Gun & Pawn Sporterized Arisaka 99 Last Ditch

[bob q]

If you hold the trigger down when you install the bolt on a type 99 the bolt will lock up . It is not " put in wrong ".

[cipherk98]

Yeah, sporterized guns are not an inexpensive way into milsurp ownership. There are still some Yugo Mausers around too for around $300, and surplus wise 8mm and x54R are at the same place right now, unavailable, though you will have more new production options with x54R for around $.50/round, 8mm will be around .75/round. I also agree that 7.7 is pretty much a handloader's round at this point, PCI and Hornady make a batch of ammo about once a year and it's expensive, then once people sell out is gone for the next 7-8 months.

[mmppres]

Aragorn is correct. I say walk alot of gun shows you will find every type an style from deer rifles in great shape to perfect military rifles. Be care of the bubba ones. I have tons of them. I get more for the complet bolt from a jap than a whole sporter.

[Mikesm44]

I wish I could have took pictures, but that specific owner didn't want pictures taken in his shop. You are correct though. It was 60-75% changed. I was just wondering if it would have been a steal getting it for $150 since that seems really low for any rifle now a days. The owner told me that 7.7 ammo is available. I haven't checked to see what a m1903 is. I've been going off of youtube to get my ideas for rifles that I'm interested in. I even made a list of rifles I want to physically look at, but I don't know if just posting a list on the forum and asking peoples opinion on said list would be appropriate. Even if it was ok to do, I wouldn't know which thread to post it on since it encompasses a lot of different rifles.

Around me most Type 99's go for about $150-200.

[TimmG]

Sorry Jim, I didn't realize you weren't in america.

---------- Post added at 11:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 PM ----------

I think you have some serious thinking to do. Browning already asked why you would want it in the first place with all the alterations. I would ask the same question. Simply to own a milsurp or something else?

This is a great site to ask questions. And you can ask them in the general milsurps forum at the top when asking about multiple rifles and thoughts/opinions.

In answer to your more specific questions. No $150 is not a good price for a sporterized Arisaka, especially if it is a last ditch which you mention in the title. Less than $100 depending on how sporterized it is. Last one I bought I paid $40 for and that's because I felt sorry for the owner. Ended up putting $260 into it so I'm not a real happy camper with it but it is at least presentable again.

You want a decent non-altered Arisaka, expect to pay about $300 to start although there are a few closer to $200 around. The mum will be missing but this isn't a bubba thing but a normal thing so not a huge deal. Add $100 for an intact mum.

If you want to collect milsurps, don't start with sporterized ones because a few years down the road you will be kicking yourself wondering why you bought the thing in the first place and why no one will buy it from you now.

If you want an inexpensive gun to shoot, that's different, but an Arisaka isn't a real good option because while the ammo is available, expect to pay about $40 for a box of 20. If you reload, that's not a huge issue. If you don't, it is.

A good starter rifle that is still affordable is a Mosin Nagant. Even these are in the $275 range now but they are usually complete, good shooters and the ammo remains cheap. For $50 more you can get a better rifle in one of the British Enfields. Ammo not as cheap but a more popular rifle and one easier to shoot. Carcanos are in the $200 range and ammo for them as long as it is a 6.5 is relatively easy to get and less than $20 a box.

If you are serious about collecting, get a guide of some sort. I like Peterson's military weapons guide myself.

Thank you Aragorn for the info. I am completely and utterly new to this. In my head I probably just wanted to buy my first milsurp gun, and it was cheap. That's all. I know there are better out there, but I also know I can't afford over $500 for any one gun at one time. No matter if its new or used.

I will post my list of milsurp rifles I'm interested in in the gen thread.

This pawn shop is the only shop/store around that carries mil surps. Every other store told me to just look online.

I think my goal with milsurps is to be able to have a piece of history. And to use it. Either target practice at the range, or hunting. I don't want wall hangers. I was told to look on Gunbroker, and ClassicFirearms for milsurps.

[Snowman1510]

Carcanos are in the $200 range

Well, I actually just got a Carcano for 150. But I can't speak for other gun shops because it was the first time I saw one for sale.