First Luger...many questions?

[Thor]

I would recommend getting a shooter grade Luger to fire, yours is too nice! WWI Lugers dont have a vented firing pin and one over charged load or a leaky pierced primer can take out the firing pin retainer/breechblock metal. There is a small notch on the inside of the breechblock that locks the retainer guide into it, it can shear away with an overload. Even factory ammo gets recalled once in a while, dont take a chance with that gem you have. WWII Lugers changed the firing pin to a vented design that helps this problem. A vented pin can be purchased separately and they are easy to change out. Even on shooter grade Lugers (yours is a Collection grade IMO) I would make sure they have a vented firing pin. As mentioned above, the gun has quirks. The Luger pistols, unless fitted with a sear safety like in Police models, CAN FIRE with only the top section, without the frame, very dangerous if you dont know this. It is never safe to put a round in the chamber unless you are preparring to fire the gun.