New P08 Luger owner, any tips or advice would be appreciated

[kaltesherz]

Decided to break in my new C&R FFL by finally picking up a Luger. I grew up as a kid listening to stories from my dad about how he had a beautiful Luger in Chile, but had to bury it after the coup because personal firearms became illegal and punishable by death. For years off and on I've looked on GB for a shooter in 9mm without serious pitting, but they all seemed to be well out of my price range. Finally I found this guy on a website for a decent price, and after going back and forth for a week decided to pull the trigger.

It's a 1939 S/42 with small Polish rebuild marks (1960), matching except mag and extractor, and no import marks.

Here's some crappy cell phone pics to hold you over till I can give it a good cleaning and take better ones:





I also picked up a few Mec Gar mags and a Wolff spring kit- what else should I need to know or look into? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

[Nick B]

Nice . I remember my first gunshow which was in the early 70’s . Big show . An old pops was selling his large collection of Lugers and he had several of the 8” Artillery models in mint condition for $500.00 each . I remember thinking
“ Who would in their right mind would pay 500 bucks for a pistol ?”

[TheAlsatian]

Congrats on your Luger. It would be made by Mauser with the S/42 code. Use full power ammo in it, not light loads or the action wont cycle properly.

[kaltesherz]

Congrats on your Luger. It would be made by Mauser with the S/42 code. Use full power ammo in it, not light loads or the action wont cycle properly.

Thanks! I only use 124gr, usually Geco, for range use so I should be GTG.

[anubismp]

Congrats. CDNN has great prices on mags. Gunboards has a whole luger section if I'm not mistaken.

[pinzgauer]

Very envious

[kaltesherz]

Some slightly better pics

[john armond]

Buy a second firing pin and shoot with that so you don’t break the original. One of my Lugers loves CCI aluminum case 124gr ammo. Seems to have some issues with other types, but not the aluminum case.

[Campbell]

Nice shooter. Learn how to properly remove and install wooden grip panels.... can be easy to break the little ear off.