C96 Red 9 Grips on Bolo Mauseer

[alvin]

Originally Posted by Josafoot

Are the shansei (spelling?) Copies any good? I have seen a few kikcking around here and there.

It's good for collectors who don't shoot their guns, most of those do NOT work as is. I heard some people could adjust those to make them work. One guy even offered me to adjust mine, but I had already sold it a few years ago. I have seen a few samples with deformed bolt lock, bolt and receiver... that's an indicator of some Shansei using soft steel to make critical guns parts, not good. Most Shansei floating on market are recent assembly, there are some originals, maybe original 1928 Shansei shoots better? Most likely, but I have NOT met any guy willing to shoot their original Shansei yet... people could shoot $20,000 West Hurley Thompson happily in range (a low end Tommy made in 1970s and 1980s, but counted as C&R), why can't they shoot a $5,000 Shansei C96 is beyond my understanding, but looks like that's the way it is. If you go to youtube.com, you saw people shooting this and shooting that, but you never see a guy shooting Shansei. Individuals either shoot or not shoot their guns, but statistically, that's abnormal.

For looking, they have some value. Be aware most Shansei on market are 1980s assembly. Not 1928. If you need one but don't know this variation, a simple rule to tell is this: any Shansei with more than 30% finish is new assembly. No need to look any other details, by that rule alone, you will be correct 99% of time. Know what it is, and pay accordingly. Recent assembly can be found around $1000 - $1500 back a few years ago. But the price of this type is also raising on market now. It's an interesting item to hold in hand, very heavy.

And, if you met a sample that actually works in range, please post a video on youtube.com. That will fill a black hole in gun shooting. The major problem that I met in the past was that they jammed like crazy on Winchester white box .45ACP ammo. In C96 domain, shooting a gun is an important way to reveal some facts.