Greetings/finally got my first Luger!

Blight · 09-25-2014, 09:17 PM

Hey all,

So I've lurked here for quite some time, meanwhile saving for my long desired Luger. Well, last weekend at a local gun show all the saving, research and reading have payed off and I finally have what I wanted: a mismatched Mid-to-late model German Parabellum with 4" barrel. As soon as I can post some quality pictures I will, but in the meantime...I'm so thrilled to finally have my first Luger! Totally a boyhood fantasy.

Here's what I know so far about my pistol:

-It's a 1937 Mauser (s42).

-the blue is largely worn off

-no obvious refinishing

-after a complete dis-assembly and cleaning, it appears possible that all parts except the lower frame and magazine have matching numbers (even the grips)! Not super important because it was purchased as a shooter, but still!

-the magazine is anachronistic (wood base as opposed to aluminum)

-witness mark on the barrel to upper receiver doesn't seem to quite line up despite matching numbers between them (pictures to follow)

A range trip is in order this weekend, any tips?

Arizona Slim · 09-25-2014, 11:30 PM

A Mauser S42 shooter sounds like a great pistol to start with Brian but please notice that I said "start with" these darn things are like potato chips, just can't be satisfied with one, before long you will be looking for another to add to your collection, and then another, and another and so it goes.

Lon

Blight · 09-25-2014, 11:40 PM

Yeah, I can already feel the desire for other, more unique Lugers welling!

Edward Tinker · 09-25-2014, 11:51 PM

Welcome to posting and owning your own luger

rhuff · 09-26-2014, 05:18 PM

Welcome to the "addiction". Stick with std. velocity ammo for your Luger, including FMJ bullets and no NATO, +P, or +P+.

Sergio Natali · 09-27-2014, 06:59 AM

I see anoher one hit by the Luger bug ... :-)

pappers1 · 09-27-2014, 09:03 AM

Conrats on your First Luger of many!!!
It was just 2 months ago I bought my first luger a Byf 42. all matching. Now I just picked up my 2nd luger a Dwm 1915 as a shooter (I thought) but its all matching. I may have to buy a mismatched one for shooter. So its easy to get the "bug".
Rich

K.Wilhelm · 09-27-2014, 10:01 AM

Blight- congrats on your first Luger. I love Mauser P-08's.
Pappers- consider getting a Mauser shooter because they made several improvements over the DWM models, and by WWII better steel was used. KW

pappers1 · 09-27-2014, 01:15 PM

Thanks K.W I will keep a eye open for a mauser. I didn't know that about the steel...

Blight · 11-07-2014, 07:32 PM

Thanks for the welcome! So I have no current means to post the pictures I've taken, but I figured I'd report that after a thorough cleaning, the pistol performed flawlessly at the range. Very accurate (despite my difficulty with the tiny sights).I shot a couple boxes of standard velocity 115gr and 147gr. I shot both because I wasn't sure if the action would have a bullet weight preference.

The experience was awesome and now I'm seeking a second (or some sweet accessories). Any tips regarding magazines?

DavidJayUden · 11-07-2014, 08:10 PM

B:
Did one bullet weight function better than another? I've not used the subsonic 147's myself.
Usually everyone around here recommends Mec-Gar magazines. LugerDoc did have a few, but they are sort'a scarce the last year or so.
But experiment with all the magazines that you can get your hands on, and keep the ones that function the best.
Congrat's on your good shooter.
dju

Blight · 11-07-2014, 08:21 PM

If I remember right, the 147's seemed to be ever so slightly more on target, but I might have imagined it. Functionally, they both did the same.

cirelaw · 11-07-2014, 08:42 PM

An itch that is hard to scratch~~~They say you always remember your first!! Soon you will only remember your last~~ Eric

mrerick · 11-08-2014, 06:36 PM

Blight, congratulations on your Luger and the fun shooting it!

1937 was an interesting year at Mauser because they were transitioning from Rust blued finishes to salt (chemical) blued finishes.

Some of the original finishes were inconsistent that year, which means that the depth of color can vary somewhat. I have a 1939 that is almost translucent, and I believe it left the factory that way.

Please let us have a look at your Luger when you are able to.

Marc

Blight · 11-19-2014, 11:21 PM

Some quick pictures from my phone. As you can see, it's not in exquisite cosmetic condition, but it's very fuctional and a beauty to me.

Blight · 11-19-2014, 11:31 PM

Here's a few close ups:

K.Wilhelm · 11-21-2014, 10:10 AM

Nice, Blight! Get a Mecgar mag for shooting, and put that wood-bottomed one away for safekeeping. Bill

Blight · 11-21-2014, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K.Wilhelm

Nice, Blight! Get a Mecgar mag for shooting, and put that wood-bottomed one away for safekeeping. Bill

Already did.

I also got some repro wood grips (it's wearing the originals in the pictures) so that when I shoot it I won't flatten the checkering over time.

Speaking of the original mag: I couldn't find any markings on it. Shouldn't there at least be a number stamped on the. Bottom?

Ben M. · 11-21-2014, 11:55 AM

i think aluminum bottom would have been with the gun when it left factory and numbered and proved

alvin · 11-21-2014, 05:41 PM

From pictures, the finish is original . And it's matching, fully functional, then, it's a treasure.

09-25-2014, 09:17 PM	#1
Blight User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 17 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	Greetings/finally got my first Luger! Hey all, So I've lurked here for quite some time, meanwhile saving for my long desired Luger. Well, last weekend at a local gun show all the saving, research and reading have payed off and I finally have what I wanted: a mismatched Mid-to-late model German Parabellum with 4" barrel. As soon as I can post some quality pictures I will, but in the meantime...I'm so thrilled to finally have my first Luger! Totally a boyhood fantasy. Here's what I know so far about my pistol: -It's a 1937 Mauser (s42). -the blue is largely worn off -no obvious refinishing -after a complete dis-assembly and cleaning, it appears possible that all parts except the lower frame and magazine have matching numbers (even the grips)! Not super important because it was purchased as a shooter, but still! -the magazine is anachronistic (wood base as opposed to aluminum) -witness mark on the barrel to upper receiver doesn't seem to quite line up despite matching numbers between them (pictures to follow) A range trip is in order this weekend, any tips?

09-25-2014, 11:51 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	Welcome to posting and owning your own luger __________________ 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

09-27-2014, 06:59 AM	#6
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I see anoher one hit by the Luger bug ... :-) __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-27-2014, 10:01 AM	#8
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	Blight- congrats on your first Luger. I love Mauser P-08's. Pappers- consider getting a Mauser shooter because they made several improvements over the DWM models, and by WWII better steel was used. KW __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

11-08-2014, 06:36 PM	#14
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Blight, congratulations on your Luger and the fun shooting it! 1937 was an interesting year at Mauser because they were transitioning from Rust blued finishes to salt (chemical) blued finishes. Some of the original finishes were inconsistent that year, which means that the depth of color can vary somewhat. I have a 1939 that is almost translucent, and I believe it left the factory that way. Please let us have a look at your Luger when you are able to. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-25-2014, 11:30 PM	#2
Arizona Slim Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 Thanks: 1,026 Thanked 409 Times in 225 Posts	A Mauser S42 shooter sounds like a great pistol to start with Brian but please notice that I said "start with" these darn things are like potato chips, just can't be satisfied with one, before long you will be looking for another to add to your collection, and then another, and another and so it goes. Lon

09-25-2014, 11:40 PM	#3
Blight User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 17 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	Yeah, I can already feel the desire for other, more unique Lugers welling!

09-26-2014, 05:18 PM	#5
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	Welcome to the "addiction". Stick with std. velocity ammo for your Luger, including FMJ bullets and no NATO, +P, or +P+.

09-27-2014, 09:03 AM	#7
pappers1 User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Conrats on your First Luger of many!!! It was just 2 months ago I bought my first luger a Byf 42. all matching. Now I just picked up my 2nd luger a Dwm 1915 as a shooter (I thought) but its all matching. I may have to buy a mismatched one for shooter. So its easy to get the "bug". Rich

09-27-2014, 01:15 PM	#9
pappers1 User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks K.W I will keep a eye open for a mauser. I didn't know that about the steel...

11-07-2014, 07:32 PM	#10
Blight User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 17 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks for the welcome! So I have no current means to post the pictures I've taken, but I figured I'd report that after a thorough cleaning, the pistol performed flawlessly at the range. Very accurate (despite my difficulty with the tiny sights).I shot a couple boxes of standard velocity 115gr and 147gr. I shot both because I wasn't sure if the action would have a bullet weight preference. The experience was awesome and now I'm seeking a second (or some sweet accessories). Any tips regarding magazines?

11-07-2014, 08:10 PM	#11
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	B: Did one bullet weight function better than another? I've not used the subsonic 147's myself. Usually everyone around here recommends Mec-Gar magazines. LugerDoc did have a few, but they are sort'a scarce the last year or so. But experiment with all the magazines that you can get your hands on, and keep the ones that function the best. Congrat's on your good shooter. dju

11-07-2014, 08:21 PM	#12
Blight User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 17 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	If I remember right, the 147's seemed to be ever so slightly more on target, but I might have imagined it. Functionally, they both did the same.

11-07-2014, 08:42 PM	#13
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	An itch that is hard to scratch~~~They say you always remember your first!! Soon you will only remember your last~~ Eric

11-19-2014, 11:21 PM	#15
Blight User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 17 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	pictures! Some quick pictures from my phone. As you can see, it's not in exquisite cosmetic condition, but it's very fuctional and a beauty to me. Attached Thumbnails

11-19-2014, 11:31 PM	#16
Blight User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 17 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	closer pictures Here's a few close ups: Attached Thumbnails

11-21-2014, 10:10 AM	#17
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	Mecgar mag Nice, Blight! Get a Mecgar mag for shooting, and put that wood-bottomed one away for safekeeping. Bill __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

11-21-2014, 11:55 AM	#19
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 488 Thanks: 90 Thanked 123 Times in 83 Posts	i think aluminum bottom would have been with the gun when it left factory and numbered and proved

11-21-2014, 05:41 PM	#20
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	From pictures, the finish is original . And it's matching, fully functional, then, it's a treasure.