Arisaka Question

[Alfonso]

I have a WWII collection but still need Japan. I have been searching for a model 99 but in liue have stumbled across a few 38's. What is/was the better rifle? I know that the model 99 only came into service in 43 or so and that the 38 had been around from the previous model many years prior. I know that there is a noticble difference in the ammo in terms of the bang factor. But, is the 38 just as good as the earlier 99's? What is the diminuative Japanese WWII rfle? Would USMC troops have come across 38's during Iwo Jima and beyond? Should I just settle on the 38 and call it a day? Sianara!

Thanks.

 

[smellie]

The Model 38 in 6.5x50.5 Arisaka was the standard rifle of the Japanese military from 1905, when it began manufacture, until the adoption of the 99 in 1939, but it remained in actual factory production until about 1950 in the former Manchukuo.

It was everywhere and it most definitely was "the" rifle in the early "running wild" phase of Japanese expansion.

There are no "issues" with strength in the Type 38 and if you feed them what they want, they are scary accurate.

For a rifle which you KNOW "was there", the 38 is it, far as I'm concerned.

Grab one, take it home, drain the oil, talk to it nicely and be sure to feed it what it wants (mine loves Norma factory but will allow itself to be fed my handloads without complaining too much). It will repay you by shooting tiny little groups, more than likely.

Sayonara, friend!

 

[gaff]

get what you can get. can't see aney more coming to Canada. ever...

 

[smellie]

PS: Fellow I met picked up a Model 38 in 6.5 in a place called SAIPAN.

They were used until the last day of the war and by a couple of guys out in the boonies for the next 26 years as well.

More, including some from Mukden Arsenal, turned up in Korea.

"Diminutive rifle" could have been the Japanese Carcano, made on contract in Italy shortly before War Two. This is usually called the "I" Model and I really wish I had one!

Good luck!