Quote Originally Posted by 195Pilot View Post
Have 3 or 4 each of the type 99 and the 38. haven't shot them in decades.
If they are in good shooting condition - hang onto them.

Over here, the Arisakaicon prices have risen considerably in the last year. I believe it is largely because all the good-shooting Mausers, Enfields, Springfields etc. are in the hands of serious shooters, like myself, and all the good-looking Mausers, Enfields, Springfields etc. are in the hands (or rather the gun cabinets) of collectors. So what is available on the open market, especially on the unmentionable auction sites, is often pretty dire, being neither pretty nor a good shooter. As a result, people are starting to look more soberly at what were previously considered the "also-rans".

You may (or maybe not?) be surprised to learn that I also have an Arisaka - a very fine Type 38, with an intact deep-lustre wood finish that looks like the lacquer on an old Japanese or Chinese casket. This is one rifle where I have done nothing to the stock other than just clean it, carefully. And the joint in the butt is perfect, i.e. invisible.

Up to now, I have only been able to test fire it with some Norma ammo, with moderate results. The second firing, with fire-formed and neck-sized cases, should be much better. I shall report on this in due course.