[Trez]

I got a new Arisaka today.. Its a Type 38 cavalry carbine? I didnt even know there were Arisaka carbines.. I guess the Japanese used them like we used the M1 carbine... The stock has been sporterized but the rifle still has the mum..
It looks like the carbine stocks/parts are hard to come by, I was thinking of getting a shortened/sporterized type 38 long rifle stock for cheap and trying to convert it to a "factory looking" carbine stock... They look like they only have slight differences.. what do you think?

Here it is next to my Type 99... (The bayonet is longer than the barrel!! )

[texaswoodworker]

Nice looking rifle, have you had a chance to shoot her?

Are you sure thats a bayonet and not just a short sword.

[Trez]

I think the bayonets ARE short swords...

I havent shot it yet, I dont have any 6.5 Jap.. It came with a box of norma brass, The guy said he might have some clips for it and told me he would let me know if he finds them..

Im more worried about finding a stock for it right now.. I cant stand a sporter mil-surp.. I got it mainly 'cause its a carbine with the mum still...

[texaswoodworker]

Are you looking for a original stock, or a new stock that is a replica?

[Trez]

I would prefer a original, but a repro one would be cool.. I dont think they make reproduction stocks for Arisakas? Kinda why I was wondering about converting a Type 38 long rifle stock... Im thinking a cut down one of those could still be long enough for the carbine, but some of the hardware and and the foregrip are slightly different than a "normal" long type 38...
Original stocks seem to cost about as much as a whole Arisaka! Sometimes more!!

T38 rifle:


T38 carbine:

[texaswoodworker]

That may work. Both repo and orig are probably uncommon, so I can see why they are expensive. I have an old shotgun that needs a new stock, so I'm making one for it. Everything on this gun is hard to find (even the 2 9/16" 16 ga ammo) . It's not worth much in working condition, so I may just use it as a wall hanger. But thats getting off topic.
The rifle stock idea could work pretty good if you fins one for a good price.