RULE #1
TREAT ALL GUNS AS IF THEY WERE LOADED ALWAYS CHECK THEM.

RULE #2
IF YOU ARE POSITIVE THE GUN IS UNLOADED SEE RULE #1 NEVER ACCEPT A GUN FROM SOMEONE WITHOUT CLEARING IT YOURSELF!!!

Since the "Newest" Mauser pistol is 60+ years old and predates NON-Corrosive Ammo it can not be stressed enough that you get your gun checked out by a competent gunsmith prior to shooting it.
 

	Barrel: The main area of concern is where the bolt stop sits in the barrel. If this area appears twisted, mishaped, or cracked ect. Then this barrel should NOT BE USED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!
	Springs: All springs get weak with age the W.C. Wolff Company http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/MauserNF.html can supply ALL the springs in the Mauser Pistol for Approx $35 delivered to your door. The most Important springs being the HAMMER/ MAINSPRING and the BOLT RECOIL SPRING these springs absorb the recoil of the bolt and if they are weak they allow the bolt to over travel and strike the bolt stop.
	Bolt Stop: I personally replace the bolt stop in EVERY MAUSER I BUY!!! The bolt stop will be the first thing that breaks in an all matching gun and I'd rather have a NEW one. The cost is approx $25 and it is great PIECE OF MIND to know the bolt is not going to smack you in the face.
	Safety Leaver: Before using, the operation of the safety lever should be checked. There are 3 Different types of safeties used on the C96.    These Types are............
	"Early Style" This safety can be engaged COCKED or UNCOCKED just move the safety up and foreward. The hammer CANNOT be actuated when the safety is applied.
	"New Safety" this safety can be Identified by the intertwined NS on the back of the hammer. To activate with the hammer UNCOCKED move the safety up and foreward. To activate with the hammer COCKED move the safety up and foreward while pulling rearward on the hammer till the safety "Clicks". When this safety is applied you CANNOT ACTUATE THE HAMMER!!!
	"Universal Safety" This safety can be engaged in the COCKED or UNCOCKED just move the safety up and foreward. The hammer can be actuated with the safety applied
	Lock Frame: I've noticed cracks form where the rocker coupling sits in the lock frame.
	Ammunition: There are 6 types of Mauser pistol that use differing ammunition and they are NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. Another point to be made about ammunition is some surplus Chinese and Eastern Block ammunition for the Mauser/Tokerev  is CORROSIVE this is not a major issue if you are diligent about the cleaning of your gun.
	7.63mmx25mm: This is the standard cartrige for most Mauser Pistols. A suitable substitute would be the 7.62x25mm(Tokerev). DO NOT USE 7.62mm unless you have a Czech CZ-52 pistol(or suitable pistol) to test the ammunition PRIOR to firing in the Mauser. Some Tokerev Ammunition ESPECIALLY FROM Czechsolovakia is too HOT for the Mauser pistol. I have found that Chinese MFG 7.62mm Ammo can also have HOT batches as well.    DO NOT USE "30 LUGER" Ammunition!!! 30 Luger is 7.62mmx23mm and some of the 30 Luger does not headspace correctly!!! There is new production 7.63x25 Portuguese made ammunition available from Cole Distributing. http://www.cole-distributing.com It shoots good and is non corrosive too!! You can get 5 boxes from Cole's delivered for about $65.
	9mmx19mm: This is the other standard cartridge for the Mauser Pistol. This is commonly called 9mm,Standard 9mm, 9mm Parabellum, 9mm Luger. This ammunition can be found EVERYWHERE.
	9mmx25mm: This round is also called 9mm Mauser (Rare)
	8.15mm: This is a very rare chambering for the Mauser Pistor
	45ACP(11.5mm): This is used ONLY on Chinese MFG. copies of the Mauser Broomhandle. (Very Rare)