Thoughts

[jdogonroad]

Hello,
New guy here. Have a deep interest in milsurps and their history. Have some toys to show eventually as I get time to play with them.

Right now though, I have a question on a K98K non-import. The barrel is shot and needs replacing. Need thoughts about what to do to make it an accurate shooter again, with out destroying it's historic value. Code 27 1936.

Information

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[Anzac15]

Welcome aboard! With regards to a non import pre war 98k, my opinion ( and Lord knows I've been wrong before ) I'd leave it the way it is and find, say, an RC 98k to shoot. Once a piece like that has been altered, it's value is gone. I just cant bring myself to mess with firearms that have managed to survive for so long...guess it's just the purist in me! FWIW, I have a non import bcd 43 that has a bore that looks a smoothbore musket, yet somehow, it still shoots somewhat straight. I'll tell ya this, if I saw your 98, I'd have bought it myself..shot bore and all. Have a thing for pre war 98ks. Anyway, welcome again, and would like to see more pics of the rifle!

---------- Post added at 02:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------

Oh, also, glad to see another member living in the great state of Georgia!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Anzac15 is correct. Only replace a barrel on a rifle that has no collector value and is only worthwhile for competition.

The barrel is shot and needs replacing.

Quite seriously: How do you know that? Long throat? K98ks have that from new. Low rifling? Even a couple of thousandths will still grab a properly fitting bullet. Rounded edges? Call it a polygonal profile. Pitting? Depends on how large and where.

So you think you have a problem barrel? Permit me to present my latest "hopeless case" on the Restoration forum.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....632#post302632

Watch this space!

[kar98k]

"non-import"

so it's a vet bring back? leave it alone.

[jdogonroad]

Actually, I cannot say the barrel is shot, just by the way I looked at it. The bore is pitted and dark all the way down. Don't have a scope or a range within an hour (nor 8mm shells) to check accuracy. Had thought I may want to rechamber to .308 as there several russian, spanish and finns I have that were converted to that caliber.

I'm a purists to the point I can't shoot it. If it don't work, trash.

Here's a little more eye candy of the 98 and a few other rifles on the roll.

[kar98k]

Had thought I may want to rechamber to .308 as there several russian, spanish and finns I have that were converted to that caliber.

I'm a purists to the point I can't shoot it. If it don't work, trash

is it all matching? if so, it's worth a lot more than your average russian capture (over $1000). if you want to re-barrel or re-chamber anything, don't do it with an all matching 98k. SERIOUSLY.

[jdogonroad]

No, no, no, it's not all matching! The end cap and the mag well don't match, from all that I can determine from my field strip exam. The spring needs replacing in the well, and the barrel just don't have that lovin' feeling. But there are stamps galore. Which makes me think before deciding to do anything. Stock has same number.

[kar98k]

ahhh, ok. clarification helps here.

that stock is a Russian capture stock. the serial number stamped horizontally on the left side of the stock was only done by the Russians after the rifle was captured. the Germans never put the number there. so at some point, the original stock was replaced on your rifle with that one.

since it's already a mix master, it's not so much a militaria sin to alter this rifle.

[Calif-Steve]

You realize a new 8mm barrel will run you $150.00 and the 'smith will cost $125.00. When done you will have a gun worth around $400.00. Doesn't make sense. It is a pre-war keeper, sell it to a collector and find a nice shooter. Good luck.

[tahoe2]

I have a duv-41 , 1941 Germa 98k that has a dark dirty bore with pitting all the way down the bore. I've cleaned it and cleaned it and...
(you get the picture) and still it's a dark, dirty, pitted bore; but it still prints 3"-4" @ 100 yds with iron military sights and my 50+ year old eyes.
I am amazed how well it shoots considering the condition of the bore, so I just keep shooting it and cleaning it, and I don't worry about it any more.