Advice for a new buyer

nieuwkot · 06-30-2005, 10:00 AM

New to this group and looking to buy my first luger, so looking for advice.

I'm definitely not into collecting (yet) but would like one I could actually shoot. So what should I be looking for and what should I avoid? Are the reworked 50-60 yr old guns safe or should I be looking at one of the newer 're-issue' american stoeger guns? Lastly to keep the peace at home I'm thinking I probably better not spend more than $600-700 on it.

Thanks

thegundude · 06-30-2005, 10:05 AM

You ought to be able to pick one up for $500 or slightly less. The 1920 Commercial Lugers are by far the most common, but most Lugers that're below 80% finish will be shooters.

As far as safe to shoot, I'd say the vast majority are safe. Of course, have a qualified gunsmith check out any gun prior to shooting, but that goes without saying (or should). Just because it's nearly a hundred years old doesn't mean it isn't safe to shoot. Some brand new guns can suffer that malledy.

When selecting a shooter, understand that the 9mms are cheaper to shoot than the .30 Lugers.

Good luck and welcome to the forums.

lugerholsterrepair · 06-30-2005, 10:27 AM

Steve, Sound advice...Are shooter Lugers in your neck of the woods available for 500 or less? Jerry Burney

Edward Tinker · 06-30-2005, 11:50 AM

Only at his house!

I have found they have creeped up to $600, and yes, there are still bargains, but few and far between!

ed

thegundude · 06-30-2005, 12:04 PM

They may be on the way up by now. I got my commercial for five bills and I've seen them going for that still, on occasion. But it's through the auction sites where you don't always know who you're dealing with.

And I'm cheap enough to keep on looking and looking...

Here's something.

1918 Erfurt

Here's a nice one for $700

DWM .30

DWM refinish

You get the idea. Just keep your eyes peeled and you'll find one. That's the easy part. Trying to kep yourself from buying more and more expensive guns is the hard part.

nieuwkot · 06-30-2005, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the feedback, though it seems since this AM, that prices have gone up by$100....making me think this could be like buying gasoline for the car.....

Seriously I appreciate the feedback and guess I need to get a posting on the want to buy board and keep an eye out for others.

~tony~

gsonnenmd · 06-30-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nieuwkot
New to this group and looking to buy my first luger, so looking for advice.

I'm definitely not into collecting (yet) but would like one I could actually shoot. So what should I be looking for and what should I avoid? Are the reworked 50-60 yr old guns safe or should I be looking at one of the newer 're-issue' american stoeger guns? Lastly to keep the peace at home I'm thinking I probably better not spend more than $600-700 on it.

Thanks

I'm in the same boat as you. This will be my first Luger. I don't feel educated enough yet to begin pricing the antique pistols.

I've been looking & pricing the Stoegers, Mitchells, & the Interarms-Mauser pistols at local gunshows. I really like the feel and look of the Interarms-Mauser. A few guys here confirmed that the Interarms-Mauser is a superior P-08 to the Stoeger product. I'm buying one from a forum member who had his posted in the selling forum.

Herb · 06-30-2005, 06:15 PM

Tony, something to try, put a "wanted" ad in your local news paper, the last time I did it I got two answers but both wanted about $700 for them and in my mind I'd been hard pressed to pay $400, but you never know what might turn up and it's not that expensive. If you find something neat and don't want it send me a PM, I might be interested.

thegundude · 07-01-2005, 12:43 AM

There's also a "Wanted to buy" section of this forum too...

DougT · 07-01-2005, 05:22 AM

Tony,

The Imperial guns (WW I DWM & Erfurt) are considered by many to be the best shooters. In the post WW I guns, I prefer the .30 to the 9mm for functional reliability, although the ammo cost is more. Take your time, find one that has matching numbers and you'll do just fine. The Lugers have been around this long for a reason--they just keep going and going and going!

DougT

Dwight Gruber · 07-01-2005, 10:25 AM

Tony,

Others here would say, contrary to Doug, collect the Imperial guns and shoot the WWII Mausers.

Before you invest in a .30 gun, find out what the ammunition availablilty and price is in your area, and decide if you can afford the bill. If all that is available is Fiocci, be prepared for failures to operate due to low-powered cartridges.

In all liklihood you will find a Luger for shooting in your price range. It may not be pretty, and it may have the odd mismatched part. It will still be suitable for your use.

Best of luck, and good hunting.

--Dwight

thegundude · 07-01-2005, 02:12 PM

It's the Fiocci that's to blame? I though mine just had a gremlin....

gsonnenmd · 07-01-2005, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thegundude
It's the Fiocci that's to blame? I though mine just had a gremlin....

I've been involved in Sporting Clays for years. Most folks that I know in that arena frown on Fiocci shotshells because of the same issue.

DougT · 07-02-2005, 05:40 AM

Doggone it Dwight,

Are we ever going to agree on anything? I recommend Imperials--you say Mausers. I suggest matching numbers--you say odd mismatched part. What's up wit chew? Seriously, I respect your contributions to this forum, and have learned much from your posts. I have a stepson in Portland, and I expect that I will be getting up there once a year or so. The next time I do, I hope that we can get together. Maybe we can get 'ol Ron Smith "The Legend" in on it too. You guys are the best!

DougT

Walt NW · 07-02-2005, 08:18 AM

If your wife is in to garage saling, thrill her to death and make major points at home by suggesting a tour through the local offerings. A few months ago, I picked up a beautiful rework of a 1916 Navy, reblued and with the 4" barrel but retaining Navy sights, matched except for the rear sight, replacement barrel and mag, for $400 including an extra mag and 4 boxes of ammo. Got me started into not making a hassle of the wife's garage sale mania when I found an 1896 Krag, complete with sling and recoil paid a few years back for a hundred bucks. You never know what you'll find out there. Missed an officers Samurai sword by about 15 minutes last year. Price was $50. Of course, you're letting her dig to her hearts content through other people junk, so you're a hero for which she is most appreciative.

06-30-2005, 10:00 AM	#1
nieuwkot User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Michigan Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Advice for a new buyer New to this group and looking to buy my first luger, so looking for advice. I'm definitely not into collecting (yet) but would like one I could actually shoot. So what should I be looking for and what should I avoid? Are the reworked 50-60 yr old guns safe or should I be looking at one of the newer 're-issue' american stoeger guns? Lastly to keep the peace at home I'm thinking I probably better not spend more than $600-700 on it. Thanks

06-30-2005, 10:05 AM	#2
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	You ought to be able to pick one up for $500 or slightly less. The 1920 Commercial Lugers are by far the most common, but most Lugers that're below 80% finish will be shooters. As far as safe to shoot, I'd say the vast majority are safe. Of course, have a qualified gunsmith check out any gun prior to shooting, but that goes without saying (or should). Just because it's nearly a hundred years old doesn't mean it isn't safe to shoot. Some brand new guns can suffer that malledy. When selecting a shooter, understand that the 9mms are cheaper to shoot than the .30 Lugers. Good luck and welcome to the forums. __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

06-30-2005, 10:27 AM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	Steve, Sound advice...Are shooter Lugers in your neck of the woods available for 500 or less? Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

06-30-2005, 12:04 PM	#5
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	They may be on the way up by now. I got my commercial for five bills and I've seen them going for that still, on occasion. But it's through the auction sites where you don't always know who you're dealing with. And I'm cheap enough to keep on looking and looking... Here's something. 1918 Erfurt Here's a nice one for $700 DWM .30 DWM refinish You get the idea. Just keep your eyes peeled and you'll find one. That's the easy part. Trying to kep yourself from buying more and more expensive guns is the hard part. __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

06-30-2005, 06:15 PM	#8
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Tony, something to try, put a "wanted" ad in your local news paper, the last time I did it I got two answers but both wanted about $700 for them and in my mind I'd been hard pressed to pay $400, but you never know what might turn up and it's not that expensive. If you find something neat and don't want it send me a PM, I might be interested. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

06-30-2005, 11:50 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	Only at his house! I have found they have creeped up to $600, and yes, there are still bargains, but few and far between! ed

06-30-2005, 12:11 PM	#6
nieuwkot User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Michigan Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the feedback, though it seems since this AM, that prices have gone up by$100....making me think this could be like buying gasoline for the car..... Seriously I appreciate the feedback and guess I need to get a posting on the want to buy board and keep an eye out for others. ~tony~

07-01-2005, 12:43 AM	#9
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	There's also a "Wanted to buy" section of this forum too... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

07-01-2005, 05:22 AM	#10
DougT User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 171 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tony, The Imperial guns (WW I DWM & Erfurt) are considered by many to be the best shooters. In the post WW I guns, I prefer the .30 to the 9mm for functional reliability, although the ammo cost is more. Take your time, find one that has matching numbers and you'll do just fine. The Lugers have been around this long for a reason--they just keep going and going and going! DougT

07-01-2005, 10:25 AM	#11
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Tony, Others here would say, contrary to Doug, collect the Imperial guns and shoot the WWII Mausers. Before you invest in a .30 gun, find out what the ammunition availablilty and price is in your area, and decide if you can afford the bill. If all that is available is Fiocci, be prepared for failures to operate due to low-powered cartridges. In all liklihood you will find a Luger for shooting in your price range. It may not be pretty, and it may have the odd mismatched part. It will still be suitable for your use. Best of luck, and good hunting. --Dwight

07-01-2005, 02:12 PM	#12
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	It's the Fiocci that's to blame? I though mine just had a gremlin.... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

07-02-2005, 05:40 AM	#14
DougT User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 171 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Doggone it Dwight, Are we ever going to agree on anything? I recommend Imperials--you say Mausers. I suggest matching numbers--you say odd mismatched part. What's up wit chew? Seriously, I respect your contributions to this forum, and have learned much from your posts. I have a stepson in Portland, and I expect that I will be getting up there once a year or so. The next time I do, I hope that we can get together. Maybe we can get 'ol Ron Smith "The Legend" in on it too. You guys are the best! DougT

07-02-2005, 08:18 AM	#15
Walt NW User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If your wife is in to garage saling, thrill her to death and make major points at home by suggesting a tour through the local offerings. A few months ago, I picked up a beautiful rework of a 1916 Navy, reblued and with the 4" barrel but retaining Navy sights, matched except for the rear sight, replacement barrel and mag, for $400 including an extra mag and 4 boxes of ammo. Got me started into not making a hassle of the wife's garage sale mania when I found an 1896 Krag, complete with sling and recoil paid a few years back for a hundred bucks. You never know what you'll find out there. Missed an officers Samurai sword by about 15 minutes last year. Price was $50. Of course, you're letting her dig to her hearts content through other people junk, so you're a hero for which she is most appreciative.