Talk:Mauser C96

Additional Images

Mauser C96 with standard barrel and short Bolo grip

Mauser Model 712 Schnellfeuer with 10-round magazine

A Mauser C99 "Regia Marina", designed for the Italian Royal Navy in late 19th century, and first semiautomatic pistol to be ever issued to an Italian armed force (even before the Glisenti 1910). It is distinguished for the typical "slab side" and generally less-refined outlook, and has the early "large ring hammer."

Another early production six-shot Bolo, with a "large ring hammer." This example was imported into the United States by "VON LENGERKE/& DETMOLD/NEW YORK" which is stamped on the other side.

Early production six-shot Mauser Bolo

Mauser C96 with scope and rifle stock

File:Astra 902.jpg

Astra Model 902

Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" with wooden holster-stock, leather holster, stripper clip and accessories.

Gold-plated Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer with 10-round magazine (airsoft replica).

Airsoft WE GBB "Mauser M712 Carbine" - 7.63x25mm Mauser. This configuration never actually existed on a live-firing gun, but can be seen on replicas.

A Question

'Is the Mauser C96 a good gun?'

Answer

Yes and no. The engineering is fascinating. There is only one screw in the entire pistol and that's for the wooden grip panels. Everything else fits together. It's akin to a fine watch which isn't a surprise considering it was designed in the late 19th century. It's also a reliable design, but becasue of the complex engineering the Mauser C96 has alwasy been an expensive pistol. I've seen ads from the 1920's where they were charging $100.00 for one. That was alot of money in the twenties.

Now if you are talking ergonomics it's a different story. I've actually had the privlige of firing one. The grip is small and the balance is odd. The 30 Mauser is a hot little load and there is some pretty fierce recoil. Because of the way it's designed the bolt slams back and forth and drives the grip into the webbing of your hand. If any model needed a redesigned grip this would be it.

However the C96 was intended to be used as a carbine instead of a pistol. So when you attach the rifle stock it transforms into a nice little plinker and it's surprisingly accurate as well.

The C96 was one of the first manufactured semi-automatic and full automatic pistols. It wasn't perfect, it was expensive to make, time consuming to make and expensive for the consumer. But it was reliable and it was first which ensures that it will alwasy have a place in handgun history. In many ways it was a dead end when talking about pistol (semi-auto handgun)technology, but by god it's just so damm cool. There are many designs that are more practical and superior, but they'll never equal the C96 Broomhandle when it comes to charisma.If ever a handgun was just destined to look good on film the C96 is it. --Jcordell 13:45, 9 November 2009 (UTC)

Too bad no one currently manufactures working replicas. I would love to own a C96 but when I see them at gun shows, the dealers won't let me handle them due to the pistol's age. This means that I can't get an idea of how it's going to handle-S&Wshooter 21:36, 9 November 2009 (UTC)

Truth be told S&W Shooter the dealers probably don't trust you becasue you're a teenager. Right or wrong I'd be willing to bet that's the deal. I'm 41, balding and wear glasses. It's never an issue for me. Dealers are happy to let me handle their merchandise but there tends to be a bias against folks under 21. --Jcordell 00:22, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

Wouldn't the C96 lose it's legal status as an antique/curiosity if it were to have a modern manufacturer? --AdAstra2009 22:25, 9 November 2009 (UTC)

No. There is a similar situation for the Colt SAA. The first generation SAA's are collector items and antiques even though several different companies are still making the SAA. --Jcordell 00:25, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

Yeah that's probably why. Stupid prejudice. They have a gun shop near my school and if I want to ask the owner a question I have to get my father to ask him for me. It pisses me off because I know alot more about firearms than the clerk, who's knowledge of guns doesn't extend past Taurus pistols-S&Wshooter 01:06, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

Yes it is because you kids are the future of the shooting sports. --Jcordell 19:54, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

Uh...what?--Oliveira 20:05, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

Responding to S&Wshooter.--Jcordell 23:28, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

I don't even go to that place anymore because of it. I go to Carter Country, where the employees are ecstatic that a young person such as myself is interested in guns and shooting-S&Wshooter 21:25, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

thanks the reasion I asked was in a story Im writing carry a C96on to supplement his S&W 27. I wasn't sure if the C96 was a good chose, or should he carry a Browning Hi-Power,or M1911 or a Walther P38 pistol instead. also what caliber is better 7.63x25mm Mauser or 9mm for the C96. Rex095

7mm gives better firepower but more recoil. 9mm is good too but it don't has better firepower than 7mm.--Oliveira 22:36, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

I'd go with the Hi-Power to supplement the S&W 27. So you'll have a low capacity gun and a high capacity. Not that 13 rounds is really "hi-cap" anymore but it was for a long time. --Predator20 22:55, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

Yeah I agree. Also, in my opinion, 13 rounds is a hell of a lot of bullets for a single mag-S&Wshooter

I think he will have a carry a Browning Hi-Power with his S&W 27, and use a C96 in 7mm when he forgets to grab a rifle. Rex095

It's your story, so do whatever you feel is right-S&Wshooter 00:33, 11 November 2009 (UTC)

that one of my problem, I think I will have the C96, it is a cool looking gun Rex095

I would love to own a Red-9 variant. :) - Mr. Wolf 15:48, 3 June 2011 (CDT)

Need to Confirm a Few Things

So like the guy above me, I am writing a story that prominently features the C96. The story is set in an alternate history steampunk Britain in 1899, where technology of the era and more futuristic technology mingle. The main character is an elite former British special forces soldier, framed for the murder of Queen Victoria's heir while Britain descends into civil war between the totalitarian military government and the resistance forces. The C96 he uses is customized with a black ebony grip, nickel plated finish, the ability to accept a 15 round box magazine, and a semi auto, three round burst, and a full auto mode.

So my questions are, is is feasible to modify any pistol to accept fire rate modifications? Also, can the C96 (a basic one) be hand loaded mid-magazine from the top? Or do you have to wait until the magazine is dry and just use a stripper clip?

The modified C96 isn't the only weird gun in the story. I'm trying to keep in realistic in a sense (trying). The British army use assault rifles and submachine guns in the late 19th century, there's also a man portable Maxim Gun, a flamethrower, and American mercenaries seen later on use the "Walker Carbine-" think a smash together of the M1 Carbine, Garand, and the M14. --PyramidHead (talk) 09:21, 21 July 2013 (EDT)

Found potential Hanyang C96 photo

This Polish article on the Hanyang C96 shows a pic of it. A good one, but that's the only one I found so far. Ominae (talk) 03:42, 27 July 2013 (EDT)