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Posted: 11/9/2010 11:34:14 AM EDT
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I posted this in the Luger/Mauser/P-38 forum, but it wasn't getting any views. SO...
I've kinda always wanted either a P-38 or a Luger and have kept an eye open for one at a decent price for quite sometime. Last weekend I was talking to an acquaintance of mine at the local gunshop and he mentioned he had a P-38 he'd sell me. It was a CYQ Russian Capture, total mistmatch shooter with an import stamp. It looked to be in cood condition, but on further inspection the hammer followed the slide forward when the slide was released under spring tension. He wanted 600 dollars, so I politely declined. I know that was too much for a gun that doesn't work right, but if the gun was in good mechanical shape, what would have been a fair deal? Also what is a decent price for a reasonably good condition matching gun that hasn't been refinished and has no import marks? I know guns aren't really moving right now, but I'm really not sure what these are going for at the moment. Thanks for the help. |
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Quoted:
Also, how much will a mismatched Luger in decent shape go for? I'd like one of those as well. Lugers in a "shooter" level of condition will now sell for $700+, often close to an even grand. Sellers usually get what they ask for in price, something not terribly common in firearms, IMO. Have you thought of getting a P1 Walther, the alloy-framed post-war version of the P-38? I have a Russian release & I think I paid something like $300 for it when they came out. Even now they're not much more than that. Check CDNN for some pricing options or perhaps Gun Broker. I often use my Walther to teach novice shooters how to shoot a semi. It's mild recoil in 9mm helps prevent them from learning a flinch when shooting. My .o2 |
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I'd recommend getting one from the "for sale" section of the PPK/P38 Forum. There's good folk there. Avoid Gunbroker unless you are well schooled in what to look for and find somebody who grants a three day inspection. I've seen a LOT of blatent scamming or uneducated "wishful" sellers there pawning stuff that isn't what the say it is, in conditions that are worse than they say it is, for priced way too high for what they say it is.
Having said that, I've gotten a couple nice Lugers and P-38's there, but I spend the time to really sort the wheat from the chaff. Here's one I got from a guy on the P-38 forum a couple years ago for under $600: 
and here's one I picked up this last summer off of Gubroker this last summer for abit more than that: 
If you can budget $650, you can still get a great collectable, matching, original P-38 if you look around. Good Lugers start at around $1400 for Imperial WW1 units, with Nazi marked WW2 pistols starting around $1600. Don't expect to find a pristine one for less than $2k though, but 97% finish, on an all matching gun (excluding a serial number matching magazine) should be findable for $1600-$1800 if you're willing to shop. Again, make sure you get a three day inspection, and spend some time getting schooled, as there are rip off artists out there forging fake pieces and selling them as the real deal. There all fun to collect, and appreciate rapidly. I've had several of each and have never lost money when it was time to upgrade. Though there are a couple pieces I wish I hadn't let go...Especially this $1600 1937 S/42: 
I'm not expecting to find one in that condition for that price ever again. |
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I shoot them. Not all the time, but I make sure to shoot every piece I have a few times. I have enough in my collection that I don't HAVE to shoot some of these collectable pieces much, but I do shoot them.
Shooting the Lugers is particularly hazardous as every dang burned piece is serial numbered to the pistol, and some are known to break with use, such as the extractors and ejectors. Break one of those and your pistol just became worth 1/2 what you paid for it, no exceptions, do not pass go, do not collect $200, your scr3wed. ...but that doesn't stop me from shooting two or three mags now and again just the same. :) After all, they're combat weapons, not ming vases for crying out loud. |
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The cyq is, from your description a $300 shooter, IF the safety works. I'm curious though - are you aware that, with the safety on, the hammer will drop when you close the slide??? Could be there was nothing wrong with the pistol except the price, which was double!
Yes bargains are still out there. I bought a matching ac 43 at a local hock shop for $350 out the door about 2 weeks ago. Sarge |
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There are around a dozen P38's for sale in Rock Island Auction's December auction ranging from 800- thousands...
You might compare yours on that catalog page, just do a search. Here is one: P38 For Sale |
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