Need advice on Non-working Luger

Dwight Gruber · 02-15-2003, 01:00 PM

Larry,

"Parts guns" are notorious beasts. Lugers are hand-fitted guns, all parts assembled to assure that they work together--this is one reason that matching serial number guns are desirable.

The more unmatched parts you find on a Luger, the greater the chances it will fail to function. This is particularly true if the mismatch is in the area of the trigger, sideplate, sear bar, and firing pin.

A parts gun can be made to work, but most gunsmiths you find will not have the specialized knowledge necessary to do a proper job. Check with Lugerdoc (Tom Heller) or Hugh Clark on this forum for more specific comments.

As far as an offer is concerned, this is a very difficult question. It turns on just how many (and which) parts are not matched, and their condition. As a buyer, faced with a real hodgepodge parts gun (that doesn't function!), I might offer as low as $250-$300. As a seller, I might not be interested in such a low offer.

Two other things to consider: the parts in a parts gun might be worth more sold separately than as a whole gun (a controversial practice); the cost of a non-functional parts gun plus the cost of making it function may well equal the cost of a functioning, shooting-worthy Luger.

You didn't say, in your post, whether you are looking for a Luger to shoot, or to be the beginning of a collection. This is a question you should answer for yourself before you consider a purchase, as this will point you a direction for your search.

I would solidly suggest that you do not consider buying a project gun as your first Luger, but that you spend your money on a sound, authentic, working pistol so that your first experience is not frustration.

I hope these comments are useful--good luck, good hunting, and be sure to tell us all the details when you fnally take the plunge.

--Dwight

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02-15-2003, 01:00 PM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Larry, "Parts guns" are notorious beasts. Lugers are hand-fitted guns, all parts assembled to assure that they work together--this is one reason that matching serial number guns are desirable. The more unmatched parts you find on a Luger, the greater the chances it will fail to function. This is particularly true if the mismatch is in the area of the trigger, sideplate, sear bar, and firing pin. A parts gun can be made to work, but most gunsmiths you find will not have the specialized knowledge necessary to do a proper job. Check with Lugerdoc (Tom Heller) or Hugh Clark on this forum for more specific comments. As far as an offer is concerned, this is a very difficult question. It turns on just how many (and which) parts are not matched, and their condition. As a buyer, faced with a real hodgepodge parts gun (that doesn't function!), I might offer as low as $250-$300. As a seller, I might not be interested in such a low offer. Two other things to consider: the parts in a parts gun might be worth more sold separately than as a whole gun (a controversial practice); the cost of a non-functional parts gun plus the cost of making it function may well equal the cost of a functioning, shooting-worthy Luger. You didn't say, in your post, whether you are looking for a Luger to shoot, or to be the beginning of a collection. This is a question you should answer for yourself before you consider a purchase, as this will point you a direction for your search. I would solidly suggest that you do not consider buying a project gun as your first Luger, but that you spend your money on a sound, authentic, working pistol so that your first experience is not frustration. I hope these comments are useful--good luck, good hunting, and be sure to tell us all the details when you fnally take the plunge. --Dwight