A very unhappy moment: Breakage on Kar98k bolt housing

Nabs

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This isn't one of my more happier posts. To get to the point, one of the heads that holds the extractor for my kar98k bolt broke off while I was trying to remove the extractor. This is the fourth time I have stripped the bolt down and the first time it has happened to any of my Mauser related bolts. I am hoping it can be saved but I have already resigned the housing to the duty of being a paper weight. I am glad this happened on my mismatched RC Kar98k and not my Gewehr 98 but still depressed it happened altogether. A truly sad day for all Milsurps everywhere.

Here are the pictures of the sad event, is there anyway to repair this ?

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Looks like a simple fix. Call Western Gun Parts in Edmonton and see if you can order the spring clasp that retains the extractor. I think if you look at a blue print from Numrich you could even find the same part number. I could be wrong but I believe that many of the Winchesters/CZ550's use the same part to retain their extractors if you can't find an original part. If not WGP I am sure that any gunsmith could get you that part. I think a Gunsmith could repair it but I think it would be more cost effective to find a replacement part.
 
If I could get that piece replaced and still use the same bolt housing I would be extremely happy!

I will give my nearest gunsmith a call and see what can be done.

Thanks for the tip :).
 
Every part must be cleaned :).

Sure if you have a high level of OCD. :D

Seriously though that area can be cleaned without taking it all apart.
And you can bet the armorer back in the day would have had a special tool anyway. :D

Just spray em down with something like G96 and leave them overnight in a metal pan, and wipe clean in the morning.

I do this with my Swedish Mausers all the time.
 
Sooo....?

Ya just expand the collar and slip it on?

I always wondered but the old adage....if it aint broke....dont frickn take it apart

Yes, the collars are just sprung on. The lugs will be spread a bit, and it will be necessary to compress the collar to get the extractor back on.
To remove a Mauser extractor, you rotate it until the extractor lug is lifted clear of its retaining slot, then push it foreward. But this is not something that needs to be done for routine cleaning. There are even extractor collar pliers to make reassembly easier.

Its a bolt body, not housing.
 
I just add this comment as the extractor collar has been damaged and needs replaced as pointed out by a few folks.

It looks like you did not have the extractor rotated in the correct position when removed it and one lug took all the force as it 's a fresh break. I also notice a bright semi circular line just behind the collar. Is that a scratch or a fracture?

The collars are inexpensive $6 -10.00 however they don't always drop in and most times need a little fitting. As a couple folks pointed out, you need to gently spread the collar to install and compress it with a pair of special pliers and the extractor should slip right over the lugs. I always dry fit the collar to the extractor (remove any burrs, adjust the lug clearance) rather than fighting with the collar on the bolt body. Let us know if you need any further help.
 
Stop stripping your bolt!!! Even if corrosive ammo is used, you are NOT supposed to be removing the extractor, only the firing pin is you got a pierced primer.
 
I have a p-14 action target rifle chambered in 7.62 X 51 (.308). I've had it for over 15 yrs. I have only taken the bolt apart once to replace the extractor, 14 years ago. Don't think I can remeber now how to do it. I do remember it being a bit of a chore. It has been working great since and I have no plans in the future to take it apart. To clean I just put it in a container and spray it with brake cleaner or soak it in Hopps #9 for a few hours then take out and let air dry for 24hrs. Then give it a light wipe with break free and patch. That's all I do. Haven't had a problem since.
I don't believe one needs to take the bolt apart so often on a mauser type bolt.
 
I guess field stripping it once to clean under the extractor (which needed it) was enough.

I'll stick to Q-tips and Outers rust remover next time. Lesson learned.
 
I'd rather this happen to a part that I can replace easily and cheaply. Imagine if the stock was damaged say broken in half from being stepped on ? That would be a different story.

I will give my preferred gun smith a call tomorrow and have this issue fixed.

When I clean my rifles, I don't like the idea of just soaking the whole bolt in an oil solution, I very much prefer to strip every part off and clean each one individually. Not only do I know my rifle better, but I can field strip every part from memory (not to forget I get a great deal of pleasure from it too) and put it back together again. I know I made a mistake and it will cost me a few $ but I learned how not to remove an extractor.
 
The extractor was broken on my G98b in its past life. Right along the preasure point for remouval. Still functional but I will have to replace that.
Just like Nabs on my new rifles I like to completely take a part to clean and oil thoroughly. The old G98b had quite a bit of rust and cosmoline/grease in the little corners.
 
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