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Mauser 48a

grizzclawgrizzclaw Member Posts: 1,159 ✭✭
edited January 2006 in Ask the Experts
Is it easy to bend the bolt on a Mauser 48a? Any tricks? What to watch for?

Comments

  • spec.4spec.4 Member Posts: 897 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The bolt should have an arce to it. should be done by an smith, because of the heat treatment.

    spec.4
  • roysclockgunroysclockgun Member Posts: 310 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Do not attempt to heat a holt handle and bend it yourself, unless you know what you are doing. Better to pay and expert gunsmith to do the job. Century Arms offers kits, where the bolt handle can be cut and a new one installed. Check out their webpage, as they have many upgrades for military Mausers.
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Grizzclaw,

    It isn't hard to bend the bolt if you have the right tooling. You will need a heat sink and heat paste. Followed by lapping compound. You will need to strip the bolt bare. Install the sink primed with heat paste then take a torch with a no. 2 tip. and heat the handle exactly where you want to bend it. Use a slight feather on the flame(soft). The work must be secure and you must have a steady hand. It is wise to get some practice and develop a good technique before attempting to do this on your bolt. If you don't this will come out wrong and those that mentioned getting a gunsmith to do it will be right. If you have a torch already it will cost about the same to get all the tools as to hire a gunsmith. Usually a gunsmith can put a handle on that you will like as opposed to what you already have for a few dollars more.

    What I prefer to do is to cut the handle about 1/4" out at a slight angle. Then flip the handle around and weld it back on using TIG. Less heat, less mess than using gas. Anyhow that is what it takes.

    Then you need to check for hardness of the bolt still. If you did it quickly and correctly, you won't have to re-harden. It is usually the case that you have to re-harden the third lug it is virtually impossible to heat the handle fast enough to not let the heat up to that point. The cut and re-weld method usually gets you by with not having to reharden.

    So, if you still want to do this that is what you are up against. It's a very do-able job you just need tools and practice. -good luck
  • grizzclawgrizzclaw Member Posts: 1,159 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the info guys!
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