Luger

[XDman1000]

I picked up a 1915 DWM imperial German Luger P08 in 9mm, the pistol is not in the best shape aesthetically (after all it is 91 years old) so I wouldn’t say it’s collectors grade but mechanically it’s in excellent condition, all the numbers except for the magazine match, the bore is clean, there is no slop or play in anything and the action locks up tight as a tic.

This is my first Luger so I’m still learning the best ways to care for it and I’m still not sure how far I want to go with restoration verses keeping the rustic look that I feel somewhat adds to it’s mystique of it’s possible lurid past.

[einheit 13]

Good looking gun.......have you been here yet........
http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=13

[speedracer211]

Nice. I looked into purchasing a Luger a couple years ago. The problem i ran into is which one, which year and how much my pocket book allowed which is why i still do not have one. congrats on your new purchase

[hobocircus]

Hey XDMan1K awesome Luger!
I guess great minds think alike because I was thinking about one of those just the other day . As always the price is what keeps me from getting one. I used to have a Erma KGP-69 (I think that was the model number), which is a .22 caliber copy of a Luger. It had the same toggle action, but wasn't really a good pistol. I sold it many years ago. The only way I will be able to get a P-08 is if I happen to run into some spectacular deal. Anyone have a Luger for sale for maybe like $400?
That toggle action is something to be experienced. Even though the only one I ever shot was a .22 version, it made a impression on me. I bet the real thing will be even more of a surprise.
I recall about maybe 15 years ago a local gunshop had some C-96 Broomhandle mausers for around $200, but they were really rough and worn. I almost bought the best one they had which wasn't saying much, but I couldn't get myself to buy such a worn pistol. It probably would have worked, but I didn't want to risk it. It's been a long time since I've seen them, but I think the gun guy said they were from China.
Here is a picture of one for those who are not familiar with a C-96 Broomhandle Mauser (the one I saw didn't have the wooden stock).

Isn't gun collecting the best hobby around? There are so many choices to add to your collection. Not only fun to shoot, but there is lots of history involved. We are truly blessed to be living in the USA
Good choice XDMan1K, you never fail to impress!

[XDman1000]

Thanks for the replies everyone

I’m sure I will not shoot it that often but I don’t think I would ever own anything that I didn’t or couldn’t shoot, I have never shot a Luger so I hope to get to the range with this one very military soon.

I paid $650 for it, I don’t really know if that is good or bad but I’m happy with it and I plan to add a few more Lugers to the collection.

[Brickboy240]

Nice find.

I, too have a Luger. Mine is a 1918 Erfurt made piece that has Imperial German Army markings and East German Volkspolezei markings. Appraently, it was made at the end of WWI, used as a police pistol in between world wars, captured by the Russians and re-arsenaled and used as a police pistol in East Germany in the early 1950s. Oh, if it could talk!

The DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Berlin) made Lugers were made in large numbers during and before WWI. They are very well made pieces. All the serial numbers match on all parts? Thats a good thing. All the numbers match on my 1918 Erfurt EG re-work, too. How the thing stayted in one piece for that long and through that much conflict is beyond me.

You magazine looks to be of Post WWI maybe WWII vintage. The Aluminum base gives it away. The original magazine most likely had a wooden base. The wooden bases usually cracked or were destroyed and were replaced by the metal ones. Again, mine still had the wooden based magazine and I don't know how it survived al lthe gun has been through. No biggie, most Lugers do not have their original magazines and many were not serial numbered to the guns.

On shooting the P-08 Luger. Its a mixed bag. On the plus side, I have found the P-08 to be very accurate and fairly reliable, but you HAVE to feed it what it likes. The Luger likes hotter loads and 124gr bullets that have a long profile. Mine jammed repeatedly with UMC 9mm ball, because of its powder-puff light loading and shorter bullet. It likes Winchester 115gr ball better because the bullets are a bit longer. I had the best luck with Greek made Olympic 124gr fmj ball. The Greek stuff was loaded hotter and the heavier bullet kicked the action harder and I had hardly any jams at all. Keep in mind that the P-08 was designed to shoot a 124gr fmj load that was loaded hotter than today's standard 115gr ball 9mm load. Again...feed it what it was designed for and you'll have less problems.

The sights are small and make it hard to shoot really tight groups. The recoil is almost nil with the P-08...thats the first thing you'll notice when shooting the Luger - almost no recoil. It points really well and has a short light trigger.

I really liked shooting my P-08 Luger, but due to its rarity and age, I really don't run large amounts of ammo through the thing. I do keep some boxes of Olympic 124gr ammo around in my closet and it is reserved only for the P-08. Look around, you'll find some 124gr 9mm ammo and its worth paying more, because its what the P-08 likes best.

The P-08 has become a very hot collectable. I bought mine in 1997 in a pawn shop in Waco, TX for 300 dollars and thought I had stole it back then. I have sine then acquired an East German police holster for it as well as a Volkspolezei officer's hat and armband. Its a nice piece of German history.

I'd reccommend NOT doing any refinishing at all. Maybe replace some inner springs or anything internal that has to do with its function, but leave the outside alone, please. The P-08 has become a hot collectable and will always be in demand.

- Brickboy240

[xd45acp4life]

my dad has a old Luger. When I post pics tonight I will include his. I love shooting that thing. He had it before I was born and I am 32. He also likes to find rifles for like 100$ that are realy old. He just gave me a lee infield 303 last week. I just ordered 200 rounds for that I just got. I just love to shoot old guns. For as old as they are it's unreal how reliable they are. I can't emagine how much a rifle would cost if it was built as well as they were 90 years ago.

[Brickboy240]

Yes, lets see the P-08 Luger and the Lee Enfield. Chances are, I can tell you a littel about the Luger and alot about the Lee Enfield.

Yes, both are very good shooters. Be careful with the Luger...they're getting so rare, its best not to run gobs of ammo through the things. The Lee Enfield is more common and durable, so blaze away. I shoot my 3 Lee Enfields all the time and love them.

- Brickboy240