Project Nambu - sending a friend back to Japan for the last time

[Mikeinblack]

So, I work for a Japanese owned company, and one of our long term (multiple rotation to/from the US) Coordinators is returning back to Japan soon for retirement, and most likely completing his last tip to the US... This guy LOVES shooting, and has spent a good part of the 10 - 15 years he has been here going to the range, and caring for the small collection he was able to acquire (temporarily, of course). Anyway, as Japan law goes, he will likely never be able to even touch a real gun again...

In talking to him, he has never touched or fired a Japanese gun. So... I have decided that before he goes home next month, I am going to buy a Nambu 14, and take him to the range as a fitting finale to his hobby.

I am involved in getting one right now, but it seems to be in need of a gunsmith familiar with this model. Does anyone have any recommendations on who I should have check it out? Also, as I am clueless on the model and that round, any thoughts on sourcing the 8mm ammo? Is it reload only?

Thanks!

[sealocan]

if I were you I would consider renting/borrowing one from a member here who already owns one in your area.
I think you'll probably end up paying more than it's worth and the ammo is going to be always hard to find or you'll have to reload it.
if you want to let him fire a Japanese build guns how about a modern quality built one.

" The Miroku Corporation is a Japanese firearms manufacturer located in Nankoku, Kochi Prefecture. Their products include shotguns produced for Browning Arms Company and rifles licensed by Winchester Firearms."

then when he leaves you will have a well made, safe, modern firearm that fires available ammo.

also occurs to me, though I know they are extreme restrictions, Japan does make some exceptions for hunters who jump through extreme hoops to get their long arms.
I'm not sure if you have to know someone, pay someone off, reside in a rural prefecture or what,
but I believe it may be possible for him to own a long gun (and even then you are probably restricted to just bolt action rifles or single barrel shotguns.)

[anti]

I believe they're allowed to own some shotguns for sporting and hunting uses. I doubt it's simple to acquire, though.

edit: Here's from a copy/paste from Wikipedia...

"The weapons law begins by stating "No-one shall possess a fire-arm or fire-arms or a sword or swords", and very few exceptions are allowed.[86] The only types of firearms which a Japanese citizen may acquire are rifles or shotguns. Sportsmen are permitted to possess rifles or shotguns for hunting and for skeet and trap shooting, but only after submitting to a lengthy licensing procedure.[87] Without a license, a Japanese citizen may not even hold a gun in their hands."

[sonofeugene]

Check over at the Luger forum. Surprisingly, there are more than a few over there who are knowledgeable re that gun.

[Mikeinblack]

Thanks for the feedback. As I'm actually a big fan of WWII items, so I wouldn't mind having a Nambu in the collection, it just wouldn't have been #1 on my priority list. I will check the Luger forum out!

Thanks.

[glassparman]

I have a Nambu type 14. Ammo is scarce. You can buy it on gunbroker for a premium. I'd say one expensive batch just for your friend, then reload for your own habits. The best is to make the brass from .357 SIG and cast your own projectiles. The really big expense is buying the dies . . . If you can find them - $175 or more. It's an expensive one to play with

[mtnguy]

I've got one You can shoot, I'm in Big Bear and there is a range and local shooting areas up here. Don't have any ammo though. nine five one 203.2156(c). Jim

[CZ man in LA]

If the OP's friend is Japanese and assume he is able to read Japanese fluently, he can buy this book off of Amazon Japan which explains the process on how an ordinary Japanese citizen can buy a gun (rifles and shotguns only)

http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4807499009

Many Japanese professional shooters compete in IDPA, IPSC and Olympic skeet shooting events as well. IIRC, former PM Taro Aso was also a skeet shooter in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Also, there's a Type 14 Nambu at the Los Angeles Gun Club indoor shooting range in DTLA (don't know if they still let them shoot it though), and there was also a Type 94 that was available for purchase at Martin B. Retting in Culver City (at least it was there 2 weeks ago). MBR also has lots of WWII Japanese bolt action rifles to look at too.

And Japan does still make their own guns, some even for export. The Howa bolt action rifle comes to mind which I have and IMO, it's one of the best modern bolt action rifles for the money there is.

[Cowboy T]

As an alternative, if you're going for the WWII angle, would an Arisaka rifle in 7.7mm be an option? Brass can be formed from plentiful .30-06 cases.

[ojisan]

Don't get too worked up about his return to Japan for retirement.
I also worked for a Japanese company for 20 years.
Many Japanese after living / working in the US for a while will return home, then move back to the US after their job is over.
I saw this happen many times.
Even some of the younger ones will do this.
Good luck on getting a Nambu for him to shoot.

(There was one older guy who had a heart attack and died while on the job here in the US.
His desk at work had a locked drawer....a big no-no but he was a senior guy.
When the drawer was opened it was full of handguns.)

[Von_Richthofen]

I use to work for Nissan and took many engineers on shooting trips. The HKs, M1 Garand, K98 and G43 were the favorites. I have Nambu 14s and an Arisaka I'd be happy to lend as well. So it seems you have plenty of options.

[Armistice]

Liberty Tree Collectors has some Nambu ammo prob. It was $30 for 5rnds though...

[Discogodfather]

The Nambu 14 is not really a point of pride among Japanese firearms, it was quite lousy. Nambu was not really the greatest designer in general, some of the machine guns where good.

I would recommend getting into the excellent Arisaka's, they showcase Imperial Japanese gun craftsmanship and design at their pinnacle. Generally the 1930's 38's and 99's are amazing, avoid things after 42 as the situation went pretty badly.

[19K]

I believe they're allowed to own some shotguns for sporting and hunting uses. I doubt it's simple to acquire, though.

edit: Here's from a copy/paste from Wikipedia...

"The weapons law begins by stating "No-one shall possess a fire-arm or fire-arms or a sword or swords", and very few exceptions are allowed.[86] The only types of firearms which a Japanese citizen may acquire are rifles or shotguns. Sportsmen are permitted to possess rifles or shotguns for hunting and for skeet and trap shooting, but only after submitting to a lengthy licensing procedure.[87] Without a license, a Japanese citizen may not even hold a gun in their hands."

but in Iraq its ok for citizens to own fully automatic rifles without a license or registration.

dumb laws considering they have one of the highest suicide rates in the world

[CZ man in LA]

The Nambu 14 is not really a point of pride among Japanese firearms, it was quite lousy. Nambu was not really the greatest designer in general, some of the machine guns where good.

OTOH, The Nambu Type 14 that was brought back as a war trophy did inspire Bill Ruger to design the highly sucessful 22lr Ruger Standard (and their predecessors Mk I-III). So in a way it has left a footprint in modern firearm design.