Making my own shooter, good or bad idea?

phatrick88 · 02-19-2009, 01:50 AM

Always been a fan of Lugers and finally bought one last summer, while it's not a minty collector piece it's still 70-80%, matching, and a non-import bring back. I've shot it twice, but due to it's collectability i'm hesitant to do too much shooting.

I've been watching GB and there are a ton of shooters that have been surfacing lately, but $700+ is a big chunk of change for me to drop right now just for a gun. I had this idea to do a shooter project, and just buy a gun by pieces as I have the money and put it together that way. Is this a good/bad idea? Would it cost more in the end? OR- should I just buy a diffrent firing pin (and whatever other parts are prone to break) and stick it (them) in my gun when I get the urge to shoot?

Thanks!

DavidJayUden · 02-19-2009, 08:02 AM

What parts are already mis-matched? Depending on that, and whatever costs are needed to make it a shooter, it may be appropriate to shoot it as is. Enjoy what you have and save your money for a collectable. If on the other hand yours is all matching except the magazine or grips we may have to switch to plan B. Which we can make up as we go...
DJU

Edward Tinker · 02-19-2009, 10:36 AM

I have "built" up 2 or 3 lugers over the last years and I don't think I ever 'get" my money out of them when I eventually sell them (something I want always comes up).

So, point is, a built up luger is "cheaper" in the short run, but "much" more expensive in the long run, as individual parts easily add up to a lot more; plus they may require some "fitting" to get it to work right, although my shooters have always functioned fine

Ed

petie3 · 03-22-2009, 04:19 AM

I have a 1917 DWM Artillery 'shooter' that I decided to shoot a round of big bore silhouette with. Took a lot of practice with different loads, bullets and sight settings. Shot a 31 with one 'rang' pig that didn't fall. All six of the rams I hit fell. Gun still shoots tight groups but the barrel is worn and mikes .357

chuck17 · 03-22-2009, 08:47 AM

Unfortunately I think, the sum total of the parts can be more expensive that buying a whole gun. That is why many people part them out on auction sites, because often they can get a lot more for the parts than for the whole gun. It sucks, but it is reality.

It's like restoring an old car. It is fun, but it costs a lot. You can enjoy the process and have the pride of a job well done. Or maybe you buy a completed one for less.

Ingvarg · 03-22-2009, 10:29 AM

Looking at the prices on the parts and the prices on good shooters itÃ?Â´s not the way to save some $$$$$,.....
But, if it wouldÃ?Â´nt be so dem hard to get the parts over here I would go for it....Just for the fun of it.

02-19-2009, 01:50 AM	#1
phatrick88 User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MN Posts: 54 Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Making my own shooter, good or bad idea? Always been a fan of Lugers and finally bought one last summer, while it's not a minty collector piece it's still 70-80%, matching, and a non-import bring back. I've shot it twice, but due to it's collectability i'm hesitant to do too much shooting. I've been watching GB and there are a ton of shooters that have been surfacing lately, but $700+ is a big chunk of change for me to drop right now just for a gun. I had this idea to do a shooter project, and just buy a gun by pieces as I have the money and put it together that way. Is this a good/bad idea? Would it cost more in the end? OR- should I just buy a diffrent firing pin (and whatever other parts are prone to break) and stick it (them) in my gun when I get the urge to shoot? Thanks!

02-19-2009, 10:36 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,608 Times in 2,123 Posts	I have "built" up 2 or 3 lugers over the last years and I don't think I ever 'get" my money out of them when I eventually sell them (something I want always comes up). So, point is, a built up luger is "cheaper" in the short run, but "much" more expensive in the long run, as individual parts easily add up to a lot more; plus they may require some "fitting" to get it to work right, although my shooters have always functioned fine 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

03-22-2009, 10:29 AM	#6
Ingvarg User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Iceland Posts: 103 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Looking at the prices on the parts and the prices on good shooters itÃ?Â´s not the way to save some $$$$$,..... But, if it wouldÃ?Â´nt be so dem hard to get the parts over here I would go for it....Just for the fun of it. __________________ Regards: Ingvar

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02-19-2009, 08:02 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	What parts are already mis-matched? Depending on that, and whatever costs are needed to make it a shooter, it may be appropriate to shoot it as is. Enjoy what you have and save your money for a collectable. If on the other hand yours is all matching except the magazine or grips we may have to switch to plan B. Which we can make up as we go... DJU

03-22-2009, 04:19 AM	#4
petie3 User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a 1917 DWM Artillery 'shooter' that I decided to shoot a round of big bore silhouette with. Took a lot of practice with different loads, bullets and sight settings. Shot a 31 with one 'rang' pig that didn't fall. All six of the rams I hit fell. Gun still shoots tight groups but the barrel is worn and mikes .357

03-22-2009, 08:47 AM	#5
chuck17 User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fla Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Unfortunately I think, the sum total of the parts can be more expensive that buying a whole gun. That is why many people part them out on auction sites, because often they can get a lot more for the parts than for the whole gun. It sucks, but it is reality. It's like restoring an old car. It is fun, but it costs a lot. You can enjoy the process and have the pride of a job well done. Or maybe you buy a completed one for less.