Prior to the design of the Nambu, the only pistol in Japanese service was the Type 26 revolver, which served with distinction during the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895).

[2] The Nambu was designed shortly after a Japanese commission reported on European military developments.

[3] Nambu pistols were symbols of prestige, often carried in fanciful holsters, and were used more as a means of ornament and status rather than for fighting.

[4] Alongside other Japanese weapons, such as guntōs and Arisaka rifles, many American servicemen took Nambu pistols home with them as war trophies.

[6] A common flaw in the series was that the gun's safety catch and its magazine release did not enable the magazine to slide out of the gun once it was empty, forcing the operator to work against the weight of the recoil spring and leaf spring, making reloading difficult.

Another issue with the safety was that it is located just above the trigger guard, meaning that it can not be activated with the same hand that is holding the pistol.

[15] The first 450 models have the bottom part of the magazine made of wood, and only one diameter firing pin, but later Type Bs have the magazine made from aluminium, and incorporate a multiple diameter firing pin.

[11] A Type B Nambu sold for 180 yen,[17] making it cost roughly the same as a captain's entire monthly salary.

[20] It is believed that around 400,000 Type 14 Nambus were produced,[14] but the exact number is unknown, as Japanese soldiers considered their weapons property of the emperor, and many chose to destroy their pistols or throw them into the ocean to avoid them falling into enemy hands.

[14] Pre-1937 Type 14s are well made, with a noticeable decline in quality after the war's beginning, to meet wartime production demands.

A lack of available raw materials resulted in a move from holsters made of leather to rubberized canvas.

[32] Because of their rarity and historical significance, Nambu pistols became sought after by gun collectors, with models selling anywhere from $800[33] to $1,500.

[34] In The Mandalorian, the character Cara Dune uses a Nambu pistol, modified to fit the sci-fi setting.