Do Lugers suck? Not reliable?

500grains · 01-22-2014, 01:19 AM

I was thinking of getting one of those commercial Lugers from the 1970's for my kid.

baboon · 01-22-2014, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500grains

I was thinking of getting one of those commercial Lugers from the 1970's for my kid.

Better choices of 9 mm out there for you kid!

RetVet · 01-22-2014, 06:35 AM

I have one chambered for 22LR. The short answer.... they suck. Mine is a jam-o-matic. Most of the reviews will say the same thing.

The toggle link action is nifty and they look weird, but functionally they are crap, at least mine is.

Pogo · 01-22-2014, 06:56 AM

Too many intricate moving parts. That's why the Germans started replacing it with the Walther P38.

I'd still like to have a DWM American Eagle Luger in mint condition.

But I'd accept one made by Waffenfabrik or Mauser if someone wants to give me one.

10 Bears · 01-22-2014, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo

Too many intricate moving parts. That's why the Germans started replacing it with the Walther P38.

I'd still like to have a DWM American Eagle Luger in mint condition.

But I'd accept one made by Waffenfabrik or Mauser if someone wants to give me one.

Yep, too many moving parts. Wouldn't want one for a SD tool.
Quit admiring them in the 50s, when they were still 'plentifull'.

gunkgy · 01-22-2014, 08:39 AM

If you want a pistol for self defense, I would say no. As a piece for a collection and a casual shooter, hell yes.

HorseSoldier176 · 01-22-2014, 02:22 PM

There is a spring in the system that helps the toggle action, and it wears out. If replaced, it helps a lot with the reliability. It also helps to use slightly hotter ammo than is commercially available, to get the system to cycle fully. Much of the modern manufactured ammo is a bit underpowered (to smooth over the upset feeling of the PC crowd), so early semi autos don't function quite as well. Broomhandles suffer the same problem with commercial ammo.

All that having been said, I would not want to count on any Luger, or Broom for personal defense.

Enforcer · 01-22-2014, 03:04 PM

I've shot WWI & WWII Lugers, they are accurate (the sights are small) and reliable. In my experience, Lugers like warm loads, 124 gr may work the best. The commercial guns made in 70s are nice high quality guns from what I seen. I believe they were Swiss and were given Mauser markings. There were some stainless Lugers made in the states in the 1980s. After market magazines may or may not work in individual guns. I find the 9mm Lugers are less ammo sensitive than the 30 Luger guns. 30 Luger factory ammo is also very expensive.

rogertc1 · 01-22-2014, 07:29 PM

I have a stainless Mitchel Arms Luger from the 80's. rather touchy. I had to return 2 to get one to work. they were made in Texas.

5knives · 01-23-2014, 12:07 AM

Ammo ... U.S ammo was more than slightly underloaded in the U.S in the fifties, Lugers didn't like that at all, normal fix was to cut a turn or two off the recoil spring. I had a pile of HOT German 9 SMG ammo, steel cased, my luger loved it (I hated the trigger and the itty bitty sights), my S&W M39 ate that stuff up like a kid with a bag of M&M's, every ejected case from the M39 was split from base to mouth, but the little Smith never hiccupped.

Decided both guns had too many little springs and tiny parts, sold both and went back to the good old 1911 wearing holes in my side, my arm or my suit coat.

Second the opinions on Lugers stated above, ... not for SD!

As always, JMHO, YMMV!

Regards,

...

10 Bears · 01-23-2014, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5knives

Ammo ... U.S ammo was more than slightly underloaded in the U.S in the fifties, Lugers didn't like that at all, normal fix was to cut a turn or two off the recoil spring. I had a pile of HOT German 9 SMG ammo, steel cased, my luger loved it (I hated the trigger and the itty bitty sights), my S&W M39 ate that stuff up like a kid with a bag of M&M's, every ejected case from the M39 was split from base to mouth, but the little Smith never hiccupped.

Decided both guns had too many little springs and tiny parts, sold both and went back to the good old 1911 wearing holes in my side, my arm or my suit coat.

Second the opinions on Lugers stated above, ... not for SD!

As always, JMHO, YMMV!

Regards,

...

Yes, trigger pull. Longest trigger pull of ANY production handgun.

dinkydow · 01-23-2014, 09:34 PM

I had a 1917 DWM and a 1940's model luger. Both seemed to function well using 9mm+P ammo. I have 9mm+P for my sub machineguns. Some pistols are OK with it, some are not.

2rogers · 01-23-2014, 10:15 PM

I had a stainless american eagle a few years ago. it had an appetite for 147 subsonics without fail. Useless with anything else. Not sure why.

500grains · 01-23-2014, 10:15 PM

I think I will put the Luger on the back burner for now. Sounds like I might get lucky with a good one, or it could be a headache.

Pogo · 01-24-2014, 07:24 AM

Buy a P38 instead.

01-22-2014, 01:19 AM	#1
500grains Soldier of Allah Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Crackerland Posts: 31,688	Do Lugers suck? Not reliable? I was thinking of getting one of those commercial Lugers from the 1970's for my kid. __________________ Racism will keep you alive.

01-22-2014, 06:35 AM	#3
RetVet Statistical Error Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Homeless Posts: 43,702	I have one chambered for 22LR. The short answer.... they suck. Mine is a jam-o-matic. Most of the reviews will say the same thing. The toggle link action is nifty and they look weird, but functionally they are crap, at least mine is. __________________ ^^^ For entertainment purposes. Use only as directed. ^^^ III

01-22-2014, 06:56 AM	#4
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 81,997	Too many intricate moving parts. That's why the Germans started replacing it with the Walther P38. I'd still like to have a DWM American Eagle Luger in mint condition. But I'd accept one made by Waffenfabrik or Mauser if someone wants to give me one. __________________ .................................................. ....................................… *We have met the enemy, and he is us!*

01-22-2014, 08:39 AM	#6
gunkgy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Now, North Carolina Posts: 6,594	If you want a pistol for self defense, I would say no. As a piece for a collection and a casual shooter, hell yes. __________________

01-22-2014, 02:22 PM	#7
HorseSoldier176 Retired Soldier Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: South Central PA Posts: 14,148	There is a spring in the system that helps the toggle action, and it wears out. If replaced, it helps a lot with the reliability. It also helps to use slightly hotter ammo than is commercially available, to get the system to cycle fully. Much of the modern manufactured ammo is a bit underpowered (to smooth over the upset feeling of the PC crowd), so early semi autos don't function quite as well. Broomhandles suffer the same problem with commercial ammo. All that having been said, I would not want to count on any Luger, or Broom for personal defense. __________________ Free citizens are armed citizens, but only armed citizens are truly free! Bruce R. Gadbois 2008

01-22-2014, 03:04 PM	#8
Enforcer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 3,163	I've shot WWI & WWII Lugers, they are accurate (the sights are small) and reliable. In my experience, Lugers like warm loads, 124 gr may work the best. The commercial guns made in 70s are nice high quality guns from what I seen. I believe they were Swiss and were given Mauser markings. There were some stainless Lugers made in the states in the 1980s. After market magazines may or may not work in individual guns. I find the 9mm Lugers are less ammo sensitive than the 30 Luger guns. 30 Luger factory ammo is also very expensive.

01-22-2014, 07:29 PM	#9
rogertc1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,132	I have a stainless Mitchel Arms Luger from the 80's. rather touchy. I had to return 2 to get one to work. they were made in Texas. __________________ I have been an addicted gun collector all my long life with a vault full of firearms all displayed.

01-23-2014, 12:07 AM	#10
5knives KaBoom Kontrol Modulator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado, Western Slope Posts: 16,229	Ammo ... U.S ammo was more than slightly underloaded in the U.S in the fifties, Lugers didn't like that at all, normal fix was to cut a turn or two off the recoil spring. I had a pile of HOT German 9 SMG ammo, steel cased, my luger loved it (I hated the trigger and the itty bitty sights), my S&W M39 ate that stuff up like a kid with a bag of M&M's, every ejected case from the M39 was split from base to mouth, but the little Smith never hiccupped. Decided both guns had too many little springs and tiny parts, sold both and went back to the good old 1911 wearing holes in my side, my arm or my suit coat. Second the opinions on Lugers stated above, ... not for SD! As always, JMHO, YMMV! Regards, ...

01-23-2014, 09:34 PM	#12
dinkydow Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great White North Posts: 96,514	I had a 1917 DWM and a 1940's model luger. Both seemed to function well using 9mm+P ammo. I have 9mm+P for my sub machineguns. Some pistols are OK with it, some are not. __________________ Our forefathers would have already been shooting...by now. "Let your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt." "Violence of action means the unrestricted use of speed,strength, surprise and aggression to achieve total dominance against your enemy...any fighting technique is useless unless you totally commit to violence of action." Burning huts in commy vills worldwide since 1968

01-23-2014, 10:15 PM	#13
2rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,504	I had a stainless american eagle a few years ago. it had an appetite for 147 subsonics without fail. Useless with anything else. Not sure why.

01-24-2014, 07:24 AM	#15
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 81,997	Buy a P38 instead.