Stoeger?

If it has a serial number and no one else reads this thread you should be good to go.

Oh yeah, also hope no one reported said serial number as stolen.

There are millions of firearms out there that came out of the factory without serial numbers.

Yeah I suppose there is that too.

A guy I knew had one of these back in the mid '70's. I recall that it was quite accurate (minute of 5 gallon paint can at 100-ish yards) and gave no trouble feeding or ejecting. Enjoy it and don't worry.

Texas10mm said:

There are millions of firearms out there that came out of the factory without serial numbers.

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Except the Stoeger “Luger” 22LR was made after the GCA and thus is required to have one.

I’d personally dump the gun. Not worth loosing my rights.

If there is no serial number, it's stolen. Stolen parts to make a gun or a gun already assembled and stolen, either way the law will not give the possessor an "Oprah sob story wavier" and forgive the oversight. If there "is" a serial number, I would doubt the story of it leaving the factory in a lunch box.

The Stoeger .22's Lugers were well made and pretty much trouble free, those that did have issues were either ammo or magazine related. I have a couple of them, fun shooters. Worth about $200-to-$400 depending on condition and model. Offered in 4 and 6 inch versions, a target model, and steel or alloy frame. One of mine the serial number appears on the left side of the receiver, the other one is on the right.

Well; all I gotta say, tread carefully OP.

I've got one, and they're a lot of fun. It's kind of impressive how the tiny 22 LR manages to drive such a heavy-looking loading mechanism.

Not even going to get in to the serial number issue.

You are not required to serialize a gun built by and for yourself.
Even with stolen parts? Hmm.

Jim Watson said:

You are not required to serialize a gun built by and for yourself.
Even with stolen parts? Hmm.

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That's a good point, I think there are two issues here. The OP didn't build the gun, someone else did. Did his Inlaw make the frame from scratch or take one from Stoeger? If he took it from Stoeger, it would have been undetected in their records for lack of a serial number (and illegal).....or....they could have sold him a frame with a serial number and everyone would be legal. Not like Stoeger offered 80% finished frames at the time these were produced. Probably more to the story than we're hearing.

If you're that worried about it send it to me for proper disposal.

Strip down all the parts and dump the receiver. Sell parts to LGS or Numerich.

Wow, I can't believe people are counseling destruction of a heritage gun. Talk to someone in NRA legal if it bothers you that much. I would never even consider trashing it.

I would keep it. I am pretty sure you can pass down home built guns. And he must have made it at home. No different then some one building a ak47 out of sheet metal for the receiver. It was a handed down in the family and not "sold", which would be illegal.

Robbins290 said:

I would keep it. I am pretty sure you can pass down home built guns. And he must have made it at home. No different then some one building a ak47 out of sheet metal for the receiver. It was a handed down in the family and not "sold", which would be illegal.

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It is my understanding that there is a significant distinction in the law between a receiver which never had a serial number, and a receiver which had the serial number removed. A receiver with a removed or defaced serial number is pretty much always illegal. In this case, the history and construction of the receiver is not clear, which means that it is not clear what category it belongs in. I don't think the people who are highly concerned about the status of this receiver are being unreasonable.

As always, the usual disclaimers apply. I am not a lawyer, and I have no detailed knowledge of this specific case. The free advice offered here is worth what you paid for it, or possibly less.

so being the kind relative, I accepted the gun not realizing it had no serial number.

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If I’m reading correctly it has no serial number at all.

Not a defaced or ground down serial number.

In that case what’s the problem? If it has no serial number at all then I’d keep the thing.

If it has a defaced serial number I’d disassemble it and sell the parts online and saw the frame in half and put it out with the trash or trade it in at a Gun ‘Buyback’ for a pair of Nike’s, a $100 gift certificate or whatever they’re trading.

Myself, I would explain it to the sheriff dept and ask them to run the serial number. But then, my experience is from rural areas.

I don't know about the Johnny Cash or serial number part but those pistols came out in the early 70's & I always wanted one. Never knew anyone that actually had one & never shot it but it looks awesome.

Wonder if the receiver was a second.....that was never to be finished but salvaged.

Could have been one meant for scrap.....never made it to 80% and somebody might have said " hey i can make that work". Pre cnc......somebody set up a fixture wrong..... something out of spec.

Maybe cosmetic.....an extra hole......maybe just need another part custom fitted to correct the error

Read : a legal gun ( if assembled by proper person for own use ). Dunno the story.
So why assume it automatically is bad?

Maybe the guy worked casual overtime and his boss/ the company let him have the parts to finish his 80%.

Fwiw the toggle pieces are aluminum or similar and break. Replacement part isnt cheap.....but not expensive either

Seen two of them that needed fixed. They got used part from Numrichs or Fleabay and were back up and running.

Kind of a neat gun. Too bad they didnt do an artillery model. Think Erma did

Fyrstyk, does it have a serial number? I didn’t see where you mentioned one way or the other.