For those looking to pick up 8mm Nambu at your dealer…
The rimless, bottleneck 8x22mm cartridge was developed in 1904 by Kijiro Nambu, a firearms designer often referred to as the “Japanese John Browning.” Used in Nambu’s Type 14 and Type 94 pistols as well as his Type 100 submachine gun in World War II, the low-powered cartridge had a reputation in military service as being on the anemic side, especially when compared to .45 ACP rounds.
And a bunch of them came to the U.S. in 1942-46.
SGT George Chamberlain, Co.K 172nd inf rgt, 43rd Inf Div. Silver Star New Georgia in 1943 captured Japanese battle flag and a Type 14 Nambu pistol. Signal Corps Photo 190879
While no guns chambered for the round have been made since 1945, officials with Steinel Ammo feel there is a desire among potentially thousands of Nambu enthusiasts in the States for the round.
“Unless you are adept at loading your own ammunition, we find many classic firearms owners are just keeping these unique historical pieces in the safe,” Andy Steinel, president of Steinel Ammunition, told me. “So many Marines who served in the Pacific theater during World War II either captured or picked up one of these Type 14 or 94 Nambu pistols. They are incredibly fun to shoot, offer light recoil and their unique design is still copied by firearm designers today.”
Oh, did I mention the 8mm Nambu cartridge is back in production? More in my column at Guns.com