Need you guy's advice!

acarpenter · 03-29-2008, 12:07 PM

Heys guys!
I need your advice, as today I came across a couple guns that seem to be pretty decent finds, but I know I have to draw the line somewhere.

1st. Japanese Arisaka 99 in really nice condition, MUM INTACT. Only flaw is that it is missing the little piece indicated by my arrow in the pic.
$225 *He said he had plenty ammo for it.

2nd. Enfield NO.1MK.3 RFI in .303 cal. year-1955 ALL MATCHING, Good blueing, NOT painted black metal parts.
Excellent condition
$235

Last. Enfield NO.1MK.3 BSA. I forgot the year, but pretty nice original stock with a few plugs in it. ALL matching as well.
$250

And I would assume all are negotiable prices. I didn't necessarily want to buy a gun today, but thought I would see if any are deals or anything.
I don't have anything Japanese, but I do have an Enfield No.4Mk.1.
Help me draw the line between what I need, and what I will see again.

thumperpaul · 03-29-2008, 04:34 PM

If it was up to me, I think I'd grab that Arisaka....I'm assuming that the ammo he has is surplus, and therefore has the Berdan primer? If not, you could probably source some brass out, and the bullets are the same as the .303 for reloading. Enfields are fairly common, but a pristine Arisaka (with intact mum) are hard to find......go for it!

acarpenter · 03-29-2008, 04:39 PM

Thats kinda what I was thinking as far as that seeming like a pretty good deal for somewhat of a rarity. and I think I found the piece that it needs for 12 bucks.
If it is probably ok, I think I'll see if I can scrape up the money, especially if he will come off of that a bit. This place is kind of obscure and I don't think anyone else goes there. haha

**Have you heard anything about some of the 99s being unsafe to shoot? I have read only a couple things, but I don't want to die... haha

bigbuddy21 · 03-29-2008, 04:39 PM

+1 go for the Arisaka, i saw one a couple of months ago in excl. cond. for over $300

thumperpaul · 03-29-2008, 06:30 PM

No need to worry about the type 99 being unsafe to shoot-they have a Mauser type bolt action, very strong and reliable. I believe it was the type 38 that had some safety issues.

Collecting and Shooting the Arisaka Type 99 Rifle

Capt'n Mil Coll · 03-29-2008, 10:08 PM

Some things to consider on a Type 99 is does it have the wire monopod attached? The other would be does it come with the dust cover that slides into the two grooves on either side of the bolt and covers the bolt. The other thing would be the mum but you already said it was there. One more thing is these are finished in dark red or blonde. Blonde is more collectable. If you can get the ammo with it you should. Norma is the only mfg that I know of right now and they want about $3. a round.

acarpenter · 03-30-2008, 01:31 AM

Thanks for the tips. I didn't have any idea what to look for, but I will do so on monday!

doctor rizz · 03-30-2008, 01:33 PM

Acarpenter, if the Arisaka type 99 does not have the bayonet lug. It could be a "Last Ditch" type 99. To check for that, the easiest way is to check the butt plate, which if it is "last ditch" then there will be wood with three nails through it. This does not completely mean that it is unsafe to shoot but you should have it check by a gunsmith before firing it.

acarpenter · 03-30-2008, 01:51 PM

I believe it may be. It definately has a wood buttplate, which I thought was wierd. Anything else I should look for? I am going to take my camera up there next time theyre open so I can get your opinions. I don't think its going to sell immediately cause its been there for months.

doctor rizz · 03-30-2008, 11:52 PM

Just be careful with the Arisaka. Due to the fact that you might not be able to shoot it. I have one of the "Last Ditched" one but it has a bayonet lug and was made in Nov of 1944. As the war went on, as the Americans got closer to the mainland Japan. The more they took off and the less they cared about them. They need to get it into the hands of the troops. I would get the BSA Lee-enfield.

acarpenter · 03-31-2008, 12:20 AM

Alright I will take another look at the guns. If I am still considering the Arisaka I'll have it checked out, because I tend to lean more toward all my guns being shooters. Thanks for the tip.

timberlord · 03-31-2008, 08:05 AM

...Now if were me , I'd grab the RFI and at least give it the once over . If it's in VG condition , it'll be mine.

I'd look over the *aRiSaKA ... just to say I held one

acarpenter · 03-31-2008, 08:21 AM

I am going back today. We shall see what happens.

03-29-2008, 04:39 PM	#4
bigbuddy21 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: new albany in. Posts: 951 Trader Rating: (0)	+1 go for the Arisaka, i saw one a couple of months ago in excl. cond. for over $300 __________________ LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!

03-31-2008, 08:05 AM	#12
timberlord Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Trader Rating: (0)	...Now if were me , I'd grab the RFI and at least give it the once over . If it's in VG condition , it'll be mine. I'd look over the *aRiSaKA ... just to say I held one __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...LongStamp1.jpg

03-29-2008, 04:34 PM	#2
thumperpaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: vancouver bc canada Posts: 128 Trader Rating: (0)	If it was up to me, I think I'd grab that Arisaka....I'm assuming that the ammo he has is surplus, and therefore has the Berdan primer? If not, you could probably source some brass out, and the bullets are the same as the .303 for reloading. Enfields are fairly common, but a pristine Arisaka (with intact mum) are hard to find......go for it!

03-29-2008, 04:39 PM	#3
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 275 Trader Rating: (0)	Thats kinda what I was thinking as far as that seeming like a pretty good deal for somewhat of a rarity. and I think I found the piece that it needs for 12 bucks. If it is probably ok, I think I'll see if I can scrape up the money, especially if he will come off of that a bit. This place is kind of obscure and I don't think anyone else goes there. haha **Have you heard anything about some of the 99s being unsafe to shoot? I have read only a couple things, but I don't want to die... haha

03-29-2008, 06:30 PM	#5
thumperpaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: vancouver bc canada Posts: 128 Trader Rating: (0)	No need to worry about the type 99 being unsafe to shoot-they have a Mauser type bolt action, very strong and reliable. I believe it was the type 38 that had some safety issues. Collecting and Shooting the Arisaka Type 99 Rifle

03-29-2008, 10:08 PM	#6
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,016 Trader Rating: (0)	Some things to consider on a Type 99 is does it have the wire monopod attached? The other would be does it come with the dust cover that slides into the two grooves on either side of the bolt and covers the bolt. The other thing would be the mum but you already said it was there. One more thing is these are finished in dark red or blonde. Blonde is more collectable. If you can get the ammo with it you should. Norma is the only mfg that I know of right now and they want about $3. a round.

03-30-2008, 01:31 AM	#7
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 275 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks for the tips. I didn't have any idea what to look for, but I will do so on monday!

03-30-2008, 01:33 PM	#8
doctor rizz Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 65 Trader Rating: (0)	Acarpenter, if the Arisaka type 99 does not have the bayonet lug. It could be a "Last Ditch" type 99. To check for that, the easiest way is to check the butt plate, which if it is "last ditch" then there will be wood with three nails through it. This does not completely mean that it is unsafe to shoot but you should have it check by a gunsmith before firing it.

03-30-2008, 01:51 PM	#9
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 275 Trader Rating: (0)	I believe it may be. It definately has a wood buttplate, which I thought was wierd. Anything else I should look for? I am going to take my camera up there next time theyre open so I can get your opinions. I don't think its going to sell immediately cause its been there for months.

03-30-2008, 11:52 PM	#10
doctor rizz Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 65 Trader Rating: (0)	Just be careful with the Arisaka. Due to the fact that you might not be able to shoot it. I have one of the "Last Ditched" one but it has a bayonet lug and was made in Nov of 1944. As the war went on, as the Americans got closer to the mainland Japan. The more they took off and the less they cared about them. They need to get it into the hands of the troops. I would get the BSA Lee-enfield.

03-31-2008, 12:20 AM	#11
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 275 Trader Rating: (0)	Alright I will take another look at the guns. If I am still considering the Arisaka I'll have it checked out, because I tend to lean more toward all my guns being shooters. Thanks for the tip.

03-31-2008, 08:21 AM	#13
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 275 Trader Rating: (0)	I am going back today. We shall see what happens.