K98k Possible Headspace Problem

[Alon]

I recently bought a K98k from a forum member and I've noticed that when I press the trigger (when bolt is cocked), the bolt moves back a little.
Has anyone had this on their Mauser rifle?
Because I generally like my face to be in one piece..

Al

 

[tiriaq]

Check with gauges.

 

[Philthy1]

You'll always get movement with those old triggers. Like the cocking piece area moving up. Shouldn't go back though.

 

[bearhunter]

Headspace has to be very excessive to cause a catastrophic failure.

If you hand load your cartridges, just don't full length resize. Partial resizing on the shoulder and neck will leave the cases fire formed to your chamber/bolt configuration.

TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019

Liberals really like POOR people, they're making more of them every day

If you can't vote CPC, stay at home in protest

 

[weimajack]

Headspace has to be very excessive to cause a catastrophic failure.

If you hand load your cartridges, just don't full length resize. Partial resizing on the shoulder and neck will leave the cases fire formed to your chamber/bolt configuration.

TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019

Liberals really like POOR people, they're making more of them every day

If you can't vote CPC, stay at home in protest

Very Wise advise.

Mauser bolt is very strong. Resizing tip is super.

 

[zupermann]

I recently bought a K98k from a forum member and I've noticed that when I press the trigger (when bolt is cocked), the bolt moves back a little.
Has anyone had this on their Mauser rifle?
Because I generally like my face to be in one piece..

Al

Are you seeing signs of bad headspace on the brass, like cratered or blown out primers?
"Excessive headspace can lead to bulged cases or even outright failures - cracks, case head separation, and splitting of the case neck. It can also cause light primer strikes, failure to fire, primers popping out of the primer pocket"
Have you experienced any of this?

Also,
Very old ammunition can be over pressured due to powder changes over time--I think this could move the bolt a bit, especially if it's a sloppy fit (service rifles dont have the tightest tolerances).

I dry fired my k98s and the bolt handle moves up a couple milli meters when the firing pin moves forward on firing...is this what you are referring to when you say "the bolt moves back a little" ?

If in doubt, you can have it checked by a competent gunsmith--I'm sure the member will be happy to give you a refund past the inspection period if this is the case.

 

[Hitzy]

I recently bought a K98k from a forum member and I've noticed that when I press the trigger (when bolt is cocked), the bolt moves back a little.
Has anyone had this on their Mauser rifle?
Because I generally like my face to be in one piece..

Al

I think you are looking at the cocking piece and not the bolt. When the bolt is cocked, spring tension is pulling the bolt lugs back against the receiver lugs, there is no further rearward they can go.
The cocking piece can move back a little when pulling the trigger as the sear is not usually 100% square.
None of this is a way to determine headspace.

 

[Volhv]

I think you are looking at the cocking piece and not the bolt. When the bolt is cocked, spring tension is pulling the bolt lugs back against the receiver lugs, there is no further rearward they can go.
The cocking piece can move back a little when pulling the trigger as the sear is not usually 100% square.
None of this is a way to determine headspace.

Well worded!

Cocking peice to sear fittment is the determining factor for this, and trigger pull.

 

[Potashminer]

To clarify a bit - I think you will find that a properly fitted Mauser 98 military trigger and sear should cause the cocking piece (the piece on the rear end of the firing pin) to move rearward as the trigger is pulled through its first pull weight, and the cocking piece will move back forward to its start position if the trigger is released before "breaking though" at the second weight. Most commercial replacement triggers won't move the cocking piece, because their "sear" is internal to the trigger.