Notch in right side of Type 38 Rifle and Carbine Stock?

[butlersrangers]

I have been puzzling over the purpose of the stock 'Notch' on the right-side (near the receiver ring) on Type 38 Arisaka rifles and carbines. Is this for 'gas escape'? (That's the only thing I can think of). Other reasons or thoughts?

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[Marines55]

gas escape has nothing to do with as evidenced by the lack of gas escape holes on that side. the real reason for the notch is to clear the debris that is pushed forward from the sliding dustcover either by use or by cleaning.

[butlersrangers]

Thanks for the response, but, why is there not a 'notch' on 99 Type rifles?

[Marines55]

Thanks for the response, but, why is there not a 'notch' on 99 Type rifles?

There is actually. It's not a notch but a round hole in the same location. Many people mistake it for a drain hole but the drain hole is under the stock. The maintenance hole was discontinued from production shortly after the dust cover was deleted.

[Aragorn243]

Interesting, I never knew there was a hole there because on my rifle it is filled and flush. Should whatever is in it now be cleaned out? I didn't check it to see if it is hard because it is not in an easily accessible location.

[Marines55]

check to see if the hole is filled with a dowel rod. when the dust covers were being deleted from production, they still had early configuration stocks on hand and would simply fill in the maintenance hole and use it on a rifle. sometimes, these holes would get clogged with dirt as well which is what the hockey stick tool in the squad leaders cleaning kit was used to clean it out.