Information on this Japanese Rifle...

by inthe10ring on Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:00 pm

I assume this is an Arisaka, Type 38, maybe. Can anyone tell me anything about this rifle? What ammo can/should be used in it? How much will the ammo cost? Is the correct caliber 6.5 × 50mm Arisaka?

It still has the chrysanthemum visible on the rifle. The stock is fairly rough (a step above fire-wood).

by BearsBoy on Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:05 pm

You have it all correct. Japanese Arisaka Type 38 carbine. The ammo is more normally referred to on the box as "6.5 JAP". You'll spend $25 - $40 for a box of 20.
I have one in excellent condition with an intact mum that had belonged to my dad for as long as I have memories.
And check that it is a rifled bore. (And mine has deep rifling.) If it isn't rifled then it could be a training rifle and not to be shot. If it is rifled, then enjoy! The Arisaka action is one of, if not THE strongest action ever produced.

by inthe10ring on Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:10 pm

BearsBoy wrote:...And check that it is a rifled bore. (And mine has deep rifling.) If it isn't rifled then it could be a training rifle and not to be shot. If it is rifled, then enjoy! ...

Whew! I failed to mention that, years ago, I did get one box of ammo (Norma, I think) and shot it. So, I'm glad it was intended to be shot. Fairly accurate at 100 yards. Probably better in someone else's hands.

Any recommendations on source of ammo?

by Cavalier on Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:43 pm

Great rifle! I saw some 6.5 jap on stripper clips at the last two Jackson gun shows they were $5.00 A clip 5 on a clip and he would discount on Volume, only thing I have shot in mine is Norma so it does not get shot much but is a good shooter have not found any other commercial rounds.

by Gitschlag on Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:44 pm

That is not a Type 38 carbine, that is a Type 99. The third character on the receiver is "Shiki" (for "Type") and the two previous identical characters are the Japanese numerals for "9". I can't tell for sure from the pictures, but it looks like the rear band is mid-war (no provision for a monopod). Also, the rear sight is missing the anti-aircraft wings (most likely correct though, since at this point in the war they were phased out). So, the caliber should be in 7.7 Jap. An expensive round, but more obtainable than 6.5 These rifles are FINE shooters, it's a shame the ammo isn't more available.

by inthe10ring on Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:27 am

Thanks for all the info. Looks like ammo is around $2/round! That's the bad news.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index.php/cName/rifle-ammo-77-jap

As for the history, I assume that this was a war souvenier brought home by a GI, correct? These with the mum weren't imported as "sporters", were they? It would be interesting to know the full history.

by Gitschlag on Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:57 am

As far as I know, only a handful of Arisakas were ever imported, and they came from China and were utter CRAP. I'd definitely say yours was a war souvenir. It looks as if the mum was slightly defaced though, so it was probably a surrendered rifle from the end of the war when MacArthur ordered all the mums removed in respect to Hirohito.

by 22lrfan on Tue Oct 18, 2011 2:35 pm

I don't know where you are located but Swann's in Jackson has a box of Norma 7.7 Jap for $41. I saw it at lunch today.

by inthe10ring on Thu Oct 20, 2011 9:48 am

22lrfan wrote:I don't know where you are located but Swann's in Jackson has a box of Norma 7.7 Jap for $41. I saw it at lunch today.

$41!!! Ouch!

Is that Swann's Gun & Repair at 4952 Old Canton Rd?

by 22lrfan on Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:24 pm

by Rw on Thu Oct 20, 2011 1:22 pm

Just saw this on cabelas site, $25.99 isnt bad at all
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Ammunition/Rifle-Ammunition%7C/pc/104792580/c/104691780/sc/104532480/Hornady-Metric-Caliber-Ammo/705799.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-ammunition-rifle-ammunition%2F_%2FN-1100190%2B4294751892%2FNe-4294751892%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104532480%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104791680%253Bcat104691780%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104791680%3Bcat104691780%3Bcat104532480

by inthe10ring on Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:23 pm

Rw wrote:Just saw this on cabelas site, $25.99 isnt bad at all
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Ammunition/Rifle-Ammunition%7C/pc/104792580/c/104691780/sc/104532480/Hornady-Metric-Caliber-Ammo/705799.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-ammunition-rifle-ammunition%2F_%2FN-1100190%2B4294751892%2FNe-4294751892%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104532480%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104791680%253Bcat104691780%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104791680%3Bcat104691780%3Bcat104532480

That's a good price for that ammo. Thanks.

by Rw on Thu Oct 20, 2011 9:55 pm

inthe10ring wrote:
Rw wrote:Just saw this on cabelas site, $25.99 isnt bad at all
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Ammunition/Rifle-Ammunition%7C/pc/104792580/c/104691780/sc/104532480/Hornady-Metric-Caliber-Ammo/705799.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-ammunition-rifle-ammunition%2F_%2FN-1100190%2B4294751892%2FNe-4294751892%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104532480%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104791680%253Bcat104691780%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104791680%3Bcat104691780%3Bcat104532480

That's a good price for that ammo. Thanks.

No problem, cabelas has a good bit of odd stuff. If you go to a retail store they actually stock most all of whats online. I make sure to stop at the one in gonzales whenever i am down that way... always seem to spend at least $100.

by inthe10ring on Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:33 pm

Well, today, the Arisaka "spoke" for the first time in many years. I fed it half of the box of ammo from Swann's. Thanks to everyone at the range that provided assistance and advice! It shoots about 12-18 inches high at 100 yds; but, at $2.00 +/- per shot, I think that I need to invest in a Mosin Nagant and make the Arisaka a wall hanger!

by Doug Bowser on Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:01 am

When I had a Type 99, I made cases out of .30-06 brass. It is slightly undersized at the base but if you use moderate loads, it works OK. Better than $41 per 20.

Doug

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