Should I shoot?

JFP · 11-18-2002, 08:34 AM

Hello All,

I'm in the process of purchasing my first Luger. It's a Mauser coded 42, dated 1940. It has 97% original finish, excellent bore, grips and matching numbers except for the mag.

I'd like to occasionally fire it. How real is the possibility of some numbered part breaking? Should I invest in one of the kits available which replaces the small numbered parts just for this purpose?

Thanks in advance.

JFP

Edward Tinker · 11-18-2002, 10:46 AM

Sounds like a very nice gun.

Yes, if you shoot it, parts might break and the collector value of your gun will drop to "around" $500. If you paid this for it, that is great, but if you are looking strictly for a shooter, I think I would buy one that already had replacement parts, rebarrel etc.

If it is a true 97% gun, it is a shame to shoot it. I have mostly shooters, my couple of collector pieces, I have decided I would pass along in nice shape to my future kin...

So, if you are gonna shoot her, then swap out the grips, firing pin, and anything else that is numbered to the gun.

My three cents,

Ed

Pete Ebbink · 11-20-2002, 11:26 AM

Hello Jim,

Welcome to the Forum !

Sounds like Ed has given you good advice. If you have put more than $ 1000 into this luger and it is a good 97% original, I would not shoot her personally.

There are very good "shooter" quality lugers on the market from the $ 400-700 price range.

Also, the 1970's Mauser-Interarms lugers (excluding the presentation and limited-edition models) and the 1990's stainless steel lugers also are fine shooters.

If you switch to the Forum discussion section titled "Post WWII" lugers, you will find more info about these, there...

Finally, if you get a chance; how about shooting some digital jpeg photos and posting a few in the Forum section titled "P-08 Military" lugers ? We are all "junkies" waiting to see the next luger photos... [img]wink.gif[/img]

Regards,

Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

ToggleTop · 11-20-2002, 09:22 PM

Hello JFP,
I am a collector, not a shooter. Every luger I buy for my collection, I always take out and fire one loaded magazine through it. I just cannot resist doing this. I then take it, clean it thoroughly and put it away. If it is truly a collector quality gun, I would not recommend shooting it very often. The 1940-42 Code is one of the most common Mauser military lugers, but in real nice condition it does have some collector value.
Warm Regards,
toggletop

JFP · 11-21-2002, 02:01 PM

Guys,

Thanks for advice!

I haven't taken possesion of the gun, as it's on lay away, but I'll post some pic's as soon as I take delivery.

The reason I chose this particular gun, is that I have a 1940 BMW R12 Motorcycle, originally delivered to the Luftwaffe, and I wanted to have a matching gun (ok, it probably should have been a Krieghoff instead. Once the bike is restored, I plan on riding it, even though there is a risk of breaking some rare($$$) parts.

I paid less than $1000 (but not much less) for the gun. I plan on shooting it very occasionally, maybe even just once, and will probably first swap out the grips and some small numbered parts.

I don't plan on selling it and if it becomes a 95% gun as a result of some occasional use, I can live with that.

Cheers,

JFP

George Anderson · 11-21-2002, 02:26 PM

JFP, I like your style.

11-18-2002, 08:34 AM	#1
JFP User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: stamford, CT Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Should I shoot? Hello All, I'm in the process of purchasing my first Luger. It's a Mauser coded 42, dated 1940. It has 97% original finish, excellent bore, grips and matching numbers except for the mag. I'd like to occasionally fire it. How real is the possibility of some numbered part breaking? Should I invest in one of the kits available which replaces the small numbered parts just for this purpose? Thanks in advance. JFP

11-18-2002, 10:46 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	Sounds like a very nice gun. Yes, if you shoot it, parts might break and the collector value of your gun will drop to "around" $500. If you paid this for it, that is great, but if you are looking strictly for a shooter, I think I would buy one that already had replacement parts, rebarrel etc. If it is a true 97% gun, it is a shame to shoot it. I have mostly shooters, my couple of collector pieces, I have decided I would pass along in nice shape to my future kin... So, if you are gonna shoot her, then swap out the grips, firing pin, and anything else that is numbered to the gun. My three cents, 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

11-20-2002, 09:22 PM	#4
ToggleTop User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 297 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello JFP, I am a collector, not a shooter. Every luger I buy for my collection, I always take out and fire one loaded magazine through it. I just cannot resist doing this. I then take it, clean it thoroughly and put it away. If it is truly a collector quality gun, I would not recommend shooting it very often. The 1940-42 Code is one of the most common Mauser military lugers, but in real nice condition it does have some collector value. Warm Regards, toggletop __________________ *********************** ToggleTop************* JustHappenToLoveLugers *************************

11-20-2002, 11:26 AM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Jim, Welcome to the Forum ! Sounds like Ed has given you good advice. If you have put more than $ 1000 into this luger and it is a good 97% original, I would not shoot her personally. There are very good "shooter" quality lugers on the market from the $ 400-700 price range. Also, the 1970's Mauser-Interarms lugers (excluding the presentation and limited-edition models) and the 1990's stainless steel lugers also are fine shooters. If you switch to the Forum discussion section titled "Post WWII" lugers, you will find more info about these, there... Finally, if you get a chance; how about shooting some digital jpeg photos and posting a few in the Forum section titled "P-08 Military" lugers ? We are all "junkies" waiting to see the next luger photos... [img]wink.gif[/img] Regards, Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

11-21-2002, 02:01 PM	#5
JFP User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: stamford, CT Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Guys, Thanks for advice! I haven't taken possesion of the gun, as it's on lay away, but I'll post some pic's as soon as I take delivery. The reason I chose this particular gun, is that I have a 1940 BMW R12 Motorcycle, originally delivered to the Luftwaffe, and I wanted to have a matching gun (ok, it probably should have been a Krieghoff instead. Once the bike is restored, I plan on riding it, even though there is a risk of breaking some rare($$$) parts. I paid less than $1000 (but not much less) for the gun. I plan on shooting it very occasionally, maybe even just once, and will probably first swap out the grips and some small numbered parts. I don't plan on selling it and if it becomes a 95% gun as a result of some occasional use, I can live with that. Cheers, JFP

11-21-2002, 02:26 PM	#6
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,531 Times in 788 Posts	JFP, I like your style.