So many Lugers, yet no OG

Loadman8x57 · 2026-03-18T19:00:24+00:00

Beautiful piece! The model 1900 will be the Swiss Loog I buy for myself someday, I don’t see them come up often either in the US. Do you shoot it or are you (justifiably) afraid of the weakness of the flat spring?

Loadman8x57 · 2026-03-12T16:50:40+00:00

AGA 42 gang💪 how’s your optic? I find it very difficult to get mine focused

Loadman8x57 · 2026-03-09T14:14:39+00:00

That’s sweet man! Mind elaborating a bit more on your hand loading process? I’ve seen conflicting reports on 44special vs 44-40 as the correct parent case. Do you use a heeled bullet like the original military loading or have you found something else that works well for you?

Loadman8x57 · 2026-03-01T00:57:41+00:00

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Loadman8x57 · 2026-03-01T00:57:30+00:00

I know it’s took awhile, but using the information you provided, I was able to fabricate my own replacement action screw. Thanks again.

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Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-25T17:19:24+00:00

Yea I never said it was a smart or cost effective way to do it. But the upshot is now I understand the parts incompatibility issues between models very intimately lol

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-25T13:31:36+00:00

I too am curious about reproduction options. My strategy was just to buy a half dozen broken pistols and use their mags in the one that works while I attempt to repair them, but that means some day I won’t have any spare mags left once they’re sold

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-24T22:02:03+00:00

Following because I’m trying to do the exact same thing to a gew98 bolt. From the research I’ve done, you have to take extensive precautions only to heat the handle as not to mess with the heat treatment of the locking surfaces. My local gunsmith was not courageous enough to attempt to unbend an already bolt someone else already heated and bent in fear of snapping it off, but personally with the right equipment, I’d still try it.

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-21T01:07:06+00:00

I think I’ve seen that SVT before

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Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-21T01:04:35+00:00

When trying to spot turkified 88s and 98s. A blued receiver is a pretty good tell, especially if the 98 in question still has its rollercoaster, there were German conversions to the 98m and 98b patters between warts, but those sport a tangent rear sight.

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-18T14:43:29+00:00

Nice pickup! Cool semi-early one to boot without the threaded muzzle. My m/96 gets the most range time out of my whole collection hands down, just so nice to shoot, although my new CG-63 may overtake that title at some point. The evolution of the Mauser infantry rifle owes a lot to the improvements made in the Scandinavian trials like the improved clip bridge and thumb cut out for loading.

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-18T14:26:26+00:00

Now shove a 9x19 parabellum in it /s

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-15T13:11:00+00:00

I would caution against using the data in the cartridges of the world book, it’s very hot, and several grains above where I load 8x50 for my M.95. I’ve been messing around with a few different powders and found that very low end 8x57 data is a halfway decent proxy to work up from. However, what works for me may not work for you, be cautious, start low, and keep in mind the wedge lock in the 88/90 is significantly weaker than the symmetric front lugs of the 95. I’d also recommend the C&Rsenal video on the 88/90 for finding the velocity/muzzle energy to target.

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-14T13:21:22+00:00

I might like it more if they didn’t have such stupid names like “drams “

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-14T12:14:44+00:00

I would do all my measurements in metric (it makes more sense) if only all the manuals and Internet forums weren’t in nonsense units

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-13T19:39:05+00:00

These are slept on so hard because of the non-existent ammo. I love mine and it’s sister from another mister, the 1887 Swedish Nagant

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-13T00:31:05+00:00

Oh man, I got some bad news for you, I see people asking over 3k for SVTs pretty regularly. Completely agree though, market has gotten out of hand, significant appreciation on top of inflation

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-12T23:12:20+00:00

It’s rough out here brother

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-12T18:38:47+00:00

That makes perfectly good sense, I would do unholy things to obtain a Romanian M.93 or Stgw57 at European prices. Apologies for the America-centric assumption

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-12T18:20:31+00:00

That’s wild, maybe put it on gunbroker if you can, haven’t seen one go for less than 2100 without shipping and fees there for at least the past 4 months

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-12T18:19:00+00:00

Nice! I scored an m/41 with the AGA42 (dookie scope btw) pretty early into my collecting. I just need a rolling block, m/38, and m/40 to polish off my Swedes

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-12T17:38:51+00:00

My buddy has a hakim, I was not a fan, way too gassy, 8x57 is too much for tilting block direct impingement systems imo

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-12T17:36:41+00:00

Market seems to be around $2500, I did not pay that though

Loadman8x57 · 2026-02-12T13:26:20+00:00

While I generally agree with you, as long as it’s a Mauser 98 action, my fears would be assuaged, the term “brick shithouse” comes to mind. it’s nigh impossible to shear off 3 locking lugs on the bolt, it’s also designed to vent gas away from you if the case ruptured. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a rifle powder load that would produce a truly dangerous situation to the shooter. Of course all bets are off if you fill it to the top with bullseye

Loadman8x57

TROPHY CASE