Mongo's Machine Gun Pages Japanese Type 99 LMG Details  
(Click on pictures for larger version)  
Weapons:  
 
The above picture shows the rectangular locking block in the locked position in the bottom of the bolt. As the op rod moves rearward under gas pressure, it cams the locking block down out of contact with the bolt thus unlocking it to travel rearward with the op rod. The locking block remains in place in the receiver recess.  
Points of Interest:

 
 
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  There is a cover that can be opened for cleaning and removal of the locking block. The above picture also shows the "L" shaped tab on the locking block that connects to the trigger cut out. This is a safety device that will not allow the trigger to be pulled if the gun is reassembled without the locking block. Obviously firing a round without the locking block would be catastrophic to the gun and possibly the shooter. The below picture shows the top of the trigger group and the safety bar that interfaces with the locking block. The sear can also be seen in the below picture.  
   
  The Type 96 and 99 incorporate a buffer in the rear of the receiver. In the picture below you can see the silver colored buffer extending out from the rear receiver plate. This plate also mounts the recoil spring guide rod.  
   
  The butt stock of some but not all Type 99 LMGs incorporates a monopod. It is deployed by pushing the button at the hinge joint from the left side and swing it down to the locked position. The monopod is internally threaded with a square thread so that its length/height can be adjusted via twisting it.  
   
  The Type 99 incorporates dust covers for all openings. The ejection port and magazine well both have covers to protect the action from dirt intrusion. The ejection port cover will open automatically when the action starts cycling. Both covers are spring loaded to be held in the open position and must be closed manually. Other dust covers include the ejector and cocking handle (missing on the gun in the pictures).  


 
The Type 99 safety is located on the left side of the trigger group. When the safety is in the horizontal position it is ready to fire. When it is placed in the near vertical position the sear is blocked from releasing the op rod.
   
 
 
  The Type 99 incorporate a dovetail on top of the rear receiver. This dovetail is used for mounting a 2.5X optic. Since the magazine would block any objective on a scope mounted on the centerline, the scope incorporates a prism to move the objective to the right side of the magazine. This allows the open sights to be used with the optic mounted incase it becomes unusable. The reticule has a ranging from 100 to 1400 meters as well as anti aircraft lead circles. The open sights off set on the left side to clear the top mount magazine. They can be adjusted for windage and range (200-1500m). The front sight also incorporates an insert that is luminous for firing at night.  
 


 
  The Type 99 barrel's front gas block incorporates a gas adjustment. This allowed the operator to adjust the amount of gas used to cycle the action. As the action got dirty the gas could be opened up to provide more power to cycle it. The gas adjustment also incorporates the front bayonet mount. On the bottom of the gas block is a small lever that can be removed for cleaning the gas port in the barrel. The front of the barrel is threaded for the installation of a cone style flash hider. The flash hider adds 5 inches to the barrel.  
 
 
  The magazine for the Type 99 is a 30 round staggered 2 column design. The rear of the magazine had a hole in it and the follower has the numbers 4 to 0. As the last rounds are expended out of the magazine the numbers count down from 4 to show the operator when the gun is empty. The magazine catch has a hole in it so this can be seen from the rear. This feature is questionable at best. Original Magazines for the Type 96 and 99 are extremely rare in the US. Many guns were brought how as war trophies  by returning GIs but apparently magazines were not brought home with them.