Type 99 or Type 38

[JBBOOKS]

I am new to the Japanese Rifles but want to add at least one to my collection. I am considering a Type 99 or Type 38. I plan on attending a gun show this weekend in Oaks, PA. at the Greater Philadelphia Expo.
Can anyone refer me to a dealer with a good rep who attends this show? Any advantage to having a Type 99 over the Type 38?

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[Bruce McAskill]

Personal choice as to which one. Depends on what you intend to do with it. If your going to shoot it then the 99 has more companies offering ammo though very limited. The type 38 is milder to shoot but there is only one company now loading ammo for it and that is Norma. They load for both calibers with 6.5 mm for the type 38 and 7.7mm for the 99. But be aware Norma ammo is very expensive compared to normal easy to find ammo like 30-06 and such. If you reload then PPU does make brass for both type rifles. If you make your own cases then the 7.7 is easy to make from 8mm Mauser as it's just one mm shorter in length. There is no case one can make 6.5 out of. You can use 35 Remington to make useable cases from but they do come out a bit shorter. Useable but not all that great.

[Salt Flat]

JB, I like the T99 for the chrome bore. Most will have a bright shiny bore while many T38's have a dark and worn out bore. The T38's saw many more years of service and seem harder to find in good condition. Salt Flat

[Aragorn243]

Mike, mmpres, will be there and often has an Arisaka priced reasonably. He mostly sells parts but usually has a dozen or so long guns and a couple dozen handguns. I sit with him sometimes and usually end up buying something after looking at it for so long.

[Calif-Steve]

Find an early (1941-42) Type 99. Quality control fell apart starting 1943 and was a mess by 1945.

[lthilsdorf]

I've set up an Arisaka display in the past at the Oaks show, but never really find much there.

[Aragorn243]

Oaks can be hit or miss. I've noticed the military stuff is making a come back after about a year of not much there. Last show had quite a variety of milsurps. Nothing I wanted/could afford unfortunately but lots to look at.