Mauser HSc Question

[AdamP]

So, I've been toying with the idea of trying to find a Mauser HSc and having it converted to restricted class. I see that in the U.S.A, they're available in .380ACP as well as .32 and I was wondering, if I find one in .32 and have a new barrel made for it, does the extractor, firing pin, slide, etc. all work between the two, or does it require modification?

I'm hoping that all that would need to be changed are the barrel and the mag, as the process is likely to be expensive enough as it is.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[MTF]

It's quite possible that a barrel and mag to take the .380 would work OK. FN used to sell 1910 Brownings with the capacity to shoot both cartridges with just a barrel and magazine change. I think your biggest problem would be getting CFC to OK the purchase. If it was made for the .32ACP round, no matter what you say you're going to do with it, they're not going to be to happy about anyone without a 12.6 licence getting one. The first HK pistol, HK4 was sold with .22, .25, .32, and .380 set-ups. Terrible double action trigger, but a neat gun. It was a kind of HSc clone (Heckler and Koch were originally engineers at Mauser). But instead of trying to put all that money into changing over a .32, why not get a double action .380 and just put somewhat less money into a longer barrel? CFC wouldn't object to that. Walther PP or one of the post-war clones? I have a Hungarian Walam that doesn't look too bad with the longer barrel. It's kind of rare, but the CZ-38 is a long-barrelled double action only pistol that shoots 380.

 

[AdamP]

That's promising news on the FN .380/.32 convertibles. As for acquiring one, it's not an issue as I know a gunsmith who says he can either enter it into his inventory, complete the conversion, and call the CFC and have them change the registration, OR leave it registered to the seller (who obviously would be 12.6 or 12.7 licensed), perform the conversion, call the CFC to change the registration, and then transfer to me.

I was thinking about a PP as well.... Too bad I can't just own the guns in their original configuration!

Thanks,

Adam

 

[MTF]

Yes, it is too bad. I collect, and am just really sad when I see a pistol added to my collection with an outrageously long barrel on it. I've found a few pieces I wanted that
had to have new barrels made. They don't always look terrible, but even when the esthetics aren't really awful, it's not the original pistol any more.

I have had barrels made for a few different pistols by Barry Jensen at Bits of Pieces in Delta, BC. He also will re-register a gun altered that way, so there's nothing to it for me as the buyer (except for the cost). You just need to have a seller who will accept the arrangement. Occasionally someone will not, but usually it's OK.

You buy the gun and the seller sends the gun to the 'smith for work, and retains ownership. You've paid for the gun and then you pay for the work. The 'smith then changes the registration, CFC does the transfer, and the 'smith sends the gun to you. It takes money and time, but it's the only way Canada allows ownership of an otherwise prohibited pistol.

If you can live without the double action feature, you might look at the FN 1922 (there was one on the EE yesterday). They come in .380 and have long enough barrels just as they were made. Good luck with it.