mauser pistol from 1972 mint condition.

[hobby]

I bought 2 weeks ago my first mauser luger p08 in 9mm para.
Only one magazin with it.
It's from 1972.
Their are no scratches at all. Only a little mark at the back from firing the pistol.
My living place is in the netherlands.
I will shoot it for the first time on monday evening, so i am very curious what it will do. I cleaned everything when I got back home.when i picked up the gun from it's former owner. And it was dirty. So i cleaned it for 4 hours. I put it down till the last screw , without pictures. So my dream came true and i own a true mauser p08.
Greetings from the Netherlands

[Vlim]

Hi,

You are the owner of a nice looking 1972 Mauser Parabellum (not a P08). It is the so-called 'transitional model', made at the end of 1972. The frame and barrel are of the 06/73style, but the small parts (takedown lever, safety lever, trigger and sideplate) are those of the 29/70 model.

If you are going to shoot it, which I don't recommend, I would get myself a MecGar magazine instead of the original Mauser magazine. The magazine springs are quite strong and the plastic bottom is very fragile, not a good combination.

As a Dutchman, you will be pleased to know that the barrel and the magazine were produced in the Netherlands. The barrel steel was provided by NWM in 's Hertogenbosch, the magazine was produced by its subsidiary, MFT (Metaalwarenfabriek Tilburg) in Tilburg.

[hobby]

Okay, i learned again something new.yes,i am proud to be a dutchman.
Nice to know that the barrel and magazin is made in holland.
And yes, i will fire the pistol on monday evening on my firingrange.that why i bought it, to fire the pistol and to shoot militaity pistol with it. And where can i order the mac gear magazines for the parabellum?
Sincerly,hobby

[hobby]

Can i use normal 9mm ammo in my pistol or have i to use subsonic ammo for my mauser parabellum in 9mm??
I have know magtech and i can ,reloading my shells so thats not the problem. I bought 124. Grain brand limmitz for the reloading, any suggestion is welcome.

[DavidJayUden]

Hobby:
Members here like the Winchester ammo in the white boxes in the older Lugers. I have had good luck with Sellier and Belloit 115 gr. FMJ.
You will have to experiment to find what works well with your Parrabelum. Stay with 115 gr. up thru 125 gr. FMJ, no hollow points , no +P, etc. Grip it tightly and keep the gun well lubricated.
But it may take a bit of experimenting to find what works best in your gun.
dju

[mrerick]

Standard power 9mm in 115gn or 124gn should work fine. Don't use ammo that is marked "NATO" power. It's loaded with too much powder.

Gerben (who is the author of books on the Mauser Parabellum) suggested you not shoot it because it is valuable as a mint collectable Mauser Parabellum Luger. His advice on the magazine is particularly important.

When you shoot it, be sure to use a firm and well supported grip. The Luger's action depends upon good support during the recoil impulse.

Cheers!

Marc

[Vlim]

In the Netherlands, most shooting ranges and gun shops sell Sellier & Bellot 124gr 9mm, which should work well. The standard Geco 124gr 9mm shouldn't be a problem either.

For a smooth experience (to both shooter and gun) you can try S&B 145gr 'subsonics' as well. They shoot a little low, though.

Some shops also sell Winchester White Box 9mm nowadays. Nice luger ammo.

[hobby]

Thanks guys,for the fast response, i can't wait till tomorrow evening.you wsill here from me soon.
So know is ot beer time ,it's 21.19 .so my extra cold beer is waiting for me.
(heineken twist off). Cheers!!!

[rhuff]

Good luck tomorrow with you new Mauser. I also own one with a 6in bbl. and enjoy shooting it very much. My Mauser functions well with Winchester, Federal, and PMC ammo. I don't know exactly what all ammo is available to you in Holland. I have not found a reload that I am 100% happy with just yet, but will with time.

[Ron-E]

There is one of these for sale on the "CalGuns" board for $1600.

[hobby]

well, i did fire the mauser on monday evening, i hat to correct it somebit to the left for getting it in the black at 25 meters.
shoots very light, it's failed 2 times to fire with magtech, it hit the primer to soft or the primer was to hard, i reload the same bullet , and after 3 times it fired, for the guys safty of course in the safe direction and after 1 minute i empty my chamber of my mauser and after 3 times it fired, so i think that the primer was to hard.
for the rest,YAAHHOOOE , was great shooting.
the guy next to me had a luger from 1913 and was shooting with orginal ammo of 1937 ,1940,1941,1943 and 1944, and was perfect working order.

[rhuff]

I have had trouble with MagTec ammo/primers in one of my 32 cal handguns. The firing pin hit the primer, but did not ignite. I have since move away from purchasing MagTec ammo.

Congratulation for having a good day at the range with your new Mauser Parabellum. Shooting old ammo is o.k. IF you clean you pistol very well after the range trip. Much of the old ammo had corrosive primers, and can ruin a barrel if not cleaned properly.

[Vlim]

Shooting original ammunition is a testament of stupidity, really:

-Steel cased, iron core ammunition is not suitable for most indoor firing ranges (in fact, steel core ammunition is actually not allowed at all on Dutch firing ranges).
-WW2 ammunition has a collector's value that is about double, triple or multiple times the value of normal commercial ammunition.
-WW2 steel cased ammunition can be rotted through from the inside due to bad storage.
-WW2 ammunition is harder on the gun, less reliable and downright dangerous in some circumstances.

[hobby]

Well, i hope what he is doing with that ammo. But 1600 dollars for the same pistol, i bought mine for 575 euro.
I will inform the person who shoots with ww2 ammo.

[hobby]

bought a presantationcase for my luger.

[lugersrkewl]

awesome!

[Vlim]

Nice case.

Now it is time to start the hunt for the missing original parts of your set:

Note that the European warranty tag was green, not blue.
(and I doubt you will find Sam Cumming's business card).

In order to complete the set you need:
2 Dutch MFT magazines, marked 'Mauser' on the spine.
1 unmarked or Mauser marked loading tool.
1 cleaning rod, either twisted steel wire or brass.
1 instruction manual (3-language version).
1 test target.
1 green warranty seal.
1 blue / white cardboard box with Mauser address.