Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Mauser C96 9mm Parabellum Pistol


Hand-made from fitted interlocking parts, the C96 broomhandle was never any nation's standard issue pistol but was a favorite sidearm around the world. Its effectiveness is measured in that popularity, the pistol being produced from 1896 to 1937, and was used in combat from the 1898 Sudan campaign through the Korean War.

When the last round has been ejected, the bolt will remain locked back, being held by the magazine follower. Because the bolt is being held back, you can neither easily nor safely load the magazine singly, but rather must reload by the 10-round stripper clip.

Its effectiveness also may be understood from relating its performance capabilities to the throes of chaotic close-range combat:

Semiautomatic, 10 round magazine, reloaded by a 10-round stripper clip, usable either as a pistol or carbine, firing an 85-grain bullet at 1,400 fps.

How to load and unload the pistol

LOAD
1. When loading the stripper clip, the grooves of the clip slide onto the rim of the case and holds it snugly in place. NOTE: THESE ARE DUMMY ROUNDS USED FOR EXAMPLE ONLY.

2. Looking down on the magazine well of the pistol, the magazine follower locks the bolt back when either the pistol is being first loaded or when you have shot it empty. Note the slot where the stripper clip is inserted on the right.

3. The first step is to cock the hammer and pull the bolt back and it will lock into place (being held by the magazine follower).

4. Next, place the stripper clip (either end) into the charger slots on the top of the barrel extension.

5. Using your left hand, push down with your thumb on the top most cartridge. Because the magazine is a double stack staggered type, it can be a bit awkward and hard to get started.

6. When you get down to the last few rounds, it is easier to push the remaining rounds into the magazine in a squeezing motion with your pointer finger.

7. When all the rounds are in the magazine, the striper clip will be what is holding the bolt back.

8. BE AWARE that when you pull the empty clip out, the bolt slides forward and pushes the first round into the chamber and the weapon is LIVE and HOT.

UNLOAD
Essentially there are two ways to unload the weapon. The Mauser Operators Manual says to fully retract the bolt (which ejects the chambered round) then release. Repeat retracting the bolt and releasing to unload each round singularly. When the last round has been ejected, the bolt will remain locked back (being held by the magazine follower.)

An alternative way of unloading the weapon is to pop open the magazine plate at the bottom of the pistol and dump the cartridges out. This, however, still leaves ONE loaded round in the chamber that will have to be ejected manually by retracting the bolt.

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