Narrowing my search

[Savage11]

Hello gentleman,

Well, purchasing a luger has been a tough struggle to say-the-least. Ive narrowed my search down to a mauser s shooter grade with no specific date. It has to be a reliable shooter I can take to the range. My price range is 1,700 or less. I must admit I'm scared ill get screwed over. One could spend a life time on studying these firearms. Any pointers for trustworthy vendors? Thanks again, absolutely love this site!

[Edward Tinker]

$1700 will buy a nice byf collector
simply put an ad here on the forum for WTB
Legacy is a good site, but Checkpoint Charlies, simpson's etc.

And if you think you're getting screwed, don't buy them
A nice shooter should be $900-$1100

Look for like a 80-85% Mauser and then it still has collectable appeal....

[Savage11]

Thank you Mr. Tinker! I will post an add in the WTB sub-forum when I get home. I have looked on the simpson site wasnt sure if they were good to go. Will check out the other site check point charlies.

Thanks again for the response best regards.

[mrerick]

Please download and enjoy our reference FAQ PDF document. Is shares quite a bit of knowledge. Just follow the FAQ link at the top of forum pages.

Ed's estimates are right on the money and would be fair. Look for something matching with a compromised finish. My shooter is a matching 1937 Mauser with a rash where the leather contact caused some finish loss and pitting.

Marc

[Savage11]

Will do Marc, thank you very much.

[cirelaw]

Good Ole Charley~~ http://www.checkpointcharlies.com/ He has several in your price range!

[Savage11]

Checkpoint charlie has a nice selection as well.

[4 Scale]

Lately the Amoskeag auction house has had a good choice of shooters at good prices. Their next auction is in March.

Legacy and Simpsons have Mauser shooters at times, however they tend to go very fast, within hours after posting; you'll need to watch their 'new items' area carefully.

I also think GunBroker can be a good resource. Your concern about getting abused is sound, to mitigate I suggest only deal with sellers with significant positive feedback, who offer a return and allow you to pay by credit card. If the item is not as described you have tremendous leverage via the credit card company. You should be able to get a fine shooter at the price range Ed mentions, and if you will pay up to $1,200 or $1,400 or so and exercise patience and discipline on price you should be able to get a lower to mid-range collectible.

Good luck, let us know what you get.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by 4 Scale

...I suggest only deal with sellers with significant positive feedback, who offer a return and allow you to pay by credit card.

I would also suggest that you email or speak by phone with questions. The idea is to get a 'feel' for the seller. Are they friendly, courteous, helpful, patient? Or are they arrogant, annoyed, impatient, unwilling to help?

There is a well known Luger seller on GB (located in Texas) who won't even answer emails (although he advertises he will). He is rude, annoyed, and impatient on the phone. At the opposite end of the scale is Simpsons - If you call, the sales people there will get the handgun out of the safe and spend time talking to you about it, answering questions, and describing the pistol honestly.

I've had similar favorable instances with individuals (and sometimes dealers) on GB. They're mostly friendly and interested in helping. Pictures on the Internet multiply defects that are unnoticeable with the gun in hand. My GB sellers have answered my questions honestly and even pointed out aspects I was not aware of. I've had handgun cases, factory boxes, even extra magazines included with the guns, although they were not shown or mentioned in the ads or emails/calls.

Sometimes you eat the bear...

[Savage11]

The search is over, I found a BYF shooter here at this fine community from a reputable and valued member. This site has an impeccable record from my search that eliminated my anxiety from buying elsewhere. I won't mention the members name unless he is ok with that respecting his privacy. I fear this hobby is going to turn into an addiction. I wish I could have purchased another members beautiful 1918 as well. Thank you all so much for helping me with my quest. Acquiring a luger is has been a long awaited dream that will soon be a reality.

[Edward Tinker]

well done!

I have bought more nice guns from friends on the forums than anywhere else.

[cirelaw]

I purchased all of my 21 lugers and one P38 from members since 2005! Eric

[Douglas Jr.]

Originally Posted by Savage11

I fear this hobby is going to turn into an addiction. I wish I could have purchased another members beautiful 1918 as well. Thank you all so much for helping me with my quest. Acquiring a luger is has been a long awaited dream that will soon be a reality.

We know the feeling. Sorry to say, but you are already hooked.
Congratulations on your first - but not the last!
Douglas

[Savage11]

Thanks for the kind words gentleman. Cant wait till I get to shoot her. So far I have a Gew98, k98, and soon to have a BYF luger all made at mauser. U think a future purchase should be a P38 BFY to round out the collection and then on to more lugers especially WW1 Luger.

[Savage11]

I received my shooter grade Luger today. I can't quite put into words how pleased I am. These guns are a work of art bar none. The precise machining and tight tolerances are mind blowing. The seller's photos didnt do the pistol justice. Its an amazing beautiful historical artifact. I wont mention the sellers name without his permission, I think that would be rude of me. He's definitely top notch on all aspects of the flawless transaction. Now I must save up for a WW1 luger and a artillery Luger. Sorry for my fumbling post, I'm still in awe!!!!! I cant wait to shoot her at my range tomorrow!

Best regards guys,
Mike Savage

[mrerick]

Mike, you'll never forget your first Luger either...

These pistols were hand fit to close tolerances. The finish work was also remarkably nice for a military contract handgun.

Congratulations!

[Savage11]

Originally Posted by mrerick

Mike, you'll never forget your first Luger either...

These pistols were hand fit to close tolerances. The finish work was also remarkably nice for a military contract handgun.

Congratulations!

Thank you sir! My luger will become my life long heirloom.

[Savage11]

I was finally able to take my luger to my range today. I put 150 rounds of 115 grain blazer through her. She ran without a flaw. These pistols are a pleasure to shot! I have to buy a mag loading tool asap, loading rounds without it limited me to six shots plus a blister lol. Lots of history shooting these fine works of art!!

[DavidJayUden]

No need to jam the last couple of rounds in at the target range.
Glad to hear it ran so well!
dju

[Savage11]

I believe the luger ran so well because it was assembled by a luger gunsmith whom I bought it off of here. The gentleman is top notch and knows his craft extremely well!