Nambu Typ 14, range report

[alvin]

Derby's Japanese handgun book had an interesting comparison of T14 against Mauser C96. The comparison was performed by the 4th Division of Japanese Army in 1935. Japanese captured large number of C96 in Manchuria. Result is copied here:

1. Accuracy: T14=Good, C96=Very Good;
2. Range: range of C96 is langer than T14;
3. Effectiveness: 7.63mm Mauser cartridge is more powerful than 8mm Nambu cartridge.
4. Magazine capacity: C96 hold more rounds in magazine.
5. Safety: T14 safety works well, C96 safety is undependable.
6. Weight: T14 is lighter than C96.
7. Function under extreme cold: T14=Poor, C96=Good.
8. Mechanism: T14=Simple, C96=Complicated
9. Handling: T14=Simple, C96=Rather difficult
10. Emergency handling: T14=Hard, C96=Easy

It's a pretty fair comparison.

[Olle]

Originally Posted by alvin

5. Safety: T14 safety works well, C96 safety is undependable.

That's a surprise to me. The T14's safety does work, but is very easy to bump out of position. The safety is one of the weakest points of this pistol IMO, it almost looks like an afterthought.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by alvin

5. Safety: T14 safety works well, C96 safety is undependable.

Originally Posted by Olle

That's a surprise to me.

Surprise to me, too. My C96 safety notch is so deep that I can hear it as well as feel it engage. Very positive.

I also find the handling to be excellent. There is never any doubt as to where you are pointing it.

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I just sent a Nambu Type 14 bolt [stripped] off to Don Schlickman to have an extractor fabricated & installed. Don told me it was dovetailed into the bolt and some hand fitting is required [no charge]. I'll post pics when it arrives back.

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by Olle

That's a surprise to me. The T14's safety does work, but is very easy to bump out of position. The safety is one of the weakest points of this pistol IMO, it almost looks like an afterthought.

Plus it takes two hands to throw it (the safety). Does anyone know how far bumped out of position it needs to be to be off safe? Hadn't thought of this aspect - next time I have my Nambu apart, I'll try to remember to check it out.

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by zormpas

Plus it takes two hands to throw it (the safety). Does anyone know how far bumped out of position it needs to be to be off safe? Hadn't thought of this aspect - next time I have my Nambu apart, I'll try to remember to check it out.

I'd rather know how far bumped out of position in order not to fire.

A pistol should always go bang when one needs it. Your life may depend on it.