Type 38 in 7.62 x 39 at the range...

[Old Joe]

Finnally got out to test fire my Type 38 rechambered by the Chinese to the 7.62 x 39, and I must say what a dream. Definatly a fun round to fire from such a heavy rifle. I lined up three targets side by side and( I was scoping in another rifle also) and my friend marveled at the target on the right with its four inch group. I claimed it was marine Corps training but infact I was aiming at the center one and the rounds drifted an easy 15 inches to the right. I heard the rifle is rarer than the carbine in this calibur but wow it was just enjoyable to shoot.

Mine seems to detest Commie ammo and loves after Market stuff.

Joe

Information

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[Calif-Steve]

Sleeved chamber insert. Sadly the insert will slowly back out. I have a nice one upstairs that I do not shoot. As best as I understand them they are ex-police rifles.

[jmoore]

Photos? Do, please!

[Old Joe]

<<Sleeved chamber insert. Sadly the insert will slowly back out>>

To bad, was alot of fun to shoot..Is there anyway to fix this once it happens with a gunsmith, and second is it dangerous when it does happen or will there be a tell tale sign..

Old Joe

[Calif-Steve]

The Chinese had a pile of Japanese equipment in 1945. As best as I know the big plant in Manchuria(Norinco) only made the Type 38, I have heard the Type 99 was only made in Japan. So all of the 7.62x39mm carbines are Type 38 rifles cut-down into neat carbines. Barrel was bored out to .310 and chamber was sleeved. Press fit sleeve with no cross pins to fold it in tight. When I was stationed in Wash DC I saw a pile at the Richmond, VA show around 1988-89 time frame. I actually got one to go turkey hunting in my area. But too many reports of the chambers backing out, so I gave up. Got transferred to Calif and that was that. Still have the carbine, upstairs.

[jmoore]

Mine had the chamber area bored out and a whole "new" barrel pressed in place. After firing it a couple of times with results shown below, I went and ruined it by attempting a 5.56 conversion. Now it's got part of a SMLE barrel cut, but it's still not right, and looks different than "original".


Photos might help me get the rifle looking more like it did when it was given to me in the late '80s.

[Old Joe]

I'll break out the camera and take a picture of both of them and send them along..The Chinese did a neat job when they cut down the rifles into carbines to include cutting the stock down to fit their evil, miss-shapen little commie bodies..

They will be up in a day or too..

Old Joe

[Calif-Steve]

They must have figured out quickly that they had a problem. Mine is basically unfired, but not unissued. I'll bet they sat in an arms rooms and got carried around by the police. But not carried out to the range. I think a cross-pin would solve the problem, but the Chinese did not try that solution. Perhaps they tried, but really don't know. Could have used a super glue, but I guess this was the 1950's and they didn't have any super glue. They were avery poor country in the 1950's.

[Old Joe]

My carbine barrel wise is in good shape but the stock is the worst I have ever purchased. On a wierd side note that may be the reason why my bore was pretty good is someone droped the bolt and chiped the face so it could grab a round to chamber it. They just kicked it probably to the back of the rack.