96 Mauser 6.5 Swede Fail to Feed?? Help.

Hi all,

I just found your site today while surfing for answers to a problem that has come up. Among my milsurps I also have one of the 96 Mausers that Kimber sporterized years ago (6.5X55). It has always functioned flawlessly... until recently. Now with rounds in the magazine, after the first or second shot, the rounds in the mag seem to creep forward and contact the front of the magazine jamming it up. It doesn't matter it the bullets are seated long or short. I have to insert my finger and push the round back toward the back of the box to feed the round. Is this a weak follower spring?

I took the spring out of my as issued 96 Mauser and put it in to see if it fixes the problem, but have not gotten to shoot it. Any thoughts.

Thanks, BFA

If you have one to try then you can work by process of elimination.

You have changed anything to do with the ammo? New projectiles if you reload, new OAL trying for more accuracy or a new brand of factory ammo?

You are on the right track. The magazine follower spring has weakened, allowing the nose of the rounds to dip.
You can try stretching the spring, ensuring that the feed plate sits up at the front, but once weakened the problem just re-occurs.
Replace the spring.

Not changed a thing. I found a good load several years ago and stuck with it down to trying to stay with the same overall length. When i shoot it, the rounds just slide forward and contact the front of the box. Then with the spring pushing up, the back end raises and the bolt jams the round against the mag. I am hoping it is the follower spring. After a bit of shooting, I had to replace a weak firing pin spring. Apparently Kimber of America just grabbed as many 96s as they could and did the external sporterization (bolt turn, barrel cut, plastic stock...) but did not put in new springs in those that had shot a bunch. Thanks for the input. Any other ideas other than the mag follower spring sure would be welcome.
bfa

If you haven't changed a thing with the loads then I am not sure what it could be other than the spring.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xa-coupe

If you haven't changed a thing with the loads then I am not sure what it could be other than the spring.

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It's ok XA, I'm used to being ignored, I'm a married man.

Just a thought though, is it the correct follower? If it's too short, it would do that.

did you say something?? :)
I was agreeing with you but quite willing to take the glory instead :)

You're right XA, it could be the spring.

Geez muffet, why didn't you think of that ?

Sorry XA, what would I know? I'm only an Armourer.

Browningautorifle said: "Just a thought though, is it the correct follower? If it's too short, it would do that."


I don't know if it is the correct follower or not. How long should it be? Looking down into the Kimber of America sporter and the supposedly original (all visible numbers match) 96 Swede I have, both followers look the same... but do look short. There is a quarter inch or more open space at the front of the box that the follower does not fill. Is that normal. What overall length should the follower be. And thanks for the replys.
BFA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baby Fat Arky

Hi all,

It has always functioned flawlessly... until recently.

Thanks, BFA

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Prior to this problem's first occurrence had you removed the stock?
Try removing the guard screws, then reseat the action in the stock; replace the guard and tighten both screws slowly and evenly. Don't reinstall barrel band(s) (if any) until last.

The issue here MAY be the magazine box not fitting squarely on the bottom of the receiver.

Regards,
Jim

I am not sure. The more I think about it, I recall having the problem one other time years ago. Jammed up while i was shooting at a deer. Seems like it would happen from time to time but it is not repeatable. Regarding the box and barrel band... no band. It is the Kimber of America sporterized swede. 96 swede where KoA shortened the barrel, turned the bolt, tapped it, crowned it and put it in a black plastic stock. I hate that I have this problem with it because it is a tack driver. Last week I loaded some dummy rounds exactly like my shooting/hunting loads minus the powder and primer. I used those to cycle through the gun many, many times. No hangups no jams. I thought it might be from haveing he box mag loaded for several hours as the last time it jammed it had been loaded for four or five hours on a deer hunt. So, i loaded with the dummys and left it for the day. Unloaded without incident. I just can't understand it. It will hang on some of the rounds coming up from the mag on the right side. It is as if the side of the follower close to the front end hangs on something in the box and stops. The rear of the round comes up, bolt pushes the round into the front of the magazine. I took the gun apart and checked the inside of the box, no burrs or hanging points. Bout ready to sell it and put the money toward a CZ Full Stock 550 American in 6.5.