Luger Repair in Chicago or surrounding area

jconsiglio · 11-18-2011, 09:38 AM

I am very new to Lugers having just found one buried in my grandfathers stuff. I'm still working to identify it, but I believe it to be a commercial model from the early 20s. I will be posting up some high res photos in the next few days so the experts around here can help.

What I am looking for is someone who can give it thorough inspection and make any necessary repairs. I know for sure the recoil spring is shot, but not sure what else. I would like to put some rounds through it once I'm sure it is safe. I'm just not comfortable enough in my own skills with this firearm at this point.

I know of Simpson, but they are a 3 hour drive from me. So I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any assistance. Cheers.

alanint · 11-18-2011, 10:33 AM

I would not leave a Luger repair to just any old Gunsmith/parts changer. You will almost certainly have to ship it.
Our own Tom Heller, "Luger Doc" provides a very reasonable inspection-repair service and you will know it was done right.

mrerick · 11-18-2011, 03:45 PM

I second the recommendation for Tom Heller. He's in St. Charles Missouri, and well worth shipping it to him.

I believe that you should be able to ship it directly to him on his license, but you need to check this with him.

There are not a large number of gunsmiths with actual experience working on Lugers, and few with Tom's judgement.

Marc

mrerick · 11-18-2011, 05:02 PM

Does Simpson's have someone in house, or would they likely bring it to Tom?

Marc

wlyon · 11-18-2011, 07:23 PM

Personally I wouldn't send it to anyone except Tom. He is one of us , honest and will repair it right. Bill

FleetMan · 11-18-2011, 07:53 PM

Before doing anything, I would caution you to check out the legalities of everything you intend to do, for example shipping through a licensed dealer. Chicago and Illinois are not exactly gun friendly areas. We have heard horror stories from New Jersey, is Chicago any different?

jconsiglio · 11-21-2011, 04:25 PM

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I really appreciate it. I got my high res photos and will be posting them up in the commercial forum later this evening in order to verify what I really have and then I will contact Tom. Thanks again and feel free to chime in my other thread later this evening.

aptech77 · 11-21-2011, 08:54 PM

I'm in the nw Chicago subs. I got a local guy that was recommend to me. Pm me and I can get you the info.

Lugerdoc · 11-23-2011, 09:13 AM

JC, My specialty is the correct functioning of lugers. I'ld be please to inspect and test fire your luger @$75 + $25 for insured return S&H. If required, I'd recommend and necessary &/or optional repairs to enhance it's value, and let you decide if wanted, before beginning any repairs. If you choose to keep it local, in the Chicago area, I can refer you to any exc luger restoration specialist in your area, but if repairs are needed, he may refer you back to me, and he may be too busy with prior jobs. Give me a call @ 636-447-3006. PS: Thanks to all for your comments and support. TH

glock30 · 11-26-2011, 12:48 PM

"Chicago not exaclty gun friendly area's." Boy that is a mouthful. They are bad there. Be careful about shipping it. Chicago is horrible! I am a south side Chicago native.

jconsiglio · 11-26-2011, 03:49 PM

Thanks for all the input again. I have posted the thread for help identifying it over in the commercial forum

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=27251

11-18-2011, 09:38 AM	#1
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger Repair in Chicago or surrounding area I am very new to Lugers having just found one buried in my grandfathers stuff. I'm still working to identify it, but I believe it to be a commercial model from the early 20s. I will be posting up some high res photos in the next few days so the experts around here can help. What I am looking for is someone who can give it thorough inspection and make any necessary repairs. I know for sure the recoil spring is shot, but not sure what else. I would like to put some rounds through it once I'm sure it is safe. I'm just not comfortable enough in my own skills with this firearm at this point. I know of Simpson, but they are a 3 hour drive from me. So I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any assistance. Cheers.

11-18-2011, 03:45 PM	#3
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	I second the recommendation for Tom Heller. He's in St. Charles Missouri, and well worth shipping it to him. I believe that you should be able to ship it directly to him on his license, but you need to check this with him. There are not a large number of gunsmiths with actual experience working on Lugers, and few with Tom's judgement. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-18-2011, 05:02 PM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Does Simpson's have someone in house, or would they likely bring it to Tom? Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-18-2011, 07:23 PM	#5
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,619 Times in 971 Posts	Personally I wouldn't send it to anyone except Tom. He is one of us , honest and will repair it right. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

11-23-2011, 09:13 AM	#9
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	JC, My specialty is the correct functioning of lugers. I'ld be please to inspect and test fire your luger @$75 + $25 for insured return S&H. If required, I'd recommend and necessary &/or optional repairs to enhance it's value, and let you decide if wanted, before beginning any repairs. If you choose to keep it local, in the Chicago area, I can refer you to any exc luger restoration specialist in your area, but if repairs are needed, he may refer you back to me, and he may be too busy with prior jobs. Give me a call @ 636-447-3006. PS: Thanks to all for your comments and support. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net Last edited by Lugerdoc; 11-23-2011 at 09:18 AM. Reason: more details

11-18-2011, 10:33 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I would not leave a Luger repair to just any old Gunsmith/parts changer. You will almost certainly have to ship it. Our own Tom Heller, "Luger Doc" provides a very reasonable inspection-repair service and you will know it was done right.

11-18-2011, 07:53 PM	#6
FleetMan User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Western WA Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Before doing anything, I would caution you to check out the legalities of everything you intend to do, for example shipping through a licensed dealer. Chicago and Illinois are not exactly gun friendly areas. We have heard horror stories from New Jersey, is Chicago any different?

11-21-2011, 04:25 PM	#7
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all the feedback guys. I really appreciate it. I got my high res photos and will be posting them up in the commercial forum later this evening in order to verify what I really have and then I will contact Tom. Thanks again and feel free to chime in my other thread later this evening.

11-21-2011, 08:54 PM	#8
aptech77 User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 85 Thanks: 10 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	I'm in the nw Chicago subs. I got a local guy that was recommend to me. Pm me and I can get you the info.

11-26-2011, 12:48 PM	#10
glock30 User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Obama LAND Posts: 206 Thanks: 18 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	"Chicago not exaclty gun friendly area's." Boy that is a mouthful. They are bad there. Be careful about shipping it. Chicago is horrible! I am a south side Chicago native.

11-26-2011, 03:49 PM	#11
jconsiglio User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all the input again. I have posted the thread for help identifying it over in the commercial forum http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=27251