Argentine and Arisaka Actions Compared

Took these photos today, a 1909 Argentine Mauser and Arisaka action. The Arisaka is a type 38 used for the 6.5mm cartridge. I do not have a 7.7mm type 99, but it is similar to the 38, with a few changes: longer rear tangs, the L slot for the bolt handle does not have as much overhang, a integral recoil lug as in the Mauser, a bolt stop that is a Mauser copy, some difference in bolt ejector slot milling, some changes in the bottom metal, larger barrel threads and a few others.

Don’t know if you can see them, but the receiver ring on the 38 has two gas vent holes at about a 45 degree angle off the top center. The top tang is held on by the rear action screw and fits in a slot in the rear of the receiver. The safety is a pain to operate, push it in with your thumb or palm heel and turn it to the left for safe. And the action has a groove on each side, at about the stock line, for a mud cover that covered the action opening when the bolt was closed.

Note that the Arisaka is a shorter action than the Mauser.

Early Arisaka's were made of pretty good steel, PO Ackley did several blow up tests on the Arisakas and concluded they were as strong as a Mauser. But the quality went down as the War ground down to an end.

RE the 1909 Argentine Action: Just another from my shelf of actions, stashed away for future projects. I have a couple of 1909's in better condition, although this one is in fine shape except for the bottom metal.