My first luger

[Dwight Gruber]

Archie,

More appropriate to call this a commercial-rework military. Measure the barrel length from the muzzle to the breech with the action open. It looks like this barrel is closer to 5".

Any number of reasons to change the barrel, no way to guess. .30 Luger was once a very popular caliber, and ammunition was plentiful. Many people felt, and some still feel, that it is superior to 9mm. If you plan on shooting this pistol a lot, it may be financially advantageous to rebarrel it in 9mm--the price difference in 500-600 rounds might pay for the operation. It certainly will not affect the value of your pistol.

--Dwight

[Kleist]

Ok, then it looks closer to 4.75"

Thanks Dwight

[Edward Tinker]

I think I follow you now. Would it be safe to call this a reworked commercial?

NO, it is a miltiary, reworked into commerical sales

As far as the barrel length, I really have no idea how to accurately measure it. To me, it looks exactly 4â?�.

take a pencil, drop it down the barrel (with closed action), mark the remainder sticking up, measure the part that was down the barrel, that is the length of the barrel

Originally posted by Kleist

I guess it doesnâ??t make sense that it saw action in WW2 in .30cal but I canâ??t think of any other reason to change the barrel in the states and still end up with .30cal. Why change it if it isnâ??t shot out? Or at least put a 9mm on it (I assume thatâ??s all it takes to change calibers?).

MANY guns were rechambered to 7.65mm during the 1920's, 1930's etc. At the time 9mm was not available as easily as 7.65mm (30 luger). We can't always think in todays terms. 7.65 was cheaper, so cartridges were made for it.

In addition, only 9mm was allowed for the military in the 1920's and 1930's, so "commercial" and commercialized guns were made in 7.65mm.