build a Luger - mfgs. parts interchangability

[dridgeway]

I'd like to have a Luger I can take to the range and shoot.

Am thinking about building my own from scrounged parts from different manufacturers and wondered advisability of this approach from members of this forum.

I don't know very much about Lugers at all. I think I understand that handfitting was commonly involved.

What I would hope to accomplish with building approach is ending with a sound, functional Luger - collectibility not an issue; mismatched numbers okay - for less than I could buy a used one of like quality.

Was glad to find and join the forum today and look forward to being a contributing member.

Thanks in advance for any help, direction or advice. When it comes to Lugers, I am a novice.

Regards,

David

[champ7fc]

I think it can be done, might take a while to do it. The cost may or may not approach that of a good quality assembled shooter. There are alot of parts out there many are originals some not. Many of the contributors on this forum have had shooters for sale. I would feel more comfortable in purchasing an assembled and proven shooter from one of these people. Just my two cents worth. Good luck in whatever you decide as the Luger is a fine, fun and accurate shooter.

[policeluger]

David....have done untold number of built up Luger, great fun and the best part is learning to refinish it yourself......good luck

[alvin]

1+1>2. Parts lumpsum most likely will exceed the cost of an gun, not counting the labor and time. But it will bring some fun.

[Ron Smith]

Here's a .30 cal. that I built with parts that were scrounged, purchased and donated. It shoots great and never had a glitch, other than my first batch of hand loads were too mild to cycle the toggle. All together, it cost me just under $600 for a nice shooter.

[Dwight Gruber]

Ron,

Did you refinish that gun yourself?

--Dwight

[Ron Smith]

Hi Dwight,

No, the frame was beaded and blued when I bought it. I sent the top half to Ted, because it had to be tig welded to to fill in some gouges on the receiver. I've been practicing my rust bluing skills on small parts and beaters. Mainly to experiment with getting different tints and hues.

Getting ready to rust blue a "98 Mauser Sporter 30-06 that I've had for a while. If it turns out well I might start doing Lugers.

Ron

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by alvin

1+1>2. Parts lumpsum most likely will exceed the cost of an gun, not counting the labor and time. But it will bring some fun.

+ 1 on this, i have found that you'll get a few parts cheap and then the rest will be expensive as heck, or the final part hard to get.


I believe it is smarter to buy something complete or mostly so, just like a "parts car" like mustang, much smarter and cheaper to buy a almost or complete one and make it nicer.


ed