USPSA with a 105-Year-Old Artillery Luger Rig

Published on July 22, 2023
Duration: 10:24

Ian McCollum, a recognized expert in historical firearms, demonstrates the use of a 105-year-old DWM Artillery Luger (LP08) in a modern USPSA match. He highlights the unique challenges and successes of competing with vintage gear, including the complex loading process for the 32-round snail drum magazine and the difficulty of using its small sights when shouldered. Despite its age, the rig performed almost flawlessly, showcasing the enduring engineering of historical firearms.

Quick Summary

A 105-year-old DWM Artillery Luger (LP08) rig, featuring a shoulder stock and 32-round snail drum magazine, was tested in a modern USPSA match. Despite challenges with its small sights and the complex loading procedure for the drum, the firearm ran almost flawlessly, showcasing the enduring reliability of historical engineering in a competitive environment.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 1918 Artillery Luger Rig for USPSA
  2. 00:36Stage 1 Performance & Pace
  3. 02:09Loading the Trommelmagazin 08 (Snail Drum)
  4. 04:17Stage 2: Challenges with Luger Sights
  5. 05:47Stage 3: Mandatory Reload with Snail Drum
  6. 08:20Final Assessment & Match Results

Frequently Asked Questions

How did a 105-year-old Artillery Luger perform in a modern USPSA match?

The 1918 DWM Artillery Luger rig, complete with a shoulder stock and 32-round snail drum magazine, performed remarkably well in a USPSA match, running almost flawlessly through five stages with only one minor magazine issue, demonstrating the reliability of historical engineering.

What are the main challenges of using a stocked Artillery Luger in competition?

Key challenges include the difficulty of acquiring the Luger's small sights quickly when shouldered, and the complex, time-consuming process of loading the 32-round snail drum magazine, which requires specialized tools and techniques.

What is the Trommelmagazin 08, and how is it loaded?

The Trommelmagazin 08 is a 32-round snail drum magazine for the Artillery Luger. Loading it involves pre-tensioning a powerful internal spring with a lever, locking it, and then using a reproduction loading tool to feed each round, a process historically done with pre-loaded transit chests.

What was the overall performance of the Artillery Luger rig in the USPSA match?

The Artillery Luger rig completed five stages with near-flawless reliability. Ian McCollum placed 33rd out of 57 overall and 5th out of 7 in the Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) division, prioritizing accuracy over speed with the vintage equipment.

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