I Have This Old Gun: Japanese Type 38 "Arisaka"

This video provides a comprehensive overview of the Arisaka Type 44 Carbine, showcasing its historical markings, ammunition, and operational features. The demonstration includes live fire, highlighting the rifle's recoil, bolt cycling, and accuracy on steel targets. The presenter, identified as a firearms enthusiast and collector, exhibits safe handling and proficient operation.

The Japanese Arisaka Type 38 is a refined bolt-action rifle designed by Kijiro Nambu, emphasizing simplicity, ruggedness, and reliability. It features a distinct action with a round knob safety and a sliding dust cover, and utilizes an updated 6.5x50mm spitzer cartridge. Weighing 9.2 lbs and measuring 50.2 inches, it represents an enhanced evolution of Japanese rifle design.

This video delves into the history and modifications of Finnish Arisaka rifles, which were second only to the Mosin-Nagant in Finnish service. It details their acquisition from Russian forces, original Japanese markings, and subsequent Finnish and Russian modifications. The discussion covers caliber variations, identification marks like the 'SA' stamp, and sight upgrades made by Finnish users.

This prototype 7.7mm Arisaka Type 99 Carbine represents an early attempt by Japan to develop a more powerful service rifle. Despite innovative recoil reduction features like a muzzle brake and spring-loaded buttplate, trials in 1938 found it unpleasant due to excessive muzzle blast and recoil. This led to the abandonment of the carbine concept in favor of the 'short rifle' design.

This mud test evaluates the effectiveness of the Type 38 Arisaka's sliding dust cover. While initial tests showed mud ingress through gas vents causing failures, plugging these vents simulated field conditions and proved the dust cover's reliability. The video also explains why many Arisakas lack dust covers today, attributing it to souvenir collection by GIs after WWII.

The Japanese Type 97 Sniper Rifle, a modified Type 38 Arisaka, served as the standard sniper weapon in WWII. Its 2.5x scope, though basic, offered surprising clarity. Production totaled around 22,200 units from Kokura and Nagoya Arsenals. A key design feature was the bent bolt handle, and a significant issue was mismatched scope serial numbers, leading to accuracy problems due to the lack of external adjustments.

This video details the meticulous process of ammunition manufacturing at Hornady's facility in Grand Island, Nebraska. It covers the creation of bullets, starting with copper cups and lead cores, and the production of brass cartridge cases through annealing and hammering. The content also highlights Hornady's rigorous quality control testing on a 100-yard range and the final packaging stages, emphasizing their commitment to American-made quality.

The L1A1 SLR, a British variant of the FN FAL, was adopted by the UK military for its semi-automatic-only operation and inch-pattern components. It served through major conflicts like the Falklands War and was eventually replaced by the L85 bullpup. The rifle is known for its robust design and reliability, though original British-made examples are now rare.

This video documents a startling bobcat attack on a turkey hunter. The hunter's calls, intended for turkeys, attracted a bobcat which stalked and then pounced. The hunter's reaction caused the bobcat to retreat, highlighting the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the importance of situational awareness.

Vista Outdoor has acquired the iconic Remington Ammunition brand, aiming to revive its manufacturing operations in Lonoke, Arkansas. The acquisition follows Remington's 2020 bankruptcy, with Vista Outdoor integrating the brand alongside Federal, CCI, and Speer. The focus is on restoring quality, securing raw materials, and re-employing skilled workers to meet high market demand for popular lines like Core-Lokt and UMC.