Mauser C96 question

[MosinT53Hunter]

I have been doing research on the Mauser C96 for some time now, and was curious as to what your opinion might be on this. Been looking at an old one, (yes, they are all old at this point) that has seen better days. In the ad online, it says that the bolt is fractured on the right side. Could this be repaired with welding? Would the bolt have to be heated to do so? Not a lot of gunsmith knowledge that I can come up with on this. Getting a new bolt is rare, and usually spendy to boot. Just wanted to see what other's thoughts on this was. Thank you in advance.

 

[jrmiddleton425]

You would need to have it heat treated. Most welders won't touch gun parts for that reason.

Your best bet is to find someone willing to do it for no charge; because they want to find out if they CAN do it. That way if the bolt fails, you're not out the cost of having the weld and heat treat done, on top of the cost of the gun.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You definitely CANNOT weld without heat treating -- after all, welding is melting the steel, and that ruins the heat treatment.

 

[MikeInOr]

Why do you want a C96?

I did what I think you are contemplating... bought an old C96 (Bolo) and fixed it up to be a shooter. Guess what... they aren't that fun to shoot. I have owned mine for about 25 years now and I have taken it to the range maybe a dozen times to shoot it. I have more money into it than I will ever be able to sell it for.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

If it's a .30, odds are the bolt is cracked due to attempting to shoot hot Soviet 7.63 rounds through it.....

My Dad's is a hoot to shoot, but then he had it rebored to 9mm as the original barrel was shot out. With the shoulder stock mounted it is quite accurate out to 100yds (allowing for the increased drop from the slower rounds).

Wouldn't try to reweld the bolt, but parts guns are out there if you look long and hard enough. IMO, you will find it rewarding to fix 'er up. Good luck!

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Why do you want a C96?

I did what I think you are contemplating... bought an old C96 (Bolo) and fixed it up to be a shooter. Guess what... they aren't that fun to shoot. I have owned mine for about 25 years now and I have taken it to the range maybe a dozen times to shoot it. I have more money into it than I will ever be able to sell it for.

I suppose its the classic look and the mechanics of it that appeals to me, but for a beater at $800+ work needing to be done to it, your right, its more of a pipe dream. But I want to thank each and everyone who set me straight on this. A lot of time when doing research, I am left to my own conclusions, and on here, I get to ask questions that many on here know answers to them. Its a neat pistol, but I would be better off looking for a shooter grade Luger P08 (perhaps another pipe dream, but maybe not.)

 

[MikeInOr]

A P08 Luger is a much nicer gun, much more fun and more iconic... in my opinion. P08's are more prolific than Broom Handles and can be extremely expensive but I would guess you could get a P08 shooter for less than a C96 shooter. My P08 is a run of the mill police Luger in very good condition with one mis-matched part (I forget which part has a different serial number) that I paid in the $400 area 20 or so years ago. A P38 is another very nice pistol that points and shoots very well. My P08 and P38 get MUCH more range time than my Broom Handle. Of the 3 the P38 is the nicest shooter but the P08 is the best looking and most iconic of the 3.

If you need more suggestions... A Lahti is a classic pistol that I have always wanted to pick up though I have never shot one. I love shooting my Tokarev, those little 7.62 bullets speeding along are just a lot of fun. If you do not already own a 1911 I would recommend putting one at the top of your list... in my opinion a 1911 is the most fun to shoot and the easiest to shoot well. A Nambu is another "different" style pistol I would like to add to my collection but amunition is hard to come by. My gas seal 1895 Nagant revolver has a very high cool factor... at least in my book... because of it's unusual action. But the Nagant is not that nice of a shooter and also uses expensive ammunition. Mine is worth every penny of the $79 I paid, I should have bought 1 or 2 more. My break top 45 Webley revolver is a cool design.. but the WORST trigger I have EVER shot... BY FAR! A couple of my friends are not able to shoot my Webley in double action but my Webley is very representative of the breed and there awful triggers. After you master shooting a Webley with some proficiency EVERY other hand gun will have at least a good trigger in comparison. I scoff at all the nit picky trigger queens out there that are so offended by so many modern stock triggers.

 

[RON in PA]

Another historic pistol that is a good shooter is the Polish VIS 35 or more commonly called the Radom. Most of course were made under German occupation and bear German proof marks. The Beretta model 1934/1935 pistols are also interesting, even though they are simple blowbacks.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Good point about the Luger. Stronger action, equal cool and fun to shoot factor. Me and Dad have both, but if I had to choose one, it would be my Luger.

For a $1k budget you can probably get a much nicer Luger than Broomhandle these days. Then there is the P38/P1 which can be had much cheaper still.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Another historic pistol that is a good shooter is the Polish VIS 35 or more commonly called the Radom. Most of course were made under German occupation and bear German proof marks. The Beretta model 1934/1935 pistols are also interesting, even though they are simple blowbacks.

There are so many pistols I want, and all are great suggestions, just have to save up to get them all, if I can. I have stacks of old gun digest books that have fantastic articles on all of these. For now, I think the Luger is the one I want. I had a chance to buy one years ago and it slipped from my grasp (the seller decided to change their mind after I had the cash ready)

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'd get a new one CNC'd and then heat treated.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

1

Good point about the Luger. Stronger action, equal cool and fun to shoot factor. Me and Dad have both, but if I had to choose one, it would be my Luger.

For a $1k budget you can probably get a much nicer Luger than Broomhandle these days. Then there is the P38/P1 which can be had much cheaper still.

Yes, it would seem to be the way to go, and Simpson Ltd has some fairly priced ones, far better then gunbroker (yep, been checking often). I think even a russian capture one in some what pitted condition in 9mm would be a great one to have. Here's to my next gun project.

 

[mnrivrat]

In the late 1980's batches of very well used C96's were imported from China. They were under $100 ea. and I bought 3 of them (yes I should have bought more). Had Redding bore and rifle one to 9mm and refinished it. I also bought a local C96 with original shoulder stock. Interesting guns but not all that practical of a shooter. I would look for a replacement bolt before I bought one with a bad one. Welding and heat treating doesn't seem all that practical, and machining a replacement might be more expense than what it is worth.

 

[Ken T]

Poppert's Gun Parts may have a bolt.Listed on their website at least.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Poppert's Gun Parts may have a bolt.Listed on their website at least.

Its alright, I decided not to pursue that c96. Figured that with what's wrong with it means someone probably shot it with hotter loads then it could handle. Its alright, I will keep looking, and you never know what the future holds for me. Thanks for looking up the info for parts.

 

[MikeInOr]

Yes, it would seem to be the way to go, and Simpson Ltd has some fairly priced ones, far better then gunbroker (yep, been checking often). I think even a russian capture one in some what pitted condition in 9mm would be a great one to have. Here's to my next gun project.

My Luger came with a 9mm barrel mounted and the original 30 Mauser barrel (serial number matched, excellent condition) as part of the package. I have always shot 9mm. The guy I bought it from said he just bought a used 9mm barrel, unscrewed the .30 Mauser barrel and screwed in the 9mm barrel. It asked him about head spacing... he replied "not a problem". And it has never been a problem. My point... don't rule out a 30 Mauser Luger. Or just pick up one of these: http://www.gunsandammo.com/handguns/a-luger-in-45-acp/

I bought my Luger at a gun show from a P38 collector. I bought my P38 at a different gun show from a Luger collector. I feel I got better than average deals on each.

 

[tark]

If it's a .30, odds are the bolt is cracked due to attempting to shoot hot Soviet 7.63 rounds through it.....

That is an old myth that has been floating around for so many years that a lot of people believe it. The exact opposite was true during WW2. The Soviets loaded their 7.62X25 ammo to just under 1400 FPS out of a Tokarev's barrel. The 7.63 Mauser was loaded by the Germans to 1575 FPS out of a C-96 Barrel. Source for this is "Small Arms of the World," by Smith and Smith.

My broomhandle has digested thousands of rounds of rounds of mixed surplus and commercial 7.62X25 ammo in the last 20 years

My Luger came with a 9mm barrel mounted and the original 30 Mauser barrel (serial number matched, excellent condition) as part of the package. I have always shot 9mm. The guy I bought it from said he just bought a used 9mm barrel, unscrewed the .30 Mauser barrel and screwed in the 9mm barrel. It asked him about head spacing... he replied "not a problem". And it has never been a problem. My point... don't rule out a 30 Mauser Luger. Or just pick up one of these: http://www.gunsandammo.com/handguns/a-luger-in-45-acp/

I bought my Luger at a gun show from a P38 collector. I bought my P38 at a different gun show from a Luger collector. I feel I got better than average deals on each.

I think perhaps you mean .30 Luger? Lugers were never made in .30 (7.63) Mauser. The cartridge is too long to fit in magwell.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

http://wolfammo.com/brass-casing.aspx

Wolf shows 1651fps for their fmj. Granted, they don't specify what barrel length.....

Was that 1575fps from a 4" C96 or a 4"? If they were getting that from a 6", and the Tok. round is getting 1400fps from a 4.6" barrel, then that would also tend to indicate higher pressures in the Tokarev round.

Winchester and S&B also show over 1600fps from their new 7.62x25 loads. So, while the Soviet surplus stuff might not be too hot for the old Broomhandles, there certainly may be some loadings around that are.