Nambu

[metalcruncher]

Looking to buy a late model 14 (1943-1944) Nambu handgun. Any gotchas out there that I should be looking for before I start bidding on gun broker?

Thanks in advance.

[Rogerbutthead]

There was a rig on the GunBoards Japanese arms trader - SPF - https://forums.gunboards.com/showthr...e-14-Nambu-rig

[Jimja]

If you just want one, nice representative example, I would go for a complete rig, this is what I think would be perfect:

All matching pistol, this includes grips, firing pin and magazine
1 extra magazine, not matching (unless you want to pay a huge premium or get lucky)
Nice original holster, with intact stitching, either leather or the rubberized canvas type (canvas being more correct for late war)
Spare original firing pin (unnumbered or different number is fine) for the holster
Original cleaning rod

Things that would be very nice to have but are quite expensive would be an original lanyard + original ammo boxes. Extra small belt for the pistol ammo pouch + pouch were only early for these pistols IIRC, they are very rare and expensive

Up to you if you like the grooved grips vs slab grip style

If you do plan on shooting it, get a reproduction firing pin and extractor, be very careful with PCI ammo

Post some pics when you get it, good luck!!

[CAL.BAR]

Why late model? they are usually of much poorer quality than the early or pre-war variety, (and that's saying something as the pre-war ones aren't that great as guns either)

[Paulie Lugnuts]

Ammo isn't common and they tend to be finicky. At least ours is. Pretty hard to get through a mag without a malfunction.

[photorog]

Gunworld in Burbank had a couple for around $500. I don't know what year they were.

[CAL.BAR]

Ammo isn't common and they tend to be finicky. At least ours is. Pretty hard to get through a mag without a malfunction.

Mine's a pristine 1937 and STILL can't get through a mag with it. And.... ammo is .75 per. More of a Looking at kind of gun than a shooter.

[Jimja]

There is plenty of information on various forums about problems with shooting the t-14 nambu. Here is a quick rundown

PCI and Buffalo arms ammo sucks, don't use it. NEVER use the PCI 83 grain bullets, it's too weak to properly cycle the pistol and will break extractors. Get Mr. Nambu reloads

Get a replacement firing pin, extractor and recoil spring/spring kit. Best way to get them done is to send the bolt to have them fitted, there are different styles/sizes of firing pins. Mismatched pins in a pistol can cause problems, they were numbered for a reason

Is the magazine matching? Magazines are NOT fully interchangeable between early and later pistols. They were also numbered for a reason

Taking care of the issues above will fix the majority of T-14 shooting malfunctions, ammo is by far the biggest problem

[Mustang]

Is the Type 94 any better?

[bigbossman]

Is the Type 94 any better?

If you like the potential for an accidental discharge, they're awesome. :-)

[aolis110]

I always taught the type 94 looked like a ray gun. When I was a Kid, I'd see them at gun shows for around $200.00. They're on GunBroker starting at $800.00, but nobody's buying.

[tuolumnejim]

There was a rig on the GunBoards Japanese arms trader - SPF - https://forums.gunboards.com/showthr...e-14-Nambu-rig

Lol, damn I remember when you couldn't give them away.

[Jimja]

Lol, damn I remember when you couldn't give them away.

That's a fair price these days, people don't realize how much accessories cost. Original ammo boxes in nice shape are ~$200+ each, cleaning rod + firing pin are $120+, last original lanyard that I saw sold for over $300+, very nice holsters also aren't cheap, most you see have problems, loose stitching, etc

Another way of looking at that is that an all matching pistol sold for ~$300, the rest was for the very nice holster, extra firing pin, cleaning rod and two very hard to find original ammo boxes, all at a fair price

[oddjob]

I shot a Texas Star with a Nambu (large trigger guard....whatever model that is) and it was like shooting a .22LR Ruger. I then shot the one known for AD's (Type 94?). The trigger bar is exposed (I think) and my friend showed me how they could go off. Both were fun to shoot. Both were shot with reloads.

[sonofeugene]

Believe it or not, there are a few Nambu experts over at the Luger forum. You might ask questions there.