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Mauser C96
Model: Mauser C96The C96 is one of the most recognizable and historically important firearms in world history. The original production run went from 1896 to 1937 and it was one of the first (if not THE first) successful semi-automatic handguns in history. While primitive and often slow to load compared to modern handguns, the C96 can easily compete with many handguns of similar caliber in the field; in fact, the 7.63mm round was the highest velocity pistol round until the .357 Magnum was released.
The C96 is a hard weapon to classify due to the extremely large variety; many countries and companies manufactured their own copies. One common variant is the "Red 9", a C96 converted to the extremely popular 9mm Parabellum ammunition; this variant earned its name from the large red 9 burned and painted on the grip to indicate the chambering. The M1896 Kavallerie Karabiner is a carbine variant with a permanent wooden forearm, stock, and 11.75 or 14.5 inch barrel. While this variant was dropped in 1899 due to poor sales, variants with 16 inch barrels have recently been imported into the United States and are legal carbines. The M1920 Mauser Rework was a Versailles-compliant modification with fixed sights, 3.9 inch barrels, and converted back to 7.63mm Mauser. The M1921 Bolo model (pictured above) is a 7.63mm model with a 3.9 inch barrel commonly seen in the Baltic regions. The M1932 and M712 Schnellfeuer is a fully automatic machine pistol with a detachable magazine; while original automatic guns are extremely expensive and involve a $200 tax tamp, semi-automatic conversions with detachable magazines can be found. The Shanxi Type 17 is a .45 ACP variant produced in China; many Type 17s are actually modern reproductions for the American market, as the majority of the pistols were melted down for scrap with the Communist revolution. Finally, the Astra Model 900 is a Spanish copy. These are only the most common variants; there are a great many others.
| Specifications: | |
| Weight: | 1.1 kg (2.5 lbs) |
| Length: | 312mm (12.3in) (pre-Bolo) 271mm (10.7in) (post-Bolo) |
| Barrel Length: | 140mm (5.5in) (pre-Bolo) 99mm (3.9in) (post-Bolo) |
| Cartridge: | 7.63x25mm Mauser 9x19mm Parabellum .45 ACP (Shanxi Type 17) |
| Action: | Short recoil |
| Muzzle Velocity: | 425m/s (1,394ft/s) 7.63mm |
| Effective Range: | 100 yd (90 m). |
| Feed System: | Internal or detachable box magazine. 6, 10, 20, 40 |
| Sights: | Inverted V front, rear tangent notch. |
Where to find
Mausers are sometimes found in reputable gun stores as a collector's piece, though online purchases are the only guarantee. The massive variety in guns and quality means pricing is difficult; some fakes and reproductions are worth only about $500, while some (like the famous Red 9) can be up to $1800. The highest price for common variants is usually about $5000.
Complexity
The Mauser can certainly compete with modern pistols, but reliability can leave something to be desired: the pistols are often old and may not have been recently refurbished, leading to weak recoil springs and other parts and general loss of accuracy. Some have experienced problems with the straight-up ejection as well.
Controls
- Safety: Located above the grip on the left side of the frame. Push up for SAFE, down for FIRE.
- Cocking piece: Located on the rear of the frame.
Loading
Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Push the safety up to activate it. Some models require the bolt to be pulled back while pushing the safety up.
- Pull the bolt back (if it has not been pulled back as part of activating the safety). It should lock back if the weapon is empty.
- Take a loaded stripper clip and place it in the slot at the rear of the chamber.
- Push the rounds off of the clip into the internal magazine.
- Remove the clip.
- Pull the bolt back slightly and release it to let it snap forward and chamber a round.
- Cannot be safely done.
Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
- Cannot be done.
Unloading
How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Push the safety up to activate it.
- Push in the magazine release button on the bottom of the magazine and slide the floor plate forward to let the rounds spill out.
- Pull the bolt back and examine the chamber for any ammunition.
- Pull the bolt back slightly and release it to close the bolt.
- Deactivate the safety.
- Pull the trigger.
Field Stripping
How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Unload the weapon as described above.
- Push in the magazine release button on the bottom of the magazine and slide the floor plate forward and off. Remove the floor plate, magazine follower, and magazine spring.
- **** the hammer back with your thumb and insert a screwdriver or similar object under the rear takedown latch below the hammer. Push the latch up and slide the internals, barrel and barrel extension away from the frame.
- Pull the internals down and away from the barrel and barrel extension.
chitoryu12 |
Latest page update: made by chitoryu12
, May 6 2011, 11:53 PM EDT
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Keyword tags:
7.63mm
9mm
c96
firearm
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handgun
mauser
old
parabellum
pistol
red 9
semi-auto
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world war
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WWI
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