Chinese Arisaka carbine 7.62x39

[Rusty_Old_F250]

I recently learned about the Chinese conversions of arisakas to 7.62x39, this has intrigued me, since I like arisaka’s but 7.7 jap ammo is so expensive.

How feasible would it be to make a clone of one of these guns using an arisaka action? Apparently the Chinese fitted sks barrels and away they went. Some of the rifles had modified magazines, some were left as is. I’ve heard some even had sks sights! My main concern is safety, is there enough material on an sks barrel to turn down the existing threads and cut ones for the arisaka? Knowing Chinese manufacturering, especially from the 50’s, just because they did it doesn’t necessarily mean it should be done.

Sam

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Why not use a .310 diameter barrel and turn out a copy in correct dimension and profile. Then change all fittings over to look correct...save the cheap and leave the Simonov barrels... It'll work out in the end by ammo savings.

[Salt Flat]

I have made up a couple of barrels for Type 38 Arisakas (In .308). The Type 38 breeching is very similar to the T99 excepting for the thread pitch. ( The bolt head actually projects into the barrel) It takes a little more machining than other rifles but is not hard for a machinist. The T99 threads are an odd ball pitch and can't be cut on most inch lathes.

Also, It seems like I've heard of people using 7.63 x 39 chamber inserts for this conversion using the original 7.7 barrel. ??
Salt flat

[browningautorifle]

chamber inserts for this conversion

That one I could do also...easily.

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Chamber inserts... now you’ve got my attention! Cheap is the name of the game on this one...

Can a T99 barrel use 7.62x39?

Sam

[browningautorifle]

T99 barrel use 7.62x39?

If your bore diameter is .310 then you'll be fine. Slug your bore.

[bob q]

With over 300 Type 99 rifles I have never seen a bore [ groove ] as tight as .310 , average is about .313 . Also it would be the actual bore [ land ] size that would make more of a difference with an undersized bullet . I have shot a lot of .310 SKS bullets [ handloads ] in many T-99 rifles and they have shot very well .

[Rusty_Old_F250]

I appreciate the information, I have one Arisaka right now, a series 11 Nagoya (11xxx serial) but she’s all original, albeit very rough, and maybe unsafe to shoot, I dunno. First two/three inches of the stock by the muzzle have been burnt, the rest looks neglected, but otherwise untouched.

I want to build the 7.62x39 arisaka from a cheap sporterized gun, going to try and find one locally.

Sam

[Bruce McAskill]

That is a long action for the 7.62x39 case. I think one will have to work on the magazine to get it to feed properly? I know some have converted type 38 rifles to 7.62x39 but had to replace the barrel. From what I was told they work out very well and the type 38 carbine is excellent for the conversion.

[Rusty_Old_F250]

From what I understand, the Chinese used a spacer in the back of the magazine and shaved the follower. Although apparently they built some with unmodified magazines, which works less than stellar.

Sam