I have a Turk Mauser (1891-style Mauser). I've had it for years and never shot it. It's a typical Turk, rechambered at Ankara in 1930 for 8x57.

I took it to a gunsmith a few years ago and he said there was excessive headspace according to his gauge. He has a good reputation but his main business is hunting rifles and modern gunsmithing. He advised me to grind down the firing pin and hang it on the wall.

I read that most gunsmiths safety check with NOGO, not FIELD gauges. After reading up, I decided to try a FIELD gauge. I bought a Forster 8x57 and the bolt does not close with this gauge loaded. The bolt won't go past about 60% or 70% closed...no amount of (reasonable) force will close it - I didn't jump up and down on it or anything.

So I'm wondering what conclusion I should draw is. Is this safe to fire? Should I take my FIELD gauge and go have a talk with the gunsmith (or a different one)?

I'd rather not catch an 8mm bolt in my eye due to some horrible explosion, but this is the only rifle I've ever owned and not fired :-)
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