Battle scarred rifles (Arisaka Type 99)

[invaliduser]

So. I've been looking for an Arisaka Type 99 for a while now. I'm torn between getting a nice example of one with all the stuff like aircraft sights and matching numbers and untouched mum.

However I've been opening up to the idea of having a non matching one the only requirement is the mum must be intact.
I came across one that has a light colored stock, some sort of scarring like the stock was used to parry another rifle with a bayonet or some sort of blade. There's a bunch of those scars on the wood stock across the gun. The mum and other markings are strong and untouched, the bolt doesn't match the receiver, and no aircraft sights.

If I do get this, this would be my first beat up rifle that's definitely showing it's history.

What do you guys think? Battle scarred rifles that show their past, or old Queen Elizabeths that seem to have been stashed away in the safe as they'd be so nice and collectible?

This would not be a rifle I'd be shooting much. It's just to go with the rest of the WWII rifles I have.

edit- I got it!
I got it yesterday! The pictures presented to me looked worse than it actually was. I am quite happy with it. I suppose the cuts aren't parry marks but more like maybe they were intentionally cut in? Maybe kill count? Who knows.
Looks to me to be a Series 7 Nagoya Arsenal rifle. It is non matching. I was offered the matching bolt but somebody buggered it up beyond use so sadly I accepted the non matching bolt.
It has the short rear sight, I've never seen one before but read about them.
The bore is dark but rifling is strong. I'll see if it cleans up since it looks to me to be carbon that wasn't cleaned after being shot.
Only flaw I would say would be the cracked wood on the upper part of the barrel. Even so it's not so bad.

Not bad for $320 shipped I suppose. Now off to find a Bayonet..

I will need to get some ammo first before I can shoot. I will reload for it I just need to get stuff for it. I'm happy it takes a .311 projectile as it would share with my Enfield and I don't need to stock an extra caliber.

Here it is!

 

[atilla]

do it. be sure to shoot it once in awhile at least.

 

[45collector]

What do you guys think? Battle scarred rifles that show their past, or old Queen Elizabeths that seem to have been stashed away in the safe as they'd be so nice and collectible?

I like to shoot my guns, not just look at them. Just my .02.

 

[invaliduser]

I still shoot them too. Its just I don't see myself shooting this particular one that often due to its odd caliber. I don't shoot my mosin 91/30 because I'm too lazy cleaning the corrosive stuff.
I shoot my K98 and No4T and Garand the most.

Seems to be a pretty good price for this too I'll just have to snag it.

 

[76Too]

I like to beat up bastards that nobody else wants...the more character, the better. If there's some blood on it, I'm all for it. Cracked/repaired stocks, beat up trigger guards and barrels...only thing I'm a stickler about is sights have to be serviceable.

 

[familyman15]

Battle scarred imo, just the history of the weapon and holding it.

 

[mac1911]

I'm a shooting collector so my primary concern is it going to shoot and shoot well enough to be fun.
That said 7.7 jap is easy to load for. You can form 7.7 from 30-06 or watch for PPU brass or ammo to go on sale. Reloading is almost a must if you want to shoot these old dogs. You can load much more accurate ammo along with ammo that's not full powered. Even cast loads. 7.7 jap is my next casting adventure.

 

[55_grain]

What mac said. I've never shot a factory load in my Arisaka, but cut-and-resized .3006 brass with .311 projos are just fine. Those chrome-plated bores want to be shot!

 

[GPP]

I like to beat up bastards that nobody else wants...the more character, the better. If there's some blood on it, I'm all for it. Cracked/repaired stocks, beat up trigger guards and barrels...only thing I'm a stickler about is sights have to be serviceable.

Absolutely.
I totally cannibalized my M4 before turning it back in after my tour in Afghanistan ( company armorer has its plusses). Put all the parts on my favorite of my ARs, and I wouldnt part with it for anything.

 

[USMA-82]

Order of priority:

1. Shoots good
2. Has character
3. Looks good

A beat up old gun in original condition that still can shoot 2 MOA will always stay with me longer than a shiny new one that can't stay on paper.

Get whatever makes you happy - that's part of collecting.

*

 

[SKS Ray]

My best shooting SKS looks like it was dragged up and down the Ho Chi Minh trail for a year and it probably was.

 

[sheriff dudley]

Buy the Rifle if you find you really like the Type 99 then later on you can upgrade to a pretty one in the meantime you can enjoy shooting one, These Guy,s are giving some good info Like reforming 30-06 brass to 7.7 i found GI Brass the best for that and if you don,t want to spend a lot of $ on jacketed Bullets Pick up an inexpensive LEE .311 Mold ? $ 22 Bucks and shoot them as cast with 12 grains of Unique For some Cheap--Fun Shooting That,s what i did Shot a battle scared Bone then Traded up until i have the one i own today that Has The Mum/Aircraft Leeds/Dust Cover/Mono-Pod/Cleaning-Rod/Sling and Bayonet So enjoy today and Get a Pretty One Tomorrow

 

[invaliduser]

updated first post

 

[chris_1001]

I picked one up off a member here, found some reloaded rounds at a gun show as well (no plans to shoot it, just whats a gun with no ammo? A club).

I wanted one as my uncle had given me one as a kid, but stupidly sold it. Regretted it eve since. However I did hang onto the bayonet.

Happy to have one once again.

Glad to see you took the plunge

 

[NavelOfficer]

Actually, let someone else do the work, unless you just enjoy casting, lubing and sizing lead bullets. I'm getting coated bullets for my Swede, FR-7 and K31 from a fella in New Mexico. He's got a 303 British bullet that should negate your needs to even start up the furnace...
Prices are for cast bullets (uncoated) and then coated bullets, ie 100 coated 303 British 200gr GCSPs are $12.05 per 100.

Email: [email protected]
Online Price List

Pistol Bullets 100ct Coated
9mm/38 Super - 122gr RN bb $6.25 $6.50
9mm/38 Super – 125gr RNFP (Cowboy) $6.26 $6.55
9mm/38 Super – 150 RN $6.80 $7.05
38/357 - 158gr SWC bb $7.02 $7.27
38/357 – 158gr RNFP bb (Cowboy) $7.02 $7.27
38/357 – 158gr SWC (Gas Check) $9.64 $9.89
38/357 – 180gr RNFP $7.52 $7.77
40 Cal – 175gr SWC bb $7.31 $7.56
40 cal - 180gr TC bb $7.52 $7.77
41 cal – 215gr SWC bb $8.44 $8.69
44 cal - 200gr RNFP bb $8.07 $8.32
44 cal - 240gr SWC bb $9.05 $9.30
45 Auto - 180gr SWC bb $7.52 $7.77
45 Auto - 200gr SWC bb $8.07 $8.32
45 Long Colt - 200gr RNFP bb $8.07 $8.32
45 Auto - 230gr RN bb $8.81 $9.06
45 Long Colt – 255gr SWC bb $9.23 $9.48


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22 cal Rifle – 60gr GCSP $7.55 $7.80
25 cal Rifle – 100gr GCTC $8.40 $8.65
6.5mm Rifle – 150gr GCTC $10.35 $10.60
30 cal Rifle - 150gr GCFP $10.35 $10.60
30 Cal Rifle – 170gr GCSil $10.85 $11.10
30 cal Rifle – 180gr GCFP $11.15 $11.40
30 cal Rifle – 200gr GCSP $11.80 $12.05
303 British – 200gr GCSP $11.80 $12.05
32/20 – 115gr RNFP bb $6.00 $6.25
8mm Rifle – 180gr GCFP $11.15 $11.40
338 Rifle – 200gr RNFP $11.80 $12.05
45/70-350gr GCRNFP $17.15 $17.40

 

[invaliduser]

I picked one up off a member here, found some reloaded rounds at a gun show as well (no plans to shoot it, just whats a gun with no ammo? A club).

I wanted one as my uncle had given me one as a kid, but stupidly sold it. Regretted it eve since. However I did hang onto the bayonet.

Happy to have one once again.

Glad to see you took the plunge

I have that same feeling so I try not to sell stuff and become a hoarder

Actually, let someone else do the work, unless you just enjoy casting, lubing and sizing lead bullets. I'm getting coated bullets for my Swede, FR-7 and K31 from a fella in New Mexico. He's got a 303 British bullet that should negate your needs to even start up the furnace...
Prices are for cast bullets (uncoated) and then coated bullets, ie 100 coated 303 British 200gr GCSPs are $12.05 per 100.

Oh no, I'm definitely not casting. Thats not bad for pricing though is that shipped?

 

[NavelOfficer]

Oh no, I'm definitely not casting. Thats not bad for pricing though is that shipped?

No, but a $6 USPS small flat-rate handles over 400 bullets easily enough.
I can say the 6.5mm bullets have been a joy to use and he even puts the gas check on the coated bullets, which I suppose isn't really necessary with the coating. Coated bullets are supposed to be able to handle jacketed velocities, but I usually shoot reduced loads for economy and shooting pleasure.

I've loaded Sinterfire frangibles in 7.7 Jap, as well as the Lyman 311008 and 311410 for plinking loads. Don't shoot this caliber, but I reload them. Most .30 caliber bullets drop large enough to be sized at .310 -.313", so you have plenty of choices, to say the least.

And how about my home-made JSWC in .310"...


Norm's 6.5mm 150gr

 

[roccoracer]

I love my type 99. The build quality of the early type 99's is excellent. I am lucky and I still have 10 boxes of new Norma 7.7 ammo put away. I also found new 6.5 jap brass a while ago.

 

[Navy Moose]

I have a Type 99 with the aircraft sights and arms. I've never checked if the numbers matched. It is missing the cleaning rod. The Mum was filed, but still partially visible.