The Luger Pistol - In The Movies

[@Chris-pc1om]

Actually German Officers would've had to purchase their own pistols, and most commonly chose the P38 because it was cheaper than the Luger, and generally believed to be more reliable.

[@TheNorwegian]

Also, in combat, most German officers, at least in infantry, would use an MP38/MP40 (or, late in the war, an StG44) instead

[@letoubib21]

@@TheNorwegian A sidearm is a last-ditch weapon, anyway *. . .*

[@canaluludorel5838]

@@letoubib21 a sidearm is a simbol of status, rank and big-dickness, regular grunts don't get that so if you have one you are pretty much a big dick johnson among them

[@Chris-pc1om]

@@TheNorwegian Yep, that's true

[@norwegianboyee]

Yeah officer pistols are pretty much meant to be used as an show of authority. And would most likely only be used for shooting in the context of executions, last ditch self defense, or suicide.

[@garrisonnichols807]

The Luger pistol in 45 ACP almost became the standard issue pistol for the US military instead of the Colt M1911. It was tested at the 1907 US Army pistol trials but the gun was rejected because it had reliability issues with the US ammunition. The Army asked for DWM to come back with an improved version that could fire the American ammo but DWM declined because they were at full capacity making Lugers for the Swiss and German militaries.

[@rolfagten857]

Featured in "Wall Street" (1987) in a scene.

[@edwardjj4224]

Luger,45 only 10 of them was made in Spandau Today only 3 if then existing 7 th are missing Today market this price is estimated one million U,S Dollars

[@chrisiooo]

@@edwardjj4224 In the US you can still get reproduction ones since the guy making them got the original blueprints from what I know. But they're also like 4500$

[@K37-h1z]

@@rolfagten857 stole my comment you dicknail. Jk happy someone else came here for that. Would you be offended if I told you that based on yr name I assume yr a piano playing bear?

[@SmuggestOfRats]

@@chrisiooo For a guy running brand new machinery to make what is traditionally a craftsman's hand-fitted gun, I'd say "only" $4500 USD for something as niche as a 45 ACP Luger sounds pretty reasonable, all things considered. People underestimate how god awful expensive it is to actually produce guns, and we see it all the time with "new" designs that get priced at like $2000 off the bat because literally only one company is making it and there's low demand (e.g. the FN SCAR, Desert Tech MDR, M1A, anything from KelTec), or are repros of old ones like the Thompson or the M1 Carbine. Sadly I'm not rich, so that Lugerman 45 is still going on the wishlist, lol.

[@romanrat5613]

I’m not sure why it’s so associated with Nazis. By then, they were mostly using the p38. The Luger would be the most common in WW1

[@enscroggs]

The German army used more Polish Vis wz.35 pistols and Belgian HP-35 pistols than Luger P.08s. Both the Fabrique Nationale factory in Liege and the Polish arsenal factory at Radom were captured intact by the Germans and were put to work making pistols for the Wehrmacht. The Radom factory also armed the Polish resistance fighters by making guns with duplicate serial numbers -- one for the enemy and one for the patriots -- until the Gestapo discovered the ruse. The SS hanged many Polish gunsmiths right inside the factory to terrorize the survivors into compliance.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

Also the Luger worked perfectly well in the muddy trenches throughout WW1 but it was expensive to produce hence the introduction of the P38.

[@Magst3r1]

P08 is more iconic

[@greggstrasser5791]

@@enscroggs That is the dumbest idea ever. They’re going to run the numbers and ask Hans where his weapon is.

[@youngsandwich2792]

Such a beautiful yet deadly piece of machinery

[@dragonstormdipro1013]

Here in India, they weren’t depicted much in films, but they were a mainstay in detective novels and police crime thrillers. Nothing showed the class of the criminal as much as him brandishing a Luger.

[@VarangianGuard13]

I've seen that in a few crime and detective novels here (USA) and yes, it always seems that classy villains in old books use the Luger for its slick and recognizable design. Which, I think is fair.. It's a pretty little pistol.

[@kakalimukherjee3297]

I'm an Indian, and I absolutely love Lugers. Getting guns is tough here, but I'll definitely get one someday. It's in a class of its own.

[@dragonstormdipro1013]

@@kakalimukherjee3297 It's in PB, you won't get license unless laws change, although they might change soon

[@_Odinn_]

Yeah, but nobody likes India anyways, so your opinion is disregarded

[@JohnV170]

​@@kakalimukherjee3297come to the US then you can collect all the guns you want 👍🇺🇲

[@BHuang92]

Fun Fact: The Netherlands were the third nation to adopt the Luger in 1912. Interestingly, the Japanese captured many Dutch Luger pistols in the Far East and put them in service.

[@モイス-p4y]

Japanese soldiers are said to have written the chrysanthemum emblem on the captured Luger .

[@bavtie1]

Only the KNIL (Royal Dutch Indian Army) though. The home army planned to adopt them as well but an endless bureaucratic debate about the purchase prevented them from ever being bought in any real numbers. Because the colonial army was a seperate entity they did manage to get it aproved. Whether or not the Luger was a great choice for use in Indonesia is.. debatable..

[@danieljani7981]

@@bavtie1 KNIL weapons are less modern and equipped

[@harigunawan8889]

@@bavtie1 the "I" is for Indische, not Indian

[@bavtie1]

@@harigunawan8889 Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger Indisch = Indian

[@blackegret666]

I know the browning Hi-Power doesn't show up in a lot (or any) WW2 movies to my knowledge but it would be pretty cool to see what I think is one of the most underappriciated WW2 sidearms.

[@crystalmath4145]

I agree, also the Browning Hi Power was one of the first wonder nines to exist. I also consider it an Under the radar gun because it was excellent and loved by German troops who captured them due to its capacity being higher than other pistols but doesn’t show up on screen as often as the other pistols like the P38 and the 1911

[@smeagollumartin]

An Indiana Jones sidearm video could work...

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Such an interesting fire arm. I'm doing my best to collect some clips but it's a struggle for any WW2 ones but I'll figure it out.

[@coreystockdale6287]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq fun fact my country Canada still uses it as our primary pistol

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

@@coreystockdale6287 Our Country Canada! :)

[@kennethrouse7942]

Thanks, Johnny, for the nice video featuring my favorite pistol! It drove me crazy when watching a WW-1 era movie when the officer realized that his Luger was empty by hearing a "click" when he pulled the trigger rather than the toggle locking open. 👍😎

[@thebarrel1051]

OUR favorite pistol

[@theimperialcombine]

Hopefully we'll see you cover The C96, The Iconic WW1 Era Pistol that turned into a weapon welded by a famous Smuggler from a Galaxy Far Far Away.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Definitely nearing the top of my list.

[@jinngeechia9715]

Manufactured by the Chinese under license, the C96 is often seen in many Chinese period gangster and war movies/TV series.

[@canaluludorel5838]

The pistol that saved W. Churchill

[@audiosurfarchive]

@@jinngeechia9715 Oh yeah, and EVA in MGS3 explicitly uses a Chinese Type-X clone of it. Be good footage to use.

[@SStupendous]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq My personal requests are the M1860 Spencer rifle and the Remington M1858. Thanks for these videos.

[@billwilson7841]

one correction: The Luger was not more sensitive to dirt or sand/mud than other pistols of the time. in fact, the tight tolerances made it difficult for grime to enter the gun when it was closed. Ian Mcollum from Forgotten Weapons made a very nice mud test here on youtube

[@brandonwooldridge1877]

In Band of Brothers when the German colonel surrendered his pistol to Major Winters, Winters in real life accepted it and held on to it until the day he passed. He also never fired it, plus the real pistol was a Walther PP not a Luger as portrayed in BoB

[@filipeamaral216]

Since you asked for our knowledge, I am gonna contribute with mine. At 5:42 the blonde bombshell is Anna Semenovich, a hot Russian who used to be part of the hot Russian group Blestyashchiye and before that she was an ice-skater. The Brazilian Army purchased 5,000 Luger pistols around 1907, chambered for 7.65mm and 120mm-barrels. Private purchases also occured, with the infamous bandits of the outback - Cangaceiros - being the biggest users. The most infamous of all, dubbed "Lampião", was inseparable from his Parabellum (as it was called in Brazil). In the photograph of the exposed heads of his gang, there are 8 Lugers on display as trophies taken by the police. Portugal was also an enthusiastic user of the Luger and it was still in service in Angola up to the 1970's. In the Brazilian veteran's association in São Paulo there was a Luger, captured in Italy, but someone broke in and stole it. Nothing else was stolen, only the Luger, so it was a collector who knew what he was looking for.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

This is all fresh info to me so thank you so much. Goes to show how sought after these pistols were.

[@nathanbrady8529]

Other than some rare exceptions like the Panzerfaust, the phrase "over-engineered" seems to work it's way into discussion on almost any German weapon.

[@kirgan1000]

There are loots fo exampel of "simpel" wepons like like Stg44 and MG-42 its "only" some stamped and folde sheet metal.

[@nathanbrady8529]

@@kirgan1000 Is that the same MG42 that was a simplified version of the over-engineered MG34? 😉

[@Bartek2750]

@@nathanbrady8529 mg38?

[@nathanbrady8529]

@@Bartek2750 Fixed it. My bad.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

@@nathanbrady8529 It is the same MG42 which is still in use with many armed forces the World over just not always under that name. The current German army calls it MG3, the Austrians call it MG74, the Italians mg42/59, the Swiss MG51 etc. Half a million MG42 in 7.92 Muser were produced and over 1 million MG3 in 7.62 NATO.

[@hase99]

Here in Brazil, Luger and Walther are the most common weapons among collectors, as ours Pracinhas have captured many of them in Italy.

[@iijoe138]

Walther P226?

[@boddjpllf4861]

@@iijoe138 The P226 is made by SIG sauer, not by Walther.

[@tigerfang6063]

In Brazil? Rather close to Argentina, and Argentina is well known for aiding Nazi war criminals to hide in its mountains, my guess is those same Nazis moved to Brazil as the public became wise and they continued production well after the war in much much smaller numbers

[@patriotenfield3276]

@@tigerfang6063 Moustache man escaped to Argentina and it's a Fact !

[@badbotchdown9845]

@@patriotenfield3276 in your perturbed dreams maybe he commit suicide the 30 th April 1945 around 3pm

[@xen60xen]

My great grandfather got a Walther P-38 from a dead German officer or something along those lines, and passed it on to my dad. We just recently got to fire it at a shooting range, and I love the thing.

[@luxbeci2]

Why yours grandfather robbered SS officer luger gun??

[@SofaKingShit]

@@luxbeci2 Human nature.

[@INeverMetAGunIDidntLike]

My great uncle captured 5 German soldiers, towards the end of the war, that were hiding in a root cellar. Upon disarming them, he had in his possession a Luger and a P-38. When he met back up with the rest of his outfit, he gave his lieutenant the Luger and he kept the P-38. He was later wounded and briefly captured by the Germans (an interesting story within itself).

[@khemib]

You've gotta love that smooth toggle-action and light trigger pull

[@wattsnottaken1]

Captain/Major Winters: “You may keep your sidearm Colonel” - I love the mutual respect.

[@TheNavyShark]

Which is a historical inaccuracy in the film series. In real life he actually accepted the "Major's" sidearm and found it was never fired. He kept it all those 70 years later.

[@theodorebennett7938]

The Colonel had the knight's cross with oak leaves. Respect even though he is on the wrong side.

[@Perfusionist01]

I re a trait member the late Luger that my Dad brought back from WW2. It was full of tool marks from rushed production and lower standards but it worked well, The Luger has a natural balance (at least in my hands) The Glock also has that "right for the hand" feel. Pointing the Luger is as easy as pointing your finger.

[@trooperdgb9722]

For many of us the Glock has an awkward grip angle... after coming up on aim naturally we have to then tilt the muzzle down (particularly when an optic is fitted...) Thats why I went from a Glock 17 to a 1911 and a CZ in IPSC... We are indeed all different!

[@mikebrase5161]

Nice I just watched Anzacs the war down under. Hadn't seen it since it was on TV back in the 80's. Amazing what you find on KZbin.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Highly underrated program. Worth anyone checking out.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

YESSSSS!!!! Someone finally remembered that Layer Cake exists! One of, if not my favourite movies of all time. I desperately wish that more people watch this movie, it is so perfect. Also InRangeTV mud tested a Luger a few years ago and thoroughly debunked the myth that the Luger is finicky and sensitive to conditions. The Luger actually did better in the mud test than some modern pistols like the Glock 19.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Honestly Layer Cake was half the reason I made this video. Been dying to add some Layer Cake scenes to a video. Very underrated film.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq as good a reason as any....

[@thekhoifish0146]

Love the Luger, nice to see it get the spotlight!

[@TheLawDawg]

GI’s in WW2 called all German handguns Lugers in the same way that many people call all earswabs Q-Tips. The handgun that Hoobler found, and accidentally killer himself with, was a .32 Browning. As a collector, with 15 Lugers of my own, I have on several occasions met with people who have pulled out Granpa’s “Luger” only to be disappointed to learn that a P38 is a cool war trophy but it is not a Luger.

[@hippolyteandrieu9159]

Fun fact : because the factories that produced luger pistols were located in the French occupation zone, they continued to made pistols but for the French army

[@Foose3535]

The part when the Brit in German uniform shows the American the Luger is absolutely hilarious. “Yeah it’s pucker innit?” “What?” “Aye?” 😂😂💀

[@Brees1986]

That whole sequence is hilarious. The American guy doesn’t understand a word the guy says….

[@imadrifter]

You what? Bums ur uncle.

[@christophernicolson5086]

Pukka. It's slang into English from Hindi/ Urdu. Just means excellent, genuine, solid, etc.

[@Gruntilda-Winkybunion]

i got this pistol as a replica, i love this gun since my first time seeing it! it feels so good in my hand thank you again, Johnny!

[@BadBomb555]

Borchardt and Luger were also precursors for SMG's. There existed small amounts of full auto Borchardts which later inspired full auto Artillery Lugers in WW1. Those were fitted 32 round snail mags which were later fitted to MP18s.

[@letoubib21]

A full auto Pistole 08?

[@khemib]

I think you might be mixing it up a few different weapons. The only pistol that was converted to full auto was the C96 which became the M712, and that was past ww1. I'm also pretty sure the firing mechanism from the MP18 comes from the larger heavy MGs such as the Maxim. I am unaware of any Borchardt pistols existing in full auto. Correct me if I'm mistaken!

[@BHuang92]

Both the C-96 and the Luger were the few early machine pistols but however, the excessive recoil of both pistols proved undesirable for the Germans in trench warfare hence the need for the MP18. The early MP18 had the Luger artillery snail drum magazine.

[@letoubib21]

@@khemib I only know the Mauser C96, too. The MP18, doesn't it just have a simple blowback action without toggle lock?

[@khemib]

@@letoubib21 yup exactly so

[@amenhotepavoskin1307]

You forgot to include Murphy's War (1971) where the German "blonde beast" shot an English pilot with a Luger, shown in close-up.

[@KilRoy680]

Love your videos! The Luger and other side arms were issued not by rank but by roles. For one example an MG gunner was issued a sidearm.

[@K-Nyne]

An interesting note about Hoobler in BoB is that in real life it wasn't actually a Luger he acquired and which killed him later. It was a belgian pistol used by the germans.

[@manfredrichthofen2494]

Even when disassembled into two parts.. the upper barrel and lower receiver, the Luger can still fire, like a zip gun, if a live cartridge happened to be in the chamber. For this reason, the barrel assembly is considered as a whole gun in itself in some states. The Lugers issued to the German police departments, after WWl and during WW11, were equiped with a safety system, to prevent accidental firing during disassembly.

[@A.G.798]

Die Luger 08 und die Colt M 1911, sind die Besten und schönsten Automatik Pistolen aller Zeiten.

[@samalvey8168]

The Luger P08 is probably my favourite handgun. I actually possess replicas of all three models (standard, Navy and Artillery) that have a really nice feel in the hand. I remember seeing it in a film where one character advises filing down .38 calibre bullets and forcing them into the breech in lieu of actual 9mm ammunition; nearly had a conniption at that scene because that would be more likely to make the gun explode rather than successfully fire.

[@kmorris180]

My carry weapon is a P08 made in 1914. It was turned in and after the great war converted to 30 luger caliber per the treaty. It fires an 85 grain bullet at about 1250 f/s and is easily one of the most accurate weapons I own.

[@Ed-ig7fj]

I loved the video, Johnny. Some observations: the original Luger P-08 had a 5" barrel, but the terms of the treaty of Versailles forbade the Germans from making anything over 4". Lugers had to be hand-fitted and thus were slow to make. Dirt will clog up most guns, but the tight tolerances may have kept dirt out, too. The few Wehrmacht veterans I spoke to about their guns praised the Luger highly. I have a WW-2 issue, and a 1980s last-gasp, Luger. Both are reliable, accurate guns. (I am actually a P-38 junkie.) My buddy who used a captured Luger in the 82nd Airborne in WW-2 said that an average marksman could drop a man at 100 yards with one. I guess he'd done it. Now, let's see the Broomhandle video. --Old Guy

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

7:21 The Luger P08 and the Colt 1911 got excellent results in Ian McCollum's mud test. They just kept firing regardless of how much mud they were exposed to. The Glock on the other hand failed miserably and completely locked up immediately becoming totally unuseable. It wasn't even possible to field strip it. So if you find yourself in a muddy trench go with the old ones, they won't let you down.

[@DJJAW11]

... I think the Germans ,preferred the latter modern P38 replacement. But the luger was still issued alongside,as mentioned!.

[@fallout1953]

Judging from the InRange mud test on the Luger, the Luger actually has excellent tolerances.

[@DeskJet1]

Honestly the worst of the boomer myths have been about painting German, Italian, and Japanese weapons as inferior and issue prone.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

Have you seen InRange's mud test of the Glock? Worst result ever!

[@fallout1953]

@@gustavmeyrink_2.0 Yup.

[@gooraway1]

Thanks for the Lucerne video Johnny and for including the clip of the actor Paul Hogan who was to go on and play 'Crocodile Dundee's in which he preferred the knife.

[@gooraway1]

Luger

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Paul Hogan made that miniseries for me. Fantastic casting.

[@maddyg3208]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq At one point, Cleary (Paul Hogan), a wheeler-dealer, bravely frees a soldier caught in barbed wire during an attack, and explains it away by saying, "Well, I couldn't leave you hanging there. You still haven't paid me for that Luger".

[@maddyg3208]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq It was big news in Australian when Hoges was cast in Anzacs in the mid 80s. He'd only been known for his Benny Hill/Dick Emery-style Paul Hogan Show before then

[@MrHammer1961]

I believe "that Aussie soldier" in the Anazac's movie is Paul Hogan. At the time he was more so a comedian than an actor.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

It sure is Paul!

[@robertnorment5106]

I finally got my Parabellum Pistol 1908, a DWM 1914/1920 Treaty of Versailles overstamp, when I retired in 2008.

[@rolfagten857]

I had to laugh a lot when I saw the scene from "Where Eagles dare" (1968), the essential part with Major Von Hapen has unfortunately been cut out by you.😂😅🦅

[@dimitriskapetanakis1625]

If there is one appearence of the lugger Johnny forgot is its appearence in the G1 transformers series of 1984 where it was the alternate mode of Megatron

[@michaelwittmann6588]

The Luger is a brilliant firearm providing you maintain it properly and it's perfect for introducing people to shooting

[@bobbyricigliano2799]

Very nicely done video. I own two WW1 Luger P08's, both in the .30 Luger caliber. I found the disassembly to be rather complicated, but I did shoot one of them with modern PPU ammunition. The sight picture is not ideal, but the ergonomics are excellent, and it is surprisingly soft shooting. Accurate too.

[@edi9892]

There are a lot of weird details, that could be still added. Someone compared contemporary pieces and found the Luger MORE reliable in dirt than the early 1911, but you can't shoot it without goggles, as the lever throws all the dirt in your face! The Americans were so impressed by the gun that they ordered the company to develop a version for 45 ACP. It wasn't fully servicable when the trials came, which gave it the reputation of being unreliable. Similarly, it took ages to adjust the MG42 to 7.62mm NATO. Temporarily, they even gave up despite both cartridges being so similar! The artillery Luger was named so because it was issued to the artillery branch. At the time, they weren't carrying rifles or SMGs and thus found themselves badly outranged when soldiers closed in. You could see their version as the first (compact) personal defense weapon (this concept usually is associated with MP7 and P90!) The Luger parts are not interchangeable! The tight tolerances are not in mass production, but individual guns. This means that the mass produced parts were hand adjusted and finely tuned to work together. This made production and repair a nightmare! For a custom sport pistol it would be almost normal, but a military gun??? The reason seems to be that the production line was still semi manual and thus highly inaccurate.

[@peterruiz6117]

My brother owned a Michell Arms Luger "Artillery" model clone, in stainless. It never worked well, magazine fit was horrific. By the time I had learned anything on how to get it working, he had gone 1911....A family tradition, as all cowboys from the mountains of Mexico carry one....Follwed by Browning Hi Powers.

[@ryszakowy]

before anyone says it - NO mechanism was going up and down so fast you wouldn't notice it even if you tired to shoot in a "tacticool" way also bullet casings wouldn't go to your eyes just like they didn't with p38, nambu, beretta or ppsh

[@Kav82a]

The Finn officer in the film "The unknown soldier 2017" is holding a luger but most likely he would be holding a Lahti pistol which is very similar in appearance to a Luger.Probably it was easier for the producers to find a Luger than a more rare Lahti.

[@nghtwtchmn129]

Gary Cooper used a Luger in the title role of the 1941 film Sergeant York because an M1911 in .45 caliber will not function with blanks. (The M1911s seen in movies and television since then are actually 9mm or .38 Super.)

[@JH-lo9ut]

It may be, but that movie is pretty particular in it's details. I think the production team gave this officer a luger on purpouse, to show that he had connections with Germany. In the first battle scene of the film, the elderly officer leading the advance is given a broomhandle mauser, telling the audience he is a veteran of the finnish civil war.

[@milkapeismilky5464]

The p08 is a lovely pistol to shoot, although not to load! The one I have fired most often, which belonged to my great uncle, is chambered in 30 Luger. It is extremely accurate, light recoiling and all lugers are naturally pointing pistols. I do wish they would reintroduced a modern variant in the $1,200 us range.

[@kuessebrama]

I don't have any problems to load it. Yeah ok it is not as smooth as other pistols but in general it is a great pistol. Yeah a modern version would be cool but it is cool too to own a original and i mean they are not as expensive, atleast not in Germany i don't know what the price is in the US. In Germany you get a P08 for 200-800€ depending on the condition and/or if it has matching numbers. But i would say 500-600€ is a good price range for one in a good condition. But i am more of a fan of the 9mm versions because the Ammo is always available, 7,65 × 21 mm or .30 Luger is hard to get or pretty expensive at least here. But ok if i would have gotten one in 30 Luger i would not have complained :D

[@elultimo102]

One feature of the Luger is that when a round is chambered, the extractor extends above the top surface and is marked "Geladen" (Loaded). In movies, one rarely sees it, unless the weapon is actually to be fired, having a round chambered. (Another quirk is that the upper will still fire a chambered round when separated from the frame, if squeezed where the side plate normally fits). I read of one case where an owner made that fatal error while attempting to clean his Luger.

[@gwine9087]

I think the luger gets used, so much, because it is so recognizable. My uncle brought back a Walther P38 from WWII. A fascinating weapon with a double action. It was used in the "Man from U.N.C.L.E" series.

[@romeo4764]

You know it'll be a good day when jhonny jhonson uploads.

[@Will-sq3ip]

I think it’s more the gun profile (with only the bare barrel sticking out front) that makes it perceived as a villain gun. It’s doesn’t have be a Luger, Mauser C96, Walther P38, or even a Nambu pistol in media though perhaps that idea may stemmed from those guns.

[@24934637]

Absolutely iconic, elegant, aesthetically pleasing and perfect for a collector! From what I've heard, they are generally very functionally effective pistols too, however there is something that I just don't like. I think it's probably the long skinny barrel that looks like it could bend if it got knocked against something. Given a choice, I'd go for the Browning Hi Power instead.

[@Manuel-un4vm]

I was 13 when i watched band of brothers and i could never get my eyes off the lugers. i finally bought one a couple days ago. Can't wait for it to get to my ffl

[@jackstecker5796]

The Luger is one of the first firearms I can think of with a mounted flashlight. It's interesting that this concept disappeared for something like 50 years. Nowadays, practically every firearm can mount a light.

[@masterbuilderproductions]

Once saw a silver plated Luger with engraved iron crosses at a gun show once. It was selling for $37,000

[@FeyTheBin]

Hermann Göring reached level 100, unlocking the prestige Luger skin.

[@hanswithhisflammenwerfer3282]

Fun Fact: Exists a .45 version of the luger for the 1907 trails for the U.S cavalry and army Fun fact: The "Artillery Luger" had a strange "Snail drum magazine" wich carried over 32 or 32(+1) rounds, much later this magazine was used in the MP18, 1 submachine gun Fun Fact: between 1900 and 1906 was created a carbine version of the luger, with a wooden handle at the front Fun Fact: also existed sort of a rifle version of the luger desing commoly known by the battlefield fans as: "SELBSTLADER 1906"

[@Will-sq3ip]

Funny thing is Japanese officers carry Lugers in the Korean-Drama TV show “Mr. Sunshine”, btw take place in Korea leading to the Japanese annexation in 1910. I say “funny” because my thought was “How did a Japanese officer get his hand on a Luger? Come on! How many Asians or people in Asia own a German (semi-automatic) pistol (other than Mauser C96)?” Of course, there are least two explanations: 1. Historically inaccuracy. Or 2. Private purchase. But still, worldwide shipping can’t be that common as we have UPS, FedEx, and Amazon today. And newer guns are often harder to buy. You know, low production and supply and regulations. As you already know, the Mauser C96 was made before the Luger and massive-produced and sold around the world. In other word, you’d find more Mauser C96s than Lugers in the earlier 20th century. Another funny thing is, guns often represent the country they are made from or used in service, if not still today but more commonly perceive in the old days. I wouldn’t carry an enemy weapon if I were in either World War unless I’m desperate during battle. I might be mistaken for an enemy soldier, infiltrator, spy, or even a collaborator. Again in “Mr. Sunshine,” a Korean politician was carrying a Nambu pistol. What the **** is a Korean minister carrying a Japanese pistol? Maybe he bought it, from the Japanese? No right-minded Korean would buy anything remotely Japanese during that time unless they force to for necessity. Spoiler alert: he’s a collaborator; a sellout! I know it’s somewhat an old stereotype of what people uses which guns. I mean, there’s standard issue and politics behind them at the time.

[@r5t6y7u8]

In Wall Street (1987) Gordon Gekko shows off "the rarest handgun in the world," a .45 Luger. 5:10 Trophy-hunting soldiers better be careful. It's fairly common to rig booby-traps and bombs under discarded weapons, desks, boxes, etc.

[@matthewhelton1725]

The Luger detachable stock was a common option in the first years of commercial production: Commercial Luger Carbines (with barrel lengths of up to 13"/330mm ) with the wooden forends often had a wooden shoulder stock/ holder similar to the Mauser. Though similar in appearance and identical in function, the Luger and Mauser stocks were not interchangeable (in fact, the mounting systems used were keyed opposite to one another). Military "Artillery" Model Lugers with the 8" barrels were fielded with a much simpler shoulder plank wood, and the holster feature was often a leather holster laced/attached to the stock plank.

[@bigbosso5604]

There's an old Gundam 0080 scene I'm suprised I didn't see here. Main character absolutely cleans house in a facility using a supressed luger with a snail drum

[@americanpatriot2422]

Outstanding video and presentation.

[@jameskelly7782]

They were sought after trophies.....however the axis used a staggering variety of pistols, from pocket models to service types from many source nations.

[@Kevin-jb2pv]

2:28 I've always thought it was funny how the actor goes to pull back on the slide like it were a regular pistol and then catches himself before switching to pull on the tabs at the back XD

[@jean-lucpicard3012]

I've had the privilege of handing and firing a 1915 dwm luger with all parts having matching serial numbers. Great firing pistol.

[@scooterbob4432]

I also had the opportunity to fire my friend's 9mm Artillery Luger with an 8 inch barrel and adjustable rear sight. It was very accurate and was a pleasure to shoot. I don't have a Luger but I have a Walther PPK/S 380 ACP which was actually made in USA by Interarms.

[@ScrappyPom]

Ahh the luger. Love seeing it both in movies and games. Even some anime has one

[@Plainview200]

Borchardt was asked to make his pistol more ergonomic (and less silly looking, I suspect), but he thought his design perfect already and refused. A flat spring was substituted for the coiled spring in the Borchardt and the Luger was born...with some other tweaks.

[@elultimo102]

A shop in Oak Lawn, IL during the '60s sold Borchardts, artillery Lugers and carbines, and even a G-41M. They even had a P-38 with serial #1. I was about 5 years too young to legally buy any of them.

[@grast5150]

I only have secondhand knowledge from Grand Father which served in Africa in the Army as a courier in the Signal Corps. My grandfather said biggest mistake he made was turning in weapons he recovered. He said in 45 while training in Italy for deployment to Pacific because he did not have enough points. The reports came in that war was over after surrender of Japan. As such, everyone was going home. The brass then told everyone to turn in found weapons as they were searching person belonging being shipped home. He believed them and then later found out it was a bluff as no search actually happened. My grandfather said he had found a large number of Luger's on dead tank commanders in Africa. The only relic which he retained was a few German and Italian combat knives which I have now that he has passed. later.

[@Pirate85_Original]

Funfact: The Luger/Parabellum 04/08 are very dust and dirt resistent as long as theyre not thrown into it with the knee joint left open (like when u fall in it while running reloading it for example). This is a good thing of thos very small tolerances cuz the dirt have nearly no chance to even get into the gun. Didnt believe it myself until ive seen it myself.

[@aidanwarren4980]

Love that scene of the Joker casually pulling what must be a Boys Anti-Tank Revolver out of his pants

[@manfredrichthofen2494]

.. at a gunstore after WWll, First saw a Luger pistol . I was a 3- year old boy then and the Luger had since been my " Holy Grail".. 30-years later, Finally Got a 6"-barreled G.I. bring back Luger from an Airborne paratrooper who fought in the European and Pacific theater. Am now 72-and will give this to my grandson..

[@vincentking9980]

Back in the 1990s, I got to fire a 1917 Luger pistol. It was very accurate, but occasionally the toggle mechanism would stay open even though there were still rounds in the magazine. We kept the range to about 30 metres, though it could well have been accurate out further.

[@edwardvincentbriones5062]

Charlie’s Angels (2000) also has one scene with a Luger P08, where it was wielded by The Thin Man, played by Crispin Glover. He’s bad ass on that film!

[@steveharvey6421]

I still remember back in the late 70s sitting by a friend with another friend of his sitting at the same table. He was an art major and they showed a Luger as an example of something that is both lethal and beautiful in a art book. Art majors are not known for being gun guys, but the Luger is an exception. Also Jim Morrison girlfriend collected Lugers.

[@morgs456]

Best a luger ever looked in a film would be on Oddball I reckon. Kellys heroes

[@rolfagten857]

And "Angel" played by Ben Gazzara in "The bridge of Remagen" (1969) had captured one too.

[@westernsect5773]

The luger was also used in Rogue One (Jyn Erso's side arm)

[@danzmitrovich6250]

Good pistols and they can always still be found anywhere at anyplace as well

[@AE-jo2fy]

Awsome video! Comprehensive information along with a suprisingly versatile collection of movies and media. The former is very helpful in cementing the cultural impact of the weapon! The touches of humor were also a very nice touch!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks so much. Glad you liked it :)

[@olafclausing7843]

My grandfather had a P08 when he was in the Wehrmacht. At the end of the war he threw it into a well so that it would not be collected by some brits. He also had a 6.35 pocket pistol. When I remember correctly the Luger was used by the GDR (East Germany) police officers till 1956.

[@hawkeyeinthehouse2995]

You are CORRECT about the P08 Luger is the most recognizable pistol in the WORLD and most DESIRABLE as well. It has gotten to the point that even non matching numbers Luger in fair to good condition will fetch $1000 or more these days, the LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND DEFINITELY APPLYS. It's not SURPRISING that it's so POPULAR because it can be GORGEOUS when you get one in excellent to VG condition. It's one of the EARLIEST semi-auto pistol and was the FIRST semi-auto pistol to be ADOPTED by any country by the Swiss in 1900, they loved it because they are ACCURACY FREAKS and it's HIGHLY ACCURATE. I was FORTUNATE to have FIRST shot one when I was 12 back in 1964 it belonged to my older brother, our father a WWII veteran got it for him for about $100. After that the BUG BIT ME, I HAD TO GET ONE. Years later I had 3 of them (1915 bring back, 1940 Russian capture and a Original Mauser from the mid to late 60's (made on original Swiss tooling). Unfortunately I had to sell them (very easy to sell) when I got laid off back in 2008 and was in a FINANCIAL PINCH, had to sell a BUNCH of my TOYS then. I WAS HIGHLY UPSET and had to get another one or two as soon as possible because the prices were going up EVERY YEAR. I was fortunate at one of the LAST GUN SHOWS at Greensboro, NC back about 10 years ago I found one in Good+ condition for $500 but it did have a couple problems, it wasn't matching (only slightly), bad magazine and the recoil spring was WRONG. I was able to purchase new Wolff spring kit and replacement magazine for about $50, I installed MYSELF which wasn't easy but found the TRICK on how to replace the main spring on the INTERNET. It WORKS GREAT, FUNCTIONS BEAUTIFULLY and accurate due to what looks like a NEW arsenal installed barrel?!! I would like to get a Artillery Luger upper from a company on the Internet for $1800 which is a lot of MONEY but considering the cost of an ORIGINAL ONE it is much CHEAPER. 🤔😯😉👍😁 Thank you for your interesting video showing how the P08 Luger has infiltrated into various movies and video games, it will NEVER DIE.😉👍😁

[@MrLolx2u]

Fun Fact: The M1911 NEARLY did not exist into worldwide fame and even its lasting legacy because of the Luger. So when Georg Luger rolled out the so-called pistol, his firm was still small and was struggling to keep afloat before they got absorbed by Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) around 1899 and Luger was busy pushing his guns anyway he can but most of his guns only gained small purchase and only the Swiss at that point of time was the biggest buyers of the Luger which couldn't keep Luger's coffers filled. Just then, the US was just wrapping up the Spanish-American War and the conquest of the Philippines and at that point of time, the US just introduced the .38 caliber, double action revolver, the M1889 or simply called the Colt New Army. The reports that came back was extremely unfavorable as they found the .38 caliber unable to stop the drugged up locals who were consistently coming at them and some officers even reported that pumping all 6 shots on a target would still see them charging towards them and often forcing them to use their blades to neutralize the enemy or use their rifles as a backup rather than rely on their weak revolvers. Also, around that time, Colt had been pushing some M1900, the newest semi-auto pistol that Colt made, into the conflict and officers DO like that gun despite it too being a "weak* .38 ACP but with more rounds to work with, the officers tend to like it thus they too clamoured for more of it BUT they want the good 'ol reliable .45 stopping power back so the US started a trial for new semi-auto pistol to be the new standard pistol for all branches. Many company actually joined the trial and Luger was the 1st few to send in their guns in 1901 for the 1st batch of trials but again, bureaucracy destroyed that notion as the purchasing board was "happy" with the revolvers (Don't know what the fuck were they thinking of...) despite numerous reports stating that the New Army sucks but they simply blamed the troops on being poor shots and aiming at the wrong places of their targets thus cancelled the trial. However, with increasing demands and finally admitting defeat, Luger was called back in 1905 but this time, had to make sure his gun fires in .45 ACP and also this time, he had to fight with way more competitors. So when Luger personally travelled to the US with the gun for the trials in 1907, he had to compete with prolific gun makers and companies such as Styer with their Styer-Mannlicher M1894, Colt with Browning's later-M1911, Savage with their M1907 and one entry from Mauser. Luger specifically made sure to have some of DWM's .45 ACP personally supervised by Luger to be brought to the US. As the trial progressed, the gun performed well with Luger's .45 but not with the US specifications of the .45 ACP but was well enough for the US. In fact, it's margin of error against the two most interesting pistol that the commission board was interested in with the Colt M1911 and Savage's gun that they ordered Luger to make 200 more for further testing and if the gun is satisfactory, they will buy it and make it the standard gun for the US Military branches. HOWEVER, as Luger was in America, the Luger pistol itself was already making rounds across the Prussian territories and the Germans who had them like the Bavarian states loved it that soon the Kaiser got word of it and took a look at it. Due to his hand deformity, he found the Luger pleasant to shoot thus he made sure that the German military would be armed with it and placed a huge contract on the gun thru DWM. Just as Luger was about to have a decision if he wants to dedicate the US contract, he received said telegram news from Germany and knowing that neither him nor DWM could produce guns for both major contracts, he kindly rejected the US's offer and simply made the German contract. Thus, that's how Luger's pistol nearly became the standard pistol of the US military rather than the M1911. Also, Luger brought 2 guns in .45 ACP for the trial. One was lost to time and possibly trashed and crushed but serial no.2 was sold on the auction marker and became the one and ONLY 1st gun ever to be sold for a 1 million USD. Now, there's also a company (I forgot what name) and I think it's in Louisiana which remade the .45 Luger to specification and selling it to the general market but it ain't cheap. Last I remember, it was about 5-10k a gun but still, a cool slice of history.

[@ArcticWolf00Alpha0]

Fun fact: In the Star Wars movie Rogue One the main character Jyn Erso uses a blaster known as the A180 blaster pistol, but its actually lugar P08 mocked up to look like a SW pistol.

[@trooperdgb9722]

Star Wars is full of classic firearms. Han Solo has a dressed up C-96.... Stormtroopers carry everything from Stirling replicas to dressed up Lewis Guns and MG 42's.... marvellous visuals!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Gotta work in some more Star Wars in future videos. Just have to be really careful they are tiiight with using footage haha

[@trooperdgb9722]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq Bummer!

[@zepter00]

Second most common pistol in german armed forces during WW2 was Polish ViS wz35 which was also the best pistol in german armed forces and Probably th best pistol during WW2 .

[@hiltonian_1260]

The Luger is the stick grenade of pistols. That is, it shows up in movies and TV more often than in actual history. It does so because of its iconic, distinctive appearance, like the stick grenade.

[@Geoduck.]

I own a 1939 Mouser Luger P08. It's a nice handling pistol and shoots well. My only complaint is ejected spent casings are erratic some landing atop my head!

[@puppetguy8726]

0:11 You sure that isn't a Lahti rather?

[@BadBomb555]

Star Wars: Rogue One also used blasterised Lugers.

[@imperiumoccidentis7351]

Smoll Brain: "That's a fat ass" Big Brain: 2:42

[@brisnwinters8161]

The Luger is a finely fitted pistol and was expensive to make and needed to be kept clean very clean. That is why the Luger holster completely enclosed the pistol.

[@jonkline709]

It just fit so comfortable in your hand.

[@shinkoreancookery952]

YES! thanks for the video!

[@egzonsalihu1451]

Luger P08 9mm Parabellum is the best pistol ever made, i love it.❤️👍🏻

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

Had a palm sized version of die cast metal as a cap gun years ago The Ruger mark 2 and up versions resemble this handgun. 👍👍 Thanks Johnny

[@milkapeismilky5464]

The c93 borchardt is one of the most beautiful pistols I've ever seen. Yes it's mechanically complicated and the p08 is a superior refinement, but I would absolutely love to own a c93. Or two. With shoulder socks of course!

[@erikstolzenberger1517]

If a Mauser C96, go for the M712 Schnellfeuer ^^

[@DavidG-qn8re]

The platinum-ivory designs were actually in Göring's collection, but that's just nitpicking... Your videos are solid, keep it up

[@madkoala2130]

Just for side note to everyone: Borchardt C-93 appears as main pistol of Lt. Tsurumi in Golden Kamuy. If anybody is interested anime has a lot of homage to guns that could be found in early 20th centenary and there is even cameo of Lt. general Arisaka of all people (the designer of most famed/inflames Arisaka series of rifles and many more things for Japanese arsenal).

[@Gabonation]

I like the luger, it looks cool and small. And the barrel look awesome

[@mugsnvicki]

Another great video, thanks Johnny. And a few movies I have not seen. I have a Stoeger Luger made in Hackensack New Jersey of all places! It's a .22 cal. pistol and part of my German collection. Supposedly the same look and feel of a 9 mm or 7.62 Luger. Requires the best ammo as it has a tendency to jam. Thanks for an entertaining and informative video. Since you live in a really cold province, how about a recap of war movies and snow? There are a ton of them. PS, love all your subscribers' comments!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks so much William! Yes it's -30s here today. So cold. I was thinking about doing a video on the Finnish front as I love a good underdog story plus I find the use of ski troops very interesting. It's definitely a good idea I'll see what I can come up with in the near future.

[@alonzocalvillo6702]

I also have .22 Luger which i inherited from my father. I only fired it once at a pistol range and put it away.I had three kids at the time and did not want them playing with it. So what i did was keep the gun and magazine separated . That worked so well that I lost the magaziine forever.It is also a Stoeger if you know how or where to find an extra magazine let me know.

[@actuallyKeluc]

Funny you put new kids turbo in here. Love from the netherlands!