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Work order — Arisaka Type 99

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: medium.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

A simple bolt action, but its bolt goes back together only if the safety knob is pressed against the mainspring and turned so the sear lug sits in the right notch. Fitted wrong into the 'snail' cut, it has to be pushed and turned back. The bands, hand guard and dust cover are routine. Ordnance reserved the further strip (bands, barrel, floor plate catch) for its own personnel. Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~35 min, rebuild ~50 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Gunsmith screwdrivers — Guard/receiver screws and band screws
• Pin punches — Trigger/sear pins and bolt retainer pin

Tools

• Bore guide — Cleaning from the breech without wearing the throat or the crown. On a surplus rifle the crown is often the difference between accuracy and none.

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Press the safety cap at the rear of the bolt inward and rotate it to the safe position.
   Tip: Palm pressure and rotation, not a lever.
3. Lift the bolt handle and draw the bolt fully rearward, ejecting any chambered round.
4. Press the floorplate release and let the floorplate drop to release rounds from the magazine, or cycle the bolt repeatedly to feed and eject each round.
5. Inspect the chamber and magazine well with a light and physically confirm the chamber is empty.
6. Close the floorplate and remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Field Strip — Bolt Removal

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure.
2. Move the safety to the fire position.
3. Lift the bolt handle and draw the bolt fully rearward.
4. Operate the bolt stop on the left side of the receiver and withdraw the bolt rearward out of the action.
5. Clean the bore from the breech using a bore guide, and clean the bolt face, lugs, and chamber.
   Warning: Always use a bore guide on a surplus rifle. Cleaning rod wear at the crown is a permanent accuracy loss and is very common on milsurp.
6. Stop here for routine maintenance. Bolt disassembly is a separate procedure and is not part of normal cleaning.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

No manufacturer statement of materials or finish is recorded. Identify each part's material before choosing prep and cure.

4. Reassemble

Reassembly

1. Align the bolt with the receiver raceway, with the dust cover fitted if your rifle has one.
2. Slide the bolt forward into the receiver and close the bolt handle.
3. Cycle the bolt several times to confirm smooth travel and correct cocking.
4. Perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Fit or check on rebuild

• Guard and receiver screws tightened evenly — The manual warns the trigger guard and stock can be damaged if the screws are not run in evenly
• Bolt reassembly check — The bolt is rechecked when it goes back in the receiver, and the cover catches must engage their grooves

6. Function check

• Verify the rifle is unloaded — chamber and magazine — before each check.
• Cycle the bolt and confirm it cocks and closes fully into battery.
• With the action cocked, engage the safety and press the trigger. The striker must not release.
• Disengage the safety without touching the trigger. The striker must not release.
• Press the trigger and confirm the striker releases with a firm snap.
• Load dummy rounds and confirm they feed and eject cleanly.
• If you have any doubt about the rifle’s history, have headspace gauged by a gunsmith before firing live ammunition.
• Confirm the bolt-cap safety engages and blocks the trigger when pressed in and rotated.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Japanese Infantry Weapons (TM-E 30-480) — U.S. War Department secondary
2. Military Rifles of Japan — Honeycutt & Anthony secondary
3. Technical Manual for Rifle, U.S., Type 99, Japanese Cal. .30 — U.S. Army (hosted by Forgotten Weapons) primary
   https://www.forgottenweapons.com/wp-content/uploads/manuals/US%20Arisaka%20manual.pdf

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.