T-14 Nambu/cal 9mm Luger
 

Anyone have any experience or info on converting a Nambu to 9mm Luger. I have a 1950's American Rifleman technical section answer which says that .30 Luger OK--but lot of work. My concern is that ME of 9mm is almost twice that of 8mm Nambu. Recoil springs may not do the job. .30 Luger specs are very similar to 8mm Nambu. I recently bought(cheap)a Nambu that had receiver threaded and crude 9mm bl. installed. Guy said he shot it using .380. Worked but case split. Well I know why---bl was sloppy 9mm Luger. I have now installed an original Luger 9mm bl on the piece. Looks interesting and will feed cartridges fine by hand. Now---I am reluctant to fire it. Maybe clamp it to a post and use long string??

Art, I have heard of this being discussed, and seem to remember that it is a bad idea. pressure too high?

but, I would go here and ask the question, good people on this Japanese forum;

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=42

I had one of these 9 m/m t-14's some years back. If I remember correctly there was a larger diameter barrell inserted ( threaded ) into the old reciever. It was done so nicely that you had to look closely to even detect the sepation line. Never tried to fire it myself, but it looked like it had been fired several times before I got it. It's been about 15 years ago and it came in my gun show in Wichita Falls from a vet who had been in the occupation forces in Japan after the war. I also bought a whole collection of Japanese insignia from him. Mike

Hey guys... you are playing with matches and somebody is going to get burned.

Weapons designers put enough protection in the design of the breech of a weapon to hold a good bit more pressure than the cartridge it will eventually fire for safety's sake... But the difference in power between the two cartridges 8mm Nambu and 9mm Luger is just too great...

You will be lucky if you fire it that the bolt doesn't shear off whatever holds it that tubular receiver and plant itself distinctly into your eyeball socket...

I strongly discourage the adaptation of the Nambu to the 9mm Luger cartridge... even if it worked with underpowered ammunition, someday someone will unknowingly put a Plus-P round in that baby and it will time for a casket for the shooter! Don't Do it!

Boy, I agree with John S!!!

Let me echo John & Thor's words of wisdom..... DON'T DO IT!!

A better idea would be to have an insert put into the Luger barrel with an original-spec 8mm chamber and bore. I don't think it would be inexpensive but it would be MUCH safer!

I've got a 8mm Nambu that I've fired exactly five times in about ten years and at $1.00 per shot that will most likely be it for another ten. What was disappointing was the anemic round. Felt like a light loaded .32. These were Old Western Scrounger reloads, done to WWII specifications. Shooting a 9mm in it would be like of one of my dogs that got in a fight with a bull racoon. He held its own for a while,longer than I thought he would. Had the best intentions. But when he decided he had enough he let go. Been a long time since he went after another one and its also been a while since anyone got wacked by Japenese shrapnel.

rk

Up date on the Nambu project. I decided against test shot(even with it clamped to sawhorse and long string). Muzzle Energy for 9mm is twice that of 8mm Nambu. Didn't want to ruin perfectly good Nambu. .30 Luger specs are about same as 8mm Nambu. SO---removed 9mm and barreled it with a .30 Luger 16" barrel. Shoots fine and fun. Not much noise or recoil. Doesn't feed from mag as well as 9mm---but a bit more work on feed ramp will fix it---I think. Thanks for the vote on 9mm. I voted with prevailing side!

Art, can I get a picture of this Nambu? sounds like something that is pretty cool!

Ed

Big problem with this conversion is cost of per shot---about 50 cents per bang. Maybe get picture later. Thinking of shoulder stock made from 38 type jap junk stock!

Art, please be very cautious... we don't want to have to refer to you as the LATE gunsmith... and don't want to see your name as the recipient of a Darwin Award.

If you want to spend a few minutes laughing... visit Darwinawards.com...

regards,

John

I found a reloader for .30 ammo that is cheaper and functions in my guns. Email at ammoman2@msn.com or call 503-390-9192. I have no connection except as a customer.

Steve