Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please - The Firearms Forum

vlad0002 · 11-05-2009, 11:39 PM

Hi again,

I have recently came across another pistol at Cabelas, a nice, all matching, including magazine, Nambu with the date code 18.9. Everything is perfect, clearly marked, bore is mint. Top of the extractor is marked with red paint, that looks original.

The store wants $600 for the gun. Would you guys help me to determine if that's a good deal, please?

Thanks.

Vlad

oscarmayer · 11-06-2009, 05:44 AM

thats about the correct price for something like this, i've seen these bring more. it's a collectable so if thats what you're looking for the price is fair. are you looking to collect or shoot ?

zb338 · 11-06-2009, 06:10 AM

If you are looking to collect, go for it. If you are looking to
shoot it. FORGET ABOUT IT.

Zeke

vlad0002 · 11-06-2009, 08:58 AM

Thanks, guys. I was thinking about it for my collection. However, 1-2 times a year I shoot all my guns, even the most expensive ones (2-3K). I know, some people think it's stupid and a potential mishap can ruin the value, but somehow it's an important ritual for me, keeping the gun's "spirit" alive, I suppose...

Vlad

dartswinger · 01-10-2010, 12:00 PM

Your pics made me bawl like a baby! In 1996 I had 2 just like that, in full holsters (one leather, one canvas or ruberized what ever that was) the leather one had shoulder strap and belt and I, like a fool; traded them for 2 new 9mms. I kept the waist belt from the one holster for myself until I just got too 'robust' to wear it. Sold that belt, just the leather belt with only one small indistinguishable marking on Ebay last month for $175. I'm still trying to get back on the chair...

wonderwhippet · 01-11-2010, 12:34 AM

Yes, the price is about what this pistol is worth, especially if the magazine matches the serial number.

Jim K · 01-11-2010, 01:55 PM

I think I would make an offer. IMHO, that is high for that pistol, since it is about the most common and appears to have some rust.

As for shooting it, there is no supply of ammo. Some turns up from time to time made from other cases but nothing reliable. That is a 1944 gun, but there is no safety issue; with good ammo, it should work OK. Do not dry fire that pistol; they are notorious for breaking firing pins. I don't know of any source for snap caps, but maybe something can be improvised.

Jim

MSGT-R · 12-23-2011, 09:49 AM

I bought one of these awhile back for my "collection". I was a member of the Commerative Airforce, and we had a Zero in the squadron. I had plans to sign up to pilot it during airshows (gotta have the togs). They never returned the plane to airworthy status, but I still have the pistol.

Bullets are an expensive commodity, and are hard to come by.. The last time I shopped awhile back, I think originals were something like $10, reproductions $5 per bullet.

Never did find a holster. a .45 is pretty close.

deadin · 12-23-2011, 12:49 PM

IRRC, suitable cases can be formed from .40 S&W, The real test comes finding correct size bullets.

MSGT-R · 12-23-2011, 02:02 PM

Thanks!

valbehaved · 12-23-2011, 02:47 PM

If the mag is matching, the price is mid-retail. If not, try to get it for $500-550..
These actually shoot very well and probably have the best trigger of all pre-1945 semi-autos.. The original ammo is pricey. Newly made ammo is about $1 a pop...
"Mr. Nambu" makes very good ammo for these - you can look it up on "auctionarms.com"
auction number 10709299
good luck.

MSGT-R · 12-23-2011, 02:52 PM

Please define "matching". Is that by metal patina, or some sort of serial number?

jack404 · 12-23-2011, 03:38 PM

a tad expencive , like jim said, money talks , pull $500 out and say take this thats all its worth

and see ..

valbehaved · 12-23-2011, 04:24 PM

I just realized that the original post was made about 2 years ago...
By "matching" I mean matching the last 3 digits of the guns serial number...

Lanrezac · 12-23-2011, 04:53 PM

Nambus can be pleasant to shoot, if you can come with affordable ammunition. The one I used to own was not as nice as the one in vlad0002's picture, but with Midway lead-bullet ammo, it had light recoil, a nice trigger pull, and surprisingly good sights. The grip angle is good too, but the safety catch is an ergonomic disaster.

11-05-2009, 11:39 PM	#1
vlad0002 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 30	Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please Hi again, I have recently came across another pistol at Cabelas, a nice, all matching, including magazine, Nambu with the date code 18.9. Everything is perfect, clearly marked, bore is mint. Top of the extractor is marked with red paint, that looks original. The store wants $600 for the gun. Would you guys help me to determine if that's a good deal, please? Thanks. Vlad Attached Images -->

11-06-2009, 05:44 AM	#2
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please thats about the correct price for something like this, i've seen these bring more. it's a collectable so if thats what you're looking for the price is fair. are you looking to collect or shoot ?

11-06-2009, 06:10 AM	#3
zb338 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Recently moved to Pennsylvania. Posts: 286	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please If you are looking to collect, go for it. If you are looking to shoot it. FORGET ABOUT IT. Zeke

11-06-2009, 08:58 AM	#4
vlad0002 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 30	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please Thanks, guys. I was thinking about it for my collection. However, 1-2 times a year I shoot all my guns, even the most expensive ones (2-3K). I know, some people think it's stupid and a potential mishap can ruin the value, but somehow it's an important ritual for me, keeping the gun's "spirit" alive, I suppose... Vlad

01-10-2010, 12:00 PM	#5
dartswinger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SE Pa. Posts: 147	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please Your pics made me bawl like a baby! In 1996 I had 2 just like that, in full holsters (one leather, one canvas or ruberized what ever that was) the leather one had shoulder strap and belt and I, like a fool; traded them for 2 new 9mms. I kept the waist belt from the one holster for myself until I just got too 'robust' to wear it. Sold that belt, just the leather belt with only one small indistinguishable marking on Ebay last month for $175. I'm still trying to get back on the chair...

01-11-2010, 12:34 AM	#6
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,583	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please Yes, the price is about what this pistol is worth, especially if the magazine matches the serial number.

01-11-2010, 01:55 PM	#7
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please I think I would make an offer. IMHO, that is high for that pistol, since it is about the most common and appears to have some rust. As for shooting it, there is no supply of ammo. Some turns up from time to time made from other cases but nothing reliable. That is a 1944 gun, but there is no safety issue; with good ammo, it should work OK. Do not dry fire that pistol; they are notorious for breaking firing pins. I don't know of any source for snap caps, but maybe something can be improvised. Jim

12-23-2011, 09:49 AM	#8
MSGT-R Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 898	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please I bought one of these awhile back for my "collection". I was a member of the Commerative Airforce, and we had a Zero in the squadron. I had plans to sign up to pilot it during airshows (gotta have the togs). They never returned the plane to airworthy status, but I still have the pistol. Bullets are an expensive commodity, and are hard to come by.. The last time I shopped awhile back, I think originals were something like $10, reproductions $5 per bullet. Never did find a holster. a .45 is pretty close. __________________ If you suck, go back to the range.

12-23-2011, 12:49 PM	#9
deadin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 858	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please IRRC, suitable cases can be formed from .40 S&W, The real test comes finding correct size bullets.

12-23-2011, 02:02 PM	#10
MSGT-R Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 898	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please Thanks! __________________ If you suck, go back to the range.

12-23-2011, 02:47 PM	#11
valbehaved V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 234	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please If the mag is matching, the price is mid-retail. If not, try to get it for $500-550.. These actually shoot very well and probably have the best trigger of all pre-1945 semi-autos.. The original ammo is pricey. Newly made ammo is about $1 a pop... "Mr. Nambu" makes very good ammo for these - you can look it up on "auctionarms.com" auction number 10709299 good luck.

12-23-2011, 02:52 PM	#12
MSGT-R Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 898	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please Please define "matching". Is that by metal patina, or some sort of serial number? __________________ If you suck, go back to the range.

12-23-2011, 03:38 PM	#13
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please a tad expencive , like jim said, money talks , pull $500 out and say take this thats all its worth and see ..

12-23-2011, 04:24 PM	#14
valbehaved V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 234	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please I just realized that the original post was made about 2 years ago... By "matching" I mean matching the last 3 digits of the guns serial number...

12-23-2011, 04:53 PM	#15
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 685	Re: Nambu 18.9 95%+, all matching value, please Nambus can be pleasant to shoot, if you can come with affordable ammunition. The one I used to own was not as nice as the one in vlad0002's picture, but with Midway lead-bullet ammo, it had light recoil, a nice trigger pull, and surprisingly good sights. The grip angle is good too, but the safety catch is an ergonomic disaster.