Point of impact with factory sights...?

[Olle]

I just test fired two 9mm FrankenLugers, and they both worked flawlessly and grouped well. However, they also shot about 3" high at 15 yards, which is something I have seen other Lugers do as well.

I'm planning to get taller front sights, but I'm still curious to know if this is typical for Lugers. One of the uppers is completely matching, so it should hit pretty much as it did from the factory.

So what have you guys seen? Do Lugers shoot at point of aim, or do they shoot high in general?

[Norme]

Hi Olle,
Early P08's were sighted in at 100 meters and had front sight blades 5.0mm tall, from mid 1913 onward this was reduced to 50 meters by fitting a 5.5mm blade. Most of the early guns were fitted with the taller blade at the same time as they were retro-fitted with hold-opens.
Regards, Norm

[rhuff]

It is my understanding that the later Lugers were sighted in at 50 meters. If this is the case, I would expect them to shoot high at 15 yards.



P.S. Norm types faster than I do!!

[kurusu]

My experience at 25 meters with 115 grs is a 6 o'clock hold on the ISSF C50 target. With most 124 grs I have to hold a little lower, around the 3 ring.

[Olle]

Gotcha. I kinda suspected that they had a different opinion on the effective range of a pistol back then.

So has anybody tried other sights for closer range, or do you just live with it? IIRC, the base is the same as on the P.38s, so if that's the case there should be a good assortment of heights to choose from.

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by Olle

.

So has anybody tried other sights for closer range, or do you just live with it?

Yes I did. GT corrected a "gunsmith's mess" to an barreled upper that I owned, and he dovetailed the front sight base and installed a(I believe) Mauser rifle front sight. GT, please correct me if I am wrong. The front sight was too tall, and the Luger shot low. I would lower the front sight with a file and then benchrest shoot it for 20 yards with 115gr ammo. I finally hit the "golden height" and it is wonderful now with POA=POI.

[Olle]

I know he has been using the Mauser sights, but they have a different dovetail. I would prefer not to create the "gunsmith's mess" you're talking about, and find something that's a direct fit.

The golden rule is to always modify the least expensive part (which is something I have learned the hard way...), so I would rather file a bit on a sight than on a barrel.

[kurusu]

Or you can simply hold 3 inches below. I would.

[Olle]

Originally Posted by kurusu

Or you can simply hold 3 inches below. I would.

Nope. Leaving it alone is no fun, gotta tinker with it.

[John Sabato]

Originally Posted by Olle

IIRC, the base is the same as on the P.38s, so if that's the case there should be a good assortment of heights to choose from.

You are correct. Since the P.38 sights have a flat top front blade, I would suggest opening the rear sight notch from V-shaped to Square to match... Should be a great sight picture.

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by Olle

I know he has been using the Mauser sights, but they have a different dovetail. I would prefer not to create the "gunsmith's mess" you're talking about, and find something that's a direct fit.

This work that GT did was to a J Dewey aftermarket barrel that had no front sight dovetail to work with. It was not an OEM barrel.

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by Olle

Nope. Leaving it alone is no fun, gotta tinker with it.

Can't argue with that.

[Olle]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

You are correct. Since the P.38 sights have a flat top front blade, I would suggest opening the rear sight notch from V-shaped to Square to match... Should be a great sight picture.

So they do fit? I was thinking about modifying the rear sight, but I'd hate to cut on a perfectly good, original toggle. The P.38 blade is a bit wider than the Luger blade, so I would probably do it the other way around and file down the P.38 blade to make it narrower. It's not ideal, but it would at least give me a taller sight.