1918 DWM Shooter

capnduane · 08-26-2003, 08:02 PM

Hi all, I am a newbie to this board, and have been enjoying and learning from it. thank you! I have purchased my first luger, It is a DWM 1918 #3036M. It is stamped Miltex Inc. It has been refinished a dark dull Blue/black, and has replacement black grips. Some light pitting, and bore is rough. Extractor and little thingy (searbar?) behind sideplate dont match ser#. Magazine is a fxo aluminum bottom, proof eagle 37, # scrubbed. Pistol seems nice and tight, with a decent trigger pull, and I am a happy man. Hope to take it out this afternoon and shoot it a bit. Fellow I got it from said he bought it in 1997, is this a Russian rework?, any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Duane

Heydrich · 08-26-2003, 08:43 PM

Duane:

It sounds like you have a Russian capture Luger, which via the import mark was imported by Miltex of MD, probably back in the 90s. It should have the Russian “X” (crossed swords/rifles) property stamp somewhere on it, but I’ve seen a lot of these captures that don’t have this. The quality of the Russian captures (pistols and rifles) depended on the person who did it back in the 50s, some were very neat and conscientious; others were slackers with the stamps and quality. The black plastic grips are probably of East German origin. The magazine is of Third Reich production - Haenel, Suhl, according to my waffenamt (for E/37) list. It never ceases to amaze me how ubiquitous this amt is, that inspector sure got around. Lugers are great fun to shoot, I’ve heard the trigger pull described as “gritty” in general, but mine has a nice smooth action to it. Welcome to the forum, I’m sure the others around here can help you much more than I can.

capnduane · 08-27-2003, 07:04 PM

Thanks Heydrich for the info on my luger. It does not have a Russian X on it anywhere. Proofs are Eagle with crown overhead, and a very fancy J or G under a crown. The Eagle over fancy letter looks like Proofs 2, # 15 on the Pistole Parabellum site. I got to put about 25 rounds thru it last eve, and off a rest, it shot fine. When I shot offhand, I got several stovepipe jams. Could this be due to not powerfull enough ammo? I was using Olympic 124 gr. (they didnt seem to be loaded very hot) Accuracy was suprisingly good considering the rough bbl. Trigger is acceptable, but sights are tough for 58 yr old eyes! I am still a happy camper!!

Edward Tinker · 08-27-2003, 07:17 PM

Capn Duane, next time you go shooting, ensure you hold the gun nice and tight. Makes a difference in 1911's and also one of my Lugers, it simply doesn't get the "push-back" it needs. I use the Olympic 124 and it fires fine in mine, but each gun can be a bit picky.

ed

Roadkill · 08-27-2003, 07:38 PM

You are not alone in the luger sight deficiency. Mine shoots great, just can't see where to point it. Heard carrots would help eyesight. Next time I go shooting I'll bring one along and jam it on the front sight so I can see it.

rk

Michael Zeleny · 08-27-2003, 07:48 PM

Smokestack Myths:

http://www.custompistols.com/bengtso...cles/smoke.htm

Edward Tinker · 08-27-2003, 08:13 PM

Sorry, mine is from real experience at the range, with the Army. A improper hold results in malfunctions, while a tight grip results in less problems.

Sorry only read the first paragraph, we can all believe whatever we want, but in my experience, a poor grip of the gun results in malfunctions.

Ed

Doubs · 08-27-2003, 08:28 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Edward Tinker:
[QB Sorry only read the first paragraph, we can all believe whatever we want, but in my experience, a poor grip of the gun results in malfunctions.
Ed[/QB]<hr /></blockquote>Ed, I'm with you..... also from experience. If you "limp-wrist" an auto such as the 1911 or the Luger, you're asking for feeding problems. My last problem was when I was shooting a 1927 Argentine in local competition and had to shoot "weak hand" as well as my normal hand. This is a pistol that NEVER jams... but with my weak hand it did. Then I was conscious of the need to stiffen my resistance to the recoil and it worked fine again.

Heydrich · 08-27-2003, 09:15 PM

Duane, I don’t know what to tell you on the reliability issue, maybe one of the Luger hawks around here can help on that. With my limited knowledge, I’m not the one to comment on feeding mechanics, or witness marks, or anything like that. Whenever I take mine apart for cleaning though, I note the Luger design sure is complex, and has a lot of moving parts for a service pistol, especially on the left side.

I plan on buying a shooter for Thor to refinish soon, but before I send it to him, I’m going to conduct a test. After making sure it works (with only ammo in the mag, and safety on!), I’m going to drop the Luger into a deep mud puddle, let it sit a few seconds, and then see if it will still fire. I bet jam city. I also thought about dropping it into a pile of thick dust on the left side, I bet the chances of it firing after that are also about zilch. Call me a pessimist.

On a side note, I’m a moderator at a German rifle forum, and we recently had a big brew-ha-ha of a protracted argument about the Russian captures. Some believe the RCs are still in essence “German” guns; others are obnoxiously vehement that they are now “Russian” guns. Purists tend to snort and curse these firearms, and condemn them as Russian, because they got reworked by them and are now “cold war” collectables. I go they are still German all the way, just on the principle of jus soli. What do people here think?

Edward Tinker · 08-27-2003, 09:25 PM

Heydrich, I think they are German, that were captured by the Russians and now have been sold to the USA...

It is all history and I think they are collectable guns, same as the Russian Lugers and East German ones... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Ed

EOC Bob · 08-31-2003, 05:13 PM

Interesting discussion that brought back memories (mostly bad) of my S/42 G date Luger that has now gone on to another victim 'er owner. I did every thing I could think of to cure it's stovepipe tendencies to no reward. I warned the buyer of it's problems but he bought it anyway and later joyfully recounted his range experiences where he could fire off 25 rounds without a hitch or hiccup. I had never heard of the "limp wrist" theory but even though I agree it's a myth, there could be something to it as the new owner is a rather large fellow and I fall into the "wimp" catagory of physical fitness. However both my .45's never falter or any of my other other pistols for that matter. I remain a "Luger Lover" though and treasure my 1918 DWM which is mostly trouble free. Hello again all - after a LONG absence. Bob

08-26-2003, 08:02 PM	#1
capnduane New User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Riverside Co., Calif. Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1918 DWM Shooter Hi all, I am a newbie to this board, and have been enjoying and learning from it. thank you! I have purchased my first luger, It is a DWM 1918 #3036M. It is stamped Miltex Inc. It has been refinished a dark dull Blue/black, and has replacement black grips. Some light pitting, and bore is rough. Extractor and little thingy (searbar?) behind sideplate dont match ser#. Magazine is a fxo aluminum bottom, proof eagle 37, # scrubbed. Pistol seems nice and tight, with a decent trigger pull, and I am a happy man. Hope to take it out this afternoon and shoot it a bit. Fellow I got it from said he bought it in 1997, is this a Russian rework?, any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Duane __________________ Capn Duane/Trophy Fishing

08-27-2003, 07:17 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,992 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Capn Duane, next time you go shooting, ensure you hold the gun nice and tight. Makes a difference in 1911's and also one of my Lugers, it simply doesn't get the "push-back" it needs. I use the Olympic 124 and it fires fine in mine, but each gun can be a bit picky. ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

08-27-2003, 07:48 PM	#6
Michael Zeleny Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 525 Thanks: 129 Thanked 138 Times in 76 Posts	Smokestack Myths: http://www.custompistols.com/bengtso...cles/smoke.htm __________________ Michael Zeleny@post.harvard.edu -- http://larvatus.livejournal.com/ -- 7576 Willow Glen Road, Los Angeles, CA 90046 -- 323.363.1860 All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. -- Samuel Beckett

08-27-2003, 08:13 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,992 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Sorry, mine is from real experience at the range, with the Army. A improper hold results in malfunctions, while a tight grip results in less problems. Sorry only read the first paragraph, we can all believe whatever we want, but in my experience, a poor grip of the gun results in malfunctions. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

08-27-2003, 08:28 PM	#8
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,673 Thanks: 773 Thanked 1,618 Times in 527 Posts	</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 Edward Tinker: [QB Sorry only read the first paragraph, we can all believe whatever we want, but in my experience, a poor grip of the gun results in malfunctions. Ed[/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Ed, I'm with you..... also from experience. If you "limp-wrist" an auto such as the 1911 or the Luger, you're asking for feeding problems. My last problem was when I was shooting a 1927 Argentine in local competition and had to shoot "weak hand" as well as my normal hand. This is a pistol that NEVER jams... but with my weak hand it did. Then I was conscious of the need to stiffen my resistance to the recoil and it worked fine again.

08-26-2003, 08:43 PM	#2
Heydrich Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 181 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Duane: It sounds like you have a Russian capture Luger, which via the import mark was imported by Miltex of MD, probably back in the 90s. It should have the Russian “X” (crossed swords/rifles) property stamp somewhere on it, but I’ve seen a lot of these captures that don’t have this. The quality of the Russian captures (pistols and rifles) depended on the person who did it back in the 50s, some were very neat and conscientious; others were slackers with the stamps and quality. The black plastic grips are probably of East German origin. The magazine is of Third Reich production - Haenel, Suhl, according to my waffenamt (for E/37) list. It never ceases to amaze me how ubiquitous this amt is, that inspector sure got around. Lugers are great fun to shoot, I’ve heard the trigger pull described as “gritty” in general, but mine has a nice smooth action to it. Welcome to the forum, I’m sure the others around here can help you much more than I can.

08-27-2003, 07:04 PM	#3
capnduane New User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Riverside Co., Calif. Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Heydrich for the info on my luger. It does not have a Russian X on it anywhere. Proofs are Eagle with crown overhead, and a very fancy J or G under a crown. The Eagle over fancy letter looks like Proofs 2, # 15 on the Pistole Parabellum site. I got to put about 25 rounds thru it last eve, and off a rest, it shot fine. When I shot offhand, I got several stovepipe jams. Could this be due to not powerfull enough ammo? I was using Olympic 124 gr. (they didnt seem to be loaded very hot) Accuracy was suprisingly good considering the rough bbl. Trigger is acceptable, but sights are tough for 58 yr old eyes! I am still a happy camper!! __________________ Capn Duane/Trophy Fishing

08-27-2003, 07:38 PM	#5
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	You are not alone in the luger sight deficiency. Mine shoots great, just can't see where to point it. Heard carrots would help eyesight. Next time I go shooting I'll bring one along and jam it on the front sight so I can see it. rk

08-27-2003, 09:15 PM	#9
Heydrich Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 181 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Duane, I don’t know what to tell you on the reliability issue, maybe one of the Luger hawks around here can help on that. With my limited knowledge, I’m not the one to comment on feeding mechanics, or witness marks, or anything like that. Whenever I take mine apart for cleaning though, I note the Luger design sure is complex, and has a lot of moving parts for a service pistol, especially on the left side. I plan on buying a shooter for Thor to refinish soon, but before I send it to him, I’m going to conduct a test. After making sure it works (with only ammo in the mag, and safety on!), I’m going to drop the Luger into a deep mud puddle, let it sit a few seconds, and then see if it will still fire. I bet jam city. I also thought about dropping it into a pile of thick dust on the left side, I bet the chances of it firing after that are also about zilch. Call me a pessimist. On a side note, I’m a moderator at a German rifle forum, and we recently had a big brew-ha-ha of a protracted argument about the Russian captures. Some believe the RCs are still in essence “German” guns; others are obnoxiously vehement that they are now “Russian” guns. Purists tend to snort and curse these firearms, and condemn them as Russian, because they got reworked by them and are now “cold war” collectables. I go they are still German all the way, just on the principle of jus soli. What do people here think?

08-27-2003, 09:25 PM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,992 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Heydrich, I think they are German, that were captured by the Russians and now have been sold to the USA... It is all history and I think they are collectable guns, same as the Russian Lugers and East German ones... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

08-31-2003, 05:13 PM	#11
EOC Bob User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Interesting discussion that brought back memories (mostly bad) of my S/42 G date Luger that has now gone on to another victim 'er owner. I did every thing I could think of to cure it's stovepipe tendencies to no reward. I warned the buyer of it's problems but he bought it anyway and later joyfully recounted his range experiences where he could fire off 25 rounds without a hitch or hiccup. I had never heard of the "limp wrist" theory but even though I agree it's a myth, there could be something to it as the new owner is a rather large fellow and I fall into the "wimp" catagory of physical fitness. However both my .45's never falter or any of my other other pistols for that matter. I remain a "Luger Lover" though and treasure my 1918 DWM which is mostly trouble free. Hello again all - after a LONG absence. Bob