Picked up a beautiful classic. Should I shoot it?

A knock on the door Monday from the Fedex man signaled the final chapter in a very long journey for me. I have lusted after a P08 German Luger for many years. I did not just want any random Luger. I wanted a WW2 Mauser made Luger in good shape with nice crisp waffenamt's, including that extra little guy on the barrel. This alone excluded about 95% of the Lugers out there. Add in that I wanted a all matching model with a decent finish at a good price, it was a uphill battle. Years of Gunbroker searching and gun show browsing. On the advice of a member here, I started checking with Simpson Ltd. Ultimately, I now have one of the the best looking Lugers I've ever seen. At least 95% condition, all original, all matching. At $3,000 it was no steal, but I believe it was fair market value. This thing could easily be in a museum. Now my dilemma. I want to shoot it! I have never owned a gun I have not fired. However, my gut is telling me I am being a fool. What would you do?

It’s probably been fired before so I would definitely shoot it for my own satisfaction. Then clean it and then you can admire it knowing it will shoot.

Personalty i won't own anything I cant play with... Otherwise whats the sense of having it.

But that's just me. If you do decide to a narrative and photos please!!

Shoot it and enjoy it.

Yeah...hey...where's the photos!

DG

We NEED pictures :bigsmyl2:

Shoot it. You won't wear it out or affect the current finish by shooting it a few times now and then...just don't drop it!

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Originally Posted by Conditor22

We NEED pictures :bigsmyl2:

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Pics please

I shoot mine. Have fun.

I'd love to! Is there a trick to uploading photos? I go to "advanced", manage attachments, then to upload. My account gives me a error every single time I try. It still shows the available 15-20 pictures I've uploaded previously over the years, but that's it. What am I doing wrong!?

More then likely they are too big. They have to be under 300000 bytes in size. Here is a link that may help.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...loading-photos

I wouldn't make it a carry gun, or keep it in the night stand, but heck yeah, I'd shoot it some once in awhile.

Don't worry about lowering its value unless you intend to sell it.
As far a who inherits it--- let them be grateful for what they got in whatever condition it happens to be in at the time.

Sorry fells. Tried uploading pictures for 20 minute. I have no issues uploading pictures to a dozen other websites and forums, but the software on this website is infuriating.

Attachment 283700

That took WAY longer than it should have

It was worth it. Nice gun.

Shoot it but research your ammo or reload for it. You don’t want to risk breaking anything at all if it’s all matching. Else you’ll take a bath on the price drop.
My S/42 is easy 95% I’d guess 97-98. Unfortunately not matching mags :-( still worthy piece) and I rarely shoot it. Only my reloads similar to the original. Probably shot two mags in 8 years.
But hey best recommendation is like I did. I bought a nice shooter grade so I could enjoy such a fine natural feeling weapon in my hands and shoot it often! No worries if a part breaks. Just replace it.

What a beauty!


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Originally Posted by Scorpius

Shoot it but research your ammo or reload for it. You don’t want to risk breaking anything at all if it’s all matching. Else you’ll take a bath on the price drop.
My S/42 is easy 95% I’d guess 97-98. Unfortunately not matching mags :-( still worthy piece) and I rarely shoot it. Only my reloads similar to the original. Probably shot two mags in 8 years.
But hey best recommendation is like I did. I bought a nice shooter grade so I could enjoy such a fine natural feeling weapon in my hands and shoot it often! No worries if a part breaks. Just replace it.

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If you don't mind, PM me the load data you use for yours. I have a pretty wide variety of available bullets. I know they like hotter loads. This pistol was likely never fired, after the war at least. Action is still very stiff and barrel is absolutely mirror. I'm already looking for a "cheap" mixmaster to just shoot the heck out of.

I would shoot it (I shoot my P1 too). HOWEVER-- be aware that the WWII ammo that they shot was something like a 124 grain bullet at about 1040 fps-- not as hot as some modern 9mm. Some modern ammo might be more than the pistol will handle. Of course, this makes it perfect for reloading.

I would shoot it... Hell, I'd take it to the combat match just to have something to talk about. :D