New member, first one Shot it today!

andresere · 03-24-2015, 12:04 PM

Hell all, I recently picked up this pistol as a part of a trade. I have always wanted a Luger and I finally have one. Knowing what I know now, there are several bits that do not belong on this pistol. I have posted these photos on other boards, and I'm not trying to discredit the advice I have been given. I am wanting to know more about it, simply. I have not shot it yet, but the bore is mirror with strong sharp rifling. The holster is a 1939 with eagle and swastika. The grips do not match the pistol, but do match each other. There is a small chip out of one.
Okay, I know the toggle, trigger, safety and frame do not belong with the barrel and receiver. However, each has been serialed. I took it to my gunsmith and is words were either someone had a lot of time on their hands, or this was done by an armorer. His opinion was why go to all the trouble to match it when a new Luger person can easily spot that it's a parts gun. I figured that was good advice. I want a shooter, not a collector anyway, so I am very happy. I can take further pictures if you will only tell me what to take them of. Thanks in advance, I look forward to reading through all the threads here. Andy

andresere · 03-24-2015, 12:06 PM

Here's a picture of the exploded view of a P08. Everything highlighted is serialed 55. I am really looking forward to shooting it. What ammunition is recommended? (gr, or brand) I know strictly ball ammo.

DavidJayUden · 03-24-2015, 12:20 PM

Yes, it does seem to have something of an identity crisis. It would be interesting to examine it more closely regarding the number stamps. But it is an old lower frame, with a later 1938 upper, which has no Mauser hump.
But regardless it is a nice looking Luger and hopefully it will shoot as well as it looks.
The holster appears original, and the blued mag. with the wood bottom is older, but their lineage is somewhat debatable around here.
Any standard velocity FMJ 115 grain 9mm round, Sellier and Belloit or Winchester White box, should be fine. Just avoid the +p, military and sub-machinegun ammo.
Congrats. and welcome aboard!
dju

andresere · 03-24-2015, 12:24 PM

Thank you very much for the information. Range day is tomorrow. I ordered a MecGar mag for it and a reproduction take down tool. I have a box of 124gr Winchester (NATO headstamp). What is the reason behind 115 gr? I'm heading to the store and will get some, and if 124gr is detrimental I will make sure I keep it separate. Just curious.

rhuff · 03-24-2015, 01:24 PM

I would NOT shoot the NATO 9mm ammo in this luger as it is loaded too hot. These are old metal handguns and hot ammo can cause breakage.....it is not guaranteed to do it, but more likely than std. range ammo. Standard velocity 115 or 124gr RNFMJ would be my choice. I would only load one(1) round in the mag and then feed it and fire it. If o.k., then load two(2) rounds and try that and so on. Some of these Lugers that have been "worked on" can go full auto and that is quite an experience.....take my word for it!!

Let us know how things work out for you and your "new" Luger.

mrerick · 03-24-2015, 01:34 PM

Hi, I think I helped you on another board.

You most likely have a DWM Luger from WW-I that has had an armorer's replacement receiver installed just before WW-II in or after 1938.

While mismatched, it was most likely done while in military service and at a military armory.

Shoot standard velocity 115gn or 124gn 9mm Luger ammo.

andresere · 03-24-2015, 01:35 PM

What is 'RN'? I got the FMJ part. Got a 200 round shooter pack of Win White Box 115gr. The reason I ask about the grain, I have a rifle that should not shoot bullet weight of over 150gr because of damage to the rear trunnion. Was wondering if the toggle link (?) would take the beating on the Luger. I will definitely let you all know.

andresere · 03-24-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Hi, I think I helped you on another board.

You most likely have a DWM Luger from WW-I that has had an armorer's replacement receiver installed just before WW-II in or after 1938.

While mismatched, it was most likely done while in military service and at a military armory.

Shoot standard velocity 115gn or 124gn 9mm Luger ammo.

You probably did Sir. I just found this board and figured I would see if I could pick up any additional information. I really appreciate everyone's help on all of the boards. I'm learning quite a bit, quite fast.

If you were to recommend a good book on the Luger, what would it be?

mrerick · 03-24-2015, 03:01 PM

A lower cost intro would be John Walter's "The Luger Story".

It's dated, but has a good overview.

DavidJayUden · 03-24-2015, 03:19 PM

RN is Round Nose. Winchester white box 115 gr. is perfect. Also, in addition to the other precautions already mentioned, be certain to grip the gun reasonably tightly during firing. Limp wristing does no help the gun to function like a firm hold will.
dju

andresere · 03-24-2015, 03:34 PM

I have a lot of time on these (was my first issue sidearm, before the M-9). I know all about the wrist thing. Should be similar, I'm thinking.

andresere · 03-25-2015, 12:55 PM

Well, I shot 50 rounds of Winchester White Box 115 gr. First few magazines has a second round stoppage every magazine. It would stove pipe, but the round was the live one. Then I downloaded the 8 rounder to 7. Same thing. Then to 6, same thing. At 5 rounds, this pistol will shoot flawlessly. Magazine? I have a MecGar in the mail right now. I will try that and let you all know. I doubt it's ammo because of the repeatability of the fault.

ETA - I say stovepipe because that's the orientation of the round, vertical. In my training since this is a live round, it is an interruption between the feeding and chambering in the 8 cyclic functions.

DavidJayUden · 03-25-2015, 02:17 PM

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that the problem goes away with the introduction of the Mec-Gar magazine. I suspect that it will.
dju

rhuff · 03-25-2015, 02:46 PM

A weak mag spring could well be the culprit here. I would not load and use the original wood based mag for fear of breaking the mag base.....it happens often, as the wood is old. A new Mec-Gar mag is the thing to get for your shooter Luger. If problems exist after using a new mag, then one might well consider changing out some old springs.

andresere · 03-25-2015, 06:32 PM

We will see tomorrow, I hope. MecGar arrived today. I'm a motorcycle mechanic so bear with me, but it would seem to me that there should be a minimum free length for the magazine spring. Has anyone ever heard of that?

03-24-2015, 12:04 PM	#1
andresere User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 8 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New member, first one Shot it today! Hell all, I recently picked up this pistol as a part of a trade. I have always wanted a Luger and I finally have one. Knowing what I know now, there are several bits that do not belong on this pistol. I have posted these photos on other boards, and I'm not trying to discredit the advice I have been given. I am wanting to know more about it, simply. I have not shot it yet, but the bore is mirror with strong sharp rifling. The holster is a 1939 with eagle and swastika. The grips do not match the pistol, but do match each other. There is a small chip out of one. Okay, I know the toggle, trigger, safety and frame do not belong with the barrel and receiver. However, each has been serialed. I took it to my gunsmith and is words were either someone had a lot of time on their hands, or this was done by an armorer. His opinion was why go to all the trouble to match it when a new Luger person can easily spot that it's a parts gun. I figured that was good advice. I want a shooter, not a collector anyway, so I am very happy. I can take further pictures if you will only tell me what to take them of. Thanks in advance, I look forward to reading through all the threads here. Andy Attached Thumbnails Last edited by andresere; 03-25-2015 at 12:52 PM.

03-24-2015, 12:06 PM	#2
andresere User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 8 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here's a picture of the exploded view of a P08. Everything highlighted is serialed 55. I am really looking forward to shooting it. What ammunition is recommended? (gr, or brand) I know strictly ball ammo. Attached Thumbnails

03-24-2015, 01:34 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Hi, I think I helped you on another board. You most likely have a DWM Luger from WW-I that has had an armorer's replacement receiver installed just before WW-II in or after 1938. While mismatched, it was most likely done while in military service and at a military armory. Shoot standard velocity 115gn or 124gn 9mm Luger ammo. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

03-24-2015, 03:01 PM	#9
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	A lower cost intro would be John Walter's "The Luger Story". It's dated, but has a good overview. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

03-24-2015, 03:34 PM	#11
andresere User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 8 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a lot of time on these (was my first issue sidearm, before the M-9). I know all about the wrist thing. Should be similar, I'm thinking. Attached Thumbnails

03-24-2015, 12:20 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Yes, it does seem to have something of an identity crisis. It would be interesting to examine it more closely regarding the number stamps. But it is an old lower frame, with a later 1938 upper, which has no Mauser hump. But regardless it is a nice looking Luger and hopefully it will shoot as well as it looks. The holster appears original, and the blued mag. with the wood bottom is older, but their lineage is somewhat debatable around here. Any standard velocity FMJ 115 grain 9mm round, Sellier and Belloit or Winchester White box, should be fine. Just avoid the +p, military and sub-machinegun ammo. Congrats. and welcome aboard! dju

03-24-2015, 12:24 PM	#4
andresere User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 8 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you very much for the information. Range day is tomorrow. I ordered a MecGar mag for it and a reproduction take down tool. I have a box of 124gr Winchester (NATO headstamp). What is the reason behind 115 gr? I'm heading to the store and will get some, and if 124gr is detrimental I will make sure I keep it separate. Just curious.

03-24-2015, 01:24 PM	#5
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	I would NOT shoot the NATO 9mm ammo in this luger as it is loaded too hot. These are old metal handguns and hot ammo can cause breakage.....it is not guaranteed to do it, but more likely than std. range ammo. Standard velocity 115 or 124gr RNFMJ would be my choice. I would only load one(1) round in the mag and then feed it and fire it. If o.k., then load two(2) rounds and try that and so on. Some of these Lugers that have been "worked on" can go full auto and that is quite an experience.....take my word for it!! Let us know how things work out for you and your "new" Luger.

03-24-2015, 01:35 PM	#7
andresere User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 8 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What is 'RN'? I got the FMJ part. Got a 200 round shooter pack of Win White Box 115gr. The reason I ask about the grain, I have a rifle that should not shoot bullet weight of over 150gr because of damage to the rear trunnion. Was wondering if the toggle link (?) would take the beating on the Luger. I will definitely let you all know.

03-24-2015, 03:19 PM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	RN is Round Nose. Winchester white box 115 gr. is perfect. Also, in addition to the other precautions already mentioned, be certain to grip the gun reasonably tightly during firing. Limp wristing does no help the gun to function like a firm hold will. dju

03-25-2015, 12:55 PM	#12
andresere User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 8 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, I shot 50 rounds of Winchester White Box 115 gr. First few magazines has a second round stoppage every magazine. It would stove pipe, but the round was the live one. Then I downloaded the 8 rounder to 7. Same thing. Then to 6, same thing. At 5 rounds, this pistol will shoot flawlessly. Magazine? I have a MecGar in the mail right now. I will try that and let you all know. I doubt it's ammo because of the repeatability of the fault. ETA - I say stovepipe because that's the orientation of the round, vertical. In my training since this is a live round, it is an interruption between the feeding and chambering in the 8 cyclic functions.

03-25-2015, 02:17 PM	#13
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that the problem goes away with the introduction of the Mec-Gar magazine. I suspect that it will. dju

03-25-2015, 02:46 PM	#14
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	A weak mag spring could well be the culprit here. I would not load and use the original wood based mag for fear of breaking the mag base.....it happens often, as the wood is old. A new Mec-Gar mag is the thing to get for your shooter Luger. If problems exist after using a new mag, then one might well consider changing out some old springs.

03-25-2015, 06:32 PM	#15
andresere User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 8 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	We will see tomorrow, I hope. MecGar arrived today. I'm a motorcycle mechanic so bear with me, but it would seem to me that there should be a minimum free length for the magazine spring. Has anyone ever heard of that? Last edited by andresere; 03-26-2015 at 10:37 AM.