.45 ACP/Shanxi Type 17 Broomhandle

[alvin]

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.

[conehammer]

Originally Posted by alvin

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.

Alvin, clearly you are probably one of the most well informed persons regarding the Shansei Model 17 who I've read.

I have what I must believe is one of the post 1980 examples.
I'm curious regarding your statement that the post 1980 production pieces have a cast iron frame. How did you determine this? I'm no metallurgist and I'm not going to subject mine to exhaustive or destructive testing but the frame certainly does not appear to be a cast or grey iron part. I've machined fine grain cast iron and the surface never quite looks like steel. So either the material used is tyhe finest grade iron castings I've seen in some time or they're actually a form of steel... Jerry

[TheRomanhistorian]

Originally Posted by conehammer

Alvin, clearly you are probably one of the most well informed persons regarding the Shansei Model 17 who I've read.

I have what I must believe is one of the post 1980 examples.
I'm curious regarding your statement that the post 1980 production pieces have a cast iron frame. How did you determine this? I'm no metallurgist and I'm not going to subject mine to exhaustive or destructive testing but the frame certainly does not appear to be a cast or grey iron part. I've machined fine grain cast iron and the surface never quite looks like steel. So either the material used is tyhe finest grade iron castings I've seen in some time or they're actually a form of steel... Jerry

Jerry,

Have you ever shot yours or is it safe queen for you? I'm curious after looking at the link Alvin posted.

Michael