Type 38 Trainer ??

[Randy A]

I accidently acquired a (looks like 6.5) type 38 trainer,, I think. The trigger guard and latching floor plate are cast/ machined. Of course someone bobbed the front end of the stock, apparently starting to sporterize it,,,,hmmm? Anyhow, nothing else is missing or altered, just the fore end and barrel band missing. Are these things worth anything to anyone? I figured not, so have been toying around with making a .22 out of it. Have there been any successful conversions?

[Deano41]

Actual trainers were not intended to be fired with live ammunition. They were made with cast iron receivers, and smooth bores. If your rifle is a true type 38 that was given to a school, it would have a cancelled Mum, and two or three zeros preceeding the serial number. Pictures of the top of the receiver and the left side of the receiver where the serial number and arsenal marks are would give a better idea of what you have. I don't think sleeving the bore and modifying the bolt would be cost effective.

[Guamsst]

Actual trainers were not intended to be fired with live ammunition. They were made with cast iron receivers, and smooth bores.

That's not 100% some rejected rifles were converted to trainers as well as type 35s that were worn out. Also, some had steel receivers they were just never heat treated, headspaced and so on.

As to converting....Well, A barrel sleeve is a barrel sleeve and even a traingin rifle is more than beefy enough to handle .22LR. The hard part may be converting the bolt. I like the idea but with trainers coming up in value I would make sure it has no value before dinking with it too much.

[Randy A]

No marks whatsoever, just an "18" on the left side of the action and on top of the bolt handle. There is a groove down the left side, like an action cover would have been intended. Nothing appears to have been ground off either.

[Guamsst]

Typical for a trainer. I have one that is serial number 1 (second one produced) No idea who produced it or when though as the 1 is the only mark.

Many of them had action covers. The trainers often have much lower quality action covers.