Right Ammo for P08

[3line]

List,

I just acquired my first P08, a 1912 DWM (I've wanted one since I was 15, when they were sellng for $60 from Klein's). On the way home from the dealer, I stopped at the range to try it out with some Russian Brown Bear ammo I had along. I had a failure to feed about every 3rd or 4th shot. I have heard these are picky about ammo. Can you recommend a brand known to give good results?

Thanks

[Dwight Gruber]

Ammo: try the cheap white-box Winchester 100-round cartons from WalMart. As cheap as you can find 9mm, and works reliably in many Lugers. I shoot several hundred rounds of this stuff a month with no failures to function. I also have good luck with CCI Blazer.

Magazine: If you were using an original magazine which came with the gun, pick up a new-made repro mag. I recommend Mec-Gar. Original magazines can have worn or bent feed lips, or weak springs. Originals are notorious for causing problems.

Technique: Be sure to hold your Luger with a firm hand when you shoot. A Luger requires all of its recoil impetus in order to work properly--if you let your hand fly up when you shoot, it will absorb too much of the energy and cause problems.

Caution #1: Treat Russian ammunition with suspicion. It has reputedly caused gun breakage caused by overcharging due to poor quality control.

Caution #2: What kind of condition is your new Luger in? If it is all matching with lots of good original finish, it may be a collection-quality gun whose value you may risk damaging by shooting it.

--Dwight

[AGE]

The Wally Mart bulk pack Winchester ammo is great stuff. Cheap and accurate in my Lugers (1.5" groups at 25 yards). Ditto on the MecGar magazines and Russian ammo.

[3line]

Guys,

Thanks for the advice on the ammo. Was looking at my pistol's magazine today and notice there's a crack at one of the lips. Will order out a new mag.

BTW, my pistol is a 1912 DWM. Original finish, about 90% thinning blue. No external pitting but light pitting in the bore. Has very strong rifling. The pistol has a British broad arrow capture mark on the left side of the frame. All matching including the grips except the magazine is not matching.

Regards,
Jeff

[ViggoG]

3Line,
By all means shop around, Prices vary all over the book.
Try Cheaper than Dirt.com
, and others.
Compare the prices and shipping and handling charges.
Some times these make the difference in a "good deal" and "no deal".
I purchased mine at "CtD" (above) and saved about three bucks on a pair.
ViggoG

[AGE]

The Wal Mart bulk pack Winchester 9 mm is $10.95 per hundred, thats $5.50 for 50 DELIVERED. Its brand new domestic ammo with nice reloadable cases. I don't think any of the others compare.

By the way BEWARE OF RUSSIAN steel case ammo. Some of us have had BIG problems with that junk, me too, even in my S&W 9 mm.