Question for the gunsmiths/welders

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JTR357

JTR357

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Sep 10, 2007
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Hi everyone,I have a 1895 Chilean Mauser Long Rifle that I want to customize.I really enjoy shooting it with the iron sights,but I'd like to add a scope to it & make it my primary deer rifle.I know a lot of collectors are dead set against this,but I checked the resale value & it's only worth about $175 in it's current condition(not really a hot collectable).The stock is cracked & the flip up rear sight spring is broken.Everything else is in 90-95% condition.
I want to replace the stock & convert the strait bolt to a bent bolt.I've seen kits for converting the strait bolt by cutting it,but was advised by a gunsmith in my area,that doing that makes it weak & it'll eventually break.I want to make the new stock myself,cause IMHO I'm pretty good with woodwork:)
My question is...Is there any way I can heat up the bolt & slowly/carefully bend it to the angle I want to allow for a scope?If so would a propane torch be hot enough?I have access to a vise,drill press & threading tools....etc.Dad's got a whole workshop in his basement;)I'd like to keep this as a home project if possible,but I'm not very experienced in metalwork.Gunsmith's price for conversion is more than the cost of the rifle.
I just love shooting this rifle & it's chambered in my favorite deer cartrige 7X57 Mauser aka 7mm Mauser.Plus,for a 100+yr old rifle,it's dead on accurate.Also have about 600+ rnds of mil-surplus ammo I got a great deal on(yea I know it's corrosive)
Any tips you can provide me with are greatly appreciated:thumbup:
Thanks,
John:)

P.S. I don't have the money to purchase a new rifle(the one I want anyway, Remington 700),so that's not an option.
P.S.S.I'm not crazy about scout scopes either.
 
i have done this in the past for a few friends and the bolt needs to be taken apart before ANY heat is applied. a friend didnt listen to me and ruined the spring in his mauser.
some bolts are left hand thread so some research might need to be done to find out about your gun. also you might need to make a jig to bend the bolt at the right angle. i would make the stock first before bending your bolt.
 
You have two choices - weld a new handle on [or cut and weld the original] or heat and bend the handle .I prefer the bending method as the welding has to be a very good one otherwise the handle may break off. For bending or welding , strip the bolt and wrap with a wet rag.Use an oxy/acetylene torch [propane is not enough heat].Get some drawings or photos so you know exactly how to do this so you can get the proper dimensions.
 
you can order a set of bolt bending blocks from brownells and these will be very helpful. probably the easiest most cost effective option is to bite the bullet and take it to a gunsmith.
 
Thanks for the info guys:thumbup:
I think I'll just take it to the gunsmith.I'm not skilled enough in metalwork to do this confidently & I don't want to ruin it.
 
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richard j said:
i have done this in the past for a few friends and the bolt needs to be taken apart before ANY heat is applied. a friend didnt listen to me and ruined the spring in his mauser.
some bolts are left hand thread so some research might need to be done to find out about your gun. also you might need to make a jig to bend the bolt at the right angle. i would make the stock first before bending your bolt.
Click to expand...

Hey richard j,
Would you consider doing this for me?Bend it at I'm guessing a 45 degree angle?If I mailed you the bolt?I wouldn't expect you to do it for free of course.I can always notch out the stock to fit the bolt.PM me if you're interested.

!!NOTE!!Moderators,If I'm breaking the rules with this post,I'm sorry.Please go easy on me:o
 
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