Question for Arisaka Collectors

l-girl

I have a Japanese Type 99 Arisaka in 7.7 which functions perfectly. I have also obtained a second one that the bolt will not cock the trigger. When I exchange the bolts, the other bolt will cock the trigger (or as Capt. Kirk explained to me, the sear is not cocking the firing pin, thanks Capt.).

Comparing the two bolts, everything looks the same except the bolt that doesn't work has a small round opening on its underside whereas the bolt that does work has a larger, oval opening. Is the difference in the openings causing the problem? I am wondering if the wrong bolt is on the Type 38 that won't cock (maybe a Type 38?)

My disassembly manuals are no help on this.

Does anybody have a Type 99 and a Type 38 who can compare the bolts?

Thanks.



Best regards,Rich

king999

Rich; Just checked my 99 and 38. BOTH have an oval opening. You may have a "trainer" bolt. Very often you can put a 99 bolt into a 38. Highly dangerous!! You cannot put a 38 bolt into a 99. The locking lugs on a 38 are LARGER than those of the 99.
Hope I was of some help.
Morty (mkood@earthlink.net)

l-girl

The NC Gun Collectors Assn. had their show this past weekend and there was a guy there who was an expert on Japanese rifles. He told me the opening in bolt had nothing to do with how it cocked. The oval openings mean the bolt was made later in the war as opposed to prewar or early in the war.

He took a bolt apart and showed me what to look for. When I got home, I stripped my two bolts and interchanged the parts until I determined what the problem was. What it comes down to is the bolt that won't work is slightly undersized, the components from the bolt that will work will not fit inside them. I probably have a non-matching bolt.

Thanks for checking for me.



Best regards,Rich