Broomhandle to 38 super?

[Tom H.]

Is there any reason that the broomhandle can't or shouldn't be chambered in 38 Super?
I know that the pistol can handle the 9mm para and that operates at the same pressure as the Super, the 38 just being longer.
Mauser originally had a 9mm that was similar to it as well.

Any thoughts, experience or otherwise would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

[Mikey]

Tom:  those old Broomhandles shouldn't really be used with heavier loads as they are old.  And that is about the only reason.  The C96 Mauser came in 3 calibers - the 30 Mauser (7.62x25mm), the 9mm Parabellum as it was loaded back then with a 125 gn slug at about 1100'/sec; and the 9mm Export with a 128 gn slug at about 1300'/sec.  The 9mm Export is a very rare caliber and yes, it ran about the same as the 38 Super does today but you would have to be absolutely certain your Broomhandle can handle the pressures before you do anything like rechamber for the 38 Super.  

In essence, it is not a good idea.  These are old warhorses that have not been made since the 1930s and the metal may not be up to modern pressure standards.  It is always a good idea to treat these old Broomhandles, Lugers and wartime Walthers gently.  If you have a Broomhandle in any caliber it should be shot as a 'fun gun', just to enjoy it, without pushing the pressure limits.  JMHO and HTH.  Mikey.

[Tom H.]

Thanks Mikey, a point well taken.
I was just looking for a cartridge better suited for the action than the 9mm which is short for the magazine.
I would think that the same problems in using the Super could be encountered inadvertantly using 9mm+p or some of that hideous CZ ammo in 30.
I have some extra top ends and I may make one in the 38 auto (ans stamp it as 38 auto) to see how it works.  That is lower pressure than the 9 and would also give me what I want in a longer case.  If it does work properly I can switch to the Super case with Super starting loads. They will still be easier on the gun than the 9.

Cheers

Tom

[Mikey]

Tom H.:  If you have extra C-96 Mauser top ends around you are a lucky feller - very few of those exist.  

I think if I was going to do what you are thinking of I would rather chamber a top end for a 9x23mm case - I think that is what the 9mm Export round case length was, the same as the 9mm Largo, 9mm Bergmann-Bayard, 9mm Steyer.  And you wouldn't have to deal with the possibility of a 38 Super semi-rimmed case not exactly fitting the bolt head.  There are lots of 9x23 new cases available for reloading and they are the proper size - all you would have to do is take care in reloading them to pressures acceptable to that old Broomhandle.  

You are absolutely correct about some of that CZ made 7.62x25mm ammo, some is way overpowered for the Broomhandle.  However, the new S&B ammo in 7.62x25mm compares directly to the original 30 Mauser loads - the Mauser loading was an 88 gn bullet at 1400'/sec from the Bolo Mauser, the 7.62x25mm S&B Tokarev ammo is an 85 gn bullet at the same velocity.  However, all that being said, Ron Reed one of our sponsors has 13 different loads for the 7.62x25mm and I am sure that after consultation with Ron you could find one of his 7.62x25mm loads that would be just perfect for your C-96.  He might even be able to recommend a load for the 9mm Export/38 Super size round you are thinking of.  HTH.  Mikey.

[copdoc]

Be careful with calibre conversions.  It is an old design.  The hammerspring is actually a major part of the recoil mechanism as the hammer cams the bolt for temporary lock up. A weak hammer spring can cause a failure of the bolt stop.  The hammer cam action with  bolt stop  keep the bolt from leaving the frame as the recoil spring has very little force.  The bolt stop is small for the recoil generated and like the hammer spring needs to be inspected if you are going to fire one even with factory ammo.  Apparently bolt stops  have cracked.  Wolff makes new hammer springs that can restore one to factory specs.  Somewhere i saw a web page with a lot of information from very on this.  If i can find it i will post it for you. 

[S.S.]

Thanks for talking him out of it guys.
I was sitting here drawing up into the fetal position
thinking about altering that old C96!

[Tom H.]

Hey SS, o fetal position necessary

I wouldn't alter unless it was an absolute dog (which it is) and I have those extra top ends which have no rifling to speak of.

The 9x23 as brought up by Mikey could be the way to go, as it is a better case for the conversion. Thanks Mikey.

Copdoc, as soon as I bought the gun, I ordered  3 spring sets from Wolff.  Extras are good.

I do have a great broomhandle and plan on keeping it as is.  If it isn't broken I don't plan on fixing it.


Cheers,

Tom

[wiley]

Have you considered 38 ACP? THis is dimensionally the same as 38 Super, but loaded much lower. It may also be easier to locate a reamer for it than 9x23.

[cvixx]

Old topic but I have been out of the country and thought i would reply.  I bought a broomhandle off of the Gun Trader several years ago that had been converted to 38ACP.  It had some feeding problems but I found that using 9mm Largo solved them.  Midway and others sell the Starline cases and you do not have to worry about cutting the chamber for the semi-rimmed case.  The action is long enough to eject without any concerns. 

[Tom H.]

Finally finished the conversion to 9 mm largo and it seems to work as it should.  Had to change the bullet profile in order to ensure feeding but but at least ai don't have to mess with the rails.  Definately lower intensity than the 30 but it works well in the bolo that I converted.  The toughest part was cobbling together parts that would work properly, namely fitting the sear but I finally got that out of the way.

BTW, tried out some Privi 30 Mauser today and was very pleased. $18 a box from Graff.

Cheers,

Tom