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Load and Unload

The C96 has an internal magazine that holds 10 rounds in a staggered column.  Because the bolt is being held back by the follower of the magazine, you cannot easily nor safely load the magazine singly.  The correct way of loading the pistol is by the use of a 10 round stripper clip.

When loading the stripper clip, the grooves of the clip slide onto the rim of the case and holds it snugly in place.  NOTE:  THESE ARE DUMMY ROUNDS USED FOR EXAMPLE ONLY

Looking down on the magazine well of the pistol, the magazine follower locks the bolt back when either the pistol is being first loaded or when you have shot it empty.  Note the slot where the stripper clip is inserted on the right.

Using your left hand, push down with your thumb on the top most cartridge.  Because the magazine is a double stack staggered type, it can be a bit awkward and hard to get started. 

When you get down to the last few rounds, it is easier  to push the remaining rounds into the magazine in a squeezing motion with your pointer finger.

When all the rounds are in the magazine, the striper clip will be what is holding the bolt back. 

BE AWARE that when you pull the empty clip out, the bolt slides forward and pushes the first round into the chamber and the weapon is LIVE and HOT.

Unloading the C96

Essentially there are two ways to unload the weapon.  The Mauser Operators Manual says to fully retract the bolt (which ejects the chambered round) then release.  Repeat retracting the bolt and releasing to unload each round singularly.  When the last round has been ejected, the bolt will remain locked back (being held by the magazine follower.)

An alternative way of unloading the weapon is to pop open the magazine plate at the bottom of the pistol and dump the cartridges out.  This, however, still leaves ONE loaded round in the chamber that will have to be ejected manually by retracting the bolt.