.455_Hunter
Member
How many rounds should you be able to load in a K98K, slightly depress the top round, over-ride the bolt and close on an empty chamber?
4 or 5?
Thanks!
4 or 5?
Thanks!
K98K Closed Bolt Mag Capacity?
- Thread starter .455_Hunter
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highlander 5
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5.
Mn Fats
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Stripper clip held 5. Maybe you could do 5+1 but that would depend on your Mauser as not all Mauser extractors could clip over the rim of a 6th/singular round.
(Edit: I see your specifically talking about with an empty chamber.)
Closing on an empty chamber was common practice. And that would mean the answer is 5 rounds. Previously noted above me.
(Edit: I see your specifically talking about with an empty chamber.)
Closing on an empty chamber was common practice. And that would mean the answer is 5 rounds. Previously noted above me.
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5
wiscoaster
Member
Sorry, deleted a long answer to the wrong question. 
(or maybe it was a wrong anwer to a short question)
dunno ... it's bedtime.
(or maybe it was a wrong anwer to a short question)
dunno ... it's bedtime.
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Dave DeLaurant
Member
Assuming it hasn't been rechambered from 7.92x57, five was indeed the factory norm. The same will be true of the typical postwar K98k rechamberings to 30-06 and 7.62 NATO, since those cartridges share the same case diameter.
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For the sake of competelness, there was/is also a single-stack aftermarket magazine that can slip into the triggerguard in place of the floorplate and run without altering the rifle -- that one only holds 3 rounds. Brownells still has it listed in their catalog:
https://www.brownells.com/magazines/rifle-magazines/magazines/mauser-98-magazine-3rd-prod84915.aspx
Then there's the sublimely ridiculous WWI Gewehr 98 'trench magazine' and its modern reproductions that brings capacity 25 rounds total -- I haven't tried it (and won't) but I expect it will also fit K98k triggerguards with removable floorplates:
===
For the sake of competelness, there was/is also a single-stack aftermarket magazine that can slip into the triggerguard in place of the floorplate and run without altering the rifle -- that one only holds 3 rounds. Brownells still has it listed in their catalog:
https://www.brownells.com/magazines/rifle-magazines/magazines/mauser-98-magazine-3rd-prod84915.aspx
Then there's the sublimely ridiculous WWI Gewehr 98 'trench magazine' and its modern reproductions that brings capacity 25 rounds total -- I haven't tried it (and won't) but I expect it will also fit K98k triggerguards with removable floorplates:
OP
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.455_Hunter
Member
Thanks guys!
Mine won't close on 5, so maybe there is some tolerance stack-up on my K98K Russian Capture parts mixmaster.
Mine won't close on 5, so maybe there is some tolerance stack-up on my K98K Russian Capture parts mixmaster.
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troy fairweather
Member
Make sure the mag spring is in the right way,
wiscoaster
Member
I agree. Sounds like a spring issue. The traveler isn't pushing the rounds up properly. Spring either is weak or was last installed backwards (or maybe the right term is upside down ... I don't offhand remember which leg of the "W" spring the flange or tab or whatever you call it that slides into a slot and secures it is located) but whichever would be a suspect for producing the symptom described.
(sorry...I can picture it in my mind better than I can describe it in words - especially when the proper names for the parts involved have gone missing)
(sorry...I can picture it in my mind better than I can describe it in words - especially when the proper names for the parts involved have gone missing)
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.455_Hunter
Member
The challenge is that I can load 5 into the mag, but can not push the stack down enough to close the bolt.
wiscoaster
Member
You don't need to push down on the stack to close the bolt. You just close the bolt, chambering the first round. Sorry, but maybe I didn't understand what you were trying to do. What you're trying to do isn't what should be done with that action. Now that I think I understand what you want to do, I don't think there's anything wrong with your rifle.
Carl N. Brown
Member
The classic Mauser action is what is called controlled feed,
The rim of the round fed from the magazine slips up between the boltface and extractor.
People modified the extractor by beveling the leading edge so the extractor could snap over the rim on a round dropt in the chamber, but that defeats the purpose of controlled feed.
The rim of the round fed from the magazine slips up between the boltface and extractor.
People modified the extractor by beveling the leading edge so the extractor could snap over the rim on a round dropt in the chamber, but that defeats the purpose of controlled feed.
wiscoaster
Member
If closing the bolt on an empty chamber with a full magazine is a functionality you need or want, then I'd suggest getting a rifle designed to function that way: the MAS-36 springs to mind. Also one of the early Schmidt-Rubins that had a magazine cutoff feature. Memory is a little hazy on this, but there's a couple more: the Kropatschek (sp?), the Lebel? We're going pretty far back when you get into magazine cutoffs. Not a feature you really want, anyway, IMO.
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.455_Hunter
Member
Sorry- I guess I am not communicating this very well.
The end state I am try to achieve is my K98K with 5 rounds in magazine and a bolt closed on an empty chamber- "Condition 3" or "Cruiser Ready" to bring in terms from other shooting platforms.
Is this normally possible?
Right now, I can only achieve the above with 4 rounds, as 5 doesn't leave enough travel in the stack to clear a closing bolt.
The mag spring is facing the correct direct direction. Any other thoughts on what might limit the mag stack movement that last 1/8" or so?
I am NOT trying to load a round in the chamber while keeping 5 in the mag, and yes, I am familiar with mag cutoffs.
I will breakout the Yugo M48 and FR-8 and if they can do the load 5 with closed bolt/empty chamber.
Thanks!
The end state I am try to achieve is my K98K with 5 rounds in magazine and a bolt closed on an empty chamber- "Condition 3" or "Cruiser Ready" to bring in terms from other shooting platforms.
Is this normally possible?
Right now, I can only achieve the above with 4 rounds, as 5 doesn't leave enough travel in the stack to clear a closing bolt.
The mag spring is facing the correct direct direction. Any other thoughts on what might limit the mag stack movement that last 1/8" or so?
I am NOT trying to load a round in the chamber while keeping 5 in the mag, and yes, I am familiar with mag cutoffs.
I will breakout the Yugo M48 and FR-8 and if they can do the load 5 with closed bolt/empty chamber.
Thanks!
troy fairweather
Member
Some will some won't, depending on how the follower is cut and how the floor plate is cut.
wiscoaster
Member
Not possible with my Mausers - I have two Swedes (M96 & M38) and two Germans (K98 & G98) - and that's the limit of my experience. Can't say as to the others. Let us know if you find some others that will do what you want. I don't think there's anything wrong with your K98 and I'm pretty sure it's just not possible with that make and model. Good luck!!
Mn Fats
Member
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This is the correct answer. Along with Troy's mag spring advice.
troy fairweather
Member
Another thing to check, some how the mag well under the floor plate can get bent inwards. It can prevent the follower from going all the way down, it's also one of the biggest causes of poor feeding. So if the follower is hitting or very close spread out the bottom of the mag well some.
Dave DeLaurant
Member
A few photos of the inside of the magwell and underside of the floorplate might (or might not) help the diagnosis.
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