Shooting an LP08

Michael Zeleny · 03-14-2008, 05:04 PM

I fired my first 1917 LP08 for the first time two days ago. I was also shooting two SIG P210-6 pistols and two Colt Pythons, one fitted with a 4" hollow lug barrel and the other wearing a 2 1/2" tube. Of all these guns, the Artillery Luger was by far the most accurate in my hands. About 60 rounds of Winchester 124gr FMJ ammo all went into a single hole about 40mm in diameter, firing rapidly offhand at 25 feet. The bullets hit about 50mm below the point of aim, a condition that should be easy to fix by adjusting the rear sight blade. Even so, I was able to ding 7 out of 8 silhouettes at the 50 yard line. There were no malfunctions, other than occasional failures to feed the last round out of Mec-Gar magazines that latched into the frame too low to activate the hold-open lever. I expect properly refitted magazines to deliver perfect cycling. This is very different from my experience with the 9mm P08, liable to turn into a manually operated repeater with the slightest slackening of its mainspring. I am confirmed in my belief that the Luger requires extra mass in the cannon assembly to cycle reliably with modern ammunition.

The LP08 is a death ray machine. I would not hesitate to employ this handgun for social work. Given this performance, I remain puzzled at the failure of German and Swiss gunmakers to replicate their outstanding pre-WWII designs for the benefit of shooters worldwide.

the gunman · 03-14-2008, 06:58 PM

Michael I must say you are "One Hell Of A Shot" Congratulations

Michael Zeleny · 03-14-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by the gunman
Michael I must say you are "One Hell Of A Shot" Congratulations

Thanks for your kind words, but I don't consider myself all that good. The P210 comes with this test target:

Click here for a high resolution image.

My definition of a good pistol shot is one able to approximate the 1949 ISSF World Shooting Championship performance of Heinrich Keller scoring 559/600 at 25 meters with his M1929 Parabellum. Doing half as well at less than a third of the distance is not a big deal.

03-14-2008, 05:04 PM	#1
Michael Zeleny Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 525 Thanks: 129 Thanked 138 Times in 76 Posts	Shooting an LP08 I fired my first 1917 LP08 for the first time two days ago. I was also shooting two SIG P210-6 pistols and two Colt Pythons, one fitted with a 4" hollow lug barrel and the other wearing a 2 1/2" tube. Of all these guns, the Artillery Luger was by far the most accurate in my hands. About 60 rounds of Winchester 124gr FMJ ammo all went into a single hole about 40mm in diameter, firing rapidly offhand at 25 feet. The bullets hit about 50mm below the point of aim, a condition that should be easy to fix by adjusting the rear sight blade. Even so, I was able to ding 7 out of 8 silhouettes at the 50 yard line. There were no malfunctions, other than occasional failures to feed the last round out of Mec-Gar magazines that latched into the frame too low to activate the hold-open lever. I expect properly refitted magazines to deliver perfect cycling. This is very different from my experience with the 9mm P08, liable to turn into a manually operated repeater with the slightest slackening of its mainspring. I am confirmed in my belief that the Luger requires extra mass in the cannon assembly to cycle reliably with modern ammunition. The LP08 is a death ray machine. I would not hesitate to employ this handgun for social work. Given this performance, I remain puzzled at the failure of German and Swiss gunmakers to replicate their outstanding pre-WWII designs for the benefit of shooters worldwide. __________________ Michael Zeleny@post.harvard.edu -- http://larvatus.livejournal.com/ -- 7576 Willow Glen Road, Los Angeles, CA 90046 -- 323.363.1860 All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. -- Samuel Beckett

03-14-2008, 06:58 PM	#2
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Michael I must say you are "One Hell Of A Shot" Congratulations