National Match P08 possible? plausible?

[Merick]

CMP has largely opened the requirements for EIC/service pistol (a subset of bullseye) equipment and as I read them the P08 is now eligible to be used in leg matches.

Ideally to be really competitive it would need to;
-shoot 3" groups or less at 50 yards
-be modified to have a 5.5" barrel to maximize sight radius,
-have adjustable sights,
-a trigger pull of 4.25 lbs, (adjustments for pre/over travel too while we're wishing)
-all at a budget of less than other options (p210) $1500

I put it to the crowd; could it be done and if so how? Trigger work is approachable, a couple set screws and a spring would probably do it, However the sights are a real puzzle, as is the budget.

[G.T.]

I have laid awake at night thinking on those very same requirments and modifications! Biggest hold up is an appropiate rear sight that is adjustible, and also ergonomic so as to not hurt my front paw??? It is why the Navy type sight is ski ramped, it protects the sight, and also your hand.. The trigger pull could be improved, the fit of the receiver to frame would need to be perfect, and also the firing pin to the inside of the breechblock would need to be tight tolerence as well... as does the breechblock to receiver. Trigger overtravel and take up screws would be easy enough? You would have to try a crap load of parts to meet all the parameters necessary? It's getting to be a bit late in the game for me, but perhaps some young whipper snapper could pick up the ball and run with it?... Best to all, til....lat'r....GT

[tomaustin]

of course, if you do all that you don't have a PO8 anymore...............

[Kiwi]

I have shot Bullseye for years
Do not move the rear sight much at all, once it is set, it is set for left/right
Some adjust for 50yds vs 25yds or 50ft for Sectionals, but most do not

Therefore could not a sight adjustment tool play with the front sight for lateral
and file sight for height at 25yds

and it is still a P-08

[Vlim]

Take a look at the post war Mauser Parabellum sports pistol.

Also, the LP08 has adjustable sights

Besides, a standard 4 inch P08 with fixed sights should be more than accurate enough.

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by tomaustin

of course, if you do all that you don't have a PO8 anymore...............

True enough. BUT, when the 1911 is modified with adjustable sights, a beavertail grip safety, match barrel and bushing etc., is it still a 1911?

In light of that, perhaps two classes should be considered; as-issued and modified.

[Vlim]

Yes, we have a military pistol competition especially for unaltered (ex)service pistols.

[Merick]

It is a slippery slope to be sure, CMP has a 'as issued' match series too, but it wasn't long before people were swapping parts around to get better performance, getting oversized parts and hand fitting them etc etc.

There is also a "match pistol' division, which has even fewer restrictions than 'service pistol'.

Putting purity aside, the main threat to the sport is dwindling attendance. Last season I would have been better served by more competitors than higher scores.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Merick

CMP has largely opened the requirements for EIC/service pistol (a subset of bullseye) equipment and as I read them the P08 is now eligible to be used in leg matches.

Ideally to be really competitive it would need to;
-shoot 3" groups or less at 50 yards
-be modified to have a 5.5" barrel to maximize sight radius,
-have adjustable sights,
-a trigger pull of 4.25 lbs, (adjustments for pre/over travel too while we're wishing)
-all at a budget of less than other options (p210) $1500

I put it to the crowd; could it be done and if so how? Trigger work is approachable, a couple set screws and a spring would probably do it, However the sights are a real puzzle, as is the budget.

Some L P08 pistols will meet those requirements "out of the box"; well maybe not the $1500 price- which does not seem to be realistic at all. JMHO.

[HerrKaiser]

Don,

Your roughly $1500 Erfurt LP.08 that I received a few years back does me just fine

[Merick]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Some L P08 pistols will meet those requirements "out of the box"; well maybe not the $1500 price- which does not seem to be realistic at all. JMHO.

For the luger market it probably isn't. That is just the point where it would no longer make any sense at all to try it as there are several other NM pistol options for that much or less.

However the few lugers I had for a while and later sold I took a 20-25% bath on, and that was a while ago now, so if they got traded a few more times since then they should be down to $200-300 by now I'm pretty sure.