GEW 88 Safety Issue

[bob q]

When I saw the thread title I was curious as to which safety issue you were referring to (as the Gew 88 has so many to choose from). Sounds like worn parts in this particular case though.

Please explain the many safety issues .

[Eaglelord17]

Please explain the many safety issues .

Here is a basic list which I am sure doesn't even cover all the potential issues to deal with shooting one of these:

1- Poor gas venting necessitating a re-design in the cocking piece to try and re-direct the gasses away from the shooters eyes in the event of a case failure, some but not all Gew 88s will have this cocking piece (I have had examples of both styles in my collection). This is a similar modification as to what was done to the 1886 Lebel rifle. Still doesn't 100% resolve the issue, but it can help. Always wear shooting/safety glasses when shooting one of these.

2- Weak chamber designs which were strengthened early on, still doesn't mean the original barrels aren't kicking around on some considering how many were made. Even with the stronger chambers it still isn't a rifle you want to testing the pressure on, the receiver design (like many early smokeless designs such as the Swiss 1889 rifles and Krag rifles) is marginal in it's overall strength.

3- Varying bore diameters on the barrels which can range from .318" (Czech made barrels) to .323" (Turkish 88/05/35 barrels) with the majority being around .321". Using .32 Special bullets (.321") has worked quite well for me, however it is important to slug your bore yourself to know.

4- Issues with people double feeding the rifle causing out of battery detonations (more a user error, but is still a issue for a shooter to be aware of).

5- Extremely pitted external barrels due to condensation in the barrel jacket. Most won't be this way, but it is important to check it before you shoot a unfamiliar rifle to make sure it is fine.

So in conclusion it isn't nearly as safe or easy to shoot as most other modern firearms. If you aren't careful you could easily have a very bad day with one of these. Still fun little rifles to shoot, my 88/05 is one of my favourite rifles to actually fire.

[Low & Slow]

Usual suspects include lack of controlled feed allowing out of battery detonation when second round (spitzer) hits primer of chambered round, over pressure due to change in bullet diameter, and barrel jacket obscuring bad pitting of barrel.

[bob q]

Explain over pressure do to bullet dia change . When the Gew-88 was in German service it used two different bullet diameters , the .3188 P-88 and the .3208 S round in its .3208 groove barrel [ .323 post 1896 1/2 ] . I have over 100 Gew-88's and none have any pitting on the barrel .

[Low & Slow]

I've got no dog in the fight. Just relaying the standard stuff. Would be curious to know for sure why the throats were opened up in some cases though.

[Bob Womack]

Please continue this discussion with a more civil tone. Thanks.

Bob

[bob q]

What part of any of the posts are not civil ? The throats on the rifles were not changed as the throat for the original P-88 ammo was 3x longer than needed for the shorter S ammo that had a bullet with a lot more taper . The chamber neck dia was checked to make sure a dirty S round would chamber easily as the S round cartridge neck was .002 larger in dia than the old P-88 . If there was already enough clearance the rifle was given the S stamp . Since most rifles as made already had .005+ clearance [ just measure a case fired in a non S marked rifle ] , they were just making sure ALL the rifles would chamber the S round . IF a tight chambered rifle was found they did ream the neck dia . BUT all of my non S and S rifles have the same size chamber necks , within specs . So that had nothing to do with pressure , just making sure the ammo would chamber in all rifles . If the bolt will close on a round in a tight neck chamber it will fire without a pressure problem . Many benchrest shooters [ including me ] shoot tight neck rifles with no problems . You have to use a little force to close the bolt , but with the tight fit you can reload the case without sizing it . Most benchrest shooters have a batch of about 25 cases that they keep reloading through out the match for each target round .

[Bob Womack]

What part of any of the posts are not civil ?

Well, frankly, your posting style was perceived as a little challenging and abrasive. It is okay to ask for clarification, but serves better to do so more gently. I asked for civility and your answer was in the same tone. Please ease up a little, my man. This can be no big deal.

Bob

[Low & Slow]

the S round cartridge neck was .002 larger in dia than the old P-88

Thanks for the rational behind it there.

[bob q]

I do not understand how asking a question with a question mark is not civil ? Just like this . Statements were made and I asked that they be explained . I even said please . This is a real question , what was not civil ?