Considering a Luger. Not sure I have all my info right...

Johnson184 · 02-14-2011, 02:20 PM

Hey all,
I'm looking to get a Luger for the range and for displaying. I am not a serious collector (Maybe one day), and I love the clean/pure look of an unblemished Luger. That said... I don't have a $2000+ budget, so I'm trying to weigh my options. I would love for this gun to be shockingly accurate, but I know that may not be possible... due to me.

Due to ammunition reasons, I want it to be in 9mm. I was torn between a short barrel and Artillery barrel Luger. I love the aesthetics of the shorter barrel, but is the Artillery barrel more accurate? I'm a sucker for markings, so Nazi markings on this German gun would be a big plus. To ensure it's very reliable/accurate, I should be looking for a Luger with all matching parts to ensure best fit, right? Does the magazine have to match for best function? From what I understand... the Lugers manufactured in WW2 have better steel, so I should be shying away from DWM as they got taken over by Mauser, right? I should obviously be looking for one that has an excellent bore. Exterior wear, pitting, and scratches can all be removed with a restoration by someone like Thor, right?

Any idea how much this would run? I figure it shouldn't cost too much since I'll be buying a Shooter grade Luger and getting it restored, right?

lugerholsterrepair · 02-14-2011, 02:41 PM

Hey all,
I'm looking to get a Luger for the range and for displaying. I am not a serious collector (Maybe one day), and I love the clean/pure look of an unblemished Luger. That said... I don't have a $2000+ budget, so I'm trying to weigh my options. I would love for this gun to be shockingly accurate, but I know that may not be possible... due to me.

Due to ammunition reasons, I want it to be in 9mm. I was torn between a short barrel and Artillery barrel Luger. I love the aesthetics of the shorter barrel, but is the Artillery barrel more accurate? Yes..longer barrels are better depending on how good the bore is. If you are not shooting beyond 75-100 yards a 4" is just as well.

I'm a sucker for markings, so Nazi markings on this German gun would be a big plus. To ensure it's very reliable/accurate, I should be looking for a Luger with all matching parts to ensure best fit, right? The matching pistol is always the best choice but many function well with mismatched parts.

Does the magazine have to match for best function? No..often a MecGar is best for shooting or try one of Gerald Tomecks rebuilt fine tuned shooting mags better yet.

From what I understand... the Lugers manufactured in WW2 have better steel, so I should be shying away from DWM as they got taken over by Mauser, right? Mauser beefed up some parts that were known to be weak on DWM's. Mauser might be the better choice for you but no long barrels here.

I should obviously be looking for one that has an excellent bore. Exterior wear, pitting, and scratches can all be removed with a restoration by someone like Thor, right? Yes

Any idea how much this would run? I figure it shouldn't cost too much since I'll be buying a Shooter grade Luger and getting it restored, right? Restorations..depending on how extensive you might want to get will probably start at 500 and can easily exceed 2000 is my guess. You might want to check with Ted to see..

WG dog · 02-14-2011, 04:12 PM

If there is a collector type gunstore or Luger collector in your area, you ought to check with them for help finding a nice WWII Luger shooter. Nothing beats having a pistol in your hand to determine if it is what you want. Recently I went into a collector type store here. Two low condition shooter Lugers were in the case. Got to talking with one of the owners, and he pulled three nice WWII Lugers out of the safe to look at, consignments. Took one home. Or ask for help in the want to buy section here on Lugerforum.

The for sale section here has a nice Alphabet DWM Commercial Luger offered by zim for $865. It looks like a really nice Luger that someone would be proud to own and keep, and also be a fine shooter. Not 9mm, but it looks like a good pistol to buy now if in the mood.

Checkpoint Charlie has a WWII Luger, byf 42, 9mm of course, 40-50%, $995, for what might be an original finish type shooter.

Legacy Collectibles has a nice 1937 S/42 Luger for sale.

Good luck to you, hope you find a nice WWII shooter Luger at a fair price.

tomaustin · 02-14-2011, 06:35 PM

..

Johnson184 · 02-15-2011, 12:37 PM

I live in Oklahoma.

I'm in no hurry to buy a Luger now. Just trying to narrow what I want down so I can keep an eye out. In all honesty, I probably won't even be buying one until this Summer.

Was DWM only manufacturing Lugers before WW2? Is there a big difference in the steel quality of DWM and Mauser? I'm going to stick with the more common, shorter barrel. I'm intrigued by DWM now because from what I've been reading/learning... they're the first manufacturers of the Luger. One feature that I do seem to come across are grip safeties... not a big fan of those.

Is there a difference between the German military lugers and the commercial ones? (Still leaning heavily towards a WW2 German military Luger)

Don M · 02-15-2011, 02:07 PM

Johnson, I suggest you buy and read a copy of The Luger Story by John Walter. It is relatively cheap and will give you a decent overview and answer many of the questions you have asked. It should help you begin to focus on what you want. For example, your interests in DWM and in WWII military Lugers are mutually exclusive.

Johnson184 · 02-21-2011, 04:20 PM

Hey guys, I have another question. How much is the average cost of a restoration? It's obviously hard to determine the cost as I don't even have a Luger to send pictures of. Seems most decent quality Lugers with matching parts and great bores run at least $1000-$1300. From what I can tell, the average restoration costs $500 minimum with several months waiting. It almost seems smarter to just spend $2000 for a nice quality Luger that won't require refinishing. Any thoughts?

alanint · 02-21-2011, 04:34 PM

I generaly agree with you. Restorations are best left for unusual, historical or sentimental value weapons were the owner is not necesarily looking to recoup the value of the restoration should they ever sell.

Aaron · 02-21-2011, 08:02 PM

Of course you are correct in that it is silly to buy a beater Luger then spend a fortune getting it in shape for shooting and improving its appearance. A nice all matching Luger will cost from $1300 to $1500, and the less you spend the more headaches you will end up with. I envy you living in Oklahoma where they have one of the finest gun shows in the world in Tulsa twice a year. It is such a great show that I drive there 1400 miles each way to buy and sell Lugers among other collectible firearms. You are so lucky, so just take yourself over to that show and you will find many Lugers that will fill your needs.

02-14-2011, 02:20 PM	#1
Johnson184 User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Considering a Luger. Not sure I have all my info right... Hey all, I'm looking to get a Luger for the range and for displaying. I am not a serious collector (Maybe one day), and I love the clean/pure look of an unblemished Luger. That said... I don't have a $2000+ budget, so I'm trying to weigh my options. I would love for this gun to be shockingly accurate, but I know that may not be possible... due to me. Due to ammunition reasons, I want it to be in 9mm. I was torn between a short barrel and Artillery barrel Luger. I love the aesthetics of the shorter barrel, but is the Artillery barrel more accurate? I'm a sucker for markings, so Nazi markings on this German gun would be a big plus. To ensure it's very reliable/accurate, I should be looking for a Luger with all matching parts to ensure best fit, right? Does the magazine have to match for best function? From what I understand... the Lugers manufactured in WW2 have better steel, so I should be shying away from DWM as they got taken over by Mauser, right? I should obviously be looking for one that has an excellent bore. Exterior wear, pitting, and scratches can all be removed with a restoration by someone like Thor, right? Any idea how much this would run? I figure it shouldn't cost too much since I'll be buying a Shooter grade Luger and getting it restored, right?

02-14-2011, 02:41 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	Hey all, I'm looking to get a Luger for the range and for displaying. I am not a serious collector (Maybe one day), and I love the clean/pure look of an unblemished Luger. That said... I don't have a $2000+ budget, so I'm trying to weigh my options. I would love for this gun to be shockingly accurate, but I know that may not be possible... due to me. Due to ammunition reasons, I want it to be in 9mm. I was torn between a short barrel and Artillery barrel Luger. I love the aesthetics of the shorter barrel, but is the Artillery barrel more accurate? Yes..longer barrels are better depending on how good the bore is. If you are not shooting beyond 75-100 yards a 4" is just as well. I'm a sucker for markings, so Nazi markings on this German gun would be a big plus. To ensure it's very reliable/accurate, I should be looking for a Luger with all matching parts to ensure best fit, right? The matching pistol is always the best choice but many function well with mismatched parts. Does the magazine have to match for best function? No..often a MecGar is best for shooting or try one of Gerald Tomecks rebuilt fine tuned shooting mags better yet. From what I understand... the Lugers manufactured in WW2 have better steel, so I should be shying away from DWM as they got taken over by Mauser, right? Mauser beefed up some parts that were known to be weak on DWM's. Mauser might be the better choice for you but no long barrels here. I should obviously be looking for one that has an excellent bore. Exterior wear, pitting, and scratches can all be removed with a restoration by someone like Thor, right? Yes Any idea how much this would run? I figure it shouldn't cost too much since I'll be buying a Shooter grade Luger and getting it restored, right? Restorations..depending on how extensive you might want to get will probably start at 500 and can easily exceed 2000 is my guess. You might want to check with Ted to see.. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

02-14-2011, 06:35 PM	#4
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	johnson, what part of the country are you in?? ..

02-15-2011, 02:07 PM	#6
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Johnson, I suggest you buy and read a copy of The Luger Story by John Walter. It is relatively cheap and will give you a decent overview and answer many of the questions you have asked. It should help you begin to focus on what you want. For example, your interests in DWM and in WWII military Lugers are mutually exclusive. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

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02-14-2011, 04:12 PM	#3
WG dog Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 142 Thanks: 1,282 Thanked 37 Times in 24 Posts	If there is a collector type gunstore or Luger collector in your area, you ought to check with them for help finding a nice WWII Luger shooter. Nothing beats having a pistol in your hand to determine if it is what you want. Recently I went into a collector type store here. Two low condition shooter Lugers were in the case. Got to talking with one of the owners, and he pulled three nice WWII Lugers out of the safe to look at, consignments. Took one home. Or ask for help in the want to buy section here on Lugerforum. The for sale section here has a nice Alphabet DWM Commercial Luger offered by zim for $865. It looks like a really nice Luger that someone would be proud to own and keep, and also be a fine shooter. Not 9mm, but it looks like a good pistol to buy now if in the mood. Checkpoint Charlie has a WWII Luger, byf 42, 9mm of course, 40-50%, $995, for what might be an original finish type shooter. Legacy Collectibles has a nice 1937 S/42 Luger for sale. Good luck to you, hope you find a nice WWII shooter Luger at a fair price.

02-15-2011, 12:37 PM	#5
Johnson184 User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I live in Oklahoma. I'm in no hurry to buy a Luger now. Just trying to narrow what I want down so I can keep an eye out. In all honesty, I probably won't even be buying one until this Summer. Was DWM only manufacturing Lugers before WW2? Is there a big difference in the steel quality of DWM and Mauser? I'm going to stick with the more common, shorter barrel. I'm intrigued by DWM now because from what I've been reading/learning... they're the first manufacturers of the Luger. One feature that I do seem to come across are grip safeties... not a big fan of those. Is there a difference between the German military lugers and the commercial ones? (Still leaning heavily towards a WW2 German military Luger)

02-21-2011, 04:20 PM	#7
Johnson184 User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey guys, I have another question. How much is the average cost of a restoration? It's obviously hard to determine the cost as I don't even have a Luger to send pictures of. Seems most decent quality Lugers with matching parts and great bores run at least $1000-$1300. From what I can tell, the average restoration costs $500 minimum with several months waiting. It almost seems smarter to just spend $2000 for a nice quality Luger that won't require refinishing. Any thoughts?

02-21-2011, 04:34 PM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I generaly agree with you. Restorations are best left for unusual, historical or sentimental value weapons were the owner is not necesarily looking to recoup the value of the restoration should they ever sell.

02-21-2011, 08:02 PM	#9
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Of course you are correct in that it is silly to buy a beater Luger then spend a fortune getting it in shape for shooting and improving its appearance. A nice all matching Luger will cost from $1300 to $1500, and the less you spend the more headaches you will end up with. I envy you living in Oklahoma where they have one of the finest gun shows in the world in Tulsa twice a year. It is such a great show that I drive there 1400 miles each way to buy and sell Lugers among other collectible firearms. You are so lucky, so just take yourself over to that show and you will find many Lugers that will fill your needs.