Mauser HSc 7.65. mfg in 1970

[Trooper Joe]

I happened to notice a question about an HSc in this forum ( http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/622041-mauser-hsc-assistance-please.html ), so I thought I would ask a question about my new acquisition, a 1970 HSc in 7.65 made in 1970.

This gun looks brand new and came with two magazines, a box, owners manual, and factory test target dated 1970.




I have not shot it yet but I noticed that the trigger/hammer. assembly makes quite a “clicking” noise when cocking the hammer. It all seems to work OK but I was wondering if this noise is normal.

I had one of these about 15 years ago but new nothing about the magazine insertion automatically closing the mag or the safety system. Thinking it was defective, I foolishly took it back to the dealer when in fact, there was probably nothing wrong with it. It may have been a .380 since I remember it had quite a recoil.

Any information about this would be appreciated.

I tried to register on the Mauser Guns Collector forum but there seems to be something wrong with their system (Can anyone get ahold of their administrator/moderator for me?).

Thanks ahead gang.

Trooper Joe

 

[JohnRippert]

I own a NIB one in .380, but have never fired it. Strictly a safe queen due to condition. Always wanted one in .32 but have not found one yet. Mine is also a Interarms import with box and paperwork. Hope someone else here is able to help with your question.

ETA pics.

 

[Rpg]

Be careful. Dry firing these things can break the firing pin.

Replacing the firing pin often results in breaking the replacement pin as well.

 

[mauser9]

Awesome looking guns. That bluing looks real high gloss. Nice to see.

 

[Venom6]

Always thought they were very exotic, with an appearance far ahead of their time. It's the gun James Bond should have carried.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Just a BEAUTIFUL pistol! Makes me want to run out and buy some 32acp dies...

And some Starline brass...?

Cheers!

P.S. There was one on the For Sale forum years ago in 9x18 Ultra, as I recall...

 

[Gardner11]

I have one in 32 acp , made in the 70’s , when I cock the firearm it makes a loud click clack sound . I had mine checked out by gun smith and all was ok .

 

[Engine49guy]

Iirc the Mauser Hsc was built for the German Navy and Airforce but that's just from memory, there were versions made for civilian entities in .32 acp.
Also iirc the WW2 Guns have different grips that can't be swapped onto the post war versions.
Lost all my old notes but seem to recall that when HK entered the handgun market their first offering was an aluminum frame version of the HSc they called the HK4, my guess is because you could change the barrels and recoil spring so it could fire .380, .32acp, .25 acp and .22lr ,
The 22lr kit was weird because you had to swap the extractor claw and flip the firing pin to rimfire position with the factory orange screwdriver through the slides muzzle, (never had much luck with the .22s running smooth) btw each caliber conversion kit also came with a magazine as well for that caliber , although marked differently the .380 and 32vmags worked with both.

Back to the HSc, yes two LOUD audible clicks when pulling that crazy curled trigger, first one brings the hammer past half cock second one warns u it's about to go BANG!

If u back off the trigger after click number two but before the bang it goes to half cock so next time u get one click warning.
Interesting take down procedure and be careful or u can break it.
Never liked that feature where it locks the slide back but u can't release it without inserting a magazine (btw doesn't matter if the magazine is empty it will drop it).

The HSc is an interesting gun but IMO the PPK is a much better gun.
I still have a blue and nickle post war version both in .380 with the same huge right side Interarms import stamp with big star, both of mine are also from early 70's with the Elkhorn proof stamps.
On a side note a bunch of .32 ACP guns were sold from the German border patrol into the market like 10 years ago and ended up for salevhere)
Take care of the stocks as they are fragile with one mounting screw and nobody makes a decent replacement.
I don't recall the exact takedown procedure but look it up on you tube because it's weird,
Have to cock it then safety to ? Then maybe release the slide then pull down the slide release in the trigger guard and it just pops off.
Neat piece of history....enjoy it.

 

[2152hq]

The orig design had the fragile firing pin. It's shape with the small round portion where it was able to pivot out of position when on Safe made it fragile to remove and even re-assemble if you got rough with it.

IIRC, these Post-War HSc pistols have a slight re-design for the FP to try and avoid that problem.
No real need to take the FP out of the slide anyway unless it's already broken.

The pistol's design has quite a lot of mechanism built in to it to do all of the features it does.. Lot's of complicated parts, springs, etc. But they are sleek pistols.
The slide closing with the magazine being inserted was a feature of the 1914 group of Mauser pocket pistols.

Not everyone likes this feature but I guess someone did.

The JP Sauer 38h was probably it's closest competitor. A heavy pistol that was loaded with a lot of features as well incl a decocking lever.

I like them all. Walthers too.
I liked 'em even better when you could go to a gun show or shop and see the War time issue ones for sale for under $200.

 

[Walter Rego]

I have had one in .380 since the mid 1970's. I like it but when I occasionally fire it I am reminded that it is not a fun gun to shoot. A couple of magazines full and the web of my hand is pretty sore. I'll bet a .32 ACP version is more pleasant to shoot.

I have no problem with the manual of arms, I actually think for a self defense pistol the feature where you insert a fresh mag automatically closes the slide and chambers the round is a good one. If that bothers you, you can apply the safety before inserting a fresh magazine. Then the slide will close but the firing pin block safety will be engaged even though the hammer is cocked.

Then you can lower the hammer while leaving the safety engaged and either leave it on safe, or flip the safety up and be ready for a double action first shot again.

 

[jeeperxd]

The HSC was the predecessor to the HK4 from my understanding.

 

[2152hq]

The orig HSc came to be in 1940 War time Germany
Post War production ran about 1968 to 1978.

(?) Heckler & Theodor Koch & were former Mauser engineers.
Their H&K company actually started in '49.
The HK4 was designed around '63 with help of one of the original men that designed the Mauser HSc during the War,,Alexander 'Max' Seidel.


The HK4 went to market in 1964. The W German govt bought some. Some went to civilian sales.
HArrington & Richardson eventually was the US importer.

The one weakness I have seen in them is the alloy frame.
These are simple blow-back actions of course.
The design has the bbl sitting in the frame and secured in a 'seat at the rear by sitting up against an abutment of the frame.

That abutment is aluminum alloy of course being part of the frame.
I have seen quite a few of these pistols with that abutment piece of the frame cracked.

I don't know if it's from unGodly round count.
Maybe hot loaded 380 rounds (I kind of suspect this is the cause.)
Certainly not all have this issue.
But they do break right there so take a look by disassembling /TD before purchasing.