Lugers for Self Defense?

Jim McArthur · 03-26-2007, 09:45 AM

This is a topic that kinda-started elsewhere under another topic heading, but I thought it deserved its own heading.

The question is: does anyone on the list keep a Luger for self defense purposes?

Jim

HerbZ · 03-26-2007, 10:23 AM

Thanks Jim for starting this here!

To just sort of bring the discussion up on things; under Off Topic & Other Firearms, we'd digressed from favorite revolvers to choices for a self defense weapon. Several 9 mm automatics were mentioned. Having worked in several independently owned service stations back in my college days, I remembered that just about every one was owned by a WW II vet who kept a pistol someplace, several were war trophies like a Walther P38, but never a Luger. That's when I asked, "would anyone choose to have a Luger for such circumstances, a really nice shooter (or at least nothing too collectible), say with a Mec-Gar and Wally's white box ammo?"

Ron Smith · 03-26-2007, 10:33 AM

My reply from the afore mentioned thread..

Herb,

Not too many would keep a loaded Luger these days, but back in it's day, it was common, I would think. Consider the number of 1920/23 commercials that were purchased. Most were probably used for self, and home defense.

Ron

davidkachel · 03-26-2007, 11:00 AM

I wouldn't keep anything for self defense I would not be willing to see the police spirit away forever.

Navy · 03-26-2007, 11:31 AM

Gents,

The first rule of self-defense pistol craft is never use anything that doesn't have the number 4 as the first digit of its caliber.

Tom A

rightwire · 03-26-2007, 01:39 PM

Personally, I don't like using anything for home defense that was manufactured before my father was born.

Just as a general rule...

azlaw · 03-26-2007, 06:42 PM

A social gun should be something strong, reliable, simple to operate and service, and with night sights. You might get #2 with a Luger.

That said, I have been invited to a Action (three gun) match this weekend, and am considering taking the Luger and my K98. Bound to make conversation anyway.

H

Curly1 · 03-26-2007, 07:10 PM

For home defence I have my 12 gauge handy and ready to go. For carry I would not use anything that would have to be "kept" as evidence so I would use one of my more modern S&W pieces.

HerbZ · 03-27-2007, 09:16 AM

If I may be permitted to moderate for a moment:

The question here isn't really what would be the best handgun for home or self defense, but how about a Luger?

Is there's not one member of this forum who actually keeps a loaded Luger someplace in there home? Not necessarily with a round in the camber, but with a loaded magazine.

If so, what is it and with what for a magazine and ammunition? In the other discussion (where I showed my own preference, a S&W Model 10 with a 6" barrel) I speculated that perhaps a good Luger shooter, or at least nothing too collectible, with a Mec-Gar and Wally's white box ammo might do.

P.S. If you or anyone you know is seriously into the venerable Colt Single Action Army revolver and/or the many reproductions, then you have undoubtedly come across discussions concerning the use of such a weapon for self defense. I'm not just talking about Cowboy Action Shooting competitions, though that certainly is what they're practicing.

HerbZ · 03-27-2007, 10:10 AM

As for all who mention the undoubted efficacy of a 12 gauge (my choice would be a Remington 870 cylinder bore & Remington Express Buckshot), consider for the moment the many scenarios in which a handgun may be desired because one is required to use one hand for taking care of task other than holding a weapon. You know, like holding a flashlight, opening doors, making a phone call to 911, or managing a large dog.

zinfull · 03-27-2007, 11:16 AM

If all you have is a luger then it is better than no gun. I have a hard time seeing the sights durning the day time so at night it would be point and pray, not something I would want around the family menbers.

Jerry

George Anderson · 03-27-2007, 03:39 PM

I love Lugers, always have! I love them for their design, beauty and history. For home defense and personal armament I don't want anything without a hammer. I don't want something that can go proactive in a glove compartment or pocket.

Scattered about where I work and play are 1911A1's, PP's and a CZ75.

stefanosg · 03-28-2007, 09:53 AM

I love my Lugers, but they are just not reliable enough for me. I keep a wheelgun in the nightstand drawer for that.

pipeman45 · 03-28-2007, 01:37 PM

Speaking of night stands
I just picked up a well worn S&W Victory lend lease revolver in 38S&W for mine. It's covered with all kinds of US property and British tons stamps .
Will that work?

Jim McArthur · 03-28-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stefanosg
I love my Lugers, but they are just not reliable enough for me. I keep a wheelgun in the nightstand drawer for that.

Me, too. They may not be as romantic - then again, they may be - as autoloaders, but you just can't beat a good revolver for a real-world shootout.

Jim

sambuscemi · 04-06-2007, 09:21 PM

41 S/42 mismatched and rebuilt, functions almost flawlessly at the range. It's my everyday shooter and it's dependable. Sits on my workbench at home in an inexpensive nylon holster with a loaded Meggar magazine (chamber is always empty) with cheap +P 9mm Chinese import ammo - just in case it's ever needed (at home). It's the only loaded gun in the house and it sure likes that hot ammo!

Sieger · 04-06-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sambuscemi
41 S/42 mismatched and rebuilt, functions almost flawlessly at the range. It's my everyday shooter and it's dependable. Sits on my workbench at home in an inexpensive nylon holster with a loaded Meggar magazine (chamber is always empty) with cheap +P 9mm Chinese import ammo - just in case it's ever needed (at home). It's the only loaded gun in the house and it sure likes that hot ammo!

Hi:

I have a matching byf 41 and the Chinese stuff batters the hell out of it. Your rebilder must have installed a recoil spring that had formerly been used as a bumper spring on an old Dodge or something.

If it works, use it!

Sieger

HerbZ · 04-07-2007, 09:27 AM

What do you mean by "functions almost flawlessly?"

Can't help but wonder if using any kind of +P is ever appropriate ammunition for a 60+ year old Luger?

So far, that's just one member of this forum who says they actually keep a Luger loaded.

Edward Tinker · 04-07-2007, 09:49 AM

Herb, over the last 6-7 years (since I retired from the army and had to find steady work

), I have kept a loaded Luger a couple of times. As Tom alluded to, if it ain't a 45, 1911A1 variant then I'd rather not bet my life on it, the luger is just generally not reliable enough for me, let alone the caliber. That said, my Makarov or a PP are the ones that sit loaded many times at the house.

Ed

sambuscemi · 04-07-2007, 01:18 PM

Herb/Sieger: I usually go to the range with my luger with about 500 rounds of that Chinese ammo +P I bought and my gun digests it very easily. The worst that happens is sometimes (about 6 to 10 times) I will get a stove pipe jam but short of that I do not have any difficulties whether rapid firing or slow careful shooting . All the pins and axles in the gun have been replaced with hardened steel pins/axles and the recoil spring is very stout to say the least as well as the magazine spring which has also been replaced - headspacing is within tolerance for the 9mm cartridge. The firing pin flutes have been enlarged and the feedramp has been polished. I am using an aftermarket extractor and had it hardened also as to avoid breakage ensuring positive extraction of a case especially when the brass expands excessively due to heat and is a bit difficult to remove from the chamber. To say the least I am please with my luger and enjoy it very much.

03-26-2007, 09:45 AM	#1
Jim McArthur User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Orleans LA Posts: 62 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lugers for Self Defense? This is a topic that kinda-started elsewhere under another topic heading, but I thought it deserved its own heading. The question is: does anyone on the list keep a Luger for self defense purposes? Jim

03-26-2007, 10:33 AM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	My reply from the afore mentioned thread.. Herb, Not too many would keep a loaded Luger these days, but back in it's day, it was common, I would think. Consider the number of 1920/23 commercials that were purchased. Most were probably used for self, and home defense. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-26-2007, 11:00 AM	#4
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I wouldn't keep anything for self defense I would not be willing to see the police spirit away forever. __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.

03-26-2007, 07:10 PM	#8
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,228 Thanks: 111 Thanked 702 Times in 364 Posts	For home defence I have my 12 gauge handy and ready to go. For carry I would not use anything that would have to be "kept" as evidence so I would use one of my more modern S&W pieces. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

03-27-2007, 09:16 AM	#9
HerbZ User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 128 Thanks: 20 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	If I may be permitted to moderate for a moment: The question here isn't really what would be the best handgun for home or self defense, but how about a Luger? Is there's not one member of this forum who actually keeps a loaded Luger someplace in there home? Not necessarily with a round in the camber, but with a loaded magazine. If so, what is it and with what for a magazine and ammunition? In the other discussion (where I showed my own preference, a S&W Model 10 with a 6" barrel) I speculated that perhaps a good Luger shooter, or at least nothing too collectible, with a Mec-Gar and Wally's white box ammo might do. P.S. If you or anyone you know is seriously into the venerable Colt Single Action Army revolver and/or the many reproductions, then you have undoubtedly come across discussions concerning the use of such a weapon for self defense. I'm not just talking about Cowboy Action Shooting competitions, though that certainly is what they're practicing. __________________ "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain

03-26-2007, 10:23 AM	#2
HerbZ User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 128 Thanks: 20 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Thanks Jim for starting this here! To just sort of bring the discussion up on things; under Off Topic & Other Firearms, we'd digressed from favorite revolvers to choices for a self defense weapon. Several 9 mm automatics were mentioned. Having worked in several independently owned service stations back in my college days, I remembered that just about every one was owned by a WW II vet who kept a pistol someplace, several were war trophies like a Walther P38, but never a Luger. That's when I asked, "would anyone choose to have a Luger for such circumstances, a really nice shooter (or at least nothing too collectible), say with a Mec-Gar and Wally's white box ammo?" __________________ "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain

03-26-2007, 11:31 AM	#5
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Gents, The first rule of self-defense pistol craft is never use anything that doesn't have the number 4 as the first digit of its caliber. Tom A

03-26-2007, 01:39 PM	#6
rightwire User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Metro Detroit 'burbs Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Personally, I don't like using anything for home defense that was manufactured before my father was born. Just as a general rule...

03-26-2007, 06:42 PM	#7
azlaw User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 204 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	A social gun should be something strong, reliable, simple to operate and service, and with night sights. You might get #2 with a Luger. That said, I have been invited to a Action (three gun) match this weekend, and am considering taking the Luger and my K98. Bound to make conversation anyway. H

03-27-2007, 10:10 AM	#10
HerbZ User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 128 Thanks: 20 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	As for all who mention the undoubted efficacy of a 12 gauge (my choice would be a Remington 870 cylinder bore & Remington Express Buckshot), consider for the moment the many scenarios in which a handgun may be desired because one is required to use one hand for taking care of task other than holding a weapon. You know, like holding a flashlight, opening doors, making a phone call to 911, or managing a large dog. __________________ "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain

03-27-2007, 11:16 AM	#11
zinfull Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sonoma County CA Posts: 240 Thanks: 4 Thanked 32 Times in 15 Posts	If all you have is a luger then it is better than no gun. I have a hard time seeing the sights durning the day time so at night it would be point and pray, not something I would want around the family menbers. Jerry

03-27-2007, 03:39 PM	#12
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	I love Lugers, always have! I love them for their design, beauty and history. For home defense and personal armament I don't want anything without a hammer. I don't want something that can go proactive in a glove compartment or pocket. Scattered about where I work and play are 1911A1's, PP's and a CZ75.

03-28-2007, 09:53 AM	#13
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	I love my Lugers, but they are just not reliable enough for me. I keep a wheelgun in the nightstand drawer for that. __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

03-28-2007, 01:37 PM	#14
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Speaking of night stands I just picked up a well worn S&W Victory lend lease revolver in 38S&W for mine. It's covered with all kinds of US property and British tons stamps . Will that work? __________________ Dave

04-06-2007, 09:21 PM	#16
sambuscemi User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 192 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 4 Posts	41 S/42 mismatched and rebuilt, functions almost flawlessly at the range. It's my everyday shooter and it's dependable. Sits on my workbench at home in an inexpensive nylon holster with a loaded Meggar magazine (chamber is always empty) with cheap +P 9mm Chinese import ammo - just in case it's ever needed (at home). It's the only loaded gun in the house and it sure likes that hot ammo!

04-07-2007, 09:27 AM	#18
HerbZ User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 128 Thanks: 20 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	What do you mean by "functions almost flawlessly?" Can't help but wonder if using any kind of +P is ever appropriate ammunition for a 60+ year old Luger? So far, that's just one member of this forum who says they actually keep a Luger loaded. __________________ "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain

04-07-2007, 09:49 AM	#19
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	Herb, over the last 6-7 years (since I retired from the army and had to find steady work ), I have kept a loaded Luger a couple of times. As Tom alluded to, if it ain't a 45, 1911A1 variant then I'd rather not bet my life on it, the luger is just generally not reliable enough for me, let alone the caliber. That said, my Makarov or a PP are the ones that sit loaded many times at the house. 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

04-07-2007, 01:18 PM	#20
sambuscemi User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 192 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 4 Posts	Herb/Sieger: I usually go to the range with my luger with about 500 rounds of that Chinese ammo +P I bought and my gun digests it very easily. The worst that happens is sometimes (about 6 to 10 times) I will get a stove pipe jam but short of that I do not have any difficulties whether rapid firing or slow careful shooting . All the pins and axles in the gun have been replaced with hardened steel pins/axles and the recoil spring is very stout to say the least as well as the magazine spring which has also been replaced - headspacing is within tolerance for the 9mm cartridge. The firing pin flutes have been enlarged and the feedramp has been polished. I am using an aftermarket extractor and had it hardened also as to avoid breakage ensuring positive extraction of a case especially when the brass expands excessively due to heat and is a bit difficult to remove from the chamber. To say the least I am please with my luger and enjoy it very much.