The Type 38 rifle is a bolt-action service rifle used by the Empire of Japan and first adopted in 1905 where it predominantly served during the Second Sino-Japanese War and Second World War. Originally a redesign of the Type 30 rifle to fix numerous problems identified during the Russo Japanese War, Major Kijiro Nambu was also able to greatly simplify the manufacture process and ensure the Type 38’s could be disassembled without tools. During the Second World War the Type 38’s 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka cartridge was deemed insufficient compared to allied rounds and it was partially replaced with the Type 99 rifle but both rifles saw usage until the end of the war. The airsoft Arisaka is relatively rare compared to other WW2 airsoft guns but its popularity and model range has grown in recent years with the KTW Airsoft Arisaka Type 38 Infantry Classic Rifle (Arisaka M1905) and the Tanaka Airsoft Arisaka Type 38 Infantry Ver.2 Gray Steel Gas Rifle as well as the Tanaka Airsoft Arisaka Type 44 Carbine Gas Sniper now available.
