arisaka type 99 sieres 21

If it's an early action (not a late model "last ditch") then you'll be fine with the modification I think.

I have a sporterized type 99, with the original barrel that was shortened at the breech and a new chamber cut using 30-06 dimensions for the case body and finish reamed for the original 7.7X58. I can make cases from readily available brass and not worry about the oversized chamber so common on sporterized "31 Japs". It is beautifully done, highly polished, deeply blued and drilled for weaver bases, no sights. I paid $80.00 for it and it is a fantastic shooter, as accurate and pleasant to shoot as any sporting rifle I've ever owned. The only problem is actuation of the safety, it's impossible with a scope. The stock is a beautiful piece of nicely figured walnut, tastefully done with modest checkering and a nice wundhummer(SP) type pistol grip. Great rifle and worth many times what I paid for it.

jap 99

there is a substitute standard.a last ditch has a cast receiver and the bolt locks into the barrel.the substitute is like the rem springfield with stampings
I would make it 308 for the length but many japs were converted to 06 in korea after WW2.jap 99 are plenty strong.

It would be a fun do it yourself project if you have the tools and knowhow.
It would get expensive to pay a gunsmith to turn what you have into either a correct military rifle or a good sporter.

The idea of converting a Type 99 to 7.62x39 came about because the Russian round uses a .311" bullet so a new barrel is not needed, only setting back the old one. It is a feasible conversion but IMHO with Japanese rifles increasing in value, not a good one from a viewpoint of future value. It would be converting a collectible and historical rifle into worthless trash. Also, there may be feeding and magazine problems due to the smaller case head of the 7.62x39.

This is just my opinion, of course, but the value of original WWII military rifles of all nations is increasing rapidly. While Japanese rifles were considered junk for many years, selling for as little as $25, they are now not only collectibles but coming to be appreciated for the high quality rifles most of them are. I think the best thing one can do is to leave the guns of history alone and buy a new or used sporting rifle in whatever caliber is wanted. In most cases, not only will the result be better, but the cost will be less in the long run.

Hi, Teddy,

FWIW, I have never seen a "last ditch" Type 99 with a cast receiver, though other parts were clearly altered for fast production. Might you be thinking of those training rifles? There were "last ditch" rifles made to fire the 7.7 and some even more basic rifles made to fire the 8mm pistol cartridge, but those could in no way be called Type 99's; they are totally different. Only a few were made and only a very few have turned up here. None of the true "last ditch" rifles were used in Japan, though a few reportedly turned up on Okinawa.

The rifles usually called "last ditch", with wood or no buttplates, cylindrical bolt knobs, unfinished and uncheckered safeties, and rudimentary sights are fully functional rifles; they were altered for speeded up production, but are not cast. I have fired several with no problems at all; in fact one I have is a tack driver. I would not have wanted to be part of an invasion of Japan if those rifles were widely distributed and used by people determined to give their lives for their emperor and country.

Jim

jap

whats wrong with the 7.7 jap you can get loaded rounds from GRAFs.or make your own.it is close to a 8mm mauser round I make them from 06.
JIM:I had one and shot it,it has a cast steel receiver and the barrel has the lugs in it.never saw another.I also had a drill rifle it was cast and the barrelwas cold rolled steel drilled from both ends and had step in middle.this was before 1955.I lived in boston and there were all kinds of bring backs.
lugers, P38,hungarian 37, chek 28?jap nambu.I was going to Went Worth Institute and would bring them in and work on them if needed.I had 2 broom handles rebarreled one with S&W m&p barrel. to 9 mm.had couple G43s with scopes.most were $20,the G43 was $25 new with instuctions and parts.the other was a surplus south american $129.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/index.php
Try this forum. Just scroll down until you reach the section on Jap rifles. From there you should be able to find all information on your particular rifle.
BTW I have two Type 99's. One is still a 7.7 Jap. The other is a full blown sporter in .280 Remington.

I grew up shooting an Arisaka that had been rechambered to .308 win. Using the factory barrel, it shot well enough to killmany moose, not a few caribou, several bears, including one camp raiding grizzly.
I watched my Dad, shooting offhand, roll a running moose at 390 measured yards with one 180 grain Silvertip.
That man could shoot, but so did that little Jap rifle.
PS I get my brass from Graf, and use bullets made for the 303 Brit.

Oh, by the way, Timney has a sporter trigger with a safety built in. I have not put one in my .280 yet, but I intend to.

The arisaka actions are some of the strongest bolt actions ever made, even today, Ackley tested all the major military actions of his time and the arisaka was one of the top 3.

Late war models are however deemed unsafe by most, poor heat treat and lower quality steel are the most common culprits.

one more think, if you find a really pretty arisaka with crests all over it have a gunsmith check it out, more than likely its a parade gun and completely unsafe to fire.

Hello everyone

I have also have a Arisaka Type 99 that we found in the garage of a house my dad bought. It is an earlier t99, but it has no stock or handguard, and i was thinking of making my own, the gun is completly original with the flip up sights and the mum is completly intact, so i want to make an original stock for it. anyone know where i could find a diagram or sumthin to make one?

Thanks

the series i have is the series 30 made by toyo kogo with serial # 53047