Arisaka Type 38 added to collection

[goldidig]

After searching for a long time for a decent one, I finally picked up a Type 38 Arisaka today. It's in good shooting condition and shoots very accurately with Norma ammo, although the bore is a bit dark and pitted. It's the first decent one I ever had chance to buy! Needs to be cleaned but here's a few pics of the old girl.
Al

 

[joe n]

Looks like a really nice one!! Thanks for showing

 

[tula]

not too shabby man, Will I get a chance to try her out?

 

[goldidig]

Well now Nick, you may just get your chance to shoot this one!
Al

 

[svt1940]

Its a very decent one! Congrat
Jocelyn

 

[smellie]

Very nice Type 38.

You do know, I hope, that they used 4-groove Metford rifling, segmental in form; your bore will look bad even if it's brand-new. They can be VERY accurate.

As yours, mine shoots very nicely with Norma factory ammo. Biggest problem there is that it is expensive. After some hilarious and disastrous trials with hard-jacketed Scandinavian match-grade bullets, I tried the soft-jacketed Remington bulk-pack ones. They tolerate the deep Arisaka rifling much better.... and they are a lot cheaper into the bargain.

A good Arisaka can shoot hard-cast slugs absolutely forever with no visible barrel-wear.

Keep the intensity of your handloads down from mil-spec just a little bit and you will find the old Ari heading to the range with you MUCH more often than you might think. And when it starts shooting, heads WILL turn.

Very Nice Toy, friend!
.

 

[Klunk]

Would a RKI comment on the circles stamped over the MUM...?

I know there is a story to go with this....Singapore?...or something?


NICE rifle by the way!

 

[goldidig]

Klunk, I think I read somewhere that those small circles were stamped around the mum when the rifle was sold off or transferred out of regular Japanese army service . I am sure there are some knowledgeable guys on here who would know for sure though. Thanks for the info Smellie! I believe I have two packs of those Remington bullets here and will give them a try.

 

[ArtyMan]

Would a RKI comment on the circles stamped over the MUM...?

I know there is a story to go with this....Singapore?...or something?


NICE rifle by the way!

Typically it signifies "sold out of service", not defaced in the typical post war grinding that was done. I am fairly certain it is a Thai Type 83 rifle. Quite the history associated with these rifles.

 

[JP]

Most of the Arisakas in Canada are Post-WW2 imports and not War Trophies like those in the USA. Two sources basically, from China ground mum and beat to pieces by 50 years of service in the Chinese People's Militia. Next source is Thailand in better condition and with the cancellation dots around the mum.

 

[sarge]

Very nice!! Where did you get the ammo?

 

[goldidig]

My ammo came with the rifle when I bought it Sarge. I've usually seen a box or two of Norma at virtually every gun show I've been to for a few years now and a friend of mine has a new old stock box of Norma that I am going to get as well.

 

[johnny1984]

Nice weapon!

I just picked one up before Xmas as well. Where are you finding your ammo for it an how much for the ammo??

 

[JTF#]

thats a grate rifle with the mum intact.

it says in my book its made at the nagoya arsenal 1923-1940 313,000 made

its hard to make out the series marking before the serial number but it looks like series 27? if its 27 they did from 1-99,999. so you gun is the 75,007th gun of the 27th production run.

i really like your gun. the shape is fantastic.