.45 ACP/Shanxi Type 17 Broomhandle

alvin · 12-29-2014, 01:16 PM

There are two types of Shansei Model 17 .45ACP Broomhandles on today's market: one type was made in late 1920s, another type was post 1980 reproduction. The post-1980 Shansei is more common on the market, I heard merely 300 of them were made. God knows, I have seen no fewer than 100 of them floating on the market over years. Post-1980 Shansei's situation is like Interarms Mauser Parabellum, they are not considered being pure shooters, they are collectibles too. After all, the volume is not huge. Looks to me, post-1980 Shansei's frame was cast iron, and those older Shansei made in 1920-1930 were milled from forged steel. I had a post-1980 Shansei in the past, it did not work smoothly, jammed frequently. That's the functional difference between new Shansei and new Interarms Mauser -- not only my instance had that issue, I heard other people experienced same problem. Obviously, new Shansei was made as a look-only gun. So, if you plan to shoot it occasionally, you will be disappointed. For occasional shooting, better find a Mauser or Astra 900, those in relatively good shape indeed works.

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12-29-2014, 01:16 PM	#2
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	There are two types of Shansei Model 17 .45ACP Broomhandles on today's market: one type was made in late 1920s, another type was post 1980 reproduction. The post-1980 Shansei is more common on the market, I heard merely 300 of them were made. God knows, I have seen no fewer than 100 of them floating on the market over years. Post-1980 Shansei's situation is like Interarms Mauser Parabellum, they are not considered being pure shooters, they are collectibles too. After all, the volume is not huge. Looks to me, post-1980 Shansei's frame was cast iron, and those older Shansei made in 1920-1930 were milled from forged steel. I had a post-1980 Shansei in the past, it did not work smoothly, jammed frequently. That's the functional difference between new Shansei and new Interarms Mauser -- not only my instance had that issue, I heard other people experienced same problem. Obviously, new Shansei was made as a look-only gun. So, if you plan to shoot it occasionally, you will be disappointed. For occasional shooting, better find a Mauser or Astra 900, those in relatively good shape indeed works.