Just acquired a Nambu and sourced some ammo, just fired a couple mags out of it. It goes bang, but has one issue. Gun seems to cycle fine, but the firing pin/trigger usually doesn't reset after firing. Trigger resets fine when cycling/dry firing with snap caps. Any clue what the issue may be? I'm stumped. Could it be my springs?
Nambu Cycling Issue
- Thread starter Bmoney
- Start date
At that age it is a good idea to replace the springs if it is economical to do so. I can't guarantee it will solve the trigger reset problems but new springs will certainly add life to the gun and help keep it from battering itself apart.
With a weak recoil spring the bolt could be rebounding off the back of the frame because the recoil spring no longer has enough force to slow the bolt down properly like it was designed to... which might possibly be what is causing the missed reset.
I just spent $20 on a Wolf spring kit for my M1 carbine. Definitely a good investment for a classic firearm.
With a weak recoil spring the bolt could be rebounding off the back of the frame because the recoil spring no longer has enough force to slow the bolt down properly like it was designed to... which might possibly be what is causing the missed reset.
I just spent $20 on a Wolf spring kit for my M1 carbine. Definitely a good investment for a classic firearm.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
I think it more likely it is not fully cycling. Pretty sure the bolt on a Nambu will eject the old shell just before the striker (and trigger) reset. Try pulling the bolt back slowly with an empty shell in the chamber, then let it go forward as soon as the shell is ejected. Odds are you will have no reset, Im thinking.
If the sear wasn't catching the striker because of too much bolt velocity and rebound shock, it would be have to be severely worn, and would likely go full auto.
Odds are your ammo is loaded on the light side. Where did you find it?
If the sear wasn't catching the striker because of too much bolt velocity and rebound shock, it would be have to be severely worn, and would likely go full auto.
Odds are your ammo is loaded on the light side. Where did you find it?
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Dave DeLaurant
Member
All four of the most common Japanese autopistols are commonly referred to as Nambus, just like the bolt actions are all usually referred to as Arisakas. Kijiro Nambu was involved in designing all of these pistols as well as most the IJ rifles and machine guns.
My guess would be that your pistol is a Type 14 since they outnumber all of the others, but there are three other possibilities -- do you have a photo to share?
An aside: just last night I was talking guns with a friend at his 80-something birthday party and he took me aside and showed me the nicest condition Type 94 pistol (with holster) I've ever seen! He plans to sell it and I was briefly tempted, but since it's not on my bucket list and I've a local friend who collects Imperial Japanese smallarms, I played matchmaker and put the two in touch.
My guess would be that your pistol is a Type 14 since they outnumber all of the others, but there are three other possibilities -- do you have a photo to share?
An aside: just last night I was talking guns with a friend at his 80-something birthday party and he took me aside and showed me the nicest condition Type 94 pistol (with holster) I've ever seen! He plans to sell it and I was briefly tempted, but since it's not on my bucket list and I've a local friend who collects Imperial Japanese smallarms, I played matchmaker and put the two in touch.
Just played with it a bit and this appears to not be it. The Nambu seems to reset the striker early on in while cycling, definitely well before a new round is stripped from the magazine. And the ammo is from Buffalo Arms
New springs will also mean a pretty complete disassembly, cleaning and lube. I think you are on the right track. A detailed gun with new springs will go a long way with proper functionality. The process of stripping and replacing the springs will also give you a chance to check out all the pieces and check for something that doesn't look right.
I just went ahead and did a complete disassembly anyway. Everything appears to be in fine shape - nothing that jumps out as an issue. The striker assembly catches on the sear and the sear spring feels fine. Also worth noting that around half of the rounds I fired did properly reset, but working with a small sample set (10). 3 of those were the final round in the mag and it locked back properly on each of those.
tark
Member
Hi Dave! I have examined a couple of the high conditioned type 94s at Simpson's that were made pre-war. They are as nicely machined and finished as any Luger I have ever seen. I always thought the type 94 was undeservedly maligned because of the "sear bar issue" If a round is chambered one would apply the safety...which blocks the sear bar from moving!
Ugly? Beyond that.... But dangerous they are not, if one follows basic rules . Round chambered, safety on unless ready to fire.
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