Finally shot my Arisaka

[USAF_Vet]

About a year ago my stepdad gave me the Arisaka type 38 (6.5x50) his dad brought back from the PTO. He had never shot it, and to his knowledge, his dad had never shot it either. So after nearly 70 years, we let this old war horse rip once more.
This was such a sweet firing rifle. Almost no recoil from the 6.5mm round, shoots very flat and very accurately with new Hornady ammo.

It was a great experience, seeing him finally shoot the rifle he had seen his entire life. I took my stepson out with his new .22 Cricket as well. Beautiful afternoon for three generations (kinda) at the range.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Those kind of experiences are memories of a lifetime. Congratulations for taking the steps to make it happen. Too many people sit around and moan about all the things they never did.....

 

[Imperial Guardsman]

Now you just need to take it hunting!

 

[mortablunt]

Sounds like a sweet gun. And I saw a nice one sitting at the gun show back in October for only $230. I always wondered how one would get ammunition for it and at what price.

'Onegai, shimasho, Arisaka-chan'

 

[8mmman]

Arisaka type 38

I shoot mine all the time have been for over 50 years now. It's the one I enjoy most too of all my rifles.

Also really enjoy the type I too.

If you want to sell your used brass let me know as I can always use more.

 

[Hardtarget]

Sounds like a good day all around! You did take a few pictures...right?

I take a camera every time my grandson goes to the range with me. Always fun.

Mark.

 

[FinalCountDn]

I have an Arisaka type 99 chambered in 7.7x58. My Uncle brought it back from WWII. I bought it from him several years back. Although I have not fired it in a few years as I remember it has a good amount of recoil. I still have some ammo for it. The last time I checked Norma was the only one that makes ammo for it.

 

[rondog]

I had a sporterized type 99 for a brief period, one of those "mistake" purchases as it was too expensive and too shot out. Barrel was wasted, never should have bought it. But, I wanted an Arisaka.

Don't know if it was the caliber or the handloads that came with it, but that thing kicked like an animal! Hard to imagine those diminuitive Japanese soldiers shooting that round, I'm 320 and it flat beat the snot out of me. Traded it off for a can full of .303 ammo.

 

[mortablunt]

^ According to the man above you, the Type 99 has a good amount of recoil. I think it's a bigger Arisaka round, 7.7mm versus 6.5mm.

The average WW2 soldier from Japan was about 5'2".

 

[henschman]

Great story -- range trips don't get too much better than that!

I need to fix my Grandpa's Arisaka up and take him shooting with it. He brought it back from the war, and filed down the firing pin because he thought he had to in order to get it back into the US (I guess gun law myths were prevalent back then too)!!!

I'd like to take it from his house without him knowing, and fix it up as a surprise for his birthday or something.

Anyone know a good source for surplus parts where I could find a firing pin?

 

[PaulV]

Try here:

http://members.shaw.ca/tju/donspartslist.htm

He may even be able to re-tip the old pin for you.