1916 DWM P.08 at store - opinions please

[Tinplatejeff]

Found this 1916 DWM at a store today. Appears to be all matching but in rough shape. There is also one unmarked wooden bottom magazine included for it. I got pictures of the P.08 only, did not have time to take pictures of the magazine due to limited time today. Opinions on it's value? They are asking $800.

[Tinplatejeff]

A few more pics...

[Dwight Gruber]

Will this be your first Luger? If not, does this gun fit your collecting interest? In either case, see if they will take less, but snap it up.

--Dwight

[Tinplatejeff]

I have a 1940 Mauser. I'm more looking for a shooter, but I'm interested in all military P.08s. Is this one collector grade if it is indeed all matched or is the condition poor enough to make a shooter?

[lugersrkewl]

I agree with the first answer.

it is a shooter because of condition (mismatched internal part? ) but beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[Dwight Gruber]

Because of the price, this is a good deal for an entry-level collector who intends to continue and upgrade their collecting. In its condition it can serve the dual purpose of a Luger which one can enjoy shooting.


--Dwight

[sheepherder]

Web photos always magnify pits & blemishes. It surely doesn't look quite as bad in person.

$800 isn't bad; if the owner refuses to negotiate, ask him to thrown in a box or two of ammunition.

Frankly, I'd be surprised if it is still for sale when you go back...

[Tony Min]

Mine is a little better and I paid $1K
I think with some proper clean up, bronze brushing and lots of oil. It will be nice.
Grips are not so great.

[K.Wilhelm]

What is the condition of the bore? That would make a difference to me. KW

[lugerholsterrepair]

Personally I would not pay $500 for this thing. By the time you walk out the door after paying 10% tax and registration fees etc. it will be right at $899. Put a few more bucks with $900 and you can find yourself a really nice Luger. Don't be tempted to jump all over the first one you see...This one is just too beat up to get $900.
Bill is right..the bore makes a difference..so does "will it actually shoot" but not that much to me. I say save your money until a good one comes along.

One other consideration..This one is in shooter condition for sure but pre Mauser Luger's make poor shooters. Mauser made a half dozen changes DWM's don't have for a reason. They break early and often. If you want a good & safe shooter with less breakage..stick to Mauser made Lugers.
Just to clarify..I have lots of WW1 shooters..I just know their faults and accept that my shooter Navy might break. I shoot it anyway but knowing it will be more fragile than a Mauser.

Hey Bill, It was 80 degrees here yesterday!

[Tinplatejeff]

I'm sorry I got everyone fired up over this gun and haven't replied. I did not make it back to the store over the weekend due to weather (more snow) and family obligations. It's about an hour drive from my house. But, I'm thinking even if it's still there I'll pass on it. I'd like something a little nicer cosmetically and I'm in no hurry. I'll find a shooter someday that is the right one for me. Thanks everyone for the replies and input. This forum is the best.

[DavidJayUden]

I'm not trying to change your mind, but if a guy were to properly clean the metal, give it a light coat of oil, and have Hugh do his magic on those horrible grips, that thing would come alive. Remember that it earned every blemish the hard way and there is some real history there. If it could talk we'd all be mesmerized.
Ever hear the joke that a scar is nothing but a tatoo with a good story?
Well, I'm a sucker for old dogs that need a place to live too.
dju

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

I'm not trying to change your mind, but if a guy were to properly clean the metal, give it a light coat of oil, and have Hugh do his magic on those horrible grips, that thing would come alive. Remember that it earned every blemish the hard way and there is some real history there. If it could talk we'd all be mesmerized.
Ever hear the joke that a scar is nothing but a tatoo with a good story?
Well, I'm a sucker for old dogs that need a place to live too.
dju

+ 1

IMHO a decent price; good Luger to start on; you can shoot it without the heartbreak of a broken [serialized] part; and a good way to get into Lugering...You can trade up or keep as a 2nd shooter...

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

Personally I would not pay $500 for this thing.

Oh, poop on Jerry! Like he's never paid top dollar for a run-of-the-mill Luger!

Have some fun with a starter Luger. Get the grips re-cut; fix the magazine; replace the broken firing pin spring guide; etc. Get a feel for them and get a collectible later. It's only money - what else you going to buy??? A new kitchen??? A sofa??? A new pair of shoes???

Buy buy buy!!!

[Tinplatejeff]

Not that I don't respect everybody else's opinion, but if Jerry says "no buy" then its a no buy for me

But, seriously, I'm going to pass. If anybody is interested in the gun feel free to contact the store, I have no idea if it is still available or not, good luck!

Gander Mountain
1630 Southlake Mall, Merrillville, IN 46410
Phone: (219) 793-1700

Here's a pic with stock number:

[Arizona Slim]

Originally Posted by Tinplatejeff

Not that I don't respect everybody else's opinion, but if Jerry says "no buy" then its a no buy for me

It sounds like you made the right decision to me too Jeff, with an initial investment of $900. plus another $150.-$200.for whatever parts and labor you may want to or need to put into it just doesn't sound feasible to me, and then there is the condition of the bore which is a big consideration, if the grips are any indication of how much use the pistol has seen then the bore in all likelihood will be pretty well worn too.

Lon

[lugerholsterrepair]

Oh, poop on Moderator Jerry! One click..just one click and POOF!

I still say too much $$. Yes I have paid too much for Lugers and other guns too..It's not all that smart to do. Older and wiser it makes more sense to put just a little more together and buy a Luger you will be proud of and not have to monkey with.
Don't discount my sage advice about the differences in DWM and Mauser..it's an important consideration.
It's only money...Many years ago I was actually broke..didn't have a quarter to buy a newspaper to look for a job. $800 bucks is still a lot of money to buy a mantoy. Spend wisely Obe wan Kanobe.

[Edward Tinker]

oh, its not $800!!

heck, its $799.99

I think fairly beat up for the price... if you could get it cheaper, then go for it - others will pop up, but if it was $700 more people would get excited.

I saw a nice one this weekend for $950 - the table owner kept not being there and I never asked him about it - as it turned out, it had Krieghoff grips on it! So, the $950 was really like paying $650-$700

[spartacus38]

You have made the right decision to not buy it.
Bob

[318is_Parabellum]

Gander Mountain?! Run, don't walk, away. GM is notorious for waaaaay overpricing used firearms. Very rarely is a square deal to be found at GM, in my experience. Worst of all, they *never* negotiate on price.

Cabela's, while overpriced, will at least usually negotiate.

[John Sabato]

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

It's only money...

Hi Jerry, ... that quote reminds me of our mutual late friend Tom Armstrong. He once told me that... and then said, "John, it is something that I really want, and I am going to buy it... I can always make more money." That is what he said to me just before he purchased the Navy rig that was his avatar for so long... it was a unique piece, and he paid right around $26,000 dollars for it!
He was a unique guy, and I miss him a lot. thanks for the trip down memory lane... I go there often, but often can't remember why!