My first Type 14 Nambu

Hello,

Had a good day at the local gunshow today. I found a guy with a couple of reasonably priced Type 14 Nambu's in 8mm Nambu cal. I chose the lesser of the two because I'm cheap but I think its still nice. Its all numbers matching, except the clip. The clip's serial number is 11 digits off from the rest of the pistol, though this is likely just coincedence. It was made in August of 1943 at the Toriimatsu Branch of Nagoya Arsenal according to the stampings. This is my first Nambu so I am by no means an expert. I was disappointed to see that the firing pin is missing when I got home so I will need to get one. Ill try going back to the dealer tomorrow but I doubt I will get one. The grips have been varnished but that is easily removed. The bolt will not hold open when the gun is empty. I believe this to be a magazine issue because the mag spring is very weak and is not pushing the follower up far enough to catch the bolt. All springs in the gun seem to be weak but replacement kits are avaliable for $20.00 and I will probably get one. The most disappointing part is the fact that the spring that holds tthe bottom of the magazine is broken. It is rivited in and would be hard to replace without damage. Please offer any additional info that you may have. My assessment below:

The Good:

ITS A NAMBU!!!
Its in good shape
All numbers match
Good Bore
Got it at a good price

The Bad:

Grips are Varnished
All springs are weak
Magazine does not match
No firing pin
Ammo costs
Bottom clip spring is broken (total bummer)

What I would like to have:

Holster
Cleaning Rod
Loaded Ammo or Brass and dies
Spare Clip
More info on the gun


Does anyone know what the square cut in the frame next to the lanyard loop is for? It is pictured in picture #5. I plan to give the gun a good cleaning and replace needed parts. I always seem to buy guns that need some work but I enjoy it. If you have or know someone that does have a firing pin, please let me know. I would also be interested in the other wanted items I have listed. Thanks and all comments welcomed!!

mdrim13

The square hole is the recess for the locking block which allows it to swing away from the bolt locking recesses during recoil.

You have the firing pin, it just needs the tip replaced. Pretty common repair, actually.
If you are careful, you don't even need a lathe to do a good job. A short length of drill bit shank can serve as the new tip.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmoore

The square hole is the recess for the locking block which allows it to swing away from the bolt locking recesses during recoil.

You have the firing pin, it just needs the tip replaced. Pretty common repair, actually.
If you are careful, you don't even need a lathe to do a good job. A short length of drill bit shank can serve as the new tip.

---

I do have the firing pin but it has been cut. It looks like someone wanted to make sure it wouldn't be able to fire. It will be difficult to repair but I am confident I can if I can get my hands on an original for measurements. Thanks.

Mdrim13

The firing pin on Nambu's are well known for breaking from being dry fired. Since your getting a spring set be sure it has two new recoil springs in it as the original springs do weaken with age and do not feed rounds from the magazine well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mdrim13

It will be difficult to repair

---

I know a guy that can do the repair in less than an hour, but you may wait six months for him to get around to it!

The problem is that not just the tip is missing. Someone took a saw and cut it back about 1/4" past the shoulder of the tip.

mdrim13

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mdrim13

The problem is that not just the tip is missing. Someone took a saw and cut it back about 1/4" past the shoulder of the tip.

mdrim13

---

That will take a little more effort! But still repairable. I don't have one to measure, currently, but somebody ought to be able to get you numbers.

In the end, the higher priced pistol may have been the bargain.

I don't blame you for wanting to get the firing pin fixed, but the T14 is not a good choice for a shooter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Johnny Peppers

In the end, the higher priced pistol may have been the bargain.

I don't blame you for wanting to get the firing pin fixed, but the T14 is not a good choice for a shooter.

---

The higher priced pistol was certainly not a better deal. It had ben refinished and numbers not matching. They were asking $700 for it. If it was original and numbers matching I could maybe see that kind of value...maybe. I payed less than $350 for mine. I would have to agree with you about the Nambu not being a great shooter, though they really are not terrible. I find it fts my hand well and has a very steady sight picture. I would only like to shoot it a few times. There is nothing in my collection that I have never shot, and I plan to keep it that way.

mdrim13

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mdrim13

The higher priced pistol was certainly not a better deal. It had ben refinished and numbers not matching. They were asking $700 for it. If it was original and numbers matching I could maybe see that kind of value...maybe. I payed less than $350 for mine. I would have to agree with you about the Nambu not being a great shooter, though they really are not terrible. I find it fts my hand well and has a very steady sight picture. I would only like to shoot it a few times. There is nothing in my collection that I have never shot, and I plan to keep it that way.

mdrim13

---

I missed that information in your first post, but you indicated you took the "lesser" of the two. With his pricing structure you should have ask him if he had a like new one under the table for $150.

Buy a box of 8mm Nambu and by the time you get through it you should know whether you want to invest in a setup to reload it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Johnny Peppers

Buy a box of 8mm Nambu and by the time you get through it you should know whether you want to invest in a setup to reload it.

---

The price of reloading it is high and while it wouldnt be too hard, the bottle neck case is kind of pain. Ill probably find and buy some ammo to shoot it then retire it to the display case.

thanks
mdrim13

Don Schlickman can repair your firing pin ($25) and/or make you a replacement firing pin ($30). I had him repair two original firing pins with broken tips and make two new firing pins so I can save the originals. He is currently making a new extractor ($40) for another one of my Type 14's. He also makes replacements for the magazine retention spring ($25) and rivets ($15).

Don's price list Don's Reproduction Japanese Militaria Parts List

You can contact Don at dfsjpn "at" aol​.com

You can get replacement spring kits from Wolff Springs for NAMBU Semi-Auto Pistols

I handloaded 8mm Nambu ammo using brass and bullets from Grafs
Graf Sons - HDS BRASS 8MM NAMBU UNPRIMED PER 100
Graf Sons - GRAF BULLET(.320)83gr TMJ RN (8mm NAMBU) PER 100

and RCBS dies 3-Die Set Roll Crimp 8mm Nambu using W231 powder per this thread Loading the 8mm Nambu Cartridge to Post 1929 Standards in Japanese Military Firearms. Forum

This is a useful site about Nambus Nambu World: Terifs Japanese Handgun Website

This is a good book to have Amazon.com: Collectors Guide to Imperial Japanese Handguns 1893-1945 (Schiffer Military History) (9780764327872): James D. Brown: Books

My Type 14's

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...803c2fac-1.jpg