I’m glad you “get it”. I’ve collected them for years and have never understood the modern resentment or collective negativity surrounding Japanese pistols. I believe a lot of it stems from poor post war commercial ammunition offerings. Yes- the pistol was a dated design in comparison to the Hi Power or P.38 or the 1911 but the comparison to similar foreign offerings in like performance calibers is spot on. Besides- the Japanese wouldn’t have produced a weapon that didn’t work. They typically function fine with proper ammunition. They are fun to collect and fascinating in their service history and manufacturing. And they didn’t make that many compared with other Axis offerings…especially the Type-94.
A big issue is that it looks like a Luger and so often gets compared with it. The Luger is considered a "Swiss watch", has a bigger round, and has the World Wars German fascination. If it looked different, it wouldnt get as much hate.
The Nambu Type 14 Pistol has always fascinated me. I own a pre-war Nambu, a 1938 factory date production, a profile that resembled (somewhat) the Luger P-08. The trigger-guard of this Nambu is the pre-1939 "regular size", and not the large trigger-guard that would come post 1939 when being carried in cold weather with gloves on. The grip profile fits most shooting hands well. The accuracy of the Type 14, using factory loaded data, is outstanding. The grip-to-hand fit aids the accuracy of the Nambu, so well in fact that legendary gun maker, Bill Ruger, designed his first production model, a Ruger "Standard" .22 Pistol, using the same grip profile as the Type 14. This Ruger .22 Pistol was first produced in 1950, if memory serves, and is still in production, some 72-years later. I own the original Standard .22, and the Mk III .22 Model, both guns mirror the Nambu profile and enjoy the cheap shooting that a .22 Pistol brings. The Type 14 was used by the Japanese Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Corp during WW 2. On the Pacific Islands, where brutal hand-to-hand combat took place between our Marines and Japanese Forces, the Type 14 could be seen in the hands of a Japanese Officer, that was going into combat against our Forces. The Nambu Type 14 was used by the Japanese to execute some of our Marines that were captured. The Type 14 Pistol, along with the Japanese Model 26,, and a couple other Japanese made pistols, were favorite "bring-backs" for US Marines coming back home. The value of the Type 14 has climbed, not on a parity with the likes of the "legendary" Luger P-08 or the Mauser 1895 Broomhandle Pistol, so a Nambu in good condition will run 600-plus, depending on seller and buyer. The original holster and matching magazine will definitely up the ante! Thanks for this great video on a historical small arm from the WW 2 time period.
There is a reason that many of the holsters had a special pocket for a spare firing pin. There are two types of pins, so make sure your spare is the correct one for your pistol.
I love my nambu, all original early production gun. The soldier who captured it wrote the date and location of where he picked it up on the inside of the holster! As for the fragile firing pin, 100% can vouch for that.... I had a huge slam fire issue with mine until I replaced it. For those who do get replacement pins, you'll probably have to sand yours down to fit perfectly but nothing that an afternoon with some sand paper can't fix!
I like the way Milsurp gives the important history as he reviews the NAMBU Type 14. It's very informative, yet easy to understand. I appreciate Milsurp"s knowledge and interest he has in the gun itself. Facts I've learned from his review kept my attention. Unlike other experts who can put you to sleep!! Thanks!!
Yours actually has a prefix on the serial number. That's what イis. It's the katakana for "I" and means it's a first series pistol. There was another 100,000 Type 14s made without a prefix before yours came out. They used the same prefixes on their later Type 38s and Type 99s. It's actually based on a poem (Iroha) that uses every syllable in the Japanese language exactly one time. It's basically the Japanese ABCs. The add 25 on the date only works for Showa era guns, which granted is 99% of production.
The attitude of the Japanese military towards pistols in general were more a badge of rank than anything else and even then the katana was more a symbol in Japanese culture over pistols because of the Samurai. Officers and Generals had to purchase their sidearms in Japan. They weren't issued hence why there's no Imperial Seal of Japan aka Chrysanthemum on their pistols.
The Ruger series of pistols are basically a modernized version of the Nambu model 14. Since these are rather expensive, and since the 8.22 nambu is rather rare and costly, I think that the Ruger is a fine substitute.
The reason the 8mm Nambu is called a weak or anemic cartridge is because it was originally compared to 9mm parabellum and the 7.62 tokarev rounds, and evercense then it has gotten a bad rap as weak or anemic. The 8mm Nambu is actually a good round; it has the speed of the 32 acp round, if not a little bit faster, and the nock down power of the 380 acp. It also has less recoil than the 380. And because of this the 8mm Nambu, in my opinion, is a hybrid cartridge between 32 acp and 380.
Also if you get hit with a round no matter how anemic it sounds, there js a good chance you will be seriously injured or die. An 8mm nambu will still put a hole in you and your organs.
Modern loadings I know specifically from PCI, but have heard with others are too weak and won’t cycle the gun giving it a bad name and bending extractors as well. Buffalo arms … runs like a top
Time to do a cleaning. Please do a tutorial on breaking this down and the parts. I have a nambu type 14 that I'm missing a few parts (firing pin spring and firing pin extension) but would love to know how to take it apart even further.
Mine has a serial # " 18.11" and " 1941" is the top serial #. my dad brought it back from the Philippines theater, and it new, still full of gun grease in original holster,
Im curious, ive heard people say there was a plug for the hole in early models but i have never seen even a example. Have you heard this or seen anything backing this up?
I have an all-matching June 1945. Bought it with a holster, spare striker, and 2 extra mags. I love it, but it has feed issues. I’m thinking the ammo I have (PCI and Steinel) may be loaded light. Any input?
Have you tried replacement springs? The book I show in the video says that by that late in the war guns are assembled with rejected parts and are sometimes mechanically faulty.
The hate they get is, I'm opinion, earned. "Quarky" is fine for a collector, but for a service piece? Their opposite was the 45, that's a 8mm vs a 11.4mm. They are, as stated, notorious for their striker and spring wear. Remember this IS a service weapon. Yes, the "desperation" weapons are a mess. That's what you get when you have a cottage industry. Ironically cost of production goes up even as quality goes down.
And the Japanese army purchased about 80,000 German standard model 98 rifles. To go along with all Chinese captured Mauser 98 rifles that the Chinese bought from everyone.
Sometimes when US collectors use the word "common" on a WW2 Japanese item, I wonder if you can really call it common if it's only common in the US. A US M1 helmet is common globally but not WW2 Japanese items.
I’m glad you “get it”.
I’ve collected them for years and have never understood the modern resentment or collective negativity surrounding Japanese pistols.
I believe a lot of it stems from poor post war commercial ammunition offerings.
Yes- the pistol was a dated design in comparison to the Hi Power or P.38 or the 1911 but the comparison to similar foreign offerings in like performance calibers is spot on.
Besides- the Japanese wouldn’t have produced a weapon that didn’t work. They typically function fine with proper ammunition.
They are fun to collect and fascinating in their service history and manufacturing.
And they didn’t make that many compared with other Axis offerings…especially the Type-94.
The Nambu and the Luger are my two top favorite pistols, I love the cool design of both. I hope to own one of each someday!
I believe you will!
I have 2 will sell
A big issue is that it looks like a Luger and so often gets compared with it. The Luger is considered a "Swiss watch", has a bigger round, and has the World Wars German fascination.
If it looked different, it wouldnt get as much hate.
The Nambu Type 14 Pistol has always fascinated me. I own a pre-war Nambu, a 1938 factory date production, a profile that resembled (somewhat) the Luger P-08. The trigger-guard of this Nambu is the pre-1939 "regular size", and not the large trigger-guard that would come post 1939 when being carried in cold weather with gloves on. The grip profile fits most shooting hands well. The accuracy of the Type 14, using factory loaded data, is outstanding. The grip-to-hand fit aids the accuracy of the Nambu, so well in fact that legendary gun maker, Bill Ruger, designed his first production model, a Ruger "Standard" .22 Pistol, using the same grip profile as the Type 14. This Ruger .22 Pistol was first produced in 1950, if memory serves, and is still in production, some 72-years later. I own the original Standard .22, and the Mk III .22 Model, both guns mirror the Nambu profile and enjoy the cheap shooting that a .22 Pistol brings. The Type 14 was used by the Japanese Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Corp during WW 2. On the Pacific Islands, where brutal hand-to-hand combat took place between our Marines and Japanese Forces, the Type 14 could be seen in the hands of a Japanese Officer, that was going into combat against our Forces. The Nambu Type 14 was used by the Japanese to execute some of our Marines that were captured. The Type 14 Pistol, along with the Japanese Model 26,, and a couple other Japanese made pistols, were favorite "bring-backs" for US Marines coming back home. The value of the Type 14 has climbed, not on a parity with the likes of the "legendary" Luger P-08 or the Mauser 1895 Broomhandle Pistol, so a Nambu in good condition will run 600-plus, depending on seller and buyer. The original holster and matching magazine will definitely up the ante! Thanks for this great video on a historical small arm from the WW 2 time period.
There is a reason that many of the holsters had a special pocket for a spare firing pin. There are two types of pins, so make sure your spare is the correct one for your pistol.
I love my nambu, all original early production gun. The soldier who captured it wrote the date and location of where he picked it up on the inside of the holster!
As for the fragile firing pin, 100% can vouch for that.... I had a huge slam fire issue with mine until I replaced it. For those who do get replacement pins, you'll probably have to sand yours down to fit perfectly but nothing that an afternoon with some sand paper can't fix!
That's really cool.
I like the way Milsurp gives the important history as he reviews the NAMBU Type 14. It's very informative, yet easy to understand. I appreciate Milsurp"s knowledge and interest he has in the gun itself. Facts I've learned from his review kept my attention. Unlike other experts who can put you to sleep!! Thanks!!
I’ve always found Japanese handguns interesting but the prices are getting pretty high especially for these type 14s.
Unfortunately, all milsurps have been climbing steadily. And jerks talking about them on UA-cam isn't helping....
I have 2 will sell
I have multiple in working order given to me by my grandfather
@@frankfitz3421 Still selling?
Sorry sold
Yours actually has a prefix on the serial number. That's what イis. It's the katakana for "I" and means it's a first series pistol. There was another 100,000 Type 14s made without a prefix before yours came out. They used the same prefixes on their later Type 38s and Type 99s. It's actually based on a poem (Iroha) that uses every syllable in the Japanese language exactly one time. It's basically the Japanese ABCs.
The add 25 on the date only works for Showa era guns, which granted is 99% of production.
I should have explained that better.
Those rugers are hell to take down though
The attitude of the Japanese military towards pistols in general were more a badge of rank than anything else and even then the katana was more a symbol in Japanese culture over pistols because of the Samurai. Officers and Generals had to purchase their sidearms in Japan. They weren't issued hence why there's no Imperial Seal of Japan aka Chrysanthemum on their pistols.
The Ruger series of pistols are basically a modernized version of the Nambu model 14.
Since these are rather expensive, and since the 8.22 nambu is rather rare and costly, I think that the Ruger is a fine substitute.
The reason the 8mm Nambu is called a weak or anemic cartridge is because it was originally compared to 9mm parabellum and the 7.62 tokarev rounds, and evercense then it has gotten a bad rap as weak or anemic. The 8mm Nambu is actually a good round; it has the speed of the 32 acp round, if not a little bit faster, and the nock down power of the 380 acp. It also has less recoil than the 380. And because of this the 8mm Nambu, in my opinion, is a hybrid cartridge between 32 acp and 380.
Also if you get hit with a round no matter how anemic it sounds, there js a good chance you will be seriously injured or die. An 8mm nambu will still put a hole in you and your organs.
An excellent overview provided me to the world of Nambu Type 14 handguns. 👍🏼👍🏼
T14 is on my immediate list as Axis Pistol, last one to get! Always enjoyed this style.
The Type 14 feels great in the hand!
Also, it inspired Ruger to make his MK1 22lr pistol.
Modern loadings I know specifically from PCI, but have heard with others are too weak and won’t cycle the gun giving it a bad name and bending extractors as well. Buffalo arms … runs like a top
You try Steinel's?
@@MilsurpWorld no is that good stuff as well
the only thing i despise about this sidearm is the safety, other than that (aside from the firing pin breaking) i would argue it's a pretty good deal
Time to do a cleaning. Please do a tutorial on breaking this down and the parts. I have a nambu type 14 that I'm missing a few parts (firing pin spring and firing pin extension) but would love to know how to take it apart even further.
@@crushstar This might help a little: www.milsurpworld.com/home/articles/checking-nambu-type-14-numbers
Good stuff I learned a lot! Thanks! Will keep my eye out for one
I have 2 will sell
Mine has a serial # " 18.11" and " 1941" is the top serial #. my dad brought it back from the Philippines theater, and it new, still full of gun grease in original holster,
Now forgotten weapons will make a video similar soon. It seems like you guys are working together haha good video though thanks.
That would be funny.
My family owns a Type 14, the collection has made its rounds that’s for sure.
Your video is great, lots of info keep up the work.
My Favorit Pistol with the Luger!👍❤🇩🇪
Im curious, ive heard people say there was a plug for the hole in early models but i have never seen even a example. Have you heard this or seen anything backing this up?
Hell yeah, I just bought a type 14.
Edit: Love the channel btw
Thank!
I have one with the holster that my uncle took off a Japanese office.
I love my type 14 such a nice shooter
Great review 🤝 👍
Good to see you include your son, excellent video, best I’ve seen on the Nambu
Like content .but could feed a lot of people . With antiques. Thx .
I have an all-matching June 1945. Bought it with a holster, spare striker, and 2 extra mags. I love it, but it has feed issues. I’m thinking the ammo I have (PCI and Steinel) may be loaded light. Any input?
Have you tried replacement springs? The book I show in the video says that by that late in the war guns are assembled with rejected parts and are sometimes mechanically faulty.
@@MilsurpWorld where could I find new springs? I’d love to test that!
@@-C0mr4d3_C0VID Try Wolff springs I changed out the springs on my type 14s and my type 94. They work great once you change those springs out.
Dude you need Husqvarna m/40 in your Collection greetingas from Sweden 👍
I've been meaning to but they are pretty pricey.
The hate they get is, I'm opinion, earned. "Quarky" is fine for a collector, but for a service piece? Their opposite was the 45, that's a 8mm vs a 11.4mm. They are, as stated, notorious for their striker and spring wear. Remember this IS a service weapon. Yes, the "desperation" weapons are a mess. That's what you get when you have a cottage industry. Ironically cost of production goes up even as quality goes down.
And the Japanese army purchased about 80,000 German standard model 98 rifles. To go along with all Chinese captured Mauser 98 rifles that the Chinese bought from everyone.
Sometimes when US collectors use the word "common" on a WW2 Japanese item, I wonder if you can really call it common if it's only common in the US. A US M1 helmet is common globally but not WW2 Japanese items.
That baby is so handsome! And smart too!! 🤓
I agree with you....if the Nambu Type 14 was so bad then WHY did Ruger basically make an American copy of it called the MK 1.
It is a handsome pistol.
Eric approved!
He's got one on the wall so why did he pull out this one instead to handle??
parkerizing or bluing ?
How much are they to buy?
@@jeffparish5708 more and more
What about nambu 15
Late war is a good term for last ditch I think
Man you looked stoned in the thumbnail!
"papa pistol" ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
8x22 nambu look like 357 sig
It does, or like a shorter 7.62x25.
銃とかの鹵獲品は別にいいけどさ、日章旗は遺族の元に返してあげろよ…
First!!