MachIVshooter
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Pretty well any of them. Nambus are just plain awkward. Not that they don't still appeal to me, but from an ergonomics and function standpoint, they're at the bottom of my list, just above the Nagant 1895.
Has anyone seen a Nambu outside of a museum?
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Pretty well any of them. Nambus are just plain awkward. Not that they don't still appeal to me, but from an ergonomics and function standpoint, they're at the bottom of my list, just above the Nagant 1895.
I picked up my Type 14 on Wednesday. Overall, it’s not a bad pistol ergonomically, although some of the “features” - like the lack of a slide stop - aren’t very appealing. Mine is a 1934 production so it has the smaller trigger guard. Some of the parts match but it has obviously been rebuilt along the way. Still, I’m happy owning a piece of WW II history!
tark
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Nambu's don't have slides!
But I know what you mean and it IS an irritation. A C-96 Broomhandle Mauser is another example of an automatic pistol without a slide. ( And they're a pain in the butt as well.)
Archie
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I saw some in a Gun Show (People' Democratic Socialist Republic of) California perhaps twenty years ago. The gentleman had a herd of them, dated each month for at least the duration of the war and perhaps of manufacturing. No ammo in those days.
Since I collect .32 caliber semi-automatics of bygone days, I would be obligated were one affordable. (8mm is close enough to .32...) It's more of curiosity than anything else. Unless I could find dies I wouldn't shoot it. Probably not then, either.
Since I collect .32 caliber semi-automatics of bygone days, I would be obligated were one affordable. (8mm is close enough to .32...) It's more of curiosity than anything else. Unless I could find dies I wouldn't shoot it. Probably not then, either.
Mosin77
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When I was younger/didn’t own as many guns, I definitely believed in the principle that if I owned it I must shoot it. Or I must at least own ammo for it. Now I’m much more ambivalent. It’s easy to take something chambered in a common cartridge out for a little exercise, but I’m not likely to have any mind-blowing revelation or superlative, amazing shooting experience from a 100 year old pistol that’s been functionally obsolescent since 1945, for which I’ll have to procure brass, projectiles, dies….. and then the thought of how if I break a part (not uncommon on old guns that weren’t so robust compared to modern designs anyhow) it will require time to make right, cost money, and still devalue my gun significantly… for the most part, when it comes to surplus handguns I stick with the 9mm and the 32s on range day.
The Ruger Mk series semi-auto is based on the Nambu so I imagine it’s a similar experience overall. If I had to guess I’d say the Nambu is much less refined.
Chevelle SS
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I used to own the 297th Type 14 ever made, sold it earlier this year.
![IMG_9620[1].JPG](https://www.thehighroad.org/data/attachments/1063/1063767-8e92fdddcf590c4a2b865ed7d47384b6.jpg "IMG_9620[1].JPG")
Nambu's don't have slides!
Fair point!
JR24
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Local consignment shop had one last time I was there, but that was some time ago.
My grandpa brought one back from the isles, but it went missing at some point. I suspect an uncle pawned it, which is a shame.
My grandpa brought one back from the isles, but it went missing at some point. I suspect an uncle pawned it, which is a shame.
Speedo66
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Quite the resemblance to a Marksman Plainsman BB pistol I had as a kid. (Stock photo)
Archie
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I find that an excellent philosophy. I do collect old .32 ACP/7.65mm browning pistols for historic significance - including what has been recently described on this forum as 'dead end' designs. What should NOT be duplicated. Studious, I am.
The Ruger Mk series semi-auto is based on the Nambu so I imagine it’s a similar experience overall. If I had to guess I’d say the Nambu is much less refined.[/QUOTE]The connection between the Ruger Automatic (now identified as .22 long rifle) pistol and the Nambu are external only. Other than a barrel, a magazine and an internal bolt rather than a slide...
garandsrus
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I had thought the MK series descended from the Luger. I see the Nambu resemblance also though.
My Father In Law was in the Bataan Death March and spend the balance of the way in Main Land Japan in a number of prisoner of war camps. When he was liberated, he and another guy beat up the camp commander. One got his Sword and my Father In Law got his Officers Model Baby Nambu. He gave it to me and I kept it all these years. He became my Ex-Father In Law, but we stayed in touch until he died.
tark
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I have heard this a million times. In what way? Other than superficial resemblance, the Ruger bears nothing even remotely resembling the other two. The Ruger is a simple, blowback operated .22. The other two are both locked breech center fire. Each one has a very different locking mechanism and internal layout, There is very little that could be seen as commonality in the three pistols, other than they all kind of look alike. They all employ a button release for the magazine, in roughly the same spot. Beyond that, I don't see much in common.
Maybe, somewhere, at sometime, Bill Ruger may have mentioned that he was inspired by one or both of these pistols. I don't know much about the man. But I'm guessing he was inspired by the external shape of the gun and little else.
Archie
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You cut the remainder of my statement and the clip you show is misleading.
However, what I wrote does agree with you. The only resemblance between the two is a rather vague shape similarity - the slant grip and the solitary barrel. Comparison to the Luger is similarly superficial.
I have the same complaint about those who speak of the FN 1910 as being the basis for the Spanish "Ruby" series. The similarity is only - and roughly - in size and shape. Not weight, particularly.
However, bringing the FN into this is leading the discussion afield. I apologize for doing so.
Condemnation of the Nambu caliber is a bit overzealous. The 8mm cartridge was ballistically a weak sister to the .32 ACP, but handguns were not really weapons of war. Nor are they now, in fact. In general, a sidearm is actually a badge of rank. Statistically they (military issue sidearms) are seldom used in war zones to any extent. So the 8x22mm round, developed in 1904, was not particularly singular in it's lack of power. The NAZIS used 7.65mm browning handguns and the Soviets had the 8mm Nagant (1895).
Actually, all of them lack what one would currently call definitive power.
However, what I wrote does agree with you. The only resemblance between the two is a rather vague shape similarity - the slant grip and the solitary barrel. Comparison to the Luger is similarly superficial.
I have the same complaint about those who speak of the FN 1910 as being the basis for the Spanish "Ruby" series. The similarity is only - and roughly - in size and shape. Not weight, particularly.
However, bringing the FN into this is leading the discussion afield. I apologize for doing so.
Condemnation of the Nambu caliber is a bit overzealous. The 8mm cartridge was ballistically a weak sister to the .32 ACP, but handguns were not really weapons of war. Nor are they now, in fact. In general, a sidearm is actually a badge of rank. Statistically they (military issue sidearms) are seldom used in war zones to any extent. So the 8x22mm round, developed in 1904, was not particularly singular in it's lack of power. The NAZIS used 7.65mm browning handguns and the Soviets had the 8mm Nagant (1895).
Actually, all of them lack what one would currently call definitive power.
Here is a thread from the Ruger Forum which includes some interesting pics.
https://www.rugertalk.com/threads/the-baby-nambu-and-its-importance-to-ruger.7144/
https://www.rugertalk.com/threads/the-baby-nambu-and-its-importance-to-ruger.7144/
tark
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You are correct, sir, and I apologize. You had already stated what I repeated in my post. It is a fault I have, sometimes reacting to a statement before reading the entire post. My bad.
Here's a bunch for sale:
https://simpsonltd.com/search-results-page?q=Nambu
https://simpsonltd.com/search-results-page?q=Nambu
tark
Member
Actually, it's the other way around. Both have about the same velocity but the Nambu bullet weight 102 gr. while the .32 ACP is typically 71 grains. The Nambu generates 242 Ft. Lbs. of energy, the ACP, 158 ft. lbs. Neither one is very powerful.
The rest of your post is spot on. Handguns are more a badge of rank than an actual weapon. And lots of countries have adopted puny handgun calibers for their service pistols. The Swiss and French revolver cartridges come to mind as two more examples. And don't forget our experience in the Philippines with the .38 Colt and the Moro's.
Archie
Member
I could have reversed what I read. Not that that sort of thing ever happens to moi. I have to agree with the conclusion, "Neither one is very powerful". That was the point.
Thanks for your agreement. I do like the Government Model and the round involved, but I'm still wondering how it happened considering the widespread belief to the contrary.tark said:
1965tinman
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tark
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That's a nice rig, 1965tinmam. When I enlarge the pic, it looks like you might have one of the early type 94s. Some of them were as nicely polished and finished as any Luger. (See post # 20 )I have heard that the Japanese intended these to be for the export market, but I tend to be a bit suspicious of that. What market would that be? Who would want them?
Anyway, welcome to the Forum.
tark
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I see one in there I really like. Actually, two. Both high conditioned. Thinking of driving on down there today and grabbing the one I like the best.
1965tinman
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Thought I heard some went to Brazil. This one came back in a dufflebag from se Asia. Knew the guy that brought it
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