New to the forum and my first Luger

rodauto · 02-05-2015, 07:44 PM

Hi All,
Just made a deal on a 1916 DWM luger, all numbers matching except mag.Looks to be a little short on finish but may be the pictures, haven't seen it in real life yet. My buddy that checked it out and took the pictures says it looks OK for a 100 year old gun.....sure hope he's right! Barrel appears to be pretty frosted but he tells me it has lots of rifling so we will see.
Rodney

alanint · 02-06-2015, 06:35 AM

So far it looks like a good, honest gun.

Welcome aboard!

kzullick · 02-06-2015, 10:48 AM

Welcome to the Forum, yes a nice unmessed with Luger

Curly1 · 02-06-2015, 11:16 AM

Welcome to the forum Rodney.

Give us an update after you inspect it.

Sergio Natali · 02-06-2015, 12:48 PM

Welcome to this Forum.
It seems quite a desirable Luger, is it matching?

Sergio

K.Wilhelm · 02-06-2015, 11:25 PM

Hi, Rodney and welcome to the forum. Your pistol looks good to me. Bill

alvin · 02-07-2015, 06:19 AM

Should be OK. 4" Luger is a restricted gun in Canada, it could only circle among small group of people. When the group is small, the price is lower and the risk is also lower. Most boosting activity is money driven, when there is less money involved, the hobby is actually healthier.

rodauto · 02-07-2015, 09:14 AM

Thanks everyone,
Yes from what I can see and what my buddy told me it is all matching except the mag. Can't wait to get it home in a few weeks after all the paperwork is done so I can take it apart, check everything out and get shooting! Have been reading up on the proper bullet weights and bullet design, as usual lots of opinions out there. What are you guys using for reloads as far as bullet weight and design. Thanks
Rodney

rodauto · 02-07-2015, 09:24 AM

Hi Alvin,
The clasification for under 4.2 inch barrels is prohibited, so far we are still able to take them (pistols} to the range to shoot, anyone with prohibited rifles are not allowed to take them out of the house!!!!
Yes the group of us able to buy the prohib status pistols gets smaller all the time, glad I got my prohib status when I did. Many of them can't be passed on to family members without a rebarrel to make them only restricted so as far as collections go I buy to shoot and if they happen to be collectable thats just a bonus.
Rodney.

mrerick · 02-07-2015, 11:26 AM

Hi Rodney, and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on your 1916 DWM Luger. All matching and in original finish is considered collectible if original finish is over about 80%. You have what looks like a righteous Luger!

As to shooting, use standard power 9mm Luger (assuming it's in that caliber). If reloading start at the lower end with 124gn or 115gn jacketed bullets.

Many of us do not shoot collectible guns because of the risk of breakage of numbered parts. It impacts both the history and the financial value when they get damaged, which does happen. A better choice for shooting is a mismatch or refinish matching WW-II era gun or an Interarms / Mauser Luger.

Marc

rodauto · 02-07-2015, 02:24 PM

Hi Marc,
The saddest part of this whole situatin is I expect to keep this pistol until the day I die or am unable to shoot anymore, either way with the current Canadian gun laws the government will likely end up owning it and it will be destroyed anyway so I may as well take my chances and shoot it. Having said that I would be very sad if any parts fail and I have to replace a matching part while I;m still able to enjoy the pistol.
Rodney

rhuff · 02-07-2015, 03:24 PM

Welcome to the forum. If you plan to shoot this Luger(I am a shooter also) you might want to consider purchasing an aftermarket extractor, fluted firing pin, and firing pin spring retainer for your luger. These parts are prone to breakage, so replace your original numbered parts with these. If they break, no harm, no foul.

I am a handloader for my lugers. For my 9mm Lugers, I load with 115gr FMJ and use the longest OAL that will function in your chambers and mags......1.165-1.169in. range. Lugers seem to like a long OAL for functioning. I load with medium burning powders like Unique and Power Pistol. I can make the fast burners work, but not as well.

rodauto · 02-07-2015, 03:49 PM

Thanks rhuff,
That sounds great, will have to see if those parts are available in Canada. Really want to shoot the pistol but would be very sad if the original parts break!
Have to check but I think I might have some unique so wouldbe good to go.
Any thoughtspreference on the bullet type such as round nose, flat point or what they call truncated?
Rodney

4 Scale · 02-11-2015, 09:32 PM

Lugers strongly prefer FMJ, other bullet types tend to introduce loading issues. Here in the States Winchester White Box 115 gr. FMJ seems to work the best and is what the experts recommend.

mrerick · 02-11-2015, 10:41 PM

The Luger was originally designed to work with a truncated cone bullet... You should be fine with a FMJ or Truncated bullet.

rhuff · 02-12-2015, 01:50 PM

I have stuck with round nose bullets for my Lugers. I tried some jacketed hollow point, and JSP bullets with less than stellar results. I have loaded both lead and FMJ, both in RN configuration. They function best in my Lugers. I suppose that I should give the truncated bullets a try one of these days, but it is hard to argue with success......if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

rodauto · 02-13-2015, 11:13 AM

Thanks everyone,
I have some Round nose factory I will try when I finally get the gun home and clean it up.

Rodney

rhuff · 02-13-2015, 02:09 PM

Be sure to let us know how your new Luger shoots when all of the stars align.

02-05-2015, 07:44 PM	#1
rodauto User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 10 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	New to the forum and my first Luger Hi All, Just made a deal on a 1916 DWM luger, all numbers matching except mag.Looks to be a little short on finish but may be the pictures, haven't seen it in real life yet. My buddy that checked it out and took the pictures says it looks OK for a 100 year old gun.....sure hope he's right! Barrel appears to be pretty frosted but he tells me it has lots of rifling so we will see. Rodney Attached Thumbnails

02-06-2015, 11:16 AM	#4
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,234 Thanks: 116 Thanked 706 Times in 368 Posts	Welcome to the forum Rodney. Give us an update after you inspect it. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

02-06-2015, 12:48 PM	#5
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Welcome to this Forum. It seems quite a desirable Luger, is it matching? Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

02-06-2015, 11:25 PM	#6
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	Hi, Rodney and welcome to the forum. Your pistol looks good to me. Bill __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

02-07-2015, 11:26 AM	#10
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Hi Rodney, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your 1916 DWM Luger. All matching and in original finish is considered collectible if original finish is over about 80%. You have what looks like a righteous Luger! As to shooting, use standard power 9mm Luger (assuming it's in that caliber). If reloading start at the lower end with 124gn or 115gn jacketed bullets. Many of us do not shoot collectible guns because of the risk of breakage of numbered parts. It impacts both the history and the financial value when they get damaged, which does happen. A better choice for shooting is a mismatch or refinish matching WW-II era gun or an Interarms / Mauser Luger. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-06-2015, 06:35 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	So far it looks like a good, honest gun. Welcome aboard!

02-06-2015, 10:48 AM	#3
kzullick Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: East Berwick, Pennsylvania Posts: 227 Thanks: 614 Thanked 100 Times in 81 Posts	Welcome to the Forum, yes a nice unmessed with Luger

02-07-2015, 06:19 AM	#7
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Should be OK. 4" Luger is a restricted gun in Canada, it could only circle among small group of people. When the group is small, the price is lower and the risk is also lower. Most boosting activity is money driven, when there is less money involved, the hobby is actually healthier.

02-07-2015, 09:14 AM	#8
rodauto User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 10 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thanks everyone, Yes from what I can see and what my buddy told me it is all matching except the mag. Can't wait to get it home in a few weeks after all the paperwork is done so I can take it apart, check everything out and get shooting! Have been reading up on the proper bullet weights and bullet design, as usual lots of opinions out there. What are you guys using for reloads as far as bullet weight and design. Thanks Rodney

02-07-2015, 09:24 AM	#9
rodauto User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 10 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Hi Alvin, The clasification for under 4.2 inch barrels is prohibited, so far we are still able to take them (pistols} to the range to shoot, anyone with prohibited rifles are not allowed to take them out of the house!!!! Yes the group of us able to buy the prohib status pistols gets smaller all the time, glad I got my prohib status when I did. Many of them can't be passed on to family members without a rebarrel to make them only restricted so as far as collections go I buy to shoot and if they happen to be collectable thats just a bonus. Rodney.

02-07-2015, 02:24 PM	#11
rodauto User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 10 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Hi Marc, The saddest part of this whole situatin is I expect to keep this pistol until the day I die or am unable to shoot anymore, either way with the current Canadian gun laws the government will likely end up owning it and it will be destroyed anyway so I may as well take my chances and shoot it. Having said that I would be very sad if any parts fail and I have to replace a matching part while I;m still able to enjoy the pistol. Rodney

02-07-2015, 03:24 PM	#12
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	Welcome to the forum. If you plan to shoot this Luger(I am a shooter also) you might want to consider purchasing an aftermarket extractor, fluted firing pin, and firing pin spring retainer for your luger. These parts are prone to breakage, so replace your original numbered parts with these. If they break, no harm, no foul. I am a handloader for my lugers. For my 9mm Lugers, I load with 115gr FMJ and use the longest OAL that will function in your chambers and mags......1.165-1.169in. range. Lugers seem to like a long OAL for functioning. I load with medium burning powders like Unique and Power Pistol. I can make the fast burners work, but not as well.

02-07-2015, 03:49 PM	#13
rodauto User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 10 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thanks rhuff, That sounds great, will have to see if those parts are available in Canada. Really want to shoot the pistol but would be very sad if the original parts break! Have to check but I think I might have some unique so wouldbe good to go. Any thoughtspreference on the bullet type such as round nose, flat point or what they call truncated? Rodney

02-11-2015, 09:32 PM	#14
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	Lugers strongly prefer FMJ, other bullet types tend to introduce loading issues. Here in the States Winchester White Box 115 gr. FMJ seems to work the best and is what the experts recommend.

02-11-2015, 10:41 PM	#15
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	The Luger was originally designed to work with a truncated cone bullet... You should be fine with a FMJ or Truncated bullet. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-12-2015, 01:50 PM	#16
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	I have stuck with round nose bullets for my Lugers. I tried some jacketed hollow point, and JSP bullets with less than stellar results. I have loaded both lead and FMJ, both in RN configuration. They function best in my Lugers. I suppose that I should give the truncated bullets a try one of these days, but it is hard to argue with success......if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

02-13-2015, 11:13 AM	#17
rodauto User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 10 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thanks everyone, I have some Round nose factory I will try when I finally get the gun home and clean it up. Rodney

02-13-2015, 02:09 PM	#18
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	Be sure to let us know how your new Luger shoots when all of the stars align.