 20 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for all the suggestions. A local shop has a 1920 Commercial in clean shape with an excellent barrel for $750. I'll most likely pick it up tomorrow. Will post shooting results when I find out what she'll do.

04-11-2010, 07:49 PM	#8
dfm User Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 20 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Sorry guys, but I blew the deal by being a bit late. I work nights and sleep days so I didn't get back to the shop until late afternoon. Someone had walked in off the street and bought the piece about an hour before my arrival. The hunt continues!