Arisaka type 38

sirmagnum · 09-30-2009, 12:13 AM

I have a chance to purchase a Arisaka type 38 w/ bayonet for $199. Nice shape. What can I expect from this rifle? Is this a good weapon? Im looking for a fun gun to shoot and decent accuracy. I know ammo is impossible to get for this, but I reload so I would have no problems making rounds for it. Any thoughts - thanks!

Capt'n Mil Coll · 09-30-2009, 12:50 AM

Very good rifles. Fun to shoot because at the range everyone wants to know what it is. Based on the Mauser action and very strong rifles. That is in the range for one without a bayo so you have a good price. An important rifle in WWII history.

JimBob · 09-30-2009, 01:12 PM

Buy it.The bayonets are bringing over half the price you quoted for both.If it still has the crest on the receiver really good buy.Fun to shoot,little recoil but they are notorious for having headspace problems.Check bolt and receiver numbers to see if they match.If it has the crest it's still a good buy as a collectible rifle and bayonet not even taking shootability into account.

sirmagnum · 09-30-2009, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the comments guys. This may be my next rifle. I'll have to look at it one more time, before I purchase it. Cheers!!

jpkingp1 · 10-05-2009, 11:28 PM

Mine head spaced OK when I got it, but the chamber was way out of round, which the HS gauge couldn't detect. That is why where are two holes drilled in the top of the reciever; to relieve the gas upwards rather than back when the case splits. Had a local old gunsmith recut the chamber for 6.5x55 Swede and the rifle shoots like a dream. Believe there is a more recent cut that could be used which is a 6.5x.308 Win case which would be cheaper to reload for. The base dia of the 6.5 Swede is slightly greater diameter than that of the .308 or 30.06, so those reformed cases should only be shot once if used in a Swede cut chamber.

Marlin336 · 10-06-2009, 07:57 AM

Admittedly I don't know the going prices for type 38's but if the rifle functions and the bore isn't toast then you can't go too far wrong paying 2 bills for a useable gun.

It been a long time since I shot or reloaded this round but if I remember correctly you're pretty much stuck with using 6.5 Japanese brass. The head size is unique so cases can't be formed from other more common cases. Graf & Sons sells brass for it.

jpkingp1 · 10-07-2009, 12:16 AM

Believe it or not, I actually pulled the bullets from the remaining 15 rds of Norma ammo and necked them back up to shoot through my .35 rem. The base size is pretty close. That said, .35 rem brass isn't exactly easy to find either. Which is why a re-chamber to 6.5 x 51mm NATO (.308 case) is so attractive.

Oxford · 10-19-2009, 08:38 PM

This thread caught my eye because I'm reading a book about WWII and how the Japanese slaughtered the Americans and Phillipinos starting about four days after "Pearl harbor." The book describes in detail how the Japs used their Arisaka bayo's to stab American soldiers as they moved along the Bataan Penisula on a forced "death" march of over 70 miles.

The name of the book is, "Tears in the Darkness" by Michael Norman. I can hardly put it down each night because of the intense military actions.

After reading this book I will definitely be interested in viewing an Arisaka up closer than I've done before. I would enjoy seeing a picture of this rifle if someone could post one here.

Thanks,

Ox

jpkingp1 · 10-21-2009, 09:39 PM

Great Uncle Roddy Clutter was captured on Corrigidor (sp) when the Japs over ran and McAuthur bailed. I will attempt to attach a couple of pictures of before and afterward. Looks to me like he was carrying a P-17 in the picture. Relatives said that he was never quite right after that experience. Nobody could blame him for that. Attached are pics of the Type 38 and Type 99.

Oxford · 10-22-2009, 07:26 PM

jpkingp1...Thanks for posting those pic's of the 38, 99 and of your uncle and other Americans standing behind those Japanese soldiers.

I enlarged each picture, took a long hard look, and am guessing the picture was taken earlier after captivity...because the prisoners don't looked as starved as was described in the book I mentioned above.

Or...in some cases the prisoners were "fattened" up when the Japanese realized they were getting defeated and it was only a matter of short time till they either were freed...or...slaughtered.

Prisoners had plenty of reasons to have permanent mental and physical damages. They were treated as slaves, with no intent to follow the Geneva Convention Rules of War, etc. So...prisoners were starved, worked to death, treated as beasts of burden. It's amazing any survived to tell about their experiences.

sc928porsche · 10-22-2009, 11:46 PM

If you do have a headspace problem, it is very easy to convert to the 260 remington (6.5-308). While the smith has it, I wouldnt be a bad idea to have it recrowned. I did this to one about 15 years ago (before remington decided to start chambering the wildcat and calling it the 260). I was really suprised at the performance and accuracy of the rifle. I swapped stocks (had a good one on it) for the banged up military one. After some sanding and shaping, some stain and varnish and a recoil pad, it was ready to hunt. I gave the rifle to my daughter and she uses it to this day with great success.

scroamer65 · 10-23-2009, 12:27 AM

The Japanese militery at the time of WW 2 didn't consider surrander
as an hornable(sp) action and those that did, to the Japanese were
not thought of as unhuman. The Japanese fought to the death and they
thought everyone else should too. They were not prepared for
proisoners.
The receivers of the type 38 are stronger than anyother militery
action.

The magazine of the type 38 measures 79mm long, that is a loaded
round so check the AOL of the rounds before rechambering.
Been there, done that.

jpkingp1 · 10-23-2009, 08:30 PM

Checking the OAL of the mag of the T-38 is exactly what old Carl Wheeler did when he recommended recutting to 6.5x55. He did it cheap because he had the reamer from a custom single shot that he'd built for a customer. While he was at it, he also re-barrelled an old Mauser '91 that had been chopped and sporterized back to a 29" military configuration using a new old stock Swede model 96 barrell from Century Arms for me. Sold that to me cheap also. So now I have both the Jap 38 and the Argentine '91 in the Swede caliber. Both shoot as well as I can aim with these need bifocals old eyes.

Jeff

09-30-2009, 12:13 AM	#1
sirmagnum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	Arisaka type 38 I have a chance to purchase a Arisaka type 38 w/ bayonet for $199. Nice shape. What can I expect from this rifle? Is this a good weapon? Im looking for a fun gun to shoot and decent accuracy. I know ammo is impossible to get for this, but I reload so I would have no problems making rounds for it. Any thoughts - thanks!

09-30-2009, 12:50 AM	#2
Capt'n Mil Coll Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 3,390 Images: 45	Very good rifles. Fun to shoot because at the range everyone wants to know what it is. Based on the Mauser action and very strong rifles. That is in the range for one without a bayo so you have a good price. An important rifle in WWII history. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens!

10-05-2009, 11:28 PM	#5
jpkingp1 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 30	For 199.00 with bayonet, agreed, buy it. Mine head spaced OK when I got it, but the chamber was way out of round, which the HS gauge couldn't detect. That is why where are two holes drilled in the top of the reciever; to relieve the gas upwards rather than back when the case splits. Had a local old gunsmith recut the chamber for 6.5x55 Swede and the rifle shoots like a dream. Believe there is a more recent cut that could be used which is a 6.5x.308 Win case which would be cheaper to reload for. The base dia of the 6.5 Swede is slightly greater diameter than that of the .308 or 30.06, so those reformed cases should only be shot once if used in a Swede cut chamber.

10-07-2009, 12:16 AM	#7
jpkingp1 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 30	Cases for 6.5 x 50 JAP Believe it or not, I actually pulled the bullets from the remaining 15 rds of Norma ammo and necked them back up to shoot through my .35 rem. The base size is pretty close. That said, .35 rem brass isn't exactly easy to find either. Which is why a re-chamber to 6.5 x 51mm NATO (.308 case) is so attractive.

10-19-2009, 08:38 PM	#8
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 14,098 Images: 18 Blog Entries: 4	This thread caught my eye because I'm reading a book about WWII and how the Japanese slaughtered the Americans and Phillipinos starting about four days after "Pearl harbor." The book describes in detail how the Japs used their Arisaka bayo's to stab American soldiers as they moved along the Bataan Penisula on a forced "death" march of over 70 miles. The name of the book is, "Tears in the Darkness" by Michael Norman. I can hardly put it down each night because of the intense military actions. After reading this book I will definitely be interested in viewing an Arisaka up closer than I've done before. I would enjoy seeing a picture of this rifle if someone could post one here. Thanks, Ox __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

09-30-2009, 01:12 PM	#3
JimBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 725	Buy it.The bayonets are bringing over half the price you quoted for both.If it still has the crest on the receiver really good buy.Fun to shoot,little recoil but they are notorious for having headspace problems.Check bolt and receiver numbers to see if they match.If it has the crest it's still a good buy as a collectible rifle and bayonet not even taking shootability into account.

09-30-2009, 07:33 PM	#4
sirmagnum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	Thanks for the comments guys. This may be my next rifle. I'll have to look at it one more time, before I purchase it. Cheers!!

10-06-2009, 07:57 AM	#6
Marlin336 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Admittedly I don't know the going prices for type 38's but if the rifle functions and the bore isn't toast then you can't go too far wrong paying 2 bills for a useable gun. It been a long time since I shot or reloaded this round but if I remember correctly you're pretty much stuck with using 6.5 Japanese brass. The head size is unique so cases can't be formed from other more common cases. Graf & Sons sells brass for it.

10-21-2009, 09:39 PM	#9
jpkingp1 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 30	Great Uncle Was Part of the Death March Great Uncle Roddy Clutter was captured on Corrigidor (sp) when the Japs over ran and McAuthur bailed. I will attempt to attach a couple of pictures of before and afterward. Looks to me like he was carrying a P-17 in the picture. Relatives said that he was never quite right after that experience. Nobody could blame him for that. Attached are pics of the Type 38 and Type 99. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by jpkingp1; 10-21-2009 at 10:30 PM.

10-22-2009, 07:26 PM	#10
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 14,098 Images: 18 Blog Entries: 4	jpkingp1...Thanks for posting those pic's of the 38, 99 and of your uncle and other Americans standing behind those Japanese soldiers. I enlarged each picture, took a long hard look, and am guessing the picture was taken earlier after captivity...because the prisoners don't looked as starved as was described in the book I mentioned above. Or...in some cases the prisoners were "fattened" up when the Japanese realized they were getting defeated and it was only a matter of short time till they either were freed...or...slaughtered. Prisoners had plenty of reasons to have permanent mental and physical damages. They were treated as slaves, with no intent to follow the Geneva Convention Rules of War, etc. So...prisoners were starved, worked to death, treated as beasts of burden. It's amazing any survived to tell about their experiences. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right". Last edited by Oxford; 10-22-2009 at 10:00 PM.

10-22-2009, 11:46 PM	#11
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 425	If you do have a headspace problem, it is very easy to convert to the 260 remington (6.5-308). While the smith has it, I wouldnt be a bad idea to have it recrowned. I did this to one about 15 years ago (before remington decided to start chambering the wildcat and calling it the 260). I was really suprised at the performance and accuracy of the rifle. I swapped stocks (had a good one on it) for the banged up military one. After some sanding and shaping, some stain and varnish and a recoil pad, it was ready to hunt. I gave the rifle to my daughter and she uses it to this day with great success.

10-23-2009, 12:27 AM	#12
scroamer65 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 86	The Japanese militery at the time of WW 2 didn't consider surrander as an hornable(sp) action and those that did, to the Japanese were not thought of as unhuman. The Japanese fought to the death and they thought everyone else should too. They were not prepared for proisoners. The receivers of the type 38 are stronger than anyother militery action. The magazine of the type 38 measures 79mm long, that is a loaded round so check the AOL of the rounds before rechambering. Been there, done that.
	1 members found this post helpful.

10-23-2009, 08:30 PM	#13
jpkingp1 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 30	Re-Chamber Type 38 Checking the OAL of the mag of the T-38 is exactly what old Carl Wheeler did when he recommended recutting to 6.5x55. He did it cheap because he had the reamer from a custom single shot that he'd built for a customer. While he was at it, he also re-barrelled an old Mauser '91 that had been chopped and sporterized back to a 29" military configuration using a new old stock Swede model 96 barrell from Century Arms for me. Sold that to me cheap also. So now I have both the Jap 38 and the Argentine '91 in the Swede caliber. Both shoot as well as I can aim with these need bifocals old eyes. Jeff