Advice regarding a M98 conversion.

[rolf]

I`m about to make some changes on a Husqvarna in 8x57 Mauser and would like your opinion.
And please don`t tell me to save the gun in original condition. They are like flies overhere and aren`t neither rare nor valueble. Even though it`s one helluva gun.

I want to replace the safety, trigger and if possible, new bottom metal. The original one is a pain in the a.. to open.
Please take in consideration that I`m a poor man and can`t afford the biggest names in the business.
What`s your opinion about the Buehler safety?

Finally, if anyone has a set of reloading dies for this caliber and would consider selling I`m very interrested.

Regards//Rolf

 

[Greg110]

Rolf,

I did the Buehler safety conversion to a 98 sporter I have and I really like it. You may want to save the original parts "because you never know".

 

[butchlambert]

I use Ed Lapour safeties, Duane Wiebe bottom metal, and Blackburn triggers on my mausers.
Butch

 

[rolf]

Butch
Before I start to Google around after these manufacturers, are they "pricy"?
Don`t get me wrong, I know that quality doesn`t come cheap, on the other hand, it usually pays of in the end.
But for the moment I`m on what you can call a TIGHT budget.

//Rolf

 

[butchlambert]

Those 3 parts would run you $800 or so total.

 

[TRECustom]

Rolf, I did a couple of the Buehler low scope safety conversions years ago. They required a little fitting to make them work, and they are only one position. I can't remember for sure, but I think they lock both the firing pin and bolt when engaged. The original military type safety locked the firing pin in the first position, and then also locked the bolt in the second position. With careful fitting, the Buehler will work fine.

Brownell's sells Timney triggers for about $100 and standard length aluminum bottom metal with hinged floor plate for less than $100. If your rifle doesn't have lock screws on the action screws, this bottom metal will fit fine. If it has lock screws, the stock inletting will be a little long, and have a gap in the front.

I've used the triggers and floormetal, and was satisfied with them.

There shouldn't be any problem finding 8 x 57 (or 7.92 x 57) loading dies.

Good luck, Tom

 

[butchlambert]

I just received an email from Blackburn. $90 shipped. CNC Specialties is the company name. This was a special.
Butch

 

[rolf]

When I wrote overhere in the beginning of the thread I meant Sweden and customs office wouldn`t be happy if one would try to bring for example bottom metal or a trigger through the gates.
So Brownells or all the other great American manufacturers are out of the question.
The only thing that would work would be if one could find a firm that has license to export these items.
Anyone who knows of one?
I could find these items here in Sweden but you wouldn`t believe the prices.

//Rolf

 

[TRECustom]

I don't know if the same import restrictions would apply to parts from Yugoslavia or Austria, but Zastava in Yugoslavia makes some nice bottom metal and triggers (with safeties) for large ring Mausers. A company in Austria (Kepplinger), makes a very nice set trigger for Mausers. One version has a trigger safety built in.

As a another alternative, the Mauser trigger itself can be modified to an adjustable single stage trigger that can be set for a very clean 3 lb. letoff. I've done a couple of them on my rifles, and I like them.

I haven't done a safety modification on the original military type safeties, but I don't see why they couldn't be converted to a low profile single stage (firing pin lock only) safety.

Both these modifications would require a fairly skilled weldor and gunsmith to complete, but I know the trigger can be done, and I believe the safety could also.

I hope you can do what you're trying to get done. Let us know how it turns out.

Good luck, Tom

 

[shortgrass]

When I wrote overhere in the beginning of the thread I meant Sweden and customs office wouldn`t be happy if one would try to bring for example bottom metal or a trigger through the gates.
So Brownells or all the other great American manufacturers are out of the question.
The only thing that would work would be if one could find a firm that has license to export these items.
Anyone who knows of one?
I could find these items here in Sweden but you wouldn`t believe the prices.

//Rolf

Sounds like you'd need an export license (in the U.S.) and an import license there (Sweden). I'd imagine tariffs are making prices so high. So much for "free trade". Seems it only hurts the people it was ment to help.

 

[JohnO]

Rolf, my best advise, however impossible, would be for you to move to Oregon as we need a few more Swedes like me.

 

[rolf]

Would you believe it but I`ve found this old geezer just around the corner. A gunsmith in my neighbourhood that I didn`t know of, didn`t thought that was possible.

I visited him yesterday and he suggested exactly what you wrote Tom, to rework the existing trigger. He had Timney made Buehler safeties laying in his workshop so that has been solved.
The only thing remaining is the bottom metal. I`ve wrote to Zastava and I`ll let you guys know how this turns out.
If it doesn`t work out the smith said he could rebuild the existing one.
I`ll try to keep you updated.
//Rolf