What’s the best made and accurate Japanese rifle?

[KneverKnew]

Just getting into Jap rifles and wanted to start with an example of their best workmanship. Thanks.

Information

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[J-ROD]

When it comes to Japanese rifles with iron sights, in my opinion, the best made rifle is a Type 99 long rifle made in the Toyo Kogyo arsenal (Mazda in todays world). The bluing and workmanship is the best of all arsenals. The blueing is so excellent, most people will think the rifle has been reblued and mismatched. This is because their excellent. Also know these rifles have assembly numbers that don’t match the rifle serial number…so they think the bolts are mismatched.

As for accuracy, the Type 99 long rifle is very good…depending on condition. If you want a scoped rifle, seek out a Type 97.

Take this information knowing I just arrived in Aruba for vacation and I’m 3 sheets to the wind right now! Haha!

[KneverKnew]

Enjoy your vacation! As far as iron sights, go versus scoped, I tend to try and get a good example of the military configuration of a rifle, hopefully one that still shoots well for its age. Once I have my good as issued example, then I tend to try and find something more serviceable For my old eyes with a scope or able to take a scope. I’ve also been looking into the rear site base mounted scout scopes that are available for my Swedish M 96/38. It’s made in 1903 and still shoots under an inch with my good reloads .

[Singer B]

When it comes to Japanese rifles with iron sights, in my opinion, the best made rifle is a Type 99 long rifle made in the Toyo Kogyo arsenal (Mazda in todays world). The bluing and workmanship is the best of all arsenals. The blueing is so excellent, most people will think the rifle has been reblued and mismatched. This is because their excellent. Also know these rifles have assembly numbers that don’t match the rifle serial number…so they think the bolts are mismatched.

As for accuracy, the Type 99 long rifle is very good…depending on condition. If you want a scoped rifle, seek out a Type 97.

Take this information knowing I just arrived in Aruba for vacation and I’m 3 sheets to the wind right now! Haha!

Can you expand upon Toyo Kogyo using manufacturing numbers rather than matching serial numbers? Where would they be and how did the system work? I have a 1941 with non-matching serial numbers and a 1944 TK with all all-matching serial numbers so now I am confused. Thank-you!

[J-ROD]

Can you expand upon Toyo Kogyo using manufacturing numbers rather than matching serial numbers? Where would they be and how did the system work? I have a 1941 with non-matching serial numbers and a 1944 TK with all all-matching serial numbers so now I am confused. Thank-you!

Singer,

TK long rifles are ALL assembly numbers except for the serial number on the receivers left side. They (all numbers except the left side receiver) will match the assembly number under the receiver (gotta remove the action from the stock). The same goes for early series 30 Type 99 short rifles and then over a short time frame, there was a mix of assembly numbers and receiver numbers. By series 32, all numbers should match the serial number on the receiver.

As a caveat, I am even more 3 sheets to the wind…Aruba has too many bars….but I’m not too far gone to forget the excellence of TK rifles.

If I remember my dazed post, I’ll confirm when I get home.

[Singer B]

Singer,

TK long rifles are ALL assembly numbers except for the serial number on the receivers left side. They (all numbers except the left side receiver) will match the assembly number under the receiver (gotta remove the action from the stock). The same goes for early series 30 Type 99 short rifles and then over a short time frame, there was a mix of assembly numbers and receiver numbers. By series 32, all numbers should match the serial number on the receiver.

As a caveat, I am even more 3 sheets to the wind…Aruba has too many bars….but I’m not too far gone to forget the excellence of TK rifles.

If I remember my dazed post, I’ll confirm when I get home.

Cool, thanks! I know the Type 38s all used manufacturer codes but I always thought the Type 99s used the serial number system! Love the Caribbean and wish I was there with you!

[J-ROD]

Can you expand upon Toyo Kogyo using manufacturing numbers rather than matching serial numbers? Where would they be and how did the system work? I have a 1941 with non-matching serial numbers and a 1944 TK with all all-matching serial numbers so now I am confused. Thank-you!

Singer,

Seems in my “drunk in Aruba” post, I over estimated the length TK used assembly numbers. TK used assembly numbers on all long rifles and continued using assembly numbers for the first 40,000 rifles of their series 30 short rifle production. After 40k, the last three should match the receiver.

Hope this helps.

[Singer B]

Singer,

Seems in my “drunk in Aruba” post, I over estimated the length TK used assembly numbers. TK used assembly numbers on all long rifles and continued using assembly numbers for the first 40,000 rifles of their series 30 short rifle production. After 40k, the last three should match the receiver.

Hope this helps.

Absolutely, thanks!

[Eaglelord17]

I would say a Type 99 is likely going to be your best example. Chromelined bores on most of them which protected the bores (only the last ones didn't) vs most other Arisakas which didn't and usually have poor bores. Also Type 99s used 7.7x58 which is a very easy round to load vs the 6.5 Japanese which is more difficult.

[KneverKnew]

Thanks again for the info. A quick search shows some pretty high prices. At least more than I can spend at this time. I’ll keep looking around.