[ezypikns]

Just bought a Mauser from Empire Arms. I've read several places where people recommend having a gunsmith check out any old milsurp before attempting to fire it. Good idea? Action and bore appear to be ok, but the rifle was made in 1938.

[cracked butt]

If its a russian rearsenalled rifle, I wouldn't worry about it. The Russians apparantly knew what a headspace guage was and how to use them ;) Clean her up, check the metal parts especially the receiver and bolt for cracks, then take it out and shoot it. AI used to sandbag the rifle in place and cover it with several layers of carpet remnants and fire it with a string until I was confident that the rifle wouldn't blow up, but after 20-some mausers I no longer worry very much, especially if its a mauser 98.

[swingset]

I'd still recommend sandbagging the action. Put a sandbag over the action, fire a round or two. If extraction is extremely hard, or the case is bulged or cracked, then it's worth having a smith check it out.

Chances are great it'll be fine now, and in 50 years when your kid digs it out of your closet to shoot.

[pokey074]

Direct from Empire Arms' website:

We do NOT deal in gun-parts or junk firearms. We buy only complete, non-sporterized shootable military firearms with excellent or better bores (and usually with all-matching serial numbers if possible) in the finest obtainable condition. Most of our firearms are cleaned (but not refinished), inspected in detail (including checking for correct headspace), a few are also test-fired and sighted-in at the range, and cleaned yet again before they are offered for sale. No one else in the business offers this service (or anything close), and our customer satisfaction rate is always very close to 100% (unfortunately, there are a few people in this world that are not happy no matter what).

[Sleeping Dog]

I'll vote with Swingset. Sandbag the thing, or wrap in towels to contain the explosion. pull the trigger with a string or a gloved hand.

The result will be a bang, hole in target, rifle intact. Those 98 mausers are rugged guns, with all kinds of safety features built in. Even more so if it's from 1938. I'd worry more about a 1944, bad steel and manufacturing shortcuts.

Oh, yeah, before you take it to the range, clean the thing completely to remove all cosmoline, then lube. Dismantle completely, even taking the spring off the firing pin. Hot water and Simple Green will get most of the cosmoline, spray brake cleaner will get the rest.

Regards.