an opening discussion about my new to me 1916 Luger

[Snoopy47]

Hello gentleman (ladies if you are out there).

I recently acquired a 1916 DWM made Luger. I know nothing about them (I’m a 1911 freak). In fact, thank god for youtube, otherwise I would have never got the thing apart and back together again. Anyway, until I get some pictures I’ll start off with a narrative.

I found this at the local gun store for $475. I assume it has been refinished, as the barrel rifling looks a little worse for wear, there a little pitting on the outside of the barrel, and all the bluing is strong (like new), with little wear at the safety and the pitting is blued over. The grips and junk (plastic).

The serial number is 33XX. The only part (that has numbers on it) that doesn’t match all the other parts is the part that comprises the rear sight. The barrel matches the upper, and the upper matches the frame, and the little things on the left side like the take down lever and cover all match.

The underside of the barrel is stamped with:
CAI ST AI R VT (that may or may not be correct based on my ability to read it)
LUGER P08 9MM GERMANY

I assume I have nothing special, and can’t wait to shoot the heck out of it.

Question: Where can I find aftermarket grips and magazines. I don’t need anything “real”, and just want to replace the junk on it, and have more than the single magazine I currently got with it.

Also, where might I find a new barrel for this thing? This one has some rifling left, but if it doesn’t shoot straight I might replace it (assuming a $475 Luger isn’t worth keeping original).

Thanks,

[lugersrkewl]

Welcome to the forum!

sounds like a real barn burner of a deal on a ww1 shooter
I hear mecgar make good repro magazines..
Lugerdoc on this forum can change barrels and stuff.

[tx_oil]

Stick with Mecgar magazines, for Lugers or anything else, as many manufacturers use Mecgar as original equipment magazines. I have mecgar mags for many of my semiauto pistols and have never had one which would not work.

I too, am new to the Luger game, and I know how it can be just starting out. I am sure that some of the advanced collectors/historians/authors in residence here can tell you about the markings on your new shooter. As for grips, try Sarco, Inc for parts as they are one of the largest military gun parts surplus vendors in the nation, and they are great to do business with. I ordered a new set of walnut checkered grips for my shooter as well as two magazines so i would not be putting wear on the magazine which came with it. Sarco has barrels (4") also, but I believe they are in the white and would need bluing.
www.sarcoinc.com

[DavidJayUden]

I too vote Sarco for grips, Mecgar magazines (Brownells) and Winchester white box 115 gr. FMJ ammo. The markings signify Century Arms International in Vermont, and is a required "import mark".
Welcome and have fun!
dju

[mrerick]

Hi "R.",

Welcome to the forum.

You have a Luger that was recently imported (Century Arms, Intl in St. Albans Vermont was the importer).

It was most likely a Russian Capture Luger that was used in East Germany or another Soviet state, then surplussed and imported to the USA. R-Guns and others are carrying these.

Usually they arrived with a magazine, so yours must have been separated.

Go with a MecGar or (if you can find one) an extruded magazine made by Haenel Schmeisser (the WW-II ones were marked "fxo" and post war had pinned aluminum bases and were made for the East Germans).

The grips may be collectable if they were the ones installed by the Russians / East Germans when the pistol was re-arsenaled. It would be worth posting pictures before you toss them out.

Also, try shooting it. If it doesn't shoot well, consider returning it to the dealer (if he warranted it to be in good condition). You can sometimes get these from online sellers like "R-Guns" for not much more, and installing a replacement barrel would probably cost you more.

Marc

[DavidJayUden]

And don't sweat the bore condition. So far I have seen no correlation between the reported visual condition of the bore and on-paper accuracy (or more correctly precision). The proof is to be found at the range. Only.
dju

[Snoopy47]

I will have to borrow a fancy camera to get up close with the details, but I think I've learned enough. I don't think more detail will help any.

[alanint]

You might have gotten more than you bargained for with the grips. These are not the typical Russian/VoPo grips and may be original German Bakelite grips, worth $200+, if correct and authentic.

Can you carefully remove them, (follow instructions available here on site) and send a photo of the backsides?

[pitsword]

Welcome. For your Mec Gar mags, contact Tom Heller, "Luger Doc" here on our forum. I think you can also get Mec Gar mags at CDNN. Good Shooting to you.

[padredan]

Welcome to the forum, cdnn is sold out

[Lugerdoc]

Snoopy, I do have new blued MecGar mags in stock @$35 each, new Sarco checkered wood grips, which require a lot of fitting inside @$25 and various 7.65 or 9mm barrel starting @$75 for vg bore used exc blued ones and can install for $100 more + return S&H. Tom

[Snoopy47]

I am interested in the magazines, and grips.

However, as you can see, I don't think I'll be needing that barrel

I just punched these out today (I will admit, it's only 7 yards, and I haven't shot a pistol until today in 7 months)

[Lugerdoc]

Just send your check for the mag & grips to the address below. Thanks, Tom