Type 38 Carbine, Need Advice

[aadams22]

Won this t38 carbine at an auction, ground mum and a little rough but matching numbers and an excellent bore. Turns out it has the wrong hand guard on it, in fact I dont even know what kind of hand guard this is. At $125 I figured I'd be in the green to restore it since thats all it needed, but does anyone know where I can find one?

Thanks, Alex

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Aragorn243]

Keep watching ebay

[aadams22]

Yeah I was hoping there was a quicker alternative to that haha

[Aragorn243]

If it is a part needed to restore a sporterized rifle to original configuration, it probably isn't available anymore through the major parts outlets. If it's a normal part to replace something broken or worn, they seem to be available. A lot of guys trying to bring rifles back.

Patience is required for ebay but the end result is generally satisfying. If you're looking to do things quick, you aren't going to have much luck at that. Every time I get something new I want to get it restored as quick as possible. In general, within 2 months I will have accomplished that. Exceptions have been cleaning rods and bayonets that are expensive as all get out. Cleaning rods are one of the most common missing parts on the old stuff and bayonets have specific collectors that don't collect the rifles.

[Marines55]

the hand guard that is currently on the rifle is a 38 long rifle. you will need a 38 carbine hand guard which will be pretty expensive. as mentioned above, Ebay is going to be your best bet to find it.

[aadams22]

the hand guard that is currently on the rifle is a 38 long rifle. you will need a 38 carbine hand guard which will be pretty expensive. as mentioned above, Ebay is going to be your best bet to find it.

Ok, thank you for the hand guard ID! I should be able to get some money out of that in order to help offset the cost...how much do you suppose the carbine hand guard is going to run me? Still worth restoring at least right? lol

[Aragorn243]

If the hand guard is all it is missing, it's worth restoring in my opinion. Your pics aren't the best but they seem to show a fairly nice rifle with honest wear and tear. I have no idea how much one would run but if someone doesn't list it correctly, you can get a good deal that way so long as you can ID it. The trick is finding it. I have searched for specific items many times with no luck but spotted an item that was listed wrong numerous times. Usually with very generic searches. Just got a bayonet last night because the seller did not know what it was. I'd try searching just "hand guard" or "stock part" in addition to Arisaka, etc.

[aadams22]

If the hand guard is all it is missing, it's worth restoring in my opinion. Your pics aren't the best but they seem to show a fairly nice rifle with honest wear and tear. I have no idea how much one would run but if someone doesn't list it correctly, you can get a good deal that way so long as you can ID it. The trick is finding it. I have searched for specific items many times with no luck but spotted an item that was listed wrong numerous times. Usually with very generic searches. Just got a bayonet last night because the seller did not know what it was. I'd try searching just "hand guard" or "stock part" in addition to Arisaka, etc.

Right. Well I'm glad you agree because I want to restore it too I guess hunting for the hand guard will be half the fun!

My bad about the pics, for some reason my phone camera has been fuzzy lately. Heres a few more:

[Aragorn243]

That has to be the most extensive mum grinding I ever saw. Other than that, the rifle looks pretty nice. I'd dress that up some if it were mine.

[Salt Flat]

Alex, I think the handguard you have was modified to fit your rifle and as such is not really saleable as an original T38 rifle handguard. Also, Bubba really hacked up the front receiver ring. I would watch the gun shows for a replacement receiver. They are pretty easy to find. Salt Flat