Type 99 bolt closing question.

[butlersrangers]

On most Arisaka rifles I have handled, it is not possible to hold back the trigger and close the bolt. (I do this easily on other bolt guns to leave the 'striker' in the forward/un-cocked position).
Even 'all matching' Arisaka rifles seem to require the striker to be held back by the trigger/sear in order for the bolt to close. There is no easy way to 'de-cock' them. Is this normal? Is there a safety issue that requires this engagement in order to close the bolt?

Information

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[vintage hunter]

The sears of T99 and T38 Arasika's have a stud which protrudes up through the receiver bottom as the trigger is to the rear. This stud engages one of two corresponding notches milled onto the bolt body. One of these notches locks the bolt closed when the rifle is fired and the other that prevents the bolt from being closed with the trigger pulled is, I believe, there just for that purpose as Arisaka's don't have any means of being manually cocked without working the bolt.
Any Arisaka 38 or 99 that allows the bolt to be closed with the trigger held back has a broken or modified sear and should be repaired before firing. The only way to de-cock an Arisaka is to dry fire it, that's how they were designed.

[303tom]

The Arisaka is a cock-on-open design, you can`t hold the trigger & close the bolt & expect it to de-cock, it won`t happen, no cock-on-open design will !................

[vintage hunter]

The Arisaka is a cock-on-open design

You got that bass ackwards Tom, Arisaka's are cock on close. Anytime it requires force to fully close the bolt before it can be rotated it's cock on close. Or if the bolt automatically springs rearward when it's opened without having been fired or de-cocked is another way of looking at it.

you can`t hold the trigger & close the bolt & expect it to de-cock, it won`t happen, no cock-on-open design will !................

Yes they will...... Unless there's something seriously wrong with the 98 Mausers, Mosin Nagants, Carcanos, ect. I own.

[WarPig1976]

Yes they will...... Unless there's something seriously wrong with the 98 Mausers, Mosin Nagants and Carcanos I own.

+1. I do it all the time.

[yoopercollector]

When I close my Mosin, Mauser and 1903 the bolts are cocked. I hold the rear of the bolt (if possible) when I pull the trigger so it isn't a strong dry fire.

---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------

I guess I will just hold the trigger when I close them.

[WarPig1976]

I guess I will just hold the trigger when I close them.

A lot of guys don't realize you can do that.

[vintage hunter]

I hold the rear of the bolt (if possible) when I pull the trigger so it isn't a strong dry fire.

---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------

I guess I will just hold the trigger when I close them

I find it much easier to de-cock by closing bolt while holding back on the trigger. Only takes one hand to do it and it leaves the other to hold the rifle with. I've seen clumsy people drop their rifles trying to do it the other way. I'd s&#t a brick if I dropped one of mine in the dirt. 'Specially the L42 or No.4T.

[butlersrangers]

Thank you for the replies. Krags, '03 Springfields, 1917 Enfields, Lebels, Berthiers, MAS, Lee-Enfields, Mannlichers, Moisins' Mausers (that cock on closing and cock on opening) and most turn-bolt commercial actions allow the bolt to close and 'relieve' the striker, if the trigger is held back as the bolt is rotated closed. Almost all turn-bolt sporting rifles and military rifles, (high power and .22 cal.) allow this. (Whether they cock on closing or opening).

The Arisaka rifles I have handled are the exception to this practice. I have carefully studied the Type 99 action and its operation. I realize the Arisaka 'safety' operates a bit different in that you have to push forward on the 'knob' in order to rotate it. However, I don't see why it is necessary or the sear is 'set up' so that the striker needs to remain cocked, in order to rotate and close the Arisaka bolt.

[303tom]

My Statement Was Wrong, and I could NOT figure out how to delete it !........................