Shopping for first Luger

Chipperman · 10-11-2007, 04:14 PM

Hi, and thanks for providing a great forum.

I'm finally looking seriously into getting a Luger in the next couple of months. My problem is that I'm not sure I'm being realistic in what I can find for the cost.

I want a Pre-1918 matching Luger. I don't care which maker. No big deal, right?

Now the tough part: I want a 6" barrel (mainly because I think it looks better than the 4"). So that means I want a Navy Luger, along with everyone else.

I'd like to keep it to $2000 or less. Most of the ones that I'm seeing are well above that cost. Am I being completely unrealistic with this price for a Navy? I'm not expecting a museum piece, but I also don't want one that looks like it's been dragged behind a truck.

There were commercials made with 6" barrels originally, right? If I were to get a Commercial with a 6" barrel, how much less would that typically be?

If I don't really have a reasonable chance for finding a decent Navy for $2000, I may just get a nice 4" instead, and maybe get a Navy in a few years, when I hopefully will have more money.

Thanks.

MFC · 10-11-2007, 04:59 PM

Hi Chip,
For the price your hoping to pay, it would have to be reblued or mismatched or both. All original Navies in decent condition or better, start much higher. Actually the commercial Navies are more rare than military IIRC.
Mike C.

Ron Smith · 10-11-2007, 05:02 PM

Hi Chip,

Welcome to the ward. Sorry to say that your chances of getting an all legit Navy for $2000 is a dream that we all share. Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen.

You can find a nice 1914-1918 DWM or Erfurt for around that price if you shop around, but it would be a 4", if original. You can run across 6" re-barrels once in a while. They shouldn't run much more than $700-$800 realistically. They are considered "shooter" grade same as a mismatch.

Good Luck!!

Ron

Chipperman · 10-11-2007, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I thought I was probably out of luck with that price range.

Now I just need to decide whether to save up for a Navy, or get a nice 4" now.

LugerVern · 10-11-2007, 05:44 PM

Chip

We all like the 6 inch NavyÃ¢??s but their right on the price; you are going to need to go up to the $3000 + category to get one thatÃ¢??s half reasonable in condition. Why be in a hurry though, relax look around the forum there are so many variations you might spot a different type your interested in. Why not a post WWI or a WWII gun? There pretty varied and many are very collectible too. It doesnÃ¢??t take a 6 inch barrel to make a Navy luger, if youÃ¢??re interested in history a post WWI or a WWII gun associated with the Navy could be just what youÃ¢??re after.

Of course if you just canÃ¢??t stand it , get your self a 6 inch Navy

Good Luck

Vern

Chipperman · 10-11-2007, 07:51 PM

My interest in an early gun is to complement the Pre- WWI 1911 and Pre- WWI Broomhandle that I already have. I figured a Pre- WWI Luger might be too much money initially, so I decided that WWI era would be close enough for me.

My desire for the 6" barrel is mainly for aesthetics. I just think they look better. The 8" looks too long to me, and the 4" is too short. The 6" is juuuuust right.

I've never spent more than $2000 for a gun that was not NFA, so I may just have to swallow that pill.

The Broomhandle is all matching with a matching stock.

The 1911 (top left obviously) is in worn condition, but it was made in 1913; which is hard to find.

Edward Tinker · 10-11-2007, 08:09 PM

chip, nice, I like the 1911, (and the others), and yes, the 6 inch is a nice length.

Ed

thegundude · 10-12-2007, 05:13 PM

Chip, I often see Lugers with added aftermarket barrels for sale pretty cheap. Or how about an Artillery? Would an 8" barrel throw you off?

Nice looking Broomhandle, BTW!

Chipperman · 10-13-2007, 08:47 AM

Thanks.

I know I want an all-original, so an aftermarket barrel won't do it for me. The artillery models just look too unwieldy, unless the stock is attached.

I'm thinking I'll just get a nice 4", and maybe get a Navy in a few years when the Warden allows another purchase.

10-11-2007, 04:14 PM	#1
Chipperman User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Shopping for first Luger Hi, and thanks for providing a great forum. I'm finally looking seriously into getting a Luger in the next couple of months. My problem is that I'm not sure I'm being realistic in what I can find for the cost. I want a Pre-1918 matching Luger. I don't care which maker. No big deal, right? Now the tough part: I want a 6" barrel (mainly because I think it looks better than the 4"). So that means I want a Navy Luger, along with everyone else. I'd like to keep it to $2000 or less. Most of the ones that I'm seeing are well above that cost. Am I being completely unrealistic with this price for a Navy? I'm not expecting a museum piece, but I also don't want one that looks like it's been dragged behind a truck. There were commercials made with 6" barrels originally, right? If I were to get a Commercial with a 6" barrel, how much less would that typically be? If I don't really have a reasonable chance for finding a decent Navy for $2000, I may just get a nice 4" instead, and maybe get a Navy in a few years, when I hopefully will have more money. Thanks.

10-11-2007, 04:59 PM	#2
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi Chip, For the price your hoping to pay, it would have to be reblued or mismatched or both. All original Navies in decent condition or better, start much higher. Actually the commercial Navies are more rare than military IIRC. Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

10-11-2007, 05:02 PM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Chip, Welcome to the ward. Sorry to say that your chances of getting an all legit Navy for $2000 is a dream that we all share. Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen. You can find a nice 1914-1918 DWM or Erfurt for around that price if you shop around, but it would be a 4", if original. You can run across 6" re-barrels once in a while. They shouldn't run much more than $700-$800 realistically. They are considered "shooter" grade same as a mismatch. Good Luck!! Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-11-2007, 08:09 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,063 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	chip, nice, I like the 1911, (and the others), and yes, the 6 inch is a nice length. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

10-12-2007, 05:13 PM	#8
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Chip, I often see Lugers with added aftermarket barrels for sale pretty cheap. Or how about an Artillery? Would an 8" barrel throw you off? Nice looking Broomhandle, BTW! __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

10-11-2007, 05:31 PM	#4
Chipperman User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the replies. I thought I was probably out of luck with that price range. Now I just need to decide whether to save up for a Navy, or get a nice 4" now.

10-11-2007, 05:44 PM	#5
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Chip We all like the 6 inch NavyÃ¢??s but their right on the price; you are going to need to go up to the $3000 + category to get one thatÃ¢??s half reasonable in condition. Why be in a hurry though, relax look around the forum there are so many variations you might spot a different type your interested in. Why not a post WWI or a WWII gun? There pretty varied and many are very collectible too. It doesnÃ¢??t take a 6 inch barrel to make a Navy luger, if youÃ¢??re interested in history a post WWI or a WWII gun associated with the Navy could be just what youÃ¢??re after. Of course if you just canÃ¢??t stand it , get your self a 6 inch Navy Good Luck Vern

10-11-2007, 07:51 PM	#6
Chipperman User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My interest in an early gun is to complement the Pre- WWI 1911 and Pre- WWI Broomhandle that I already have. I figured a Pre- WWI Luger might be too much money initially, so I decided that WWI era would be close enough for me. My desire for the 6" barrel is mainly for aesthetics. I just think they look better. The 8" looks too long to me, and the 4" is too short. The 6" is juuuuust right. I've never spent more than $2000 for a gun that was not NFA, so I may just have to swallow that pill. The Broomhandle is all matching with a matching stock. The 1911 (top left obviously) is in worn condition, but it was made in 1913; which is hard to find.

10-13-2007, 08:47 AM	#9
Chipperman User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks. I know I want an all-original, so an aftermarket barrel won't do it for me. The artillery models just look too unwieldy, unless the stock is attached. I'm thinking I'll just get a nice 4", and maybe get a Navy in a few years when the Warden allows another purchase.