Hey guys my gun shop has a couple of lugers and a P 38 in.The Lugers seem tobe in decent shape. The P38 is a little rough though. Anyway I think that the lugers may be bring backs,they show no import marks that i could find. Where would they be?Also one Luger is $450 the other which is in better shape is $589 this is before tax. I don't know much about these guns but have always wanted one. The P 38 is nice but does not feel as good in the hand or point as well as the Luger. Which is more reliable,are they about the same? I read they replaced the Luger because they wanted a double action pistol that was cheaper and faster to produce,not because the Lugers were not reliable. Is this true? Also can a Luger be kept safely with a loaded chamber? What do you guys think of this??? I would imagine parts are not a problem with either of these guns,right? Thanks,45automan
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LUGER OR P-38 FOR AN OLD GERMAN WW2 GUN?
- Thread starter 45automan
- Start date
Walt Sherrill
New member
I have two Lugers, one a "shooter" and the other a "collectible"; I also have a very nice P-38. (Mine is one of the French-made guns produced late in the war; not as desireable for a collector, but still collectible.)
The Luger is really a WWI weapon, although beautiful and surprisingly accurate. The P-38 was one of the first double-action 9mms.
If the Lugers look good, that's not a outrageous price, but you can get good shooters for less. (Check out Www.AIMSURPLUS.COM) Its a striker-fired weapon, and the safety should prevent any problems with cocked/locked carry. Lugers were notorious for being really susceptible to dirt on the battle field.
You'll find good examples of each for sale in the ads of Curio & Relic dealers in SHot Gun News. Look there before you buy.
Collectible Lugers or Walthers (which haven't been dipped reblued or screwed with, start about about $700 and go up, up, up.
Look for matching numbers on the Lugers: damn near everything is numbered on the gun -- from trigger to sideplate to barrel, frame, magazine, etc. If they're not matched, they've been factory rearsenaled and are less valuable. (I have a "bring back," in near-new condition, in original holster, etc., and its worth $1000+)
All of the above holds true for the Walthers -- and for about the same prices.
Do yourself a favor and either get or borrow a copy of Fjestad's Blue Book -- which will tell you good "ballpark" prices and even show great photos of representative conditions, and their prices. (The photos are at the front of the book.)
When something goes wrong with a Luger, not every gunsmith can get them right. Parts are not a problem. Walthers are a little less mysterious to gunsmiths, as basically the same gun was (or is) still being made for commercial sales. A very advanced design, considering its 60+ years old.
The Luger is really a WWI weapon, although beautiful and surprisingly accurate. The P-38 was one of the first double-action 9mms.
If the Lugers look good, that's not a outrageous price, but you can get good shooters for less. (Check out Www.AIMSURPLUS.COM) Its a striker-fired weapon, and the safety should prevent any problems with cocked/locked carry. Lugers were notorious for being really susceptible to dirt on the battle field.
You'll find good examples of each for sale in the ads of Curio & Relic dealers in SHot Gun News. Look there before you buy.
Collectible Lugers or Walthers (which haven't been dipped reblued or screwed with, start about about $700 and go up, up, up.
Look for matching numbers on the Lugers: damn near everything is numbered on the gun -- from trigger to sideplate to barrel, frame, magazine, etc. If they're not matched, they've been factory rearsenaled and are less valuable. (I have a "bring back," in near-new condition, in original holster, etc., and its worth $1000+)
All of the above holds true for the Walthers -- and for about the same prices.
Do yourself a favor and either get or borrow a copy of Fjestad's Blue Book -- which will tell you good "ballpark" prices and even show great photos of representative conditions, and their prices. (The photos are at the front of the book.)
When something goes wrong with a Luger, not every gunsmith can get them right. Parts are not a problem. Walthers are a little less mysterious to gunsmiths, as basically the same gun was (or is) still being made for commercial sales. A very advanced design, considering its 60+ years old.
The Luger (P.08) is a more desireable collector item, especially when all matching and in good original condition. Unfortunately, most Lugers available today at reasonable prices came out of Eastern Europe and are refinished if not rebuilt. Still, one is almost a necessity as a German WWII pistol. But, no, they were not reliable, even in German service with tightly controlled ammunition.
The P.38 is a much more reliable gun, not as sensitive to ammo and altogether a better military pistol. But as they too have become collector's items, prices have risen, though not to the levels of the P.08. You don't indicate the price on the P.38, but a pretty good matching one will run $450-700, depending on maker and date, more if in excellent original condition and/or from some makers.
My recommendation? Buy both. If the Lugers are matching and only refinished, they still are good value. If that P.38 is not so hot, keep looking. Some folks will claim to know where there are pristine, mint Lugers for some ridiculously low price, but these people are still wandering around in pages of the 1950 American Rifleman. Realistically, even refinished Eastern Europe Lugers start at $400-450. A good, original, all matching "bring back" is $1000 in good but not perfect condition.
Jim
The P.38 is a much more reliable gun, not as sensitive to ammo and altogether a better military pistol. But as they too have become collector's items, prices have risen, though not to the levels of the P.08. You don't indicate the price on the P.38, but a pretty good matching one will run $450-700, depending on maker and date, more if in excellent original condition and/or from some makers.
My recommendation? Buy both. If the Lugers are matching and only refinished, they still are good value. If that P.38 is not so hot, keep looking. Some folks will claim to know where there are pristine, mint Lugers for some ridiculously low price, but these people are still wandering around in pages of the 1950 American Rifleman. Realistically, even refinished Eastern Europe Lugers start at $400-450. A good, original, all matching "bring back" is $1000 in good but not perfect condition.
Jim
I own a bring back P38 ac42 and a well used but matching Luger S/42. Both of them are reliable and accurate.(I guess the Luger was pretty well perfected by WWII) They're both collectable to some degree and will likely increase in value but I bought them because I wanted them. Look for an unrefinished and matching example of whichever one appeals to you more. If you expect it to double as a carry or house gun the P38 is more suited.