Deactivation or not?

[ChannelIsles]

Hi - I looking to acquire my first pistol and look to choose between a deactivated model or a working firearm with the appropriate licence.

I have a small collection of WW2 era items & my motivation is more collector, although if I go the licenced route i'd likley look to join a suitable pistol club here in Jersey.

To assist me in this decision, what motivates a deactivation -
-Is it the pistol is no longer considered a reliable firearm & deactivation for safety reasons?
-How does this effect the value over a working model?
-Any other reasons?

Any thoughts would be helpful.
Thanks,
Brendan - Jersey, Channel Islands.

[Edward Tinker]

Brendan, welcome to the forum!


The audience here I would guess would be more likely to choose the non-deact route, as they are mostly collectors who can have "live" firearms.

If it was me, I would want as many live firearms as possible, I think the value will rise dramtically as there are fewer and fewer live guns. Although the historical aspect appeals to me more than the value.

Plus deactivating seems so, sad.

On the other hand, if I had a choice of collecting deacts and nothing, at least the majority of the piece is there and I would be a collector of deacts.


ed

[Dwight Gruber]

Brendan,

Welcome to the Forum, indeed.

Firearms deactivation is entirely the result of political decisions and statutory regulation by a government--it almost never has anything to do with safety or reliability. If you search the Forum for posts by TAC Foley and the subject "deactivation", you will find extensive information on firearms deactivation as it is practiced in the United Kingdom. If you go to http://www.lugerforum.com/, select the Member Gallery, and go to page 10, you will find a detailed pictorial of a UK deactivated Luger.

By the online auctions I have seen, apparently the value of deactivated Lugers in the UK is respectably high, due no doubt to the fact that these are the only guns obtainable. Elsewhere--in the US, for example--deactivation reduces a Luger to the scrap value of the steel.

By all means, if you are able to obtain a working Luger, you should certainly do so. Besides, with your intent to join a pistol club, you will discover that Lugers are highly accurate and tremendously enjoyable firearms to shoot.

--Dwight

[shadow]

Brendan,

I would get a functional luger.

If you want to shoot my luger to help you decide let me know. I live in Cape May County and am usually looking for an excuse to go to the range anyway.

Chris

[Edward Tinker]

Chris, he is in Jersey, not New Jersey. That is about 3500 miles away I think...




On the other hand, I am sure he'd love to go shooting with you

[Parabellus]

Ed,

Ya mean he's in 'Jersey', not 'Joizy'?

Russell

[George Anderson]

Brendan, living on one of the Channel Isles I'm sure you have insight into why you folks are allowed to own real pistols while the greater Isle folks are not. I would imagine it would have something to do with your islands' status during the last big war., eh?

If you can get live ones, I'd go live. Also I would include in my collection at least one FAL with a couple thousand rounds of recreational ammo. After all, you never know when the folks from Londonistan might decide to holiday with you all channel types.

[shadow]

I should have looked where in Jersey before I responded. (we need a smiley for embarrassed)

The offer still stands! If you ever find yourself in the "other" Jersey, let me know and we will go shooting.

Chris


ADMIN:
:icon501:

[Edward Tinker]

If you use ADD REPLY, then look on left, and then MORE


:icon107:

[Edward Tinker]

[ChannelIsles]

My thanks to all those welcoming me - I'm overwhelmed by the number of responses.
To name a few - Tom A, Dwight, George & Chris's kind offer â?? perhaps next time Iâ??m stateside?

Edwardâ??s Map is very helpful â?? Iâ??m on the coast just beneath St Helier. Jersey is often mistaken for New Jersey (where I believe NJ was named after)?

The Channel Islands were the only British soil occupied by the Germans during 1940 - May 9th 1945. Consequently, during this tenuous period the Germanâ??s left a permanent mark with coastal fortifications, underground tunnel systems housing hospital/munitions & field gear etcâ?¦

Having made some inquires today (Iâ??m 5 hours behind US). I find I'm able to obtain a full firearms licence after 6 mths active membership of a local pistol club. Jersey continues to issue live pistols that post the tragic school shootings the UK cannot.
Bizarrely, if I wish to go deactivated I have to purchase through the UK as a proof certificate is needed & Jersey are not licenced to issue one.

So were either behind or in front of the UK depending on your point of view.

As deactivation costs more and Iâ??ll undoubtedly have more involvement socially â?? Iâ??ll follow the pistol route. Iâ??ll post an update to follow up my progress â?? assuming theyâ??ll have me!

Iâ??ve been quoted �£10 ($18) for 50 9mm live rounds â?? how does this compare?

Warmest regards,

Brendan â?? Jersey, Channel Islands.

[wworker]

Our local stores here in the states, like Walmart, sell 100 rounds of Winchester 9mm for $12

[John Sabato]

This is a great discussion thread that demonstrates the warmth and hospitality of lugerforum members worldwide...

Brenden, let me add my welcome to the Lugerforum community and also my encouragement to go for a live firearm while you still have the opportunity under your current laws... since you are still part of the UK, I regret that your home may someday fall under the same liberal view and the ownership of live firearms may eventually be prohibited or at least sharply restricted. Enjoy it while you can, and fight for the freedoms you now enjoy... your heirs may not be so blessed...

[ChannelIsles]

I reviewed Dwight's link to a UK deactivated luger (thanks Dwight)

I can only conclude post 96 deactivations are very thorough.
On the positive side it still permits an avenue for Uk collectors to maintain their collections.

If I'm to choose a live military pistol - what model/year will give me the quality, reliability & accuracy of shot I desire?

Did quality 'drop off' as the war progressed?

I note some models have differing finishes - originality is very important.

Brendan - Jersey, Channel Islands

[Dwight Gruber]

Brendan,

If you search the forum for shooting and associated terms, or peruse the Shooting and Reloading Forum, you will find a wealth of posts (and opinions!) on this topic.

For various reasons having to do with relative age and amount of use, I recommend WWII Mauser manufactured Lugers--chamber dated from 1936-1942--for shooting. There was no significant quality fall-off during Mauser production. New manufactured magazines are crucial for reliable operation (extruded-type magazines from WWII are also reliable).

All Lugers manufactured until late 1937 were rust-blued with strawed small parts. Lugers manufactured after late 1937 were salt-blued, including the small parts.

--Dwight

[John Sabato]

While finish may have dropped off on many things during WW2 toward the end of the war. I am of the opinion that Lugers in particular were of the finest precision machines produced, right up to the end...

In 1937, Mauser began using hot salt blue for the entire pistol instead of strawing some of the smaller parts and using rust bluing, but the precision was superb in the mechanical parts... So if you want the best (short of a krieghoff) the late Mauser pistols are the best in my not so humble opinion... Pre 1937, if you want the traditional rust and straw finish, post 1937 if you want the darker salt blue finish...

[Vlim]

Dwight, psst...you meant to say '1937'...

[John Sabato]

Interesting that both Dwight and I were drafting similar replies at the same time

[Dwight Gruber]

Originally posted by G. van Vlimmeren
Dwight, psst...you meant to say '1937'...

Oops...Yep, I had 1939 on the mind from another discussion I was having, I'm changeing my post here...

--Dwight