S&T Type 38 Bolt-Action Airsoft Rifle Replica; Real Wood

The Type 38 was a bolt action carbine rifle used by the Japanese Empire during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Second World War. It was designed in 1905 and went straight into action the following year. The Type 38 rifle was much more common than the Carbine variant, due to its increased range, however, the Carbine is much more appropriate for the Airsoft skirmish field.

Measuring a total of 98cm in length, this rifle is a menacing sniper rifle-type platform ready for any outdoor skirmish. Compared to the 127cm length of the regular rifle, this carbine is much more agile on the battlefield, still nothing compared to a modern-day M4 but, modern-day M4s could never look this luxurious.

The Type 38 has been seen in many countries, including the Japanese Empire, obviously, the United Kingdom, the Russian Empire and the Austria-Hungary Empire. That's a lot of Empires. Sadly, as quickly as the Type 38 rose to notoriety, its respect fizzled out just as quickly and by 1939, the Japanese had started producing the Type 99 which gradually replaced the Type 38 up until the end of WW2.

Starting at the front of this glorious platform we can find the front sight block, which mounts to the barrel via a pin and provides a fine front sight post, protected against damage with a protective hood machined into the sight block itself. The outer barrel is not threaded, which keeps it true to its real steel counterpart but also means that suppressor and tracer units can't be added without extensive modification, but that doesn't matter, keep it classic.

Beneath the outer barrel, we find the alloy dummy cleaning rod, although it is non-functional on this replica, it keeps the Type 38 looking accurate. The cleaning rod is fixed in place and secured to the rear barrel band, so it won't fall out during a skirmish and get lost. This rifle's frame is constructed from real wood and looks marvellous, the wood grain is deep and varied, looking exactly like how the real Type 38s would, fresh from the factory.

Between the heatshield and receiver, there is an alloy barrel band with a steel sling loop attached to it. When combined with the steel sling point found on the Type 38s stock, you can set up a two-point sling and carry this glorious rifle the classic way. Just rearwards, the receiver includes finger grooves matching the real Rifle and providing a comfortable place for your support hand when aiming down sights.

The rear sight of the Type 38 is an open ladder sight, a common sight seen on most Japanese wartime firearms, it provides adjustment for range with authentic graduation markings. The sight can be adjusted by pressing the textured buttons on the side together, after which the sight can be raised and lowered by moving the adjuster up or down.

Following the rear sight, we come to the bolt action controls and alloy parts. Across the top of the trunnion we can find a lovely engraved flower, and when you pull the bolt back, the steel top plate recedes and shows some Japanese text reading "Type 38", a lovely nod to this rifle's origin.

After the trunnion, we come to the bolt and firing mechanism, which is finished with the same fantastic antique finish as the other metal parts of the rifle. The bolt handle is positioned horizontally when in battery and requires a 90-degree turn to open. The design of the bolt mimics the real Type 38 rifle with its single, huge locking lug which braces against the receiver, providing a strong yet simple design to manufacture.

The safety of this rifle can be hard to figure out just from observing the receiver, but it is quite simple to function once you know how it works. To activate the safety, push in the cocking piece at the rear of the bolt back and rotate it clockwise slightly. This will both lock the bolt handle, preventing the rifle from being cycled and lock the trigger. To take the safety back off, simply push the cocking piece back in, and rotate it to its original position, after which your trigger will come back to life. The safety can be engaged with the rifle cocked or uncocked. We recommend not attempting to cock the rifle whilst the safety is engaged, as this could result in damage.

The 15rnd magazine sits at the front of the receiver, tucking nicely into the magazine well so as to not interfere with the handguard area of the rifle. The magazine is spring loaded and when inserted into the Type 38, there will be some resistance and it will click. Then, to remove the magazine, slide the tab towards the centre of the magazine and then it will pop out, ready to reload and carry on your mission.

The rifle's stock is a traditional design, with no "semi-pistol grip", but it maintains a comfortable gripping surface with a cut-out in the trigger guard shaped to match a human hand. The trigger is curved to perfectly accommodate your finger whilst you line up the perfect shot. Moving rearwards, we find a full-length wooden stock and at the rear, we are treated to an alloy butt plate that has a smooth finish without any texturing, which is a period-correct design.

If you're looking for a wartime rifle, but you fancy something out of the ordinary, the S&T Type 38 Bolt-Action Airsoft Rifle Replica; Real Wood is perfect for you. Its real wood furniture, realistic styling and perfect finishing touches for a luxurious feel, this bolt action rifle is a dream, the Japanese have style, that's for sure!

Features

• Real wood furniture - Positively luxurious
• Realistic style - True to the real steel Type 38
• Antiqued finish on all the metal - Looks stunning and keeps it true to the original
• Spring-powered bolt action - Very consistent & performs in all weather!
• Trigger lock safety - Turn the cocking piece clockwise
• Relatively long inner barrel & sight base - Snipe with just iron sights!
• Alloy mock cleaning rod below the barrel - Completes the iconic look
• Steel front and rear sling points - Strong and secure, works with two-point sling
• Horizontal bolt with 90-degree turn to open - Authentic for the M1938 Mosin-Nagant
• Compatible with VSR-10/GBB type inner barrels and HOP-up rubbers/buckings
• Compatible with S&T 26rnd Arisaka Type 38 & 97 Rifle Magazine

Package Includes

• S&T Type 38 Bolt-Action Airsoft Rifle Replica; Real Wood
• 15rnd Low Capacity Type 38 Magazin