Nambu Type 14 Pistol

[Edward Tinker]

not being marked seems to be a Nambu thing... You find the base unmarked - I think primarily, but could look in my Japanese book.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

not being marked seems to be a Nmabu thing... You find the base unmarked - I think primarily, but could look in my Japanese book.

I am quite disappointed in Cartridges Of The World...I have two editions...Neither has much information that isn't available in my other contemporary pre-Internet books...

/rant

[Zorba]

Goes to show - idiots on eBay will bid stuff up to past new value.

[rhuff]

I, personally, prefer a 3 die reloading set to the common 2 die set for bottle neck brass. Also, I just like starting with new dies, so IF I find a problem, I have a recourse to follow. On Ebay, they are yours.

[Maestro]

Nice resource:http://members.shaw.ca/tju/jhg.htm

[Maestro]

its nice to have some original 8mm and 7mm Nambu rounds

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Maestro

Nice resource: Nambu World: Teri’s Japanese Handgun Website

It is indeed; in fact, I just got an email from Teri herself in reply to my question about the 'carrier/display' case that my Type 14 is encased in...

Originally Posted by zormpas

Goes to show - idiots on eBay will bid stuff up to past new value.

Hey! *I'm* one of those idiots!!!

If I could have gotten it for under a C-note, it would have been worth it not to have to wait three months for a 'special order' new die set...

FWIW: I made up an 'expander die' to expand 38 Special cases to 8mm nambu diameter...Works great, but as sometimes happens with my 'good enough' work, the threads were a bit rough. I used the 'coarse' rubbing compound to lap the threads into the press. That also worked out fine.

[Zorba]

Seems like "everyone's" ordering Nambu dies this week - maybe they'll start to stock them!

[John Sabato]

I don't know about the mag hold open idea, but I do like the way the mag buttons are dished and grooved... that's about the only thing I do like about Nambu's...

They would be fatherless step-children without you guys... I would have melted them down to make something useful

[Olle]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

They would be fatherless step-children without you guys... I would have melted them down to make something useful

They wake up your fatherly instincts, that's for sure. Kind of the same feeling you get when you find a three legged dog, a blind cat or a Dreyse 1907. They just can't help that they're not normal.

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by Olle

Kind of the same feeling you get with a Dreyse 1907. They just can't help that they're not normal.

I know what you are saying about the Dreyse 1907!! I have owned mine since the early 1970s, and still can not find any hidden beauty in it......sort of a red headed step child so to speak.

[sheepherder]

I browse through Nonte's Pistolsmithing book frequently, and he had this to say about caliber conversions on the 8mm Nambu...(scan attached)...

No mention about boltface or extractor modifications...So I stripped my bolt down [removed firing pin], stuck a couple Fiocchi 7.65 Luger cartridges in the mag, and cycled it a couple times...Fed & extracted OK...

Further examination convinced me that if the extractor was removed, I could measure headspace from the ejection port...

I'm not contemplating converting to 7.65mm or 9mm in the near future, but barrel replacement looks do-able...For caliber change purposes...

[Olle]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

I'm not contemplating converting to 7.65mm or 9mm in the near future, but barrel replacement looks do-able...For caliber change purposes...

You mean cutting the barrel off and boring/threading the receiver for a new one? Makes me wonder if a Luger barrel can be retrofitted, an artillery Nambu would make a very interesting conversation piece, or maybe even a carbine...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

I don't know about the mag hold open idea, but I do like the way the mag buttons are dished and grooved...

I guess my Nambu magazine buttons are different from yours...My buttons are grooved, but convex, not concave...

Anyway, I found the trick for the locking magazine follower...After locking it down, loading the 8 rounds, and inserting it in the pistol, press down on the magazine retaining spring [front gripstrap] and the follower releases...

[Olle]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Anyway, I found the trick for the locking magazine follower...After locking it down, loading the 8 rounds, and inserting it in the pistol, press down on the magazine retaining spring [front gripstrap] and the follower releases...

That's the way it works... or should work anyway. I have had two Nambus, and none of them would release the follower without extensive pushing, wiggling and cussing. If you could even get the follower locked down first, that is. No wonder the japs lost the war.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

That's the way it works... or should work anyway...

Olle, is that something you discovered from trial & error or did you have a reference for it??? If a reference, do you recall where (book, magazine article, Japanese Army manual)???

None of the articles I've read mention the rear sight on the Type 14. To my mind, it is several orders of magnitude better than the Luger. To those who don't have one, the front sight is similar to the Luger (a pyramid) but unlike the Luger V-notch rear sight, it is a dovetail...So you see space around the entire front sight when sighting it...

I'll try to get a pic, if I can... Here we go -

[Olle]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Olle, is that something you discovered from trial & error or did you have a reference for it??? If a reference, do you recall where (book, magazine article, Japanese Army manual)???

I can't even remember what I had for breakfast, but I believe I read about it in one of those surplus gun magazines (Surplus Firearms, Surplus Guns or whatever they're called) a few years back. I'll dig through my piles and see if I can find it.

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

I don't know about the mag hold open idea, but I do like the way the mag buttons are dished and grooved... that's about the only thing I do like about Nambu's...

They would be fatherless step-children without you guys... I would have melted them down to make something useful

Hi,

Oh, come on, the Type 14 is, essentially, a Luger bottom with a C-96 Mauser top (with slight improvements).

It's not all that bad of an execution, though it certainly is not a Luger!


Sieger

[Olle]

Rich,

That picture is exactly what I had envisioned. The ultimate bastard that will turn both heads and stomachs.

It sure sounds like the Nambu receiver will be a bit thin, but you might be able to get away with it if you re-tread it like you described. Just keep in mind that the steel quality in the late war versions is said to be a bit iffy. I don't know if that's true, but I wouldn't take any chances.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

Rich,

That picture is exactly what I had envisioned. The ultimate bastard that will turn both heads and stomachs.

You sure??? I'm thinking, maybe we can get Eugene to shelve Ed's Luger carbine and do a Nambu carbine instead...