K98 Bolt Disassembly

[alanten]

Taking apart my new to me K98, one of the Portuguese contract ones from Centerfire, and need a little help with the bolt. The first part of the process was easy: flag up, bolt out of the receiver, then depressing the catch to unscrew the firing pin assembly. I ran in to trouble when I tried to insert the pin in the bolt disassembly hole and compress the spring. I was pushing the piece down far enough, but could not get the top piece to rotate so that it would release and the spring could be removed. I apologize for not using the correct terminology, and would appreciate any corrections, as well as suggestions on how to get it apart. Thanks in advance.

[oldfoneguy]

The bolt shroud (part with the safety) has to be pushed down far enough to free the cocking piece, then the cocking piece has to be rotated 90° and pulled up and away from the firing pin, then the bolt shroud is lifted slowly and
continuously to clear the firing pin. Now the spring and safety can be removed. Reassembly is the reverse of the above. Keep your face away from the assembly throughout the process.

[alanten]

I can push it down far enough to clear the bottom of the the cocking piece, but can't get the cocking piece to rotate. The whole assembly rotates.

[browningautorifle]

Can you not grab the front half of the firing pin in a vise to hang on to it? I'll bet it's a burr holding it in place.

[alanten]

I'm thinking along those same lines. I'm going to try to use a clamp or something to hold it better. Let me tell you: if you let the shroud come back up while the web of meat between your thumb and forefinger is still in there, it will make you want to cry.

[browningautorifle]

A proper bench vise is always welcome for tough jobs like this. I broke my big one pulling off a 1928 Thompson barrel so I went and bought a bigger one. I have protected jaws and this would be easy...

[oldfoneguy]

It could be a burr as Jim said or corrosion or petrified oil is holding it in place. Try a soak in penetrating oil, my go to is Kroil. Give it a day or two then repeat the process with the spring seat part of the firing pin clamped in vice. Look for the opposing V's to use as flats. There is a actual tool for this that's lost to history. I saw a drawing of it once. You can try a locking plier on the flat of the cocking piece for more torque.

Oh yeah those can can bite you in a way that will alter your thought pattern. It happened to me the first time I took one apart. It was on my 1909 Argentine when I was 18. That shied me away from working on firearms for a couple of years but I got over it. Still have the scar btw.

[browningautorifle]

or corrosion or petrified oil is holding it in place.

Very easily, I'll bet it's just something simple.