The Stoeger Luger – Not Quite German

Estimated studying time: 8 minutes

When folks hear the phrase Luger, they probably image a Nazi officer full with a dying head cap, a black trench coat, and a snarling look to him. That ignores the truth that the Germans used the Walther P38 throughout World Conflict II, and the Luger supplemented it in comparatively small numbers. Regardless, you probably don’t image an American-produced ‘Luger’ chambered in .22LR. The Stoeger Luger is exactly that. 

Stoeger

These days, most individuals affiliate the identify Stoeger with finances shotguns. Stoeger is a model now owned by Beretta that imports Turkish shotguns. They import just a few handguns, however they’re largely recognized for shotguns. Stoeger began life in 1924 within the Backyard State. Just like the Stoeger of in the present day, they largely imported weapons, particularly from Europe. 

This consists of early variants of the Stoeger Luger. Finally, Stoeger started manufacturing the Stoeger Luger in the USA. My particular mannequin is marked Made within the USA. Stoeger produced these weapons from 1969 til 1985. The unique weapons used solid aluminum and machined frames; later, the firearms used metal. That is an older mannequin with an aluminum body. 

A majority of these weapons had been marketed in direction of hobbyists and leisure shooters. The thought of taking a fairly well-known weapon and changing it to a .22LR stays well-liked even now. We’ve seen them do it with STG 44s, MP5s, ARs, AKs, and extra. The weapons offered for about $70 within the Nineteen Seventies. They got here with both a 4.5 or a 5.5-inch barrel and weighed 30 ounces! The weapon holds ten rounds in its comparatively lengthy journal. It’s easy however distinctive so far as rimfire pistols go. 

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The Stoeger Luger – To Togglelock Or Not 

The Stoeger Luger is a direct blowback semi-auto. There isn’t a method to construct a locked breech .22LR. The gun nonetheless incorporates a toggle-esque slide, but it surely’s just for seems to be and doesn’t lock the breech. 

Like a Luger, it strikes upward and delivers a novel look. As a substitute of appearing like a toggle lock, it’s a slide that extracts and ejects the spent casing and picks up the following spherical within the journal. I give Stoeger full credit score for making this a characteristic. It’s novel and plenty of enjoyable for a easy blowback pistol. 

The gun options what seems to be sensible Luger controls and ergonomics. The knobs on the toggle lock slide are used to cock the weapon and supply sufficient grip to make it simple to govern. Stoeger positioned the entrance and rear sights precisely.  

The security has an extended throw than a normal Luger, but it surely’s nonetheless positioned on the left aspect of the gun for straightforward manipulation with the left thumb. The journal catch is identical, and the journal has two pinch-point knobs which makes it simple to take away. 

The Stoeger Luger even options the identical grip angle as an actual Luger. The grip wears a set of checkered walnut grips. Stoeger Luger pistols would later use clean wooden grips. The hefty 30 ounces additionally precisely match an actual Luger’s 31 ounces. 

The Stoeger Luger – Capturing A Traditional 

Why isn’t the Stoeger Luger well-known in the present day? Why isn’t it a favourite plinker? Properly, as a result of it sucks. Traditionally, the gun has had tons of reliability points, so many who it was all the time referred to as an unreliable gun. In accordance with the handbook, it may possibly reliably shoot each normal and high-velocity rounds. That’s a lie as a result of it doesn’t fireplace both sort of ammo reliably. 

Reliability

I used Winchester Whitebox and Aguila Tremendous Additional, however neither labored effectively. The Tremendous Additional functioned somewhat higher by way of reliability. I had a number of failures to load. When the gun fired, it normally ejected the empty case. Upon nearer inspection, it looks like the feed lips are barely deformed, which could be the primary problem, however I doubt it. 

Generally, it will fireplace 5 to 10 rounds with no failure; different occasions, it will choke each different spherical. When it fired, it was a ton of enjoyable. A 30-ounce .22LR isn’t going to maneuver from recoil. The little gun simply burps and wiggles a bit. The Stoeger Luger generally is a ton of enjoyable when it really works. 

It’s additionally moderately correct and able to creating good, tight little teams at 15 yards and hitting a B8 constantly at 25 yards. The entrance sight generally is a little tough to see. The rear of the gun is busy with plenty of totally different little knobs, so discovering the sights isn’t all the time fast. A bit of white fingernail polish would probably make it a lot simpler to see, however I received’t try this to my previous Stoeger. 

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The Expertise 

I’ve solely had one likelihood to shoot an actual Luger, and it was years and years in the past once I was a wee lad. I can’t say precisely how shut the Stoeger Luger is to an actual Luger, but it surely seems to be and feels implausible. The reliability actually leaves quite a bit to be desired. Stoeger did an amazing job capturing the vibe of a Luger however didn’t seize probably the most essential facet of its efficiency: reliability. 

In accordance with Firearm Weblog author Sam S., there may be hypothesis that the chambers are spec’ed to European .22LR and too tight for American .22LR. I didn’t know there was a distinction. Legend has it that having the chamber polished may help with reliability. 

I may be having some journal points. The feed lips look banged up like they’ve been shot to dying and again. I’ve ordered a brand new journal, and which will assist. The toggle lock slide could be a part of the problem. The pressure required to make it transfer could also be an excessive amount of for the common-or-garden .22LR. 

The one excellent news about reliability comes right down to the gun’s value. Regardless that it’s an previous gun with a novel design and look, it’s nonetheless low cost. I paid a mere $200 for the little Stoeger Luger. The repute of those weapons has stored the value low, and it’s comprehensible. 

I’m nonetheless pleased with my buy. I’m extra susceptible to take a look at it than shoot it, and it does the job effectively for trying functions.

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Travis Pike is a devoted firearms author, a Second Modification Advocate, and a subject fanatic for all issues firearms. He’s an beginner competitor with goals of sooner or later not coming in 4th place at an area defensive match. If he’s not placing textual content to phrase processor, he’s probably spending time with household, having fun with Florida’s Nature Coast, or consuming hipster beer. Because the resident Florida man he has a choice for obscure weapons and calibers.

Expertise 

Hunter – Very long time deer and hog hunter within the swamps of Florida Teacher – Volunteers to show primary firearm security courses to children, adults, and cats Wannabe Competitor – Has just lately dipped his toes into aggressive taking pictures and has fortunately found an costly interest. Marine – Served 5 years with the infantry earlier than transferring to the First Civ Div.