Mauser safety issues
Just purchased my first ever Mauser - Turkish stamped 1946. Over all it seems pretty sound. After cleaning the barrel extensively, I got it looking pretty nice with the bore light. The bolt seems a little sloppy near the far-aft of travel, but tight otherwise. Now I'm about ready to take that "first shot" but am concerned about safety... Tho a knowledgeable friend has poo pooed any concerns that the gun may blow up or anything else - [xx(]seems like old age has finally affected my youthful risk taking behavior...[:(] Any ideas? also any suggestions on the bolt or anything else I might do insofar as maintenance, etc??? I don't want to spend a chunk on customizing this thing - just keep it original as possible and find cheap funtime ammo....
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
DD
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
DD
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If you are concerned about the slop in the bolt at the end of its travel I would take it to a gunsmith and ask him to check it. The little he will charge is cheap peace-of-mind for when you break that first shot. 0 -
Don,
I have 2 old Mausers, one I bought here on GB. It is normal for the bolt to have a little lateral and vertical movement when it is to the rear. As long as it is tight when forward and locked into battery, it should be OK. You could always take it to a gunsmith and have him take a look at it before firing it.
The Mauser action is very strong. If your concerned about it blowing up on the first shot you could sandbag it down on a shooting bench and use a string to pull the trigger , or invite a neighbor you dont care much for to take the first shot.0 -
If you have any doubts about it's safety take it to a competent gunsmith for inspection, headspacing and test firing.
If you don't want to spring for a gunsmith, get hold of a old tire, tie the rifle to it and pull the trigger with a long string. If it holds up for 20 shots without self destructing, your good to go.
The chamber markings on Turk rifles are deceptive. Most were actually made in Germany during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, for the 7.65 X 53 cartridge. When they were reworked and rechambered in the Turkish arsenals, the later dates were added to the receivers.0 -
The chamber markings on Turk rifles are deceptive. Most were actually made in Germany during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, for the 7.65 X 53 cartridge. When they were reworked and rechambered in the Turkish arsenals, the later dates were added to the receivers.
The sales tag said 1938 but I can't find those two numbers anywhere (yet) so the shop may have some serial # access I don't know about...
Thanks for the info from everyone. The tire idea is good - there are some old tractor tires lying around here.................0 -
It is most likely a model 38 made in 1946.
I agree, most Mausers have some slop in the bolt. The question is, is there slop when it is cocked, or just at rest?
I've never had an issue with a Mauser, even some pretty rough looking ones. After paying for a smith a few times I gave up and saved my money for more guns. I fire the first round from a tire as described to make sure, unless I am buying it from someone I know has fired it without issue.
If it were me I'd just shoot it with the precautions given above.0 -
Be careful and use the tire for the first couple of shots. The bolt on mausers and most old military rifles are designed to be loose, sloppy when open. That's what keeps them working when they are full of mud and sand. hlouie 0 -
DrDog...if he (the seller) is claiming it to the a "38" he means a Turkish made Model 38, yours having been made in 46. Does it have the Ankara Stamp in the crest area? Good indication of turk manufacture, but as Rufe said they restamped these things too from time to time. Don't let that scare you. The Turk made guns are not as pretty and shiney as most German produciton, but they seem to generally be pretty strong and suffer most from cosmetic issues and sometimes poor maintenance procedures. Yours describes as generally "good" condition. The play at the back of the bolt is normal...I have a near new M48 that feels like it is going to drop the bolt out of the reciever ever time you long stroke it...never has and the lock up is tight, and head space is very close to perfect after I did a Cero cast.
I'm also good with Rufe's method of test firing! I have used foam rubber, bungee cords (LOTS of bungee cords!) and large oak tree's, but a mounted spare truck tire sounds pretty smart to me. In the end, if you want true peace of mind...yeah, probably outa take er to a gunsmith, but normally these things are about bomb proof with standard ammo. Enjoy your shooter!0 -
I always test fire a "new to me" rifle with sandbags over the action. 0 -
If I had a rifle that I was so afraid of that I had to tie it to a tire to shoot it, I wouldn't shoot it, period! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ambrose
If I had a rifle that I was so afraid of that I had to tie it to a tire to shoot it, I wouldn't shoot it, period!
I admit I'm a "newbie" here and you have been on the forum a lot...Still, I'm not sure what your point is. It sounds to me like you're either trying to impress me with your machismo, or you're saying I'm (and others here) stupid for wanting to make sure a relic rifle is safe enough to use, OR maybe you don't have much use for your head or fingers by putting them a few inches from an explosive device and pulling the trigger - trusting that everything will work fine. Even guns right out of the box have issues. I appreciate everyone's input on this. Maybe even yours if I got what your drift is. I did shoot the gun. No tire - but I did cinch it down with some nice HD bungees to a padded sawbuck. No shrapnel. And I feel good that I didn't put my face and hands next to the receiver to determine that. Thanks to all who gave their opinions. I respect you all, who - like me - respect the weapon you use enough to test it safely. Many of us without unlimited resources can't always "take it to a gunsmith"... especially when they are a hundred or so miles from where we live. I've owned guns since my first .22 at 10. I've never had one hurt me. I'll continue to use them safely, and not assume I'm so smart that I don't need to ask guys on forums like this one for your much appreciated experience-based knowledge.0
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