Lothar Walther 22 Conversion Kit (Nambu)

Another option for shooting a Nambu is a .22 conversion kit. When these first showed up on ebay in 2004 two of them sold for around US$175-200, although the last couple I saw went for about $65-70. They were made by Lothar Walther of Germany and look like a high quality item, but one that is not particularly easy to use (the empty has to be punched out with a rod after each shot). Here is the box. The German says “Calibre .22 LR Barrel Insert for Pistol”





Here’s what’s inside.





From top to bottom of the photo, the parts appear to be: a rod for poking out empties, a cleaning brush, two converters to adapt the centre-fire striker blow to rim fire (see below) and the barrel insert. The latter is shown here with the part that conforms to the 8mm Nambu chamber on the left and the locking nut with plastic cushion on the right. My guess is that the flat part of the chamber insert is there to clear the extractor on the bolt.





Here is a close-up of the little converter with the rim-fire firing pin at the top right.





The side of the box says: “Attention! Observe the warning on the inside of the cover.”





Here is that warning on the inside of the cover: “Warning! When shooting for a long time, tighten the locking nut from time to time.”