German Luger Erma La 22

Rick · 03-10-2001, 07:27 PM

I have an Luger, Erma La 22, Cal 22LR and I know nothing about it. Can someone help me. Thank you, Rick

Marvin · 03-10-2001, 09:03 PM

Rick,

I don't now a lot about the Erman .22 Luger, but here is what I know. These were made of an aluminum or zinc alloy material and were not the best quality. They were, of course, blowback design for the little .22 cal and they usually worked great until they got worn and then they began to give problems. The toggle mechanism and shape of the pistol was about the only thing that can relate it to the Luger. They were made on a smaller scale and were really pretty when new. They were also made in cal. .380 for a while. If memory serves me correct, they were made in the late 1960s and into the mid 1970 when production ceased.

I owned one of these and it was not very accurate, the safety gave problems and I finally traded it off. In the 1960s when Germany began producing pistols for the commercial market, they were cheap and not very reliable. They were just not up to German standards. The Erma pistols were still better quality than the RG, or Rohm, brand pistols which were pure junk.

Germany has progressed a lot since the 1960s and are again producing some of the best handguns in the world. I hope this helps a little and maybe someone else that owns one can provide more detail.

Marvin

Kyrie · 03-10-2001, 09:03 PM

Hi Rick,

Errrr.... I'm afraid I have some bad news. There are two kinds of LA 22 owners - those who need parts and those who will need parts. The LA 22 is constructed primarily of a light alloy. Hence this model is not very durable, and is subject to parts breakage and stress cracking of the barrel extension and frame. Somewhere I have some photos of a LA 22 that was falling apart. The frame had multiple cracks and pieces were falling off.

I had one I took in a complicated three way trade that it literally took me three years to *give* away. On this pistol I could apply the safety, apply moderate pressure to the trigger, and watch as the safety slipped off and the striker fell.

These are pistols I do not recommend, and do not recommend they be fired.

I'm sorry the news was not better!

Best regards,

Kyrie

Kyrie · 03-10-2001, 09:07 PM

Sorry - forgot to mention - there are photos of the LA 22 I mention in the Owner's corner

Best,

Kyrie

Kyrie · 03-10-2001, 09:37 PM

Right on target, though production actually continued into at least the late 1980's, and possibly the early 1990's.

They were also made in 7.65 Browning (.32 ACP). Here's a picture.

Best regards,

Kyrie

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/KGPA68_L.jpg

Michael E Halbrook · 03-10-2001, 10:21 PM

I have one of these things I picked up cheap.

The biggest problem with mine is the paint finish is worn.

I have the "pot metal" La22, it shoots 1" to 2" groups

at 25 yds, but it only functions with one or two brands of

Hi-Speed .22 ammo.

The local gun shop (Shapel's in Boise, ID) has a couple

of these in pieces in their parts bin.

They also have one of the later KGP style as in the above photo,

it appears to have a steel frame, barrel and barrel extension. It is also in pieces in a box.

HTH

Mike Halbrook

03-10-2001, 07:27 PM	#1
Rick New User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	German Luger Erma La 22 I have an Luger, Erma La 22, Cal 22LR and I know nothing about it. Can someone help me. Thank you, Rick

03-10-2001, 09:03 PM	#2
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: German Luger Erma La 22 Rick, I don't now a lot about the Erman .22 Luger, but here is what I know. These were made of an aluminum or zinc alloy material and were not the best quality. They were, of course, blowback design for the little .22 cal and they usually worked great until they got worn and then they began to give problems. The toggle mechanism and shape of the pistol was about the only thing that can relate it to the Luger. They were made on a smaller scale and were really pretty when new. They were also made in cal. .380 for a while. If memory serves me correct, they were made in the late 1960s and into the mid 1970 when production ceased. I owned one of these and it was not very accurate, the safety gave problems and I finally traded it off. In the 1960s when Germany began producing pistols for the commercial market, they were cheap and not very reliable. They were just not up to German standards. The Erma pistols were still better quality than the RG, or Rohm, brand pistols which were pure junk. Germany has progressed a lot since the 1960s and are again producing some of the best handguns in the world. I hope this helps a little and maybe someone else that owns one can provide more detail. Marvin

03-10-2001, 09:03 PM	#3
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Re: German Luger Erma La 22 Hi Rick, Errrr.... I'm afraid I have some bad news. There are two kinds of LA 22 owners - those who need parts and those who will need parts. The LA 22 is constructed primarily of a light alloy. Hence this model is not very durable, and is subject to parts breakage and stress cracking of the barrel extension and frame. Somewhere I have some photos of a LA 22 that was falling apart. The frame had multiple cracks and pieces were falling off. I had one I took in a complicated three way trade that it literally took me three years to give away. On this pistol I could apply the safety, apply moderate pressure to the trigger, and watch as the safety slipped off and the striker fell. These are pistols I do not recommend, and do not recommend they be fired. I'm sorry the news was not better! Best regards, Kyrie

03-10-2001, 09:07 PM	#4
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Re: German Luger Erma La 22 Sorry - forgot to mention - there are photos of the LA 22 I mention in the Owner's corner Best, Kyrie

03-10-2001, 09:37 PM	#5
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Re: German Luger Erma La 22 Right on target, though production actually continued into at least the late 1980's, and possibly the early 1990's. They were also made in 7.65 Browning (.32 ACP). Here's a picture. Best regards, Kyrie http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/KGPA68_L.jpg

03-10-2001, 10:21 PM	#6
Michael E Halbrook User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Nampa, ID Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My German Luger Erma La 22 I have one of these things I picked up cheap. The biggest problem with mine is the paint finish is worn. I have the "pot metal" La22, it shoots 1" to 2" groups at 25 yds, but it only functions with one or two brands of Hi-Speed .22 ammo. The local gun shop (Shapel's in Boise, ID) has a couple of these in pieces in their parts bin. They also have one of the later KGP style as in the above photo, it appears to have a steel frame, barrel and barrel extension. It is also in pieces in a box. HTH Mike Halbrook