Lugers as shooters

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by kurusu

My preferences for a shooter are.

1 Mauser made, 1937 to 1942
2 Minimal mismatch. Ie. Side plate; trigger; sear; firing pin; holdopen. Making sure the replaced parts are fitted to the pistol
3 Maybe refinished, in this case if all matching the better.
4 VoPo pistols are also a good choice, mostly mismatched but revised by some of the people that assembled them originally.

I don't own Luger shooters any more, just few collectibles, but if I had to use a luger for the range I think I would have the same preferences of our friend Mario.

[Eugen]

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

Since getting out of bed every morning is a crap-shoot, one's sensitivity to the odds of something breaking can vary. Since I only own "interesting" shooters, I shoot all my Lugers--but some more than others.

Both original and repro parts are reasonably available, with the possible exception of the stainless Lugers from the 90's. The theoretically "stronger" (metallurgically) Mauser-made originals '37- '44(5?) are preferred by some, for shooting, but so far none of my earlier ones have had a problem using WWB ammo or its equivalent.

A Heinz Luger (mixed part numbers), or one with finish or structural (e.g. ground-off stock lug) issues should present the right qualities to allay most fears about affecting its value if a mishap occurs. If mixed, make sure it functions correctly before buying.

Ithcaartist, I hear you about the “crap shoot” thing. Since my Luger is a 1939 vintage and certainly worth less than $3k on good day. I may just have my occasional shooter in hand. Thanks for the additional comments, too.

Originally Posted by kurusu

My preferences for a shooter are.

1 Mauser made, 1937 to 1942
2 Minimal mismatch. Ie. Side plate; trigger; sear; firing pin; holdopen. Making sure the replaced parts are fitted to the pistol
3 Maybe refinished, in this case if all matching the better.
4 VoPo pistols are also a good choice, mostly mismatched but revised by some of the people that assembled them originally.

Kurusu , thank you for confirming the 37 to early 40s era as a prime candidate and itemizing additional criteria for selecting a shooter. But, can you define “VoPo” for me?

Originally Posted by Olle

I have two shooters, both are of "mixed heritage" but have been worked over to function properly. They are fun and accurate guns, and they always make an impression when my friends come over to shoot. When I ask "Hey, wanna shoot a Luger?", the answer is always "Yes!". Everybody loves them.

I usually don't recommend shooting collectible, numbers matching guns, but except for possible finish wear I don't think you need to be too concerned. I would put a set of new springs in it for good measure, use moderate loads (Winchester 115 grain FMJ "white box" is usually recommended) and clean it afterwards, and that's it.

I don't think these guns are too fragile to shoot, but I have heard about small parts (like the extractor, firing pin etc.) breaking so buying a shooter is the best way to go. It will only be original once, and you'll be very sad if something happens to it. It only takes one broken, numbered part to make it non-matching, so it just ain't worth taking a chance.

Olle, you raise some good points about wear or breakable items. Where do I buy repo or aftermarket springs, extractors and firing pins? Is there a vendor that supports this board that we should patronize? Perhaps using a replacement firing pin and storing the original would be a smart decision.

Originally Posted by rhuff

My shooters include all of my Lugers, but I do not own any really high dollar collectibles( > 4K $). I shoot my "Heinz 57" luger in 9mm, and my DWM matching alphabet Luger in 30 Luger the most, but the others make it to the range also. I really enjoy shooting Lugers.

Rhuff, my sole Luger is valued much less than $4k, and I would tend to agree that firing the valuable ones may not be wise.

Lastly, I was somewhat surprised that I received no suggestions to buy a 70-80s Interarm model to play with. Perhaps I assumed wrongly that the later American market version Mausers were less valuable and hence more likely to become shooters. Am I wrong about this?

Thanks to everyone, your advice is most appreciated and has be very helpful to me.

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by Eugen

But, can you define “VoPo” for me?

Those were the Lugers that remained in service, after WWII, in the ex German Democratic Republic in the hands of the Deutsche Volkspolizei (German Peoples Police) commonly called VoPo.

[Olle]

Originally Posted by Eugen

Olle, you raise some good points about wear or breakable items. Where do I buy repo or aftermarket springs, extractors and firing pins? Is there a vendor that supports this board that we should patronize? Perhaps using a replacement firing pin and storing the original would be a smart decision.

I would recommend Wolff springs ( https://www.gunsprings.com/LUGER/cID1/mID38/dID162 ), but for the rest you're better off using original parts (Lugerdoc is your one stop shop for this). There are a few reproduction parts out there, but none as good as the originals.

[kurusu]

My shooters:

On top a 1938 S/42 on the bottom a 41 BYF.