First step: Out with the old, in with the new.
This is the receiver bit of the Mauser. Not a particularly pretty rifle, very plain jane. Not a bad rifle or a bad looker- just an ordinary rifle. First checkering job I ever did there, by the way.
The first thing is to lose the trigger. These receivers were shipped with pretty simple triggers, the only amenities being an overtravel screw and a lever safety to eliminate the awkward bolt safety.
I put my hands on a fine trigger at the Shot show, and it came in and fit perfectly. The sear hole had to be opened up about .020 to clear the Timney sear, but that was the work of a few minutes. The triggerguard assembly will have to be opened up a tiny bit too, but the trigger works fine and the safety works fine. Trouble is, it isn’t gonna fit in the old stock anymore without extensive work, and it’s just not worth it, as I have a new stock coming. So it will sit as a barreled action until the new stock arrives.
I owned a Yugo Mark X trued up chambered in 6.5-06 improved. Medium varmint weght Krieger tube 1 in 8 twist. It worked as good as anything I have ever owned but got traded off for something more suited for High Power comp. Good luck with the build/rebuild.
Nice checkering job there, Og. Let me know if that stock might end up for sale, as it’d make a great “working” stock to use as I build up my Mauser project.
I’m thinking of going to a Winchester Model 70 type 3-position safety up on the bolt shroud on mine. That said, my favorite boltie safety is on the Ruger 77 Mk.1, with the tang mounted safety. Ergonomically, that was a perfect setup, and I think Ruger mis-interpreted the Winchester type safety on their 77 Mk.II series. It just looks kludgy.
And while on the subject of our respective projects, would you have any suggestions as to getting the best in polishing and bluing out there? I don’t want to derp it all up and over-polish and round off things that aren’t supposed to be rounded, etc.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
The “best” is turnbull.
http://www.turnbullmfg.com/
If you don’t want to spend $6500, though, I’d go with a local gunsmith, who could probably quote you good pricing and give you a nice looking job.
Sadly, the man I’d considered “the best” for polishing and bluing, is no longer with us.
Mr. Sam Heard, of New Braunfels, TX. He did all the Kleingunther (now Hill Country Rifles) on subcontract, under an awning in his backyard. This was in the mid- ’80s. Was beyond perfection, to my eyes. Don’t know that he ever did case hardening though, which is Turnbull’s true art.
Being gone though, I can’t turn to Mr. Heard, and like you, I fear the Turnbull Pricetag.
But, I’ll ask around. Need engraving, too. I do hope to finish this project sometime this decade.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Good start. I don’t like trigger much that are long levers so the Timney should be a lot nicer.
Very nice! Looking forward to the finished product!
We need to get together so I can show you dad’s Model 98 in person.