Did the newb screw up?

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by sailmotion

... regarding "collectibles", mrerick advised that shooting a collectible may be ill-advised due to the risk of breaking matching parts. While I certainly want my Luger to be and remain of "collectible" quality, I also want to enjoy it for the purpose it was intended - shooting. I have no "safe queens" and never really intended to have any. Is breaking parts a high or low level risk? I might assume a low risk, but maybe not a high one. Furthermore, is it sacrilege to show up at the range with a vintage Luger? On reflection, I realize in my many hours at various ranges, I have never once seen someone else shooting a Luger. Strange? ...

Sail, congratulations on the new P08! It looks good.

As far as shooting it, well you do take a chance of parts breakage - and the WWI models aren't as strong as the Mausers of the second world war.

Still, it probably won't break with light use, say 25-100 rounds a year. And if a part breaks, well you've only dropped maybe $300 in value from $1000 instead of many thousands for a highly collectable model. But I'll leave that up to you. It would be smart to have a good gunsmith that knows Lugers look it over before shooting, check headspace, frame/receiver/barrel cracking, etc.

I can tell you my mixed numbers 1913 DWM has been quite durable since I bought it in 1975 and fired many thousands of rounds over the years. I did have one part break, the big axle pin to the rear (fortunately a very easy fix) but as I said it already was a mixed numbers pistol so no loss in value as a shooter. Over the last year I have shot it more than most years since at 100+ years now it draws more interest with friends and range buddies.

Anyway, you're right - you don't see a Luger at a normal range often but they do draw attention. I've never had anyone scold me that I shouldn't shoot such an old gun.

Now my other P08, an all matching 1941 byf... I've never fired that one! It's near pristine and probably has less than 500 rounds through it so should stand up to much shooting but I know what would happen if I fired it once!