First time Luger owner

[Dog Soldier]

I have a DWM which has had the stock lugs removed and smoothed out. The Collectors value is gone on these "Volpos" or Russian Police pistols. They make excellent shooters. I have found the Mitchell Stainless Lugers to be the best shooters. The front sights are the right height for the 124 grs. loads.

 

[entropy]

Beautiful Luger, Chevelle SS! I think they are a great looking pistol, but I don't like shooting them or working on them, so I've never owned one. If I find a 1918 Erfurt for 3-400 dollars, well, I could be persuaded.....

 

[1911WB]

A common misconception about lugers is that you need to shoot "hot" ammo to get them to function- don't do it! Most Luger people shoot Win. whitebox, or medium power handloads in their 9mms. I also like to shoot one of my "Commercials" in .30 Luger. Try to get a spare "original" ejector and firing pin cause you'll need them sooner or later. Bill

 

[Pilot]

A common misconception about lugers is that you need to shoot "hot" ammo to get them to function- don't do it! Most Luger people shoot Win. whitebox, or medium power handloads in their 9mms. I also like to shoot one of my "Commercials" in .30 Luger. Try to get a spare "original" ejector and firing pin cause you'll need them sooner or later. Bill

This is true! My light reloads work fine in my Luger. I don't see the need to beat up a 75 year old gun.

 

[MikeInOr]

My Luger does not like lite loads but it is very happy with full power loads. I reloaded a bunch of lite 9mm ammo for all my old military 9mm pistols... none of them like lite loads (M96 [Broom handle], P08, P38). All of them are happy with full power loads.... 4.8gr Bullseye over 115gr bullets. Not "Hot" but not under powered either.

 

[wally]

I notice it doesn't have the million dollar chip in the left grip, which is a good thing.
(The wood right under the safety is a weak point, and can be cracked when firing the pistol. If not caught, one day a small chip of wood will disappear at that spot, and the value of the pistol will suffer. The phrase "million dollar chip" is meant to convey the lost value of thousands of pistols that have suffered that damage.)"

The OP stated he has a re-blued, non-matching "parts gun" so the above doesn't apply. Buy replacement grips if it bothers you and enjoy shooting it! I recall mine needed ammo on the warm side and FMJ only. Haven't shot it in probably 20 years, I should dig it out.

 

[Fuego]

Gentlemen, I am so old that I can remember when most of the "collectors pistols" were sold as war surplus in the "Ye Olde Hunter" ads in the back pages of Sporting Life magazine. Used Very Good Condition 1911s for $50. Lugers for $35. Boyes .55 caliber rifles $150. That would be ca. 1955 or so.

My point is that old "dipped and refurbished" Russian capture Luger still has a collector value, even though the collector may not yet have been born! And when he comes of age, and does the research on the proofmarks,, he will realize what a piece of history Uncle Fred gave him when he turned 21.

So don't dismiss the old relics. They WILL BE collectors Items. Even the dazzling chrome plated Luger with pearl grips has a history.

 

[Merle1]

Heck, my dad shoots IHMSA sometimes with an 8" Colt Python.
Shoot 'em if ya got 'em!

Years ago I saw a guy shoot an Artillery Luger in an IHMSA match. I was surprised how well it did, clear out to 200 meters.