C-96 holes
 

I have a C-96 Mauser in 7.63. A few years ago When I bought it, I put 40 rounds through it, and while it functioned perfectly, many- or most of the ejected brass had black holes in the primers. The firing pin was undamaged. I didn't finish the box, and cleaned the pistol and put it back in the safe. (The ammo was PPU, the only 7.63 I could find on the internet. Since then I've asked a number of people, and gotten just as many different answers. The people on this forum seem very knowledgeable; I bet I'll get a good answer here. Thanks in advance for any replies. :burnout:

Probably a sign of over pressure. Lots of surplus com-bloc ammo is too hot for the C96. You should only use 7.63 Mauser ammo in those pistols.

G2

Ppu
 

The PPU box was labeled 7.63 Mauser, but being from Serbia, who knows? Are there other brands available that you know of?

Pierced primers are caused by a too long firing pin, or one with a rough tip.
In a Broomhandle there should be a spring on the front of the firing pin to cushion the impact and retract the pin, if it is broken, short, or missing, it could contribute to a pierced primer.

High pressure does not cause a pierced primer; perhaps a flattened primer.

PPU ammo should be just fine; assuming your broomhandle is in proper condition and the headspace is correct.

Here's a link to what I found on Ammoseek.com:

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/7.63x25mm-mauser

I'd still be careful and look for velocity ratings. You don't want to risk harming your pistol.

G2