A New Addiction? Or Is It A New Addition to My Collection? HELP!

[CG of MP]

Okay folks... In I go with both feet!

Like so many other visitors to this site, I am considering the purchase of a Luger. The problem is that I am just as ignorant about Lugers as I was in 1999 before I purchased my first M1 Garand. I am hoping that after I get the luger that I do not have another neurotic breakdown and create a 457 file site like I did for the Garand! <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

In any case, I am looking for any tips or ideas that any of you could offer me in making my selection and finding a decent and reputable person to buy from. I probably shouldn't admit this, but frankly I am starting blind here, and need some general guidance on what to look for, and where to look for it.

Not only am I interested in what to look for technically, but I am also interested in hearing of any offers or leads to where I might find something. I checked into private party transfers and for a firearm this old they are legal in my state if done through an FFL.

Anyhow... What I seek is simply a representative example of a third reich wartime luger. I am not concerned about it being collectable, but at the same time I would like to find something that has matching numbers so it can go up in value at least a little. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

I WILL be shooting this firearm but I do not expect that usage to be 'heavy'.

As noted above, I am interested in this as a historic piece as well - and it may get shown alongside of other period guns as an example of 'we had this, they had that' for educational purposes. I am also quite interested in the mechanical aspects of this firearm and have since I was a kid been struck by the uniqueness of the action.

Soooooooo this of course begs the question: What should I be looking for and where can I find it? Especially since I am on a tight budget.

I have read back through much of this section of the forum and also a couple of other areas here... have seen a lot of pretty stuff and a lot of stuff that confounded me.

In any event if you have ideas or suggestions please do post or you can toss me an e-mail if you feel you'd really prefer that.

Thanks!
Charles

[Roadkill]

Morning and welcome, first of all you need to set a budget. Categories generally run from $400 to $600 for a pure mongrel shooter, from $600 to $900 for a low level matching historically correct gun, and $900 up for a collector quality item. WWII guns can be either WWI or WWII dated, both were commonly used in WWII. Recommend you check the "For Sale" section of the forum, many items are presented there at reasonable prices.

rk

[David O]

Hello,

Here is a website that has a lot of information about M1 parts.

http://www.battlerifle.com

[Pete Ebbink]

Hello Charles,

And welcome, as well.

There are 3-4 luger "eras" as follows :

* Imperial Era
* Weimar Era
* 3rd. Reich era
* Post WWII Era

Not only considering your budget, you might want to decide from which era your first luger will be acquired. Notice, I say your first luger...as it is habit forming...

A good investment in some luger books is always worthwhile as well.

And you might want to visit the up-coming Reno gun show in late November as well. This is a good show with lots of lugers present for sale/display and we normally have a small Luger Forum group that hangs out and would be willing to help you. You will get to see various luger from all of the eras and can learn alot for just the trip costs...and you may even be tempted to buy a luger, there...!

http://www.bigrenoshow.com/

Best Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

[Herb]

Welcome to the Luger addiction forum Charles. I see that you have already recieved some good info. As Pete said Lugers are addictive (like potatoe chips, you can't have 'just one'). As far as dealers go many are reputable and there are some on the internet, just search for Lugers. If you find one you like you can always ask the forum members for thier opinion before you buy (recommended) since this will be your first one. If you don't already have a FFL I recommend that you get one as this will enable you to make purchases in or out of state either in person or by shipping. The one a lot of us have is the Curios and Relics (C&R) FFL. It costs $30 for three years and covers Lugers and hundreds of other firearms and ammunition as well. It's relatively easy to get if you do not have a criminal history.
Just go to this link and download the forms and mail them in with your $30. This will make it a lot easier to get your next Luger and will save you the $$$ you have to pay a dealer to do the paperwork and there is none of that 15 day waiting period stuff either for purchases. Sorry to see that you exist in the Peoples Republic of KA., and again welcome to the forum.
http://www.atf.gov/forms/pdfs/print2.htm

[Steve Richards]

I would recomend staying in the $500-$900 range for a first purchase unless you have an experienced person with you. The low end will obviously not be as nice as a higher priced one but will be less likely to be tampered with to artificially boost its value.

If you stick with the standard 4" military pistols in less than pristine condition, you are more likely to get what you pay for. Plus you will have one that you can afford to shoot!

[CG of MP]

Greetings Folks,

First and most importantly, I'd like to thank those of you who are responding and have responded to my plaintive wail for help... It is truly appreciated. Being a newbie in any field with is always hard, so much moreso with collectable firearms.

Roadkill - 600 dollars is the outside limit of what I will be able to afford... it is actually the top end of it soooo... maybe I can get a mongrel historically correct pistol? hehehehe

David O - I am sorry if I mis-communicated, I am not looking for M1 parts info.. I appreciate the link, but I'd say I am passingly familiar with the M1 parts as I put this site together for the CMP. thanks tho!

Pete Ebbink - your suggestion to select an era is a good one and I think that Third Reich era in 9mm is exactly what I'd like to have, though a great deal on other 9mm is not out of the question. I vastly prefer military to civilian.

Also, if you are really serious about finding a gaggle of folks that would be wiling to help me find somehitng at the Reno show, I'd be quite willing to accept such a generous offer! I could certainly drive there on Saturday and would have the cash to do it if all goes well. Again though 600 is my uppermost limit... Would be very nice to have multiple opinions.

Herb - your addiction comments are scaring me and my wife.. I started out just wanting a shooter Garand and well now even SHE owns her own... oh oh! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Steve you noted: "If you stick with the standard 4" military pistols in less than pristine condition, you are more likely to get what you pay for. Plus you will have one that you can afford to shoot!" That is pretty much how I am looking at this. While I'd not turn down a rare pistol (liek the flea market pistol some lucky guy got for 400 dollars and then had to rent a safety deposit box for) I'm certainly right in line with your thining here.

Most appreciate all the help and ideas folks... shoudl somehting come up before the show, I'd like to post about it here and see what people think... though with such an offer as noted above I think I'd be a fool not to take you guys up on it.

Any other hints, suggestions, opinions, and leads are welcome.

Thanks for the warm introduction to the forum.
Special thanks to John for the kind e-mails.

Charles

[John D.]

Charles,

You are a class act - welcome to the LugerForum..!!! I've lusted after John's J. incredible craftsmanship for quite some time - as well as the Valtro site. Both sites are simply excellent - and a credit to both vendors, and more especially - you. The sites are wonderful

Yep -I 'm also active 1911 forums, and see your posts there as well.

Good luck with your Luger purchase - and let us know what you are looking for in the various eras. We'll be here and offer our advice and comments....

However - have you considered Krieghoffs? They are to the Luger world what John Jardine is to the 1911 world - but then again, some may tell you I am biased... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[Dwight Gruber]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by John D.:
<strong>However - have you considered Krieghoffs? They are to the Luger world what John Jardine is to the 1911 world - but then again, some may tell you I am biased... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">And you will have to stand in line for the $600 Krieghoffs.

--Dwight

[CG of MP]

Greetings John D - This is my first week of actually looking at Lugers with anything more than a passing lustfull stare... that is to say I have not really researched them before now.

So... before any of you guffaw, please swollow your cola or coffee and I'll ask: What exactly is a Krieghoff? (STOP LAUGHIN DARNIT!)

If it fits with the stuff I have said above, then sure I'll consider it. I feel partial to the Nazi Era stuff however because of the history and because it would make such a nice acompanyment to my other WWII items.... but I'll not be dogmatic if I can get a super deal...

As for being a "class act" you best watch your mouth before you ruin my reputation as a bumbling fool! I work hard to appear stupid and slobbish and you aint gonna wreck it for me!

Seriously, thank you very kindly for the compliments on the Valtro and Jardine's Custom sites. I think the very thing that draws me to John's 1911's is in part what has piqued my interest in Lugers... the elegance and care put into making them is a real assett.

Of course the Luger has history and such a unique mechanism that it holds a whole different kind of allure as well.

Thanks for the comments!
Charles

[Roadkill]

Kreighof is to Lugers what an unmessed with Winchester is to M-1s but prettier and rarer. Limited production + limited issue + early war use = $ and rare guns.

rk

[John D.]

Hey CG...!!!

Awwww - we were all where you are right now - one week into collecting... For me, well, that week was about 20 years ago - but who's counting (aside from my wife )???

Now - about Krieghoffs.. Hmmmmmm.. RK pretty much has it right. They are sort of rare. But, they are worth the wait. But - that's my opinion... Just head over to the Krieg Forum on this site - and you'll see what I mean. I pretty much only post in that area (well, I do harass others in the other areas as well - but what do I know??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> )

Anyway - I meant what I said in my post above about your website talents, and the enterprises you represent. John J. and Valtro are excellent sites, and frankly - I wouldn't have known about them unless you did their websites (the wallpapers ROCK!!!). I hope someday to be a "customer" of either, - or better - both.... But, for right now - I only own Colts, STIs, Kimbers, Wilsons and DWs - oh - and a bunch of Lugers"...

Again - welcome to the Lugerforum. You are what collecting is all about - so post back what you are looking at, and we'll be here....

Best to you!

- John

[CG of MP]

Anyone trustable gonna be at the gunshow at the cowpalace next month?

[Steve Richards]

I agree with almost all of the answers here. The main question about purchasing your first Luger is "What kind of a gun do you want?" Do you want one that you can shoot, take apart, compare parts while reading some of the excellent books on these pistols or do you want a collector piece?

My vote, obiously, is to get one to shoot and play with while you learn. If I do something bad to my very used 1906 I will not feel the same as if I damaged a mint 1906! (which I do not have).

I would say to hold onto your money until you answer this basic question.

Good luck!

Steve

[CG of MP]

Welllllllllll

I think the basics have been narrowed down.

I think what I am looking for is the following:

For a MAX of 600 bucks (ugly having it hard-coded in my budget :-)I'd like to try to obtain as much of the following as possible:

1) Working shootable
2) Third Reich era (Though WWI is acceptable too)
3) As much matching parts as possible
4) Not a 'beater'
5) 9MM caliber (not the 30's)

I am not terribly concerned if it has been refinished, nice original is good, but something in good shape or fully matching that has been refinished probably wouldnt get a straight out veto. Similarly, one with a fair bit of worn bluing also would not be rejected... who knows, maybe someday I'd consider letting Thor do magic on it... OR I might just leav it as is since the 1911 I have from WWI has extreme wear to the blue and there will be times they are securely displayed together.

I certainly will want to learn to detail strip this weapon... My wife is already making fun of the fact that I once did this with M1 Garands... and a simple field strip turned into hundreds of webpages... I keep resisting, and she keeps giving me that 'yah sure we'll see' grin....

Charles