[Trenchwarfare]

Received a Type 94 from a GB purchase, a couple of days ago. I'm sure some of you saw it, and thought, "what an idiot!" when I bought it. My question: All numbers match, except the mag, which is one digit off. Last three #s of the pistol are 256. Mag is marked 259. Any chance of a typo? I guess he could have turned the die upside down? Also, my books are still packed away. Was there a 94 variant, that was painted? M.P.

 

[type-14]

Sure it could be a factory screw up but we need more info to try and determine if it is that or if it is just a mis-match mag. There are four variations of mags for the 94 so we need to know the date of your 94, and what variation is the mag? Is it nickeled or blue? If nickel does it have a flat bottom base or is it ribbed? If blue what is the shape of the follower button? What inspection mark is on the mag? The final answer is no! None were ever painted or plated by the Japanese arsenals.

 

[Trenchwarfare]

Date: 19.9 Mag: blued, ribbed bottom, round follower button. I don't have my reference material handy, so don't know how to reference the inspector stamp. On closer exam. mag number looks like 239, with the 3 being stamped over a 4. So, it doesn't match. As far as paint, that's what I figured. Safety is loose. Do they work on a pressure fit, like a Type 14? If yes, how dangerous are they to bend? I don't see where a spring would go. When I got it, the trigger return spring, was inside the magazine! I know I sound like a newbie, but this is my first experience with a 94. Thanks, M.P.

 

[type-14]

Yeap a mis-matched mag. Also, should have the square follower button. Sorry, closest I can come to a match for you is 225. As for the safety, no spring, it just rotates to block the sear bar from moving. They are not as easy to break as the Type-14 but they can be broken and finding an original replacement is hard to do. It should move with some ease. Once you get your books unpacked any number of the drawings has how the safety fits. It is inserted in the frame using a key-way and then rotated into position. If yours is hard to turn, make sure it is setting all the way in the frame.

 

[Rampage19]

My research shows the Type IV mag (round button) started showing-up in early 19.8, and the change from the Type III mag (rectangular button) was mostly completed by late 19.9. So, to get the right numbered mag, you could look for either version.

 

[TGE]

It is always possible that factory could make a mistake in numbering but generally not likely. So it is wishful thinking for us collectors to assume the factory worker may have screwed up.

As far as painted finishes on Japanese pistols, I agree with Type-14. I am not aware of any T94s being painted. The only pistols the Japanese painted were some models of flare guns.

 

[Trenchwarfare]

Yeap a mis-matched mag. Also, should have the square follower button. Sorry, closest I can come to a match for you is 225. As for the safety, no spring, it just rotates to block the sear bar from moving. They are not as easy to break as the Type-14 but they can be broken and finding an original replacement is hard to do. It should move with some ease. Once you get your books unpacked any number of the drawings has how the safety fits. It is inserted in the frame using a key-way and then rotated into position. If yours is hard to turn, make sure it is setting all the way in the frame.

I have had the safety out with no problem. I was just wondering if I had to bend it a little, for a tighter fit. It flops around pretty freely. I figure someone tried to pry it out, like they do on Type 14s.

 

[Ronin48]

BE CAREFUL with the safety. I had one with a broken safety, bought a repro from a Board member for $40. Following instructions in Derby (?) I disassembled the pistol, first and last time, to the point where I couldn't remove the broken safety. A friend with a lot of Nambu experience was at the house, removed the stub...and broke the $40 safety trying to install it. We reinstalled the broken safety and I later sold the pistol at a discount.

 

[Trenchwarfare]

Tweaked the safety a little(without breaking it!) Now it works OK. This mag has two release slots? One big, one little, Is that correct? both show signs Bubbafication. Somebody really dicked with this thing. Guess they was gonna purdy-it up. Started filing the machine marks from the forward area of the frame, and slide. Shouldn't be much problem putting them back. I'll have it back to it's original ugly condition in no time.