An air soft

alvin · 12-02-2008, 07:50 PM

Don't really need such a thing, but seller gave me good price, so.....

====

Admin -- please delete this thread. Camera is boken.

alvin · 12-02-2008, 09:10 PM

The kid knew how to handle this.... so proud of him.

For some reason, there are tons of these on the market, all in this type of condition. Most of them are late model, 140m/m barrel + smooth rails + salt blued small parts, probably coming from undelivered block and captured in unissued condition.

Fewer of them are early models. Chinese called early 1930 "8m/m shorter #2 box". Obviously, the 132m/m barrel length was observed. There are tons of them in the museums, just like Schnellfeuer. So, there are fewer early models in good shape than late models in today's market.

Enjoy

alvin · 12-03-2008, 06:36 AM

So, the finish is not even, showing 'soy sauce' color, ugly. Where did 'air soft' come from? The appearence depends on lighting. Under regular room lighting condition, it's more like a 'air soft'.

Doubt? pix here:

alvin · 12-03-2008, 07:36 AM

Looks like some function of this site is broken..... cannot edit to add any 'attachment'..... could be my "acer" as well, not sure. Last pix.

Please note the "shadow" on the left side. It's not shadow, it's deeper blue.

alvin · 12-03-2008, 08:25 AM

A tip on how to open the magazine floor.

Almost universally, 1930 has super tight magazine floor, especially when it's in relatively new condition. Most of them look fine everywhere, except one big scratch or two on the magazine floor. Unfortunately, it's a numbered part and must be checked.... and you don't want to scratch anything. Here is one way to open it:

0) Of course, always make sure the gun is unloaded;
1) Remove the firing pin, bolt stop, and drag the bolt out;
2) Wrapping the whole barrel with tape (plastic transparent postal tape works) to protect the barrel from scratching in the next step;
3) **** the hammer and push up the lock frame latch. Use one finger or wood stick to push down the magazine follower from the ejection port, then carefully push the upper barrel assembly off the grip frame. In this step, it's almost impossible to avoid magazine follower running against the barrel, but the barrel is protected by the tape;
4) Remove the trigger spring, and magazine floor latch;
5) Now, nothing locks the floor anymore. To overcome the tightness, use two thumbs to push the floor off without using any tool (only thumbs). Still takes considerable amount of effort, but it can be done.

alanint · 12-03-2008, 08:40 AM

Every 1930 Broomhandle I have ever owned allowed me to remove the magazine floorplate by simply inserting a pencil point or other non-marring object into the detent hole, pushing the plunger down and pulling the floorplate forward using the pencil or other tool as a fulcrum.

I am surprised that this gun has a reputation for troublesome magazine floorplates.

Maybe I have just been lucky?

alvin · 12-03-2008, 08:53 AM

alanint -- Yes, you're lucky. Normal way to strip C96 starts from the magazine floor. But it won't work when it's super tight. I have five 1930s, only one floor can be removed in the 'normal' way. All other four 'air softs' have super tight floors. I scratched my first one.

The problem with 'normal' way .... one hand has to hold a wood stick to push down the latch, the thumb of another hand pushes the floor forward. There are two issues when the floor is tight: 1st, one thumb cannot offer enough force; 2nd, the position of the gun is awkward, it's impossible to push floor hard enough without losing balance.

Previously introduced method overcomes those two issues.

====

Why it's super tight is another question. The reason is unclear. Why 1930's tightness rate is higher than other variations? It's interesting to notice a well-known collector/researcher mentioned this "1930 tightness" in a column in the Gun Report magazine..... but he did not explain why it's super tight.....

Maybe someone here could explain? Could it simply because it's never disassembled before?

Steinar · 12-03-2008, 12:29 PM

Wow.. that's one fantastic C96!
(Why is this tread called 'An air soft' instead of 'An incredible C96'?)

I notice there is VERY tight tolerances between the T-shaped notch on the floorplate and the cut for it on the frame. Perhaps this is the tight spot, and that your C96 actually came from the factory with this little 'fault'?

Just a thought.. but how about removing the magazine spring and push down latch, and slide the floorplate back and forward until it becomes more loose?

Btw. I have seen a manual removal of the floorplate was illustrated with a hand using the tip of a bullet for pushing it down.

alvin · 12-03-2008, 06:31 PM

'Air Soft' was inspired by Vlim's story of Interarms/Mauser planned to make some airsoft C96 back in 1960s. Minty Late 1930 (140m/m barrel) is common on the open market. Especially on auction, there are tons of excellent 1930s. Minty Early 1930 (132m/m barrel) is less seen but not rare either. This one was acquired from a local dealer/collector, who also read the book 'Axis Pistols', interesting? The world is only this big.

12-02-2008, 07:50 PM	#1
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	An air soft Don't really need such a thing, but seller gave me good price, so..... ==== Admin -- please delete this thread. Camera is boken. Last edited by alvin; 12-02-2008 at 08:47 PM.

12-03-2008, 06:36 AM	#3
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	So, the finish is not even, showing 'soy sauce' color, ugly. Where did 'air soft' come from? The appearence depends on lighting. Under regular room lighting condition, it's more like a 'air soft'. Doubt? pix here: Attached Thumbnails

12-03-2008, 07:36 AM	#4
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Looks like some function of this site is broken..... cannot edit to add any 'attachment'..... could be my "acer" as well, not sure. Last pix. Please note the "shadow" on the left side. It's not shadow, it's deeper blue. Attached Thumbnails

12-03-2008, 08:53 AM	#7
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	alanint -- Yes, you're lucky. Normal way to strip C96 starts from the magazine floor. But it won't work when it's super tight. I have five 1930s, only one floor can be removed in the 'normal' way. All other four 'air softs' have super tight floors. I scratched my first one. The problem with 'normal' way .... one hand has to hold a wood stick to push down the latch, the thumb of another hand pushes the floor forward. There are two issues when the floor is tight: 1st, one thumb cannot offer enough force; 2nd, the position of the gun is awkward, it's impossible to push floor hard enough without losing balance. Previously introduced method overcomes those two issues. ==== Why it's super tight is another question. The reason is unclear. Why 1930's tightness rate is higher than other variations? It's interesting to notice a well-known collector/researcher mentioned this "1930 tightness" in a column in the Gun Report magazine..... but he did not explain why it's super tight..... Maybe someone here could explain? Could it simply because it's never disassembled before? Last edited by alvin; 12-03-2008 at 09:22 AM.

12-03-2008, 12:29 PM	#8
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Wow.. that's one fantastic C96! (Why is this tread called 'An air soft' instead of 'An incredible C96'?) I notice there is VERY tight tolerances between the T-shaped notch on the floorplate and the cut for it on the frame. Perhaps this is the tight spot, and that your C96 actually came from the factory with this little 'fault'? Just a thought.. but how about removing the magazine spring and push down latch, and slide the floorplate back and forward until it becomes more loose? Btw. I have seen a manual removal of the floorplate was illustrated with a hand using the tip of a bullet for pushing it down. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

12-02-2008, 09:10 PM	#2
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	The kid knew how to handle this.... so proud of him. For some reason, there are tons of these on the market, all in this type of condition. Most of them are late model, 140m/m barrel + smooth rails + salt blued small parts, probably coming from undelivered block and captured in unissued condition. Fewer of them are early models. Chinese called early 1930 "8m/m shorter #2 box". Obviously, the 132m/m barrel length was observed. There are tons of them in the museums, just like Schnellfeuer. So, there are fewer early models in good shape than late models in today's market. Enjoy Attached Thumbnails

12-03-2008, 08:25 AM	#5
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	A tip on how to open the magazine floor. Almost universally, 1930 has super tight magazine floor, especially when it's in relatively new condition. Most of them look fine everywhere, except one big scratch or two on the magazine floor. Unfortunately, it's a numbered part and must be checked.... and you don't want to scratch anything. Here is one way to open it: 0) Of course, always make sure the gun is unloaded; 1) Remove the firing pin, bolt stop, and drag the bolt out; 2) Wrapping the whole barrel with tape (plastic transparent postal tape works) to protect the barrel from scratching in the next step; 3) **** the hammer and push up the lock frame latch. Use one finger or wood stick to push down the magazine follower from the ejection port, then carefully push the upper barrel assembly off the grip frame. In this step, it's almost impossible to avoid magazine follower running against the barrel, but the barrel is protected by the tape; 4) Remove the trigger spring, and magazine floor latch; 5) Now, nothing locks the floor anymore. To overcome the tightness, use two thumbs to push the floor off without using any tool (only thumbs). Still takes considerable amount of effort, but it can be done.

12-03-2008, 08:40 AM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Every 1930 Broomhandle I have ever owned allowed me to remove the magazine floorplate by simply inserting a pencil point or other non-marring object into the detent hole, pushing the plunger down and pulling the floorplate forward using the pencil or other tool as a fulcrum. I am surprised that this gun has a reputation for troublesome magazine floorplates. Maybe I have just been lucky?

12-03-2008, 06:31 PM	#9
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	'Air Soft' was inspired by Vlim's story of Interarms/Mauser planned to make some airsoft C96 back in 1960s. Minty Late 1930 (140m/m barrel) is common on the open market. Especially on auction, there are tons of excellent 1930s. Minty Early 1930 (132m/m barrel) is less seen but not rare either. This one was acquired from a local dealer/collector, who also read the book 'Axis Pistols', interesting? The world is only this big.