Krag Jorgensen at my local gun shop
- Thread starter Suntiger
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Jackal
Member
While I'm not saying that Krags are bad, one single locking lug does not personally inspire confidence in me, with a 80 year old rifle of unknown provenance.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Sometimes Krags have hidden cracks around the bolt lug. I recommend soaking the bolt in penetrating oil, then putting it in the oven at around 250 degrees until the oil on the surface has evaporated. If there are cracks, you should see oil oozing out of the crack.
Another problem is sometimes people lapped the locking lug until the safety lug would bear. What that does is increase headspace, so if your rifle has a bearing safety lug, check the headspace.
Another problem is sometimes people lapped the locking lug until the safety lug would bear. What that does is increase headspace, so if your rifle has a bearing safety lug, check the headspace.
Deaf Smith
Member
Just get a gunsmith to do a go-nogo headspace check. Then yea, check that one locking lug.
And use sedate loads once it is oked.
Deaf
And use sedate loads once it is oked.
Deaf
Jim Watson
Member
There are several types of Krag, even assuming you are looking at a US Krag.
There are rifles of several vintages, worth more if not upgraded to the last spec.
There are carbines which are highly desirable and NRA carbines which are interesting but less valuable.
There are fine sporters and there are Bubba sporters and there are lightly trimmed down huntin' guns.
Be helpful to know what you are looking at so we could discuss.
There are rifles of several vintages, worth more if not upgraded to the last spec.
There are carbines which are highly desirable and NRA carbines which are interesting but less valuable.
There are fine sporters and there are Bubba sporters and there are lightly trimmed down huntin' guns.
Be helpful to know what you are looking at so we could discuss.
bannockburn
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Suntiger
As Jim Watson posted, we really could use a few more facts (and photos if possible), in oder to give you a somewhat more informed answer. I have a Model 1898 Krag Jorgensen that spent most of it's career as a parade/drill rifle for a local veterans organization. The rifle itself was in fine shape mechanically and checked out okay with a gunsmith for function and headspace.
All the metal parts were bright chrome plated (lots of small automotive shops back then who use to chrome bumpers, grilles, and other car parts), and the wood was heavily varnished. Took me awhile but I managed to get the metal parts deplated and reblued and lightly sanded down the stock so I was able to refinish the wood and seal it with several coats of Tung Oil.
Turned out looking great. I enjoyed working on it and having such a well made rifle in my collection.
As Jim Watson posted, we really could use a few more facts (and photos if possible), in oder to give you a somewhat more informed answer. I have a Model 1898 Krag Jorgensen that spent most of it's career as a parade/drill rifle for a local veterans organization. The rifle itself was in fine shape mechanically and checked out okay with a gunsmith for function and headspace.
All the metal parts were bright chrome plated (lots of small automotive shops back then who use to chrome bumpers, grilles, and other car parts), and the wood was heavily varnished. Took me awhile but I managed to get the metal parts deplated and reblued and lightly sanded down the stock so I was able to refinish the wood and seal it with several coats of Tung Oil.
Turned out looking great. I enjoyed working on it and having such a well made rifle in my collection.
The Krag is a well made rifle capable of hunting anything on this continent with well placed shots. Considering the cartridge is a mild kicker, placing shots properly is no big deal. Yes, some bolt have problems but new bolts have been available for the rifles. Loading cast bullets is fairly easy and give you original ballistics.
Is it as strong as a M98, M70 or similar? No, but it is perfect for the 30-40 cartridge.
Kevin
Is it as strong as a M98, M70 or similar? No, but it is perfect for the 30-40 cartridge.
Kevin
Jim Watson
Member
And it is just neat.
There is more machinery in that side loading magazine that there is in many whole guns.
There is more machinery in that side loading magazine that there is in many whole guns.
AlexanderA
Member
I too would be curious if this was sporterized or in original military configuration.
Original military Krags are becoming increasingly valuable. There are three basic rifle models -- the 1894, 1896, and 1898 -- as well as various carbines and other variants. There are several models of rear sights, any of which can be found with any of the model rifles. (They just screw on, and substitution is easy.)
One of the "holy grails" of U.S.military collecting is an unaltered Model 1894 Krag (with a full-length cleaning rod, straight buttplate, and no butt trap). Almost all of these were arsenal-converted to the 1896 model, by filling the cleaning rod channel and altering the butt. The handful of surviving unmodified originals are worth really big money. If you see a Krag with a full-length cleaning rod under the barrel, buy it!
Original military Krags are becoming increasingly valuable. There are three basic rifle models -- the 1894, 1896, and 1898 -- as well as various carbines and other variants. There are several models of rear sights, any of which can be found with any of the model rifles. (They just screw on, and substitution is easy.)
One of the "holy grails" of U.S.military collecting is an unaltered Model 1894 Krag (with a full-length cleaning rod, straight buttplate, and no butt trap). Almost all of these were arsenal-converted to the 1896 model, by filling the cleaning rod channel and altering the butt. The handful of surviving unmodified originals are worth really big money. If you see a Krag with a full-length cleaning rod under the barrel, buy it!
One thing to know about Krags, it is getting very difficult to get brass and ammo is now only loaded seasonally by Remington that I know of. Haven't seen any Winchester in forever since before 2009. It is a fine hunting round but don't expect to find exotic bullets in the available factory ammo.
When the ammo is available, it is kind of expensive, nearly two dollars a round from online quotes for plain jane bonded bullets. You can reload but you will still need a source of brass. Try some of the old line gunstores which might have some old ammo tucked away or beg someone to sell you some brass.
Unfortunately, Prvi Partisan does not load for this round which it does for a number of former military cartridges.
I am purposefully leaving out case forming and off beat rechambering as that is beyond the scope of the OP.
When the ammo is available, it is kind of expensive, nearly two dollars a round from online quotes for plain jane bonded bullets. You can reload but you will still need a source of brass. Try some of the old line gunstores which might have some old ammo tucked away or beg someone to sell you some brass.
Unfortunately, Prvi Partisan does not load for this round which it does for a number of former military cartridges.
I am purposefully leaving out case forming and off beat rechambering as that is beyond the scope of the OP.
Steel Horse Rider
Member
As an owner of two Krags I have never worried about shooting a rifle with one lug on the bolt. Fearing the unknown = timidity. Owning and shooting a piece of history = priceless.....
zb338
Member
Underneath the starry flag, civilize them with a Krag. Great gun!
Zeke
Zeke
AlexanderA
Member
In a pinch, you can form .30-40 brass out of .303 British. Good results have been reported for this.
I have a pretty nice 1898 Krag rifle and I can tell you it is a joy to shoot. The .30-40 is a mild recoiling round and is pretty accurate too.
I was at a yard sale recently and found a '98 rifle that was cut down into a carbine using a genuine '96 Krag carbine stock. For a mere $250 I just had to take it home with me. I have problem at all in shooting this little rifle and I too, think that there are just too many timid people out there.
Get it, shoot it and enjoy having one of the smoothest bolt action rifles out there.
My 1898 rifle, made in 1901 and completely original:
And the new addition: The receiver was made in 1899 and it has the wrong (1902) rifle rear sight.
I was at a yard sale recently and found a '98 rifle that was cut down into a carbine using a genuine '96 Krag carbine stock. For a mere $250 I just had to take it home with me. I have problem at all in shooting this little rifle and I too, think that there are just too many timid people out there.
Get it, shoot it and enjoy having one of the smoothest bolt action rifles out there.
My 1898 rifle, made in 1901 and completely original:
And the new addition: The receiver was made in 1899 and it has the wrong (1902) rifle rear sight.
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tark
Member
My Krag bolt bears on both lugs. This was proven with some marking fluid. Don't know if it was lapped or not, but it definitely does NOT have excessive headspace. The bolt will not close on a round that has a .003" shim placed on it.
It is an 1898 model with a 1901 cartouche Serial number is in the 475,000 range, so it is one of the last ones made. Don't know if that means anything or not.
It is an 1898 model with a 1901 cartouche Serial number is in the 475,000 range, so it is one of the last ones made. Don't know if that means anything or not.
Bbear
Member
I just picked up a carbine-length Krag that someone lopped an inch off of the stock. 24" barrel with original front sight. I paid under two bills for it, so I thought I did alright. It's missing the barrel band and the rear sight. Was thinking of re-stocking it but leaning towards just putting on a grind-to-fit pad and finding a new barrel band and adding a peep sight and calling it good.
About 20 years ago, times were tough and I sold off my 1901 Krag. That one had a side mount and an old Lyman All-American 4x scope on it. With some reloads with 150 gr bullets a 2" group was what it would do. Good enough for minute-of-deer.
About 20 years ago, times were tough and I sold off my 1901 Krag. That one had a side mount and an old Lyman All-American 4x scope on it. With some reloads with 150 gr bullets a 2" group was what it would do. Good enough for minute-of-deer.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I would expect your rifle was unbreeched, a few thousands of an inch turned off the breech and re-chambered -- that's what the best rifle smiths did with Krags.
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