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GEW 88 to 12 gauge
1022man
Member Posts: 512 ✭✭✭
I have seen some of these older rifles in 12guage that were converted in germany. How hard is this conversion? Has anyone here tried it? I was just thinking of it since there are some many of the commission rifles out there so cheap, and realy not in any collectible condidtion.
Comments
Basically the reciever is widened to accept the shotshells, a new follwer put in place.
The barrel is swapped out for a 12ga barrel threaded for the 98 large ring mauser.
The reciever is also augered out to allow the larger shell to pass intot he chamber. This elimanates the front locking lug recesses and makes the 3rd safety lug the locking lug.
The bolthead is cut off and replaced by a new one that is held on by teh large claw extractor.
The conversion is possible on the gew 88 if you trust the bolt handle to hold the bolt from coming back in your face since thats the only thing holding the bolt from flying back. You might also fidn some trouble finding an extractor to work with it as well as a bolthead and barrel. Since there are not many parts around for the Gew88
This is not a conversion for the inexperienced nor someone without the knowledge and ability to do a lot of critical machine work. I quite frankly don't think that this project should even be considered. I haven't done one but after looking at an 88, I see no reason to think about trying to do one. There were lots of problems with the Gehas in the first place and they were (are) not what can be considered to be reliable. This is a link to a recent discussion:
http://forums.forthehunt.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=137747&SearchTerms=geha,shotgun
If you want a bolt action shotgun, find a used Marlin for not a lot of money. If you want a worthwhile project, find a decent Mauser and restore or refinish it.
Best.
I have fired mine a ton since then with dove and quail, and clay loads. My bolthead has never come off, although I did have to shorten the firing pin some since it pierced the primers of the shells.
But I bought a bolt head just incase.