OT I know it is way off but what are Lugers...

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Thu May 29, 2008 11:16 am

like to shoot? I never got the chance but some of you folks must have.
Do they jump around some? Can they be controlled well with two hands?
Would they make a good concealed carry gun?
Nath.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Thu May 29, 2008 12:09 pm

I've had a couple Finn marked .30 cal Lugers that were both very accurate and quite pleasant to shoot. Usually shot mine one handed. Very natural pointers.

I don't know if I'd choose one for conealed carry though. They can be very temperamental when it comes to feed and function. Very picky about magazines too. I had one mag that would work in one pistol and not in another.

I sold my Lugers a couple years ago buy still have my P-38. Not as pretty but in my opinion a far better combat arm than the Luger.

Tough they are fun to shoot and an amazing piece of engeneering and art.

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Thu May 29, 2008 12:13 pm

I have had several. I think they are one of the coolest looking handguns ever made. They are good, but I wouldnt choose one on purpose for concealed carry or defendse. They are machined so well that they are finnicky, tight, I understand hard to work on for a good trigger etc. In other words, far more complex then need be. Also probley not near as fast to get in action as a DA revolver, with its auckward saftey.
The krauts ( dont get excited fellow germans, I am one myself) evidently wanted to protect the gun more then the solider. Take a look at the issue holsters and you will see what I mean. They werent into fast draw!

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu May 29, 2008 12:15 pm

I find them kind of 'jumpy' but little real recoil, but I'm used to 1911 .45's. I don't think they ever had a reputation as being very reliable, which would concern me in a CCW gun, and the cartridge isn't a great stopper unless you use the premium ammunition. It is also not a small gun to conceal. The other criticism which wouldn't apply to CCW is it's sights are not that precise due to the toggle mechanism, but I guess I'm not a good enough shot to care.

On the other hand, they are a fascinating mechanism to handle, a great piece of history, and for a plinking gun I'd keep one if I had one.

For CCW, I'd advise a .45 ACP, a .40 S&W, or a more modern design 9mm, in that order, or a revolver of course. For CCW the best is to go with what feels good in the hand, what points instinctively for you (close eyes and bring gun up to shooting position and open eyes - if sights lined up, you have a winner), and is in a decent cartridge.

There are some fun plinkers in .22 LR that are Luger copies and would be cheaper as a tin can bouncer gun.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Thu May 29, 2008 12:33 pm

The only thing that is really good about the Luger IMHO is the angle of the grip in relation to t he axis of the bore. Because of that it tends to point very well for most people.

Cliff · Post by **Cliff** » Thu May 29, 2008 1:16 pm

The Lugers I have had were very good guns. They do carry very well. Biggest thing is the ammo. They are fussy and the ammo, by some people, should be a little on the warm size. The toggle action works very well. As for jumping around I found they do not. Their recoil is very civilized, throws the brass more or less straight up, They can be good but also finicky as mentioned in regards to magazines. The Swiss military used them in 7.62 Luger caliber, but the German Govt. wanted some more stopping power and went to the 9MM. As long as they are cleaned and lubed properly they will serve very well. I don't know what type of restrictions you may face as to caliber, but I imagine it would also be pricey. Can you get hollow point ammo over there? They usually do like plain ball ammunition. They do have a mushy trigger which a lot of shooters don't like. I imagine there is a Luger discussion board which would offer more information. They did serve a lot of military and police around the world, only thing was cost of manufacture. Hope this helps a little. ATB

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Thu May 29, 2008 1:39 pm

Here are the two I HAD. First one was a very rare 7.62 1906 german commerical with super rare ideal holster and folding stock.
The 2nd is a plain jane that my uncle gave me that he took off somebody when he was in the 82nd. My ex wife liberated it off me when she ran off! I still have the holster, tools and extra magazine.

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Thu May 29, 2008 1:59 pm

I have not been without a Luger for over 50 years and consider the P.O8 to be one of the few truly classic pistols.

My current pistol is a 1913 DWM. It is 100% reliable with ball, Winchester 115 HP and Cor-Bon DPX ammo. Mine has the best trigger I have ever seen on a Luger. They have a complex trigger and it can be tricky to get a good pull. These pistol are very accurate in spite of the rudimentary sights.

The safety, while positive, was not designed for quick use.

The Luger would not be a top choice for a carry pistol, but if a fellow had one it would do.

JB · Post by JB » Thu May 29, 2008 2:04 pm

I own a few Lugers, but can't see any reason why anyone would even consider them for concealed carry. The safety is slow to use, they aren't the most reliable choice by any means, and any collectors value at all could be destroyed by one small part breaking or just wear and tear to the finish.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:32 pm

Nath -

As noted, they can be notoriously finicky on what they will consume. Mine likes 115-grain FMJ - and nothing else. Everything else will jam, alot! It also has a habit of ejecting the brass almost straight up - and slightly back - so it comes raining down on your head!

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:51 am

Ysabel Kid wrote:
As noted, they can be notoriously finicky on what they will consume. Mine likes 115-grain FMJ - and nothing else. Everything else will jam, alot!

That's because the Luger was designed to use the 9mm cartridge with with the 115 gr parabolic FMJ bullet. 124 gr FMJ will also generally work. While there are some Lugers that may tolerate other loads and bullet styles, they are rare anomalies.

As also stated, Lugers are mag sensitive. They are large handguns and concealing them is difficult.

They do make for enjoyable plinkers when using 115 gr FMJ parabolic-bulleted ammo. I take mine out maybe once a year. Other 9mm semiautos get fired much more frequently.

Noah

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Fri May 30, 2008 9:18 am

Thanks fellers

Nath.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:47 am

side point... back in the Luger's day

the weaver stance and two handed shooting postures were not the norm.

The Luger would have been taught in the classic "bulls-eye" form.

body turned to the target.. gun arm extended and free hand on the hip.

Never shot a Luger... but the Ruger MK II has a grip angle that looks the same to me... and I cant shoot the Ruger two-handed for beans.

For a 9mm I'd pick any other of the dozens of 9's out there for carry. Lugers are fussy and built like a watch from what I've heard.

Hill

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:54 am

I know a lady who is probably one of the premier collectors of Lugers. She carries a Glock 10mm.

lever-4-life · Post by **lever-4-life** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:37 pm

The luger was the first handgun I ever fired. They seem to fit my hand perfect, I have never owned one but I would like to

. Anyway all the ones I have shot like 115 grn ball, they are a very fun gun to shoot and are quite accurate.

MikeS. · Post by **MikeS.** » Fri May 30, 2008 8:26 pm

I have a Stoeger Luger in .22LR. It is the very first handgun I ever bought. It is a blast to shoot. It has never been finicky about any ammo.

I also have a USA made 9mm Luger in stainless, it too is fun but it is finicky about ammo. I forget who made it right now.

I've always loved the Lugers and for the life of me I don't know why I haven't bought one of the old German made models in 9mm.