ERMA "lugers"

tomaustin · 02-28-2010, 11:20 PM

in the 60's, ERMA produced some number of 32 and 38? cal lugers. only one year? where are any details about this?
thanks, tom

Ron Smith · 03-01-2010, 09:20 AM

Tom,

Erma imported these through various importers from 1964-1986 (Ref: Gun List Guide to Firearms). Not sure where the "only one year" estimate is from. They were made in .22,.32 and .380 calibers. The current value is low. They turn up on the on-line auction sites for anywhere from $175 to $300+. I've seen them in shops for $125 in the box.

From all reports, they were not reliable and poorly made. Stoeger also imported one that was even worse.

Ron

Vlim · 03-01-2010, 09:23 AM

John Walter has some info on them in his 1977 'Luger' book.

After WW1, apart from smaller calibre Luger copies, Erma also produced .22lr conversion kits, and replacement P08 magazines amongst others. They also refurbished a number of Bulgarian P08's.

tomaustin · 03-01-2010, 10:17 PM

original batch without a mag safety and could not import to the us. had to revamp the safety issue and then resumed production. i found out the frame is alloy and the upper and internals are apparently good steel. don't know about the accuracy...not seen any in my shop hunts.......tom

Drachenstein · 03-05-2010, 02:53 PM

Just traded my Erma LA22 for a Lee Enfield last week. Best trade I ever made. The Enfield at least consistently shoots and will hit the target, the Erma seldom did either. The safety is worthless, it jams constantly acting more like a spring driven airsoft pistol, magazines cost more than 9mm and over all an embarrassment at any range. The only useful purpose I found for it was to call the cat in. If you want the feel but with a .22 cal investigate Ruger,,,,, no I didn't spell it wrong.

Parts? Just bend over it's gonna hurt.

Save your money,,,,,,,,,,, don't do it.

unspellable · 03-06-2010, 07:44 PM

It's been a long time since I've see a 22 Erma offered for less than $200.

I have one of the so called "baby" Ermas in 32 ACP. It really isn't a copy of the Baby Luger at all, but rather a scaled down version of the full sized Luger. Aside from being smaller, it looks much more like a real Luger than the 22 LR version. So far it has given me no trouble for functioning or accuracy.

I briefly had a Stoeger 22LR. It averaged about 2.5 jams per magazine load. When it did go bang though, it was a real tack driver. Guess it was meant for anti-flinch training.

02-28-2010, 11:20 PM	#1
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	ERMA "lugers" in the 60's, ERMA produced some number of 32 and 38? cal lugers. only one year? where are any details about this? thanks, tom

03-01-2010, 09:20 AM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Tom, Erma imported these through various importers from 1964-1986 (Ref: Gun List Guide to Firearms). Not sure where the "only one year" estimate is from. They were made in .22,.32 and .380 calibers. The current value is low. They turn up on the on-line auction sites for anywhere from $175 to $300+. I've seen them in shops for $125 in the box. From all reports, they were not reliable and poorly made. Stoeger also imported one that was even worse. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-01-2010, 10:17 PM	#4
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	thanks guys....the one year issue was they apparently produced the original batch without a mag safety and could not import to the us. had to revamp the safety issue and then resumed production. i found out the frame is alloy and the upper and internals are apparently good steel. don't know about the accuracy...not seen any in my shop hunts.......tom

03-01-2010, 09:23 AM	#3
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,047 Thanks: 1,034 Thanked 3,947 Times in 1,198 Posts	John Walter has some info on them in his 1977 'Luger' book. After WW1, apart from smaller calibre Luger copies, Erma also produced .22lr conversion kits, and replacement P08 magazines amongst others. They also refurbished a number of Bulgarian P08's.

03-05-2010, 02:53 PM	#5
Drachenstein User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elizabethtown, KY Posts: 78 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Just traded my Erma LA22 for a Lee Enfield last week. Best trade I ever made. The Enfield at least consistently shoots and will hit the target, the Erma seldom did either. The safety is worthless, it jams constantly acting more like a spring driven airsoft pistol, magazines cost more than 9mm and over all an embarrassment at any range. The only useful purpose I found for it was to call the cat in. If you want the feel but with a .22 cal investigate Ruger,,,,, no I didn't spell it wrong. Parts? Just bend over it's gonna hurt. Save your money,,,,,,,,,,, don't do it.

03-06-2010, 07:44 PM	#6
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	It's been a long time since I've see a 22 Erma offered for less than $200. I have one of the so called "baby" Ermas in 32 ACP. It really isn't a copy of the Baby Luger at all, but rather a scaled down version of the full sized Luger. Aside from being smaller, it looks much more like a real Luger than the 22 LR version. So far it has given me no trouble for functioning or accuracy. I briefly had a Stoeger 22LR. It averaged about 2.5 jams per magazine load. When it did go bang though, it was a real tack driver. Guess it was meant for anti-flinch training.