Arisaka -- Argie '91 Sight Swap

[Cosmoline]

Well I was just brainstorming about possible ways to improve the awful rear sight on the Argie '91, when I remembered that the Arisaka Type 99 sporter I've got has a very similar rear sight. I took it off and sure enough--nearly an exact match. The Arisaka has a GREAT rear aperture sight, almost up to Mojo standards.

Am I the first person to think of this? If so I would like this fix to bear the name of Cosmoline. If not, I still want it to bear the name of Cosmoline. Anyway, here are the steps:

--This fix is for Type 99 and replacement "spitzer" type Argentine 1891 sights. I don't know if it will work for the earlier '91 sights with the roller-coaster pattern.

--Pop the two sights out, without changing the springs.

--Carefully press the Arisaka sight into the existing groove. It's a perfect match. Patent infringement from the Japanese? Hmmm.

--DO NOT attempt to use either the Arisaka or the Argie pin. Neither will fit quite right for the replacement. At this point I'm using a fairly thick nail, which is working fine. I'm going to fine tune it and find the proper thickness for the new pin.

More details to follow as I sight this in and perfect it.

This is so cool! Neither rifle has been harmed in the slightest, and the sight picture on my Argie has improved a hundred fold, at least to my eyes.

 

[WilderBill]

Cool. And if you have both, then the price is right as well.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Except for the fact that the sight settings on the Arisaka leaf won't have even the slightest relationship to the 7.65's trajectory...

 

[Cosmoline]

The rounds aren't too far apart. Both have standard loads in the .303 to .308 range, and both can be loaded hotter. Bullets are in the similar size range, too.

And of course, most people don't use the '91's ladder anyway. It's almost impossible to use as it is.

In any event, the existing ladder has little relation to the earlier pre-spitzer loads I've been shooting. I'll be testing it in the next few weeks and posting results on the Parallax board.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

of course, you will have the excellent anti-aircraft sight, for shooting in gale force winds or at low flying american fighters.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Oh, Duh.

Type 99 Arisaka.

For some reason I was thinking Type 38 in 6.5.

Yeah, you're a lot closer.

 

[Cosmoline]

The reason I'm messing with this..

is because that ancient Argie happens to be one of the best shooters I've got. With the right loads it will outshoot my best '98 and even my modern rifles. A number of others have found that the '91 can be an unexpectedly good shooter, esp. with heavy RN or cast bullets at under 2,200 fps muzzle velocity. The big bullets don't have impressive energy, but they do have a great sectional density. They are also less apt to break apart at moderate speeds.

Anyway, I had worked up some great loads, but found that at 150 and 200 meters the existing sights were basically impossible to use. I simply could not keep the sight picture, even with a bench rest!

Hopefully, this new setup will allow this old beauty to really shine.