Considering a Luger. Not sure I have all my info 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

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02-14-2011, 02:41 PM	#1
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	#3
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?? ..

02-14-2011, 04:12 PM	#2
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.