Help!!! New Luger owner.

I have just taken posession of a 1917? "Erfurt" Luger pistol. I have to admit I know nothing about it, it looks like its in great shape though. I would like to fire it but I want to become more familiar with it and clean it first. I have one magazine with it and nothing else. I understand its a 9mm but can any 9mm ammo be used? If anyone can point me in the right direction or help me out I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

[John D.]

Welcome..!!


OK - on the left, you will see a link called TECHNICAL INFORMATION - just click there and then click on the PARTS DISASSEMBLY. That will guide you through the basic instructions..


As for only one mag - it shouldn't be a problem at all. But - remember, that these are nearly 100 years old, and the springs might be weak. Therefore, if you are having consistient feeding problems, you may want to look around for a spare. If that mag you have now "matches" your Luger - you may want to not use it to shoot with, but rather display your Lugar with..


As for ammo, you should find a good commercial brand should work - but you may want to stay away from "+P" loads as you are trying to achieve consistient feeding/cycling without battering the Luger's action. Everyone has a favorite depending on the "likes" of their own pistol. If you handload - I'm sure some of us could recommend their favorites as well...


Now - I have to say this too.... If your 1917 is in excellent condition and matching, you may want to consider limited use - and if you enjoy shooting a Luger, purchasing a "shooter" that you will not have to worry about harming if taken to the range on a regular basis..


Jon - again - WELCOME!! Let us know how it shoots or share any questions you have. Of course - pictures would be cool


Best to you!


John D.

[Ted]

He's (John D) gone a week and He forgets out to spell LUGER, not Lugar!

[Ted]

JD,I'm telling RALPH! He wont sell you any my Kriegs,hehehe

[John D.]

[John D.]

Krieghoff a couple of times - makes "Lugar" look pretty good.. Heh, heh, heh... AND - Ralph can't speill either - sew there!! LOL!!!

[Rick K]

Hi Jon. Appropriate 9mm ammo will say "Luger" or "Parabellum" on the box.

[Ted]

[Frank]

As I was reading down the posts, it dawned on me that no one mentioned that there were various 9mm cartridges and the only one to shoot in a 9mm Luger was a 9mm Luger Cartridge. For instance not a 9mm Makarov (9 x 18)

I would recommend finding one brand of ammo that cycles well and sticking with it, as you may find both different points of impact and different feeding reliability depending on the brand you are using and the pecularities of your gun. I agree that you should avoid the +P if possible. My personal favorite is Winchester 115 g because it works well in my gun, it is relatively cheap, and as long as you can find a Wal-Mart, it will be there.


There are different kinds of 9mm; stuff for Lugers will probably say "Luger" or "Parabellum". Don't use anything else.


You should be concerned about the reliability of the near 100-year old springs in your gun. Because you are a new owner and we want to keep you happy in the hobby, I will very generously trade you my much younger and therefore bouncier 1942 byf Mauser for your tired old Erfurt.


Finally, three months ago I was a new Luger owner asking pretty much the same questions you were on this board. See how easy it is to become an expert? All kidding aside, there are in fact some real bona-fide experts on this board, and you will them very generous and helpful. I had thought at first that a lot of Luger owners were snobs, but I sure haven't found any of that here.

[Rick K]

Thanks for noticing that. I just thought that nobody had really answered the original fundamental question.

[Dok]

I believe it was Frank who mentioned the European designation 9x18 for the Makarov. The Europeans have a tendancy to specify their ammo by the dimension. Well the specs for 9mm Luger (or Parabellum) is 9x19. So should you come across this spec regarding 9mm ammo, it would also designate ammo that is correct for your Luger.


Dok