azwizard
Member
Is there any way to replace the Mauser Firing pin with a 1903 type firing pin rod? I love the ability to cock/decock the 1903. I think it is an important feature in a hunting rifle. Could it be done without reinventing the wheel?
1903 type Firing pin Rod in K98 Mauser
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Jim Watson
Member
No.
And bear in mind that when you "decock" a 1903 you are letting the striker ALL THE WAY DOWN with firing pin protrusion into the fired position. If there is a round in the chamber, the firing pin will be leaning on it with that 20 lb spring and exposed to any knock that would drive it the rest of the way in.
And if the chamber is not loaded, what is the point of easing the striker down? Or pulling it back without running the bolt to get the chamber loaded?
And bear in mind that when you "decock" a 1903 you are letting the striker ALL THE WAY DOWN with firing pin protrusion into the fired position. If there is a round in the chamber, the firing pin will be leaning on it with that 20 lb spring and exposed to any knock that would drive it the rest of the way in.
And if the chamber is not loaded, what is the point of easing the striker down? Or pulling it back without running the bolt to get the chamber loaded?
tahunua001
Member
I haven't checked with my springfields but I know enfields(I know different beast altogether) has a half cock position which functions much like the half cock on a hammer fired rifle.
BBBBill
Member
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Edited because the other posters make much more sense with their suggestions.
Edited because the other posters make much more sense with their suggestions.
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dirtyjim
Member
You do know by doing this on a live round the firing pin will be resting on the primer. I've actually witnessed a rifle go off from doing this on.
If you want to add the knob to a mauser find a Mexican 1936 cocking piece or add one to a very early long cocking piece
If you want to add the knob to a mauser find a Mexican 1936 cocking piece or add one to a very early long cocking piece
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
What he said.
There is no good reason to de-cock a loaded Springfield or Mauser.
And a VERY good reason not too.
Namely, the firing pin is resting on a live primer, just like dirtyjim pointed out.
DON'T DO IT!!
If you want to lower or uncock the striker on an unloaded rifle?
Just open the bolt, hold the trigger back, and lower the bolt handle.
If you want to carry loaded with the safety off while hunting?
Just open the bolt.
You can quickly close it again with your thumb if you need to take a shot.
And that is way faster then pulling a knob on the striker to re-cock it.
rc
There is no good reason to de-cock a loaded Springfield or Mauser.
And a VERY good reason not too.
Namely, the firing pin is resting on a live primer, just like dirtyjim pointed out.
DON'T DO IT!!
If you want to lower or uncock the striker on an unloaded rifle?
Just open the bolt, hold the trigger back, and lower the bolt handle.
If you want to carry loaded with the safety off while hunting?
Just open the bolt.
You can quickly close it again with your thumb if you need to take a shot.
And that is way faster then pulling a knob on the striker to re-cock it.
rc
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1KPerDay
Member
Why?
azwizard
Member
For me I guess it's a carry over from hammered guns. I've never really trusted a safety once the round is chambered I've seen too many fail. Both ways, not firing the gun or accidental discharges. Yes I know they always went out and got the guns fixed but thats not the point.
I didn't know the firing pin protruded if let down, Since they cock on opening you can't see that. So why was that feature designed into the Springfield if it's not safe to use? Also isn't that the same situation as a Early ruger revolver hence only loading 5 for safety...
This is why I asked the question. Also I'm not talking about walking around like that, that would be for when I'm on stand. My safety makes a really loud click when going back on. If I've decieded not to take the shot for what ever reason I thought that might be quieter if I could let down the Firing pin rod sort of like easing down the hammer thereby not spooking the game. Could also Recock if necessary.
I didn't know the firing pin protruded if let down, Since they cock on opening you can't see that. So why was that feature designed into the Springfield if it's not safe to use? Also isn't that the same situation as a Early ruger revolver hence only loading 5 for safety...
This is why I asked the question. Also I'm not talking about walking around like that, that would be for when I'm on stand. My safety makes a really loud click when going back on. If I've decieded not to take the shot for what ever reason I thought that might be quieter if I could let down the Firing pin rod sort of like easing down the hammer thereby not spooking the game. Could also Recock if necessary.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The cocking knob was added to allow recocking in the event of a misfire or dud round.
Why a solder wouldn't just eject a dud round and reload a fresh one is beyond me??
Or just open and close the bolt handle to recock it like a 98 Mauser.
However, those old boys that designed the Springfield were a pretty frugal bunch.
I have also heard the secondary reason for the flanged cocking knob was to deflect powder gases away from the shooters eye in the event of a ruptured case.
But it was never intended to be used to lower the firing pin down on a live round!!
As I said earlier, if you want to very safely render the rifle inert while hunting, just open the bolt.
You can close it silently with your thumb, and with less movement then recocking the striker, which takes two hands.
And there is no chance of the rifle killing you if you drop it out of your tree stand and the striker resting on a live round gets bumped on the way down.
rc
Why a solder wouldn't just eject a dud round and reload a fresh one is beyond me??
Or just open and close the bolt handle to recock it like a 98 Mauser.
However, those old boys that designed the Springfield were a pretty frugal bunch.
I have also heard the secondary reason for the flanged cocking knob was to deflect powder gases away from the shooters eye in the event of a ruptured case.
But it was never intended to be used to lower the firing pin down on a live round!!
As I said earlier, if you want to very safely render the rifle inert while hunting, just open the bolt.
You can close it silently with your thumb, and with less movement then recocking the striker, which takes two hands.
And there is no chance of the rifle killing you if you drop it out of your tree stand and the striker resting on a live round gets bumped on the way down.
rc
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dirtyjim
Member
The reason it wss added to springfields was incase you had a ftf you simply pulled the cp back to recock the rifle without opening the bolt. Mausers have a groove cut into the side of the cp for recocking it with a cartridge rim
Taking a step back, the concern was with a hangfire, more common in the old days than today. If the cartridge does not go off, and the bolt is opened, a hangfire will blow the cartridge to pieces, wreck the rifle, and drive the bolt back into the shooter's hand or face. By providing a means by which a "dud" cartridge can be retried without opening the bolt, the danger of a hangfire can be minimized.
It is not commonly known, but the M1 and M14 rifles have the same capability. By unlatching the rear of the trigger guard and using it like the lever of a lever-action rifle, the hammer can be re-cocked and a dud primer re-tried without opening the bolt.
Even the M16/M4 can be re-cocked without opening the bolt by dropping the lower and cocking the hammer by hand, then closing up and trying the round again.
Before anyone asks, it is unlikely that the capabililty was or would be used in combat, but it was a serious concern in the early days.
Jim
It is not commonly known, but the M1 and M14 rifles have the same capability. By unlatching the rear of the trigger guard and using it like the lever of a lever-action rifle, the hammer can be re-cocked and a dud primer re-tried without opening the bolt.
Even the M16/M4 can be re-cocked without opening the bolt by dropping the lower and cocking the hammer by hand, then closing up and trying the round again.
Before anyone asks, it is unlikely that the capabililty was or would be used in combat, but it was a serious concern in the early days.
Jim
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