Pictures of the markings on the top of the receiver, and some good pictures of the bolt would help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

You could have a mismatched bolt between a Type 38 and Type 99 bolt. Like Matthesen3006 mentioned, without pictures we don’t know what rifle you have nor the bolt. Need pictures to help you.

 

Here's what I have. Orders the bolt from Numrich as a type 99.

 

The bolt does look like a T38 bolt, as they have longer locking lugs than the T99 bolt does.
The rifle shown is a T99.

 

Yep, looks like you have a Type 99 receiver with Type 38 bolt, no bueno.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

 

EOD Guy is right. The real danger starts when a 7.7 bolt is in a 6.5 receiver.

 

Most 7.7 bolts won't even start into a 6.5 T 38 receiver, let alone turn down- but if one did it would be an issue.

 

Why would they not start? I assure you they will start, pick up a round, and go into the "Lock" position.

 

Deerhound3,
I just tried two and they wont.
Likely a tolerance stack problem.

 

You are doing something wrong or have a bad receiver. I have made bolts for both and except for the lug area they are the same dimensions. Even the firing pin and safety are interchangeable, although the old heavy cast Type 38 safety will often not interchange between Type 38 rifles.

I should add that the round picked up by a Type 99 bolt in a Type 38 rifle will fire when you pull the trigger. The slot at the back of the receiver where the bolt handle drops in is probably plenty to contain the pressure, but you have no way of knowing what is going on up at the chamber as far as fit.

 

I have seen a Type 99 bolt fit in a 38. It shouldn't in most, but the opposite 100% cannot. The ejector on the Type 38 wraps around the locking lug, while the Type 99's is cut straight through the locking lug so the Type 38 bolt won't fit because of the ejector on the 99. The Type 99 action and bolt are also shorter than the the Type 38, but the locking lugs are thinner on the Type 99 so they can sometime fit in a Type 38. I've only seen it once though.

 

You are somewhat correct, but for the wrong reasons. It is an optical illusion. The bolts are the same (OAL) length. The locking lugs are the same thickness on both bolts, it is the length of the lug that is different. If you ground off the back of a T-38's locking lugs, you would have a bolt that locks in a T-99 receiver. The different style of ejector means nothing. You simply pull it out when putting the bolt in, which most people do anyway. I have cut, welded , and opened up Arisaka receivers, but never measured the length. Because both bolts are the same length I would have to say they probably are too, but I am guessing. Usually when I find a Type 38 receiver that will not fully accept a T-99 bolt, it is an early long rifle. They appear to have a lot of "Hand fit" parts and generally have minor assembly problems, especially in the safety area. The other times it is yard sale guns with T-99 "Bent" bolt handles which get stuck 2/3 of the way in a T-38. I suspect the bolts are twisted from bending the handles.

 

I posted my 99 that had been fitted with a 38 bolt. I can say from first hand this can be done. The front lug was shortened. Real professional looking work. I would have never known had I not posted pics here. I later found a 99 bolt and replaced it. No problem as far as the ejector went.

 

I must have missed that post. I really don't mess with Arisakas much anymore, but once you have, you still retain the curiosity. I still check this forum once and a while.