T-14 Nambu/cal 9mm Luger

Art · 03-21-2004, 12:02 PM

Anyone have any experience or info on converting a Nambu to 9mm Luger. I have a 1950's American Rifleman technical section answer which says that .30 Luger OK--but lot of work. My concern is that ME of 9mm is almost twice that of 8mm Nambu. Recoil springs may not do the job. .30 Luger specs are very similar to 8mm Nambu. I recently bought(cheap)a Nambu that had receiver threaded and crude 9mm bl. installed. Guy said he shot it using .380. Worked but case split. Well I know why---bl was sloppy 9mm Luger. I have now installed an original Luger 9mm bl on the piece. Looks interesting and will feed cartridges fine by hand. Now---I am reluctant to fire it. Maybe clamp it to a post and use long string??

Edward Tinker · 03-21-2004, 12:41 PM

Art, I have heard of this being discussed, and seem to remember that it is a bad idea. pressure too high?

but, I would go here and ask the question, good people on this Japanese forum;

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=42

MIKE MORRIS · 03-21-2004, 02:52 PM

I had one of these 9 m/m t-14's some years back. If I remember correctly there was a larger diameter barrell inserted ( threaded ) into the old reciever. It was done so nicely that you had to look closely to even detect the sepation line. Never tried to fire it myself, but it looked like it had been fired several times before I got it. It's been about 15 years ago and it came in my gun show in Wichita Falls from a vet who had been in the occupation forces in Japan after the war. I also bought a whole collection of Japanese insignia from him. Mike

John Sabato · 03-22-2004, 10:00 AM

Hey guys... you are playing with matches and somebody is going to get burned.

Weapons designers put enough protection in the design of the breech of a weapon to hold a good bit more pressure than the cartridge it will eventually fire for safety's sake... But the difference in power between the two cartridges 8mm Nambu and 9mm Luger is just too great...

You will be lucky if you fire it that the bolt doesn't shear off whatever holds it that tubular receiver and plant itself distinctly into your eyeball socket...

I strongly discourage the adaptation of the Nambu to the 9mm Luger cartridge... even if it worked with underpowered ammunition, someday someone will unknowingly put a Plus-P round in that baby and it will time for a casket for the shooter! Don't Do it!

Thor · 03-22-2004, 10:15 AM

Boy, I agree with John S!!!

Doubs · 03-23-2004, 03:48 PM

Let me echo John & Thor's words of wisdom..... DON'T DO IT!!

A better idea would be to have an insert put into the Luger barrel with an original-spec 8mm chamber and bore. I don't think it would be inexpensive but it would be MUCH safer!

Roadkill · 03-23-2004, 05:30 PM

I've got a 8mm Nambu that I've fired exactly five times in about ten years and at $1.00 per shot that will most likely be it for another ten. What was disappointing was the anemic round. Felt like a light loaded .32. These were Old Western Scrounger reloads, done to WWII specifications. Shooting a 9mm in it would be like of one of my dogs that got in a fight with a bull racoon. He held its own for a while,longer than I thought he would. Had the best intentions. But when he decided he had enough he let go. Been a long time since he went after another one and its also been a while since anyone got wacked by Japenese shrapnel.

rk

Art · 03-28-2004, 04:44 PM

Up date on the Nambu project. I decided against test shot(even with it clamped to sawhorse and long string). Muzzle Energy for 9mm is twice that of 8mm Nambu. Didn't want to ruin perfectly good Nambu. .30 Luger specs are about same as 8mm Nambu. SO---removed 9mm and barreled it with a .30 Luger 16" barrel. Shoots fine and fun. Not much noise or recoil. Doesn't feed from mag as well as 9mm---but a bit more work on feed ramp will fix it---I think. Thanks for the vote on 9mm. I voted with prevailing side!

Edward Tinker · 03-28-2004, 04:55 PM

Art, can I get a picture of this Nambu? sounds like something that is pretty cool!

Ed

Art · 03-28-2004, 10:32 PM

Big problem with this conversion is cost of per shot---about 50 cents per bang. Maybe get picture later. Thinking of shoulder stock made from 38 type jap junk stock!

John Sabato · 03-29-2004, 12:55 PM

Art, please be very cautious... we don't want to have to refer to you as the LATE gunsmith... and don't want to see your name as the recipient of a Darwin Award.

If you want to spend a few minutes laughing... visit Darwinawards.com...

regards,

John

Steve Richards · 03-29-2004, 08:43 PM

I found a reloader for .30 ammo that is cheaper and functions in my guns. Email at ammoman2@msn.com or call 503-390-9192. I have no connection except as a customer.

Steve

03-21-2004, 12:02 PM	#1
Art User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: missouri Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	T-14 Nambu/cal 9mm Luger Anyone have any experience or info on converting a Nambu to 9mm Luger. I have a 1950's American Rifleman technical section answer which says that .30 Luger OK--but lot of work. My concern is that ME of 9mm is almost twice that of 8mm Nambu. Recoil springs may not do the job. .30 Luger specs are very similar to 8mm Nambu. I recently bought(cheap)a Nambu that had receiver threaded and crude 9mm bl. installed. Guy said he shot it using .380. Worked but case split. Well I know why---bl was sloppy 9mm Luger. I have now installed an original Luger 9mm bl on the piece. Looks interesting and will feed cartridges fine by hand. Now---I am reluctant to fire it. Maybe clamp it to a post and use long string??

03-21-2004, 12:41 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Art, I have heard of this being discussed, and seem to remember that it is a bad idea. pressure too high? but, I would go here and ask the question, good people on this Japanese forum; http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=42 __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-21-2004, 02:52 PM	#3
MIKE MORRIS User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: BULVERDE, TEXAS Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I had one of these 9 m/m t-14's some years back. If I remember correctly there was a larger diameter barrell inserted ( threaded ) into the old reciever. It was done so nicely that you had to look closely to even detect the sepation line. Never tried to fire it myself, but it looked like it had been fired several times before I got it. It's been about 15 years ago and it came in my gun show in Wichita Falls from a vet who had been in the occupation forces in Japan after the war. I also bought a whole collection of Japanese insignia from him. Mike __________________ MIKE MORRIS

03-22-2004, 10:00 AM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Hey guys... you are playing with matches and somebody is going to get burned. Weapons designers put enough protection in the design of the breech of a weapon to hold a good bit more pressure than the cartridge it will eventually fire for safety's sake... But the difference in power between the two cartridges 8mm Nambu and 9mm Luger is just too great... You will be lucky if you fire it that the bolt doesn't shear off whatever holds it that tubular receiver and plant itself distinctly into your eyeball socket... I strongly discourage the adaptation of the Nambu to the 9mm Luger cartridge... even if it worked with underpowered ammunition, someday someone will unknowingly put a Plus-P round in that baby and it will time for a casket for the shooter! Don't Do it! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-22-2004, 10:15 AM	#5
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Boy, I agree with John S!!! __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

03-23-2004, 03:48 PM	#6
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	Let me echo John & Thor's words of wisdom..... DON'T DO IT!! A better idea would be to have an insert put into the Luger barrel with an original-spec 8mm chamber and bore. I don't think it would be inexpensive but it would be MUCH safer!

03-23-2004, 05:30 PM	#7
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	I've got a 8mm Nambu that I've fired exactly five times in about ten years and at $1.00 per shot that will most likely be it for another ten. What was disappointing was the anemic round. Felt like a light loaded .32. These were Old Western Scrounger reloads, done to WWII specifications. Shooting a 9mm in it would be like of one of my dogs that got in a fight with a bull racoon. He held its own for a while,longer than I thought he would. Had the best intentions. But when he decided he had enough he let go. Been a long time since he went after another one and its also been a while since anyone got wacked by Japenese shrapnel. rk

03-28-2004, 04:44 PM	#8
Art User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: missouri Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Up date on the Nambu project. I decided against test shot(even with it clamped to sawhorse and long string). Muzzle Energy for 9mm is twice that of 8mm Nambu. Didn't want to ruin perfectly good Nambu. .30 Luger specs are about same as 8mm Nambu. SO---removed 9mm and barreled it with a .30 Luger 16" barrel. Shoots fine and fun. Not much noise or recoil. Doesn't feed from mag as well as 9mm---but a bit more work on feed ramp will fix it---I think. Thanks for the vote on 9mm. I voted with prevailing side!

03-28-2004, 04:55 PM	#9
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Art, can I get a picture of this Nambu? sounds like something that is pretty cool! Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-28-2004, 10:32 PM	#10
Art User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: missouri Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Big problem with this conversion is cost of per shot---about 50 cents per bang. Maybe get picture later. Thinking of shoulder stock made from 38 type jap junk stock!

03-29-2004, 12:55 PM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Art, please be very cautious... we don't want to have to refer to you as the LATE gunsmith... and don't want to see your name as the recipient of a Darwin Award. If you want to spend a few minutes laughing... visit Darwinawards.com... regards, John __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-29-2004, 08:43 PM	#12
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I found a reloader for .30 ammo that is cheaper and functions in my guns. Email at ammoman2@msn.com or call 503-390-9192. I have no connection except as a customer. Steve