Nazi P-08's and P-38's

Hello,

As I live in Europe, I do not have experience with this batch.

But I second Josh's post on the function of the P08. Mine is very reliable with MagTech 115 gr FMJ which is not wimpy, but may not equal the +P or +P+ levels.

P08 have a picky reputation which is not justified. You must remember that the first 9 mm para ammo in 1902 was tailored for the Luger design. In 1908, the German Army both adopted the P08 and the "Pistole Patrone 08", a mighty 9 mm round with a 115 gr truncated FMJ. During WWI, an ogival round replaced the truncated FMJ, which was allegated to violate the Haag Conventions.

With the success of the 9 mm para, the cartridge was manufactured in other countries, at different levels and with different rounds. And the reputation of the P08 went down.

A very important factor is the magazine. Old ones, with the alu body and the wood base are fine for the collector. But the shooter should choose the WWII mags designed by Haenel, with a steel extruded body, alu base and square spring. Be sure that the body isn't dinged and the spring strong. A must is the loading device if you don't want to hurt your thumb.

A Luger is not only a piece of history and a masterpiece of craftmanship, it also is a joy to shoot. And don't listen those who say that it is only a showcase, obsolete and fragile handgun. The design is strong - the only weak part being the curved link between the toggle to the recoil spring - the slide and bolt are very tight. The bolt, indeed, includes its own buffer! When you examine some 80 years old Luger, they are often in very good (internal) shape. Mine is a 1918 DWM that was in use by the Imperial Army, then ? and finally by the East German Vopos. I wish it could tell tales!

Enjoy.

L.

Laserlips,

Naw, these are German Nazi marked P-08's and P-38's.

A buddy of mine who opined a P-38 got one of the post war police pistols with the aluminum frame about 2 months ago, and these are not the same handguns.

Some of the German Nazi Marked P-08 Lugers are fetching up to $1700.00 and beyond on the gun auction sites and with a few of dealers, i.e. Sarco for the rarer variations.

These are priced in the low $600.00/$500.00 range (wholesale) and I doubt that they will last long. Too bad that the Holiday's have put me in the poor house....
temporarily.

Chris

P08 have a picky reputation which is not justified. You must remember that the first 9 mm para ammo in 1902 was tailored for the Luger design. In 1908, the German Army both adopted the P08 and the "Pistole Patrone 08", a mighty 9 mm round with a 115 gr truncated FMJ. During WWI, an ogival round replaced the truncated FMJ, which was allegated to violate the Haag Conventions.

With the success of the 9 mm para, the cartridge was manufactured in other countries, at different levels and with different rounds. And the reputation of the P08 went down.

A very important factor is the magazine. Old ones, with the alu body and the wood base are fine for the collector. But the shooter should choose the WWII mags designed by Haenel, with a steel extruded body, alu base and square spring. Be sure that the body isn't dinged and the spring strong. A must is the loading device if you don't want to hurt your thumb.

I heartily second Larry's opinion! I've owned several P.08s, the WWII-era guns are probably the most reliable and his observation of using only the Haenel mags is correct...older WWI have weak springs and that fragile wood base held in only by a pin.

Geco/Dynamit Nobel 9 ball, Fiocchi 9 ball, and even Federal 9BP 115JHPs worked just great.