Seeking Luger Gunsmith...

JoeDubya · 07-11-2016, 01:14 PM

Hi all, newbee here, just inherited my first Luger, documented here:

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=35904

I am told it's not a treasure, but can be a shooter, except for some
fragile parts... If an expert can turn this into a reliable desk gun/shooter,
I'd like that very much. This gun fits in my hand better than any
other handgun I've ever held...
Thanks,
Joe

lugerholsterrepair · 07-11-2016, 01:17 PM

Joe, PM'd me asking for a list of parts that commonly break and should be replaced before shooting..

Extractor..

Get a fluted firing pin.

Left grip panel?

Ejectors can break but are not generally marked except for Krieghoffs, Simsons..Erfurts?

I use a MecGar magazine for all my shooters

John Sabato · 07-11-2016, 01:33 PM

Joe it would be helpful if you listed your location in your profile. We have many members in each state who may be able to help you validate the reliability of your new shooter. I am in Northern Virginia outside of Washington DC.

JoeDubya · 07-11-2016, 01:57 PM

Thanks all! I am in Northern California, Walnut Creek-ish.

Eugen · 07-11-2016, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeDubya

This gun fits in my hand better than any
other handgun I've ever held...

Joe, the same thing happened to me. I held a Luger that was on consignment at a little gun shop in my little town for the first time last April. Once it was in my hands I couldn't let it go. Such fit and balance! I was smitten with Luger fever. I am up to two Lugers now.

BTW, I had the same quest for spare, break prone Luger parts. I contacted LugerDoc on the forum and he sent me what I needed.

rhuff · 07-11-2016, 02:28 PM

I agree 100% with Jerry's list of changes/parts. To that list, I might add a breechblock, but if you use a fluted firing pin, that markedly reduces the likelihood of damage to the breechblock.

Sergio Natali · 07-11-2016, 02:53 PM

Joe

I think Jerry has already fully answered your question, but let me add a couple of things, first it might be "only a shooter" but it looks a pretty one too, so congratulations indeed, and second enjoy shooting your Luger but have it checked first by a serious armourer and always stay away from heavy loads.

Shoot safe!

DonVoigt · 07-11-2016, 03:50 PM

Joe,
no need to buy spares before they break, JMHO!

Luger.parabellum's suggestions are good, but there are only one or two "serious" luger armorers in the US. most 'smiths don't know squat about lugers.

For shooting Winchester White box is good. As is Fiocchi, S&B, and mag tech- all non +p, and in 115 or 124 gr FMJ. I've used the all with good results.

Many/most folks here worry too much about breaking a luger part. As long as your pistol is not a rare all matching historic one, and yours is a good potential shooter, just shoot it!

What ever spares you buy will not be the ones that break: Murphy's law in action.

If your grips are matching and fit well, they should not be a problem, if loose yes.
There are cheap replacement grips available on ebay and I personally prefer the post WWii German VoPo plastic grips, they can be had for $40 a set if you look hard.

A Mec-gar mag is a good investment, always good to have two mags, or more.

JoeDubya · 07-11-2016, 04:04 PM

OK! So shooting it is! I will buy a magazine, and no +P. Don, who are the 2 serious luger armorers?

DonVoigt · 07-11-2016, 05:43 PM

Our own "lugerdoc" Tom Heller is one who can fix/correct/improve your luger as a generalist.

GT specializes in barrels and magazines and tune ups; Charles Danner and Thor(Ted Green, IIRC) are great for finish restoration and I'm sure there are others with talents in various areas.

Jim Solomon and Hugh Clark do great grip and wood work.

Not an all inclusive list as I'm sure I've left out some who will be peeved with me, but they and others can chime in.

Other members here, have been hobbyists and 'smiths for varying amounts of time, but only do their
"own work or projects".

I've been both a full time and part time smith on and off for near 50 years, but only came to lugers 2 years ago or thereabout. I have no ffl so do not do work for others unless they come here.

sheepherder · 07-11-2016, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Not an all inclusive list as I'm sure I've left out some who will be peeved with me...

Some you included might be peeved with you...

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Other members here...only do their "own work or projects".

Some members like to encourage others to 'roll their own' by example...

Some of those you mentioned are getting long in the tooth and are semi-retired...They ain't gonna last forever...We need new blood, not afraid to work with wood or machine steel...It isn't hard...And it's a lot cheaper than racing sports cars...

dnickels · 07-11-2016, 06:24 PM

I used to stock up on spare parts but not any longer. I've only broken two parts that I can think of, and one (the sight adjustment knob on an M1 Garand) is not something you would ever think you would break. In most cases its not that hard to find parts, from what I have seen, for the Luger or any other pistol. I've shot thousands of rounds through my two WW2 P38s without any issues. As long as you use the proper ammo, make sure its cleaned and oiled as necessary...

In my area I haven't found anyone even remotely familiar with 70-100 year old handguns.

07-11-2016, 01:14 PM	#1
JoeDubya User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Walnut Creek Ca Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Seeking Luger Gunsmith... Hi all, newbee here, just inherited my first Luger, documented here: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=35904 I am told it's not a treasure, but can be a shooter, except for some fragile parts... If an expert can turn this into a reliable desk gun/shooter, I'd like that very much. This gun fits in my hand better than any other handgun I've ever held... Thanks, Joe

07-11-2016, 01:17 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,922 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	Joe, PM'd me asking for a list of parts that commonly break and should be replaced before shooting.. Extractor.. Get a fluted firing pin. Left grip panel? Ejectors can break but are not generally marked except for Krieghoffs, Simsons..Erfurts? I use a MecGar magazine for all my shooters __________________ 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."

07-11-2016, 01:33 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Joe it would be helpful if you listed your location in your profile. We have many members in each state who may be able to help you validate the reliability of your new shooter. I am in Northern Virginia outside of Washington DC. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-11-2016, 02:53 PM	#7
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Joe I think Jerry has already fully answered your question, but let me add a couple of things, first it might be "only a shooter" but it looks a pretty one too, so congratulations indeed, and second enjoy shooting your Luger but have it checked first by a serious armourer and always stay away from heavy loads. Shoot safe! __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

07-11-2016, 03:50 PM	#8
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Joe, no need to buy spares before they break, JMHO! Luger.parabellum's suggestions are good, but there are only one or two "serious" luger armorers in the US. most 'smiths don't know squat about lugers. For shooting Winchester White box is good. As is Fiocchi, S&B, and mag tech- all non +p, and in 115 or 124 gr FMJ. I've used the all with good results. Many/most folks here worry too much about breaking a luger part. As long as your pistol is not a rare all matching historic one, and yours is a good potential shooter, just shoot it! What ever spares you buy will not be the ones that break: Murphy's law in action. If your grips are matching and fit well, they should not be a problem, if loose yes. There are cheap replacement grips available on ebay and I personally prefer the post WWii German VoPo plastic grips, they can be had for $40 a set if you look hard. A Mec-gar mag is a good investment, always good to have two mags, or more. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-11-2016, 01:57 PM	#4
JoeDubya User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Walnut Creek Ca Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks all! I am in Northern California, Walnut Creek-ish.

07-11-2016, 02:28 PM	#6
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,289 Thanks: 2,704 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	I agree 100% with Jerry's list of changes/parts. To that list, I might add a breechblock, but if you use a fluted firing pin, that markedly reduces the likelihood of damage to the breechblock.

07-11-2016, 04:04 PM	#9
JoeDubya User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Walnut Creek Ca Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OK! So shooting it is! I will buy a magazine, and no +P. Don, who are the 2 serious luger armorers?

07-11-2016, 05:43 PM	#10
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Our own "lugerdoc" Tom Heller is one who can fix/correct/improve your luger as a generalist. GT specializes in barrels and magazines and tune ups; Charles Danner and Thor(Ted Green, IIRC) are great for finish restoration and I'm sure there are others with talents in various areas. Jim Solomon and Hugh Clark do great grip and wood work. Not an all inclusive list as I'm sure I've left out some who will be peeved with me, but they and others can chime in. Other members here, have been hobbyists and 'smiths for varying amounts of time, but only do their "own work or projects". I've been both a full time and part time smith on and off for near 50 years, but only came to lugers 2 years ago or thereabout. I have no ffl so do not do work for others unless they come here. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-11-2016, 06:24 PM	#12
dnickels User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 22 Thanks: 8 Thanked 24 Times in 8 Posts	I used to stock up on spare parts but not any longer. I've only broken two parts that I can think of, and one (the sight adjustment knob on an M1 Garand) is not something you would ever think you would break. In most cases its not that hard to find parts, from what I have seen, for the Luger or any other pistol. I've shot thousands of rounds through my two WW2 P38s without any issues. As long as you use the proper ammo, make sure its cleaned and oiled as necessary... In my area I haven't found anyone even remotely familiar with 70-100 year old handguns.