New Poster

[chris]

Hi all! I'm new to the board and just recently bought my first Luger. A 1938 S/42 that I can learn from and shoot. My grandfather was a BAR man with the 4th Division in France and all of the stories really got me interested in the old military pieces.


What kind of ammo do you all suggest using? Anyone have any suggestions or info on the Aimco/Stoeger reproductions that are out there?


Thanks

[John Sabato]

Just page down on the forum page...


There have been recent discussions on both ammunition recommendations and preferences as well as the stainless steel reproduction Lugers.


There are also some pictures and an article on the stainless models in the owner's corner. (See Jerry Boyle's folder)

Chris, I have information on the current offerings of AIMCO. They were the manufacturer for both Mitchell Arms and Stoger, and to my knowledge, are the only current manufacturer of lugers in stainless steel or any other metal. They now offer 4" and 6" 9mm weapons in stainless (695.00 and $725.00)or a black "Impreglon 218" finish (I have a 6", black, on order and coming soon!) They can and will "straw" the small parts on request. AIMCO also has a 30 caliber with grip safety, in black ($995.00). They were/are working on a prototype "artillery" luger! (this is apparently on hold)


Stoger was sold to Beretta, and they apparently do not plan to offer AIMCO weapons. AIMCO can be reached at: 5123 Gulfton, Houston, Texas 77081, Ph. (832) 689-4863, or Fax: (713) 661-5411

[EOC Bob]

Hi Chris and welcome to the forum. I have two Lugers, a 1921 DWM and a S/42 G date. Neither tolerate Winchester's 115 gr Target/range loads. They seem to function best on Remington UMC available locally here at Walmart. I have also tried PMC and Federal with acceptable results. Good luck with yours. Bob

[Mark]

Welcome to the "New Frontier",Chris!

I've just very recently found my way to this group

of "individuals" and have found the ride to be most informative and entertaining at the same time!!

As regards AIMCO's stainless "Lugers",I'll be waiting with bated breath!I have two on order.One

standard(stock model- and one engraved one with my

late wife's name as the serial number).I have to admit,I didn't know that Mitchell and Stoeger were

made by the same outfit before I found my way to this site.Had I known it, I might well not have ordered these pistols. The Mitchell Arms had problems from the "get-go". It had to be sent back and re-worked. Since then,it has worked much better,but there are still some serious questions

concerning its longevity if I don't find some good

answers to the questions the gents on this site have

posed.

That having been said,Chris,I'll try to post my

impressions of the new one(s) after having a chance to shoot it at least once.

Sorry folks! They do look decent and you don't have to feel guilty about shooting them 'till they

fall apart. The only problem is, I'm still trying to find out just when that will occur! Maybe not right away; maybe my next time at the range! Who knows!

In any case,Chris, it's nice to have someone else

on this site that still has to ask questions. I'd

feel far too alone otherwise.

Sorry about the book I just wrote.I couldn't help myself!


Tschuss! Mark

[chris]

I'll give the Remington a try. I had used the Winchester ammo on the first outing and ran a box of 50 w/o any problem. A friend has loaded me some heavy lead rounds that have more of a pointed tip (as opposed to the rounded off stuff usually found) and those worked real well too.

[chris]

Thanks. Let me know what you think when you get it!

[chris]

Thanks Mark. I can't blame you for wanting to shoot your ones on order. The Luger I have is a mismatch so I don't feel too guilty taking it out!


You won't be alone with the questions anymore. I grew up on revolvers and bolt action so the automatics are brand new to me.


Anxious to hear how you like your new babies. Keep us posted.


Chris

[Mark]

Gruss Gott,Chris!

The first one came in today. I haven't

had the chance to try it out yet,but plan to within the next couple of days.

She's "schoen",but has already proved to

be finicky about the magazines.Only the

"house" mags will fit at the present time. It only came with one,but luckily

the "Stoeger" mags which I got with the

"Navy" model will also fit it. At present, I have it field stripped so that I'm forced to do the necessary

cleaning prior to attempting a range

test of function. I'll try to remember

to drop a line after I actually fire the

beast,provided it doesn't blow up and

dispatch me into the next world.

The "Mitchell" that I have was sent back and reworked so that it now accepts

MecGar mags,but they seem to be in

the "nonavailable" mode at the present

time. Even Heller Arms, a gold star holder on the Forum regretably informed

us that they aren't presently to be

aquired.

Pardon my digression! These things happen. Let me know if you seriously think about getting one of these repros

to shoot 'til it drops. By then I may have more data with regard to the one I just got. By the way,it's an "American

Eagle" ( I think they all are from this outfit ) with the year 2000 above the

chamber. I thought it was a nice touch.

Well,I've gone on forever like I know

how.Sorry,Folks!UBBADEEUBDEE,that"s all

folks!


Tschuss! Mark

[chris]

Good deal Mark! Let me know how she shoots.

[Mark]

Gruss Gott,Chris!

I did indeed take the new Aimco to the range this

past Friday afternoon.As I already mentioned it'extremely particular about the mags.Beyond that,

I had a couple of minor start-up gliches on the first few rounds(didn't want to feed,probably due

to my lack of serious handling of the toggle).When

I put it in hold open mode and let the spring take

it from there,it fed fine for that introductory

round.I think I was just "coddling" it.

I did experience a couple more jams into the back of ramp/chamber after the initial loading,but

the problem became less apparent the more rds. I put

through it.All in all,I was favorably impressed

with its function.I do have to add that this is undoubtably influeced by the fact that the "Mitchell

Arms",which was the first stainless I purchased a

couple of years ago,didn't work at all out of the

box.The striker wouldn't set and after the gunsmith

at Mandall's fixed that problem there were others

which cropped up down the "pike".This one did perform fairly well.When not distacted by the misfeed problem at the outset of shooting,this pistol was quite accurate(better than the others of this stripe!) even for a man with my ever encroaching vision disturbances.

We tried to remove some of the height of the

mag release/retainer latch on Sat. to see if it

could be made to accept Mecgar mags,but the attempt

proved a failure.Now I have to get back and see if the modifications tried affect the retention of the

"house" mags.If so,I guess the whole process starts

all over.I'll drop a note as to the results of that

test if anyone is interested.

Now that I have once again written a book on this

site,I shall calm my fingers and browse the wisdom

which has appeared in my abscense.


Tschuss! Mark