Arisaka type 99?

[mikehtiger]

Hey guys,

Just picked u a battered arisaka type 99 for a good deal (free!) and I know very little about it. I've been reading online that sometimes the actions were crappy (felt fine to me though). Anyways... I wanted to know if they are any good, accurate, reliable etc... Also how could I tell if its safe to shoot without blowing my face off. Looks like a neat gun, and it was the right price. I'll post pics as soon as I can get to my computer (missing some parts and pretty banged up). Anyways thanks!

[Emdawg]

#1: Pics would be real nice.

#2: Make sure to be able to tell the difference between a infantry rifle and a trainer, as it could literally save your face.

A trainer will NOT have:

A two part butt stock.

A mum or the grounding of where a mum used to be.

And does the reciever looks well made? Do some of the parts look abnormally large or rough?

If these are true, then chances is yours is a trainer and it s NOT safe to fire.

[mikehtiger]

I think the Mum is the little flower thing on the top. I can faintly see the imprint of one. I attached some pictures... I'm not sure what the two piece stock looks like. Also everything else seems to be machined fine, and the action is smooth. The back safety is not finished.

[mikehtiger]

Also the barrel is rifled... I've read a lot of the training models don't have rifled barrels.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Nice rifle, mike!!! I kinda want an Arisaka myself. There are a lot of misconceptions about Arisakas being unsafe; I even believed that at one point because that's what my Dad told me. My understanding is that some of the "Last Ditch" rifles might be a problem but for the most part, they are good shooters. Headspace it, check the lugs for cracks, have it checked by a gunsmith if you prefer, and take her for a spin.

Just a quick pointer on photography: if you take the "close up" pictures in macro mode, the markings show up better in the pictures. There should be an icon of a flower in your settings; that's macro mode.

Can't wait to hear a range report!

[mikehtiger]

Thanks! I'm sure it's a "Last Ditch" model. I'm just trying to figure out if it is a training rifle. Also my only working camera right now is on my phone, hence the poor quality pictures. If it is shootable I will come back with a range report! Can't wait to try it out!

[Sampachi]

Nagoya arsenal 10th Series, estimated production date between October and December of 1944. Yes, it's a last ditch, but I wouldn't worry about it if the parts are matched. Looks like someone already used it as a hunting rifle.

As always, I recommend Mr. Nambu for affordable ammunition.

[mikehtiger]

Cool thanks! So not a training rifle?

[Emdawg]

Cool thanks! So not a training rifle?

No.

[mikehtiger]

Awesome thanks guys! I'll bench fire it first, assuming I can go without food for a week to afford the ammo...

[knucklehead0202]

most training rifles were type 38s, that's a mid-late war 99 Nagoya with a chopped stock. looks like the barrel hasn't been cut so you could even restore it with a new stock, barrel bands, etc. check ebay for stocks and such, may even find the band parts you need there but they're available elsewhere as well. I got an earlier Toyo Kogyo that was in about the same shape at the same price too and I've since restocked it. it's a sweet shooter too. if you don't reload i'd recommend starting because buying lots of loaded 7.7 jap can get expensive. buy enough to where you'll have an ample supply of brass then reload. even though the sights are funny, I've found both my type 99s to be some of the most accurate old rifles I have. definitely get some attention at the range as well. good luck and have fun with that old gal. she ain't dead yet.

[mikehtiger]

Cool! Yeah I'm just getting started reloading... I'm planing on restoring it, looks like I can get the parts pretty cheap on eBay.

[Divernhunter]

Graf and sons has amoo and brass at good prices.

[Sampachi]

If you can, try to find a Last Ditch stock with proper Nagoya arsenal stamps for a correct restoration. Most Last Ditch rifles are Nagoya manufacture so you got that going for you. They are a three piece stock set. Has a wooden buttplate nailed to the main stock, a separate fore end that looks like a typical "duffle cut" but isnt and an upper hand guard.

If you look on eBay now, there are a couple stocks up for sale. Search terms "late", "Japanese" and "stock" in the Militaria section. There is a complete Kokura made one for $225 (yikes!) and a partial Toyo Kogyo set going for a lot less now. Neither are "technically" correct for your Nagoya rifle, but are the correct "style" stock and will give you an idea of what to look for.

[knucklehead0202]

^+1. I just type arisaka stock. I got one that's pretty much correct for my TK and it looks just like my other one, always see late-war stocks and Sampachi is dead-on most last ditchers you'll see are Nagoya, should be no-sweat to find all you need. have fun!