Newbie looking for first Luger advice

4 Scale · 12-22-2016, 10:18 AM

As Ithacaartist said, it depends and without pictures it is sort of a guess what this pistol is worth. Reproduction side plates can be had for around $50 and IMO are appropriate for a shooter. A 1913 Luger in above-average condition, non-matching numbers that actually shoots or can be brought into firing condition by adding a side plate, IMO is probably worth $750. The key questions are does it actually shoot, and is it actually in above-average condition.

In general I don't think new Luger owners are well served by purchasing pistols that require work in order to fire. So unless you have some local resource to help you acquire a side plate and fit it to the pistol (my experience is they sometimes require fitting to function properly) you might consider passing on this one.

Re: your other question, IMO online auctions tend to offer the best prices, but also present significant risk esp. to a newbie. If you go the online auction route, use patience, insist on good pictures and a three day inspection, pay via credit card (you may be able to get help from the CC company if the piece is not as described), only bid when the seller has significant transaction quantity and a rating of at least 99%, and don't pay more than $1,100 or so to minimize the chance of an expensive mistake.

Here's an example that meets most of the criteria. I likely won't bid on this because the finish is a bit rough for my tastes but IMO this would be a good shooter:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/605668727 I have no affiliation with the seller, just passing along a pistol I evaluated and decided to pass on.

12-22-2016, 10:18 AM	#9
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 490 Times in 251 Posts	As Ithacaartist said, it depends and without pictures it is sort of a guess what this pistol is worth. Reproduction side plates can be had for around $50 and IMO are appropriate for a shooter. A 1913 Luger in above-average condition, non-matching numbers that actually shoots or can be brought into firing condition by adding a side plate, IMO is probably worth $750. The key questions are does it actually shoot, and is it actually in above-average condition. In general I don't think new Luger owners are well served by purchasing pistols that require work in order to fire. So unless you have some local resource to help you acquire a side plate and fit it to the pistol (my experience is they sometimes require fitting to function properly) you might consider passing on this one. Re: your other question, IMO online auctions tend to offer the best prices, but also present significant risk esp. to a newbie. If you go the online auction route, use patience, insist on good pictures and a three day inspection, pay via credit card (you may be able to get help from the CC company if the piece is not as described), only bid when the seller has significant transaction quantity and a rating of at least 99%, and don't pay more than $1,100 or so to minimize the chance of an expensive mistake. Here's an example that meets most of the criteria. I likely won't bid on this because the finish is a bit rough for my tastes but IMO this would be a good shooter: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/605668727 I have no affiliation with the seller, just passing along a pistol I evaluated and decided to pass on.