A plea for Help!

[Heinmot]

Gentlemen/Ladies:

Some time ago I had a chrome-plated Luger that you good folks helped me get up and running. I sold that gun because I hate shiney finish guns and didn't want to spend the money to have the thing refinished.

But now I am mulling over the purchase of another. I am not a "collector", per se. This pistol would be for shooting and carry in the field and for use on the ranch here. This does NOT mean I want a beater. To the contrary, though properly fitted mismatched parts are not a problem for me, I want as close to perfect a bore as possible; No pitting. I want a very reliable, functioning pistol. I am not 100% against a .30 Luger, but by far am more interested in a 9mm due to ammo cost, availability, etc.

I am curious as to the general value of both 6" barrelled and 4" barrelled 9mm's that would fall in the above broad category. As all you experienced Luger buyer's know, every sellers Luger is "rare", is better than every other seller's and of course is worth top dollar!!

For examples:

1} A functioning and perfect-bored Mauser-made P08 in the 90% original finish category.

2} Ditto above except for mismatched {but properly fitted} parts.

3} Ditto #2 above except for excellent condition military refinish.

4} Ditto #2 above except for non-military, excellent condition reblue.

Can this question even be handled this way?

Please understand this: I've been buying and selling guns for years and I do understand that a gun is worth what can be got for it, so-to-speak. But your general input and discussion would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much.

[Edward Tinker]

Any put together gun, well, I don't know till I shoot the heck out of it, so #2 above is harder for me, if I have shot it and it is reliable as all get out, then I probably wouldn't sell it.

If you are looking for a totally reliable gun, then maybe something besides a luger, a glock perhaps or like the p38 I was selling, it just shoots and shoots with no stoppages?

Retail Values, visit the gun auctions and places like Simpson's LTD (see ref section here on the left).

Rough values, expect to pay $500 to $600 just for a beater luger, $700 - $800 for a nice low end collectable shooter.

for #3 above, expect to pay $900-$1200 (except what is a exc condition refinish, a East German gun, because a Weimar or nazi refinish, you'll pay what an original cost.

for #4 above, anywhere from $500-$700

A 30 luger (aka 7.65mm) will be the cheapest in the nicest shape. You can usually get a nice one for $500-$600, a almost mint one for under a $1000... The 7.655mm just do not sell very well to the average guy, they want a 9mm to shoot often and cheap...

Ed

[Heinmot]

Ed; thanks very much.

This is the sort of general guidelines I'm looking for.

I understand your caveat about 100% reliability.

However, the one I got rid of, after a spring swap, was an absolute bullet hose! Maybe I shouldn't have gotten rid of it after all!

Thanks again.

[Edward Tinker]

We all make those "mistakes" at times!

Steve has a 1942 for sale on the forum, it is a big-time mixmaster, have no clue if it shoots or not, but he is asking a fairly cheap price, I am surprised to see it doesn't say 'sold"



Ed