Shooting the Japanese WW2 ‘Arisaka’ Type 99 military rifle chambered in 7.7x58mm. This rifle was in service from 1939-45 where around 3.5 million were made.
The Arisaka has an internal 5 round box magazine with a hinged floorplate. 7.7 ammunition is not easy to find but I was running some factory PPU found at a recent gunshow. Recoil was manageable but as for accuracy, let’s just say the 80 year old military rifle has seen better days.
The bore wasn’t in great contrition but I was more interested in learning the ins and outs of the rifle. The trigger pull of around 8 pounds seems like an eternity compared to modern spotting rifles.
Strangest thing about this ole girl is how the safety is engaged. You use the palm of your hand to switch the disk on the rear of the bolt to the right. The Arisaka is a super interesting piece of WW2 history and its great to get some time with the rifle.