Where are the Luger Shooters!!

Jasta2 · 01-14-2008, 05:41 PM

Why are all the Lugers I find for sale the 90%+ condition? Where are all those well worn Lugers that are safe to shoot? I've owned 4 Lugers over the years, always my favorite firearm,but as things do happen, funds were needed elsewhere and they all found new homes. At last I have some spare change, but was surprised to find how high Luger values has gone up! I guess now days any of my past Lugers would be around $2000. Not having $2k at the moment, except for a well used Navy shoter!!, I am looking for those "non collector grade" Lugers that I can enjoy shooting. Maybe if someone out there loves #1 scale (G-gauge) live steam locos,them maybe I will afford a collector grade Luger. I posted a add in the wanted section.
Another question,is the book "Lugers at Random" still in print? My copy from 1970 is showing it's age.
Thanks,Bill USCG Senior Chief Ret.

Edward Tinker · 01-14-2008, 05:48 PM

Lugers at Random is a good book, but like you said, too old to use as a ready reference.

Any of jan Still's books are much newer, and dpends on what era you want? WW1? Weimar? nazi? Commercial?

Shooters seem to start at $600 - $700. i wouldn't be shooting a $2000 gun... but that sme.

Welcome to the forum. I was in Portsmouth, NH, year before last for work for 5 months.

Ed

Jasta2 · 01-14-2008, 05:56 PM

Ed,
Thanks for your reply. Portsmouth is a great little seaport town, about 40 miles south of me. In general, I've liked the early to end of WW1 era Lugers and the American Eagles. The few I owned in the past were from that era. My big three would be any dished toogle Luger, any American Eagle and a WW1 era 6" Navy Luger. If I ever sell my Live Steam locomotives, I gust might be able to afford a couple!
Thanks again,Bill

Zamo · 01-14-2008, 10:01 PM

Hey Bill,
Here's what I recently did for a shooter. I had recently blown all my mad money on a nice 1937 S/42 and didn't have a lot to spend on a shooter, but I did scrounge up about $700. I searched gunbroker.com for about a month with a custom search parameter of $300 - $900 (I figured I could somehow "exude" the extra $300 if I found the right pistol). I eventually found a mis-matched 1917 DWM with a heavily worn finish for just under $600 and used the "BUY IT NOW" option. Since then, I have refinished it with molyresin, added some new aftermarket grips, restrawed the appropriate external parts, and have ordered a replacement trigger for the "moth eaten" one it came with. The result is a wonderful shooter that looks great and shoots very nice for under $800 including shipping!
Here is a link to the whole story with pictures:
Zamo's 1917 DWM Shooter
I am very happy with it, and can't wait to find my next acquisition, a shooter Artillery...(if my beloved wife doesn't find out!)

pipeman45 · 01-15-2008, 07:26 PM

Or you could do what I did.
I pestered Hugh until he put a shooter together for me.
It has a 6" navy barrel and re-po rear sight by way of Luger Doc.
And no I won't ever sell it! Although I may someday have it refinished.

Lugerdoc · 01-16-2008, 08:46 AM

Chief, I share your frustration, but guys like me have been buying the cheaper lugers as a source of parts, some guys (as above) are upgrading them for their own use, and finally, most guys don't mind sitting on items that appreciate faster than your money in the bank. If you do find a shooter that needs a new barrel or decide to make it into a navy look-a-like, please keep me in mind. TH

Wilhelm · 01-16-2008, 02:53 PM

There are plenty of them out there but people just ain't sellin'. It's simple math to me. If I paid 200 five years ago and I decide to sell.....I ain't gettin' another at that price.......so I'll just keep it and shoot the hell out of it. Although as I've stated before, I'm happy to trade one off for a Jager.

mikey250r · 01-26-2008, 10:12 PM

I bought one a few years ago at Simpson Ltd.
$800 - some rust - 75% blue - shoots great - Numbers match all the way down to the firing pin!

BTW It's a Code 42 1939 (Mauser)

Jasta2 · 01-28-2008, 12:22 PM

Thanks Miley, I checked out the Simpson site and I did find a artillery,non matching for $1,200 listed as a shooter. Nice looking Mauser you picked up!
I'll keep looking.
Bill

nhdblfan · 01-28-2008, 01:01 PM

Hey Jasta,Bill,
welcome to the board.I am over in Newbury but get over your way to a friends in Chocorua she owns New Hampshire Country Store on 16.
James Julia used to do his auctions in Portsmouth at Yokens.I picked up shooter luger about 10 years ago for 250 in the holster from him.Those days are long gone thou.
As for Luger at Random keep an eye on Ebay (or fleabay the antigun auction site) one will pop up from time to time.Thats how I found mine.
Best,
Dave

Wilhelm · 01-28-2008, 11:56 PM

Very pretty!

unspellable · 01-29-2008, 04:21 PM

I do see a few shooter grade lugers around here on a fairly regular basis, but as you have observed, they are no longer cheap. I have several shooter grade pieces myself, but given the way prices are going I'm not over eager to sell.

Broomhandles seem to be going the same way.

I have been looking for a very minty Webley Mk VI to replace the one stolen from me years ago. They all seem to be hiding in the wood work too. I've seen only a couple and they were in disgraceful condition.

It's even affected garden variety Winchesters. I bought a post '64 M1894 in 30-30 a little while back on the grounds that everybody should have one. A month or two later it's announced that production has ceased and the prices shot up. Guess for once, my timing was right.

Ron Smith · 01-30-2008, 02:48 PM

A nice shooter on Guns America...

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976957020...ger_pistol.htm

01-14-2008, 05:48 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,920 Thanks: 2,000 Thanked 4,511 Times in 2,083 Posts	Lugers at Random is a good book, but like you said, too old to use as a ready reference. Any of jan Still's books are much newer, and dpends on what era you want? WW1? Weimar? nazi? Commercial? Shooters seem to start at $600 - $700. i wouldn't be shooting a $2000 gun... but that sme. Welcome to the forum. I was in Portsmouth, NH, year before last for work for 5 months. 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

01-15-2008, 07:26 PM	#5
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Or you could do what I did. I pestered Hugh until he put a shooter together for me. It has a 6" navy barrel and re-po rear sight by way of Luger Doc. And no I won't ever sell it! Although I may someday have it refinished. __________________ Dave

01-16-2008, 08:46 AM	#6
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Chief, I share your frustration, but guys like me have been buying the cheaper lugers as a source of parts, some guys (as above) are upgrading them for their own use, and finally, most guys don't mind sitting on items that appreciate faster than your money in the bank. If you do find a shooter that needs a new barrel or decide to make it into a navy look-a-like, please keep me in mind. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-16-2008, 02:53 PM	#7
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 340 Thanks: 43 Thanked 107 Times in 51 Posts	There are plenty of them out there but people just ain't sellin'. It's simple math to me. If I paid 200 five years ago and I decide to sell.....I ain't gettin' another at that price.......so I'll just keep it and shoot the hell out of it. Although as I've stated before, I'm happy to trade one off for a Jager. __________________ I promise to be nice and play well with others

01-28-2008, 11:56 PM	#11
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 340 Thanks: 43 Thanked 107 Times in 51 Posts	Very pretty! __________________ I promise to be nice and play well with others

01-14-2008, 05:41 PM	#1
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	Where are the Luger Shooters!! Why are all the Lugers I find for sale the 90%+ condition? Where are all those well worn Lugers that are safe to shoot? I've owned 4 Lugers over the years, always my favorite firearm,but as things do happen, funds were needed elsewhere and they all found new homes. At last I have some spare change, but was surprised to find how high Luger values has gone up! I guess now days any of my past Lugers would be around $2000. Not having $2k at the moment, except for a well used Navy shoter!!, I am looking for those "non collector grade" Lugers that I can enjoy shooting. Maybe if someone out there loves #1 scale (G-gauge) live steam locos,them maybe I will afford a collector grade Luger. I posted a add in the wanted section. Another question,is the book "Lugers at Random" still in print? My copy from 1970 is showing it's age. Thanks,Bill USCG Senior Chief Ret.

01-14-2008, 05:56 PM	#3
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	Ed, Thanks for your reply. Portsmouth is a great little seaport town, about 40 miles south of me. In general, I've liked the early to end of WW1 era Lugers and the American Eagles. The few I owned in the past were from that era. My big three would be any dished toogle Luger, any American Eagle and a WW1 era 6" Navy Luger. If I ever sell my Live Steam locomotives, I gust might be able to afford a couple! Thanks again,Bill

01-14-2008, 10:01 PM	#4
Zamo User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 142 Thanks: 4 Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Hey Bill, Here's what I recently did for a shooter. I had recently blown all my mad money on a nice 1937 S/42 and didn't have a lot to spend on a shooter, but I did scrounge up about $700. I searched gunbroker.com for about a month with a custom search parameter of $300 - $900 (I figured I could somehow "exude" the extra $300 if I found the right pistol). I eventually found a mis-matched 1917 DWM with a heavily worn finish for just under $600 and used the "BUY IT NOW" option. Since then, I have refinished it with molyresin, added some new aftermarket grips, restrawed the appropriate external parts, and have ordered a replacement trigger for the "moth eaten" one it came with. The result is a wonderful shooter that looks great and shoots very nice for under $800 including shipping! Here is a link to the whole story with pictures: Zamo's 1917 DWM Shooter I am very happy with it, and can't wait to find my next acquisition, a shooter Artillery...(if my beloved wife doesn't find out!)

01-26-2008, 10:12 PM	#8
mikey250r New User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Peru IL USA Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I bought one a few years ago at Simpson Ltd. $800 - some rust - 75% blue - shoots great - Numbers match all the way down to the firing pin! BTW It's a Code 42 1939 (Mauser)

01-28-2008, 12:22 PM	#9
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	Thanks Miley, I checked out the Simpson site and I did find a artillery,non matching for $1,200 listed as a shooter. Nice looking Mauser you picked up! I'll keep looking. Bill

01-28-2008, 01:01 PM	#10
nhdblfan User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey Jasta,Bill, welcome to the board.I am over in Newbury but get over your way to a friends in Chocorua she owns New Hampshire Country Store on 16. James Julia used to do his auctions in Portsmouth at Yokens.I picked up shooter luger about 10 years ago for 250 in the holster from him.Those days are long gone thou. As for Luger at Random keep an eye on Ebay (or fleabay the antigun auction site) one will pop up from time to time.Thats how I found mine. Best, Dave

01-29-2008, 04:21 PM	#12
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	I do see a few shooter grade lugers around here on a fairly regular basis, but as you have observed, they are no longer cheap. I have several shooter grade pieces myself, but given the way prices are going I'm not over eager to sell. Broomhandles seem to be going the same way. I have been looking for a very minty Webley Mk VI to replace the one stolen from me years ago. They all seem to be hiding in the wood work too. I've seen only a couple and they were in disgraceful condition. It's even affected garden variety Winchesters. I bought a post '64 M1894 in 30-30 a little while back on the grounds that everybody should have one. A month or two later it's announced that production has ceased and the prices shot up. Guess for once, my timing was right.

01-30-2008, 02:48 PM	#13
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	A nice shooter on Guns America... http://www.gunsamerica.com/976957020...ger_pistol.htm __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...