Originally Posted by
psteinmayer
Is the butt plate wood or metal? I thin this is a fine example of a near last ditch... but not actually "Last Ditch". A true last ditch wouldn't have a mum, just a bare receiver top. They are usually pretty rough! As for the indexing, it would have to be way off before it would pose a headspace or functionality problem. Yours is really just a hair off, and could be a result of mis-cut threads... Just a hair off!
As Deano41 said, T99s have a very generous chamber. If you're concerned about head spacing, chamber a fired case and see if your bolt handle is excessively loose. I suspect it's fine... especially if the bolt numbers match the last three of the serial number. Arisaka rifles have matching numbers on everything... but many don't match because bolts and other parts were removed when the were brought back and tossed together. When they were reassembled apon arrival in the states, they didn't check numbers, and just installed what ever bolt they happened to grab. Petty common!
I've been told that "last ditch" Arisaka's had a hole drilled through the butt stock to facilitate the sling, any truth to this?
Steve
The Original Point and Click Interface was a Smith & Wesson