Israeli K98 restoration

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Keir973

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I picked up a complete barreled action in .308, with matching bolt to reciever, I am in the process of restoring to military configuration. Rifle was burned in a fire, so needless to say it was rough. I forgot to get pictures before i cleaned up the metal, but I will be taking pictures and posting updates as i complete them. I am currently waiting on a k98 laminate stock set from tradeex. Oh i forgot to mention, only one dirty bird was removed, and that was the one from the reciever, the one on the bolt body is still present ;)
 
I've found that the Israelis are usually SUPER beat up on the outside, but the bores are excellent. It's too bad about the fire. If any heat got to it as all, enough to burn the wood, I would say the rifle is scrap, as the heat treat of the receiver is probably ruined. I would not shoot it without having the hardness tested (in multiple spots) and possibly re heat treated.

It will probably look ok, but the stocks from trade ex are for an m48., which is an intermediate action, and might not fit.
 
"burned in a fire"
Maybe for safety sake you should have a gunsmith take a look at rifle and see if it is safe after being in a fire ( proper temper and hardness).Just a thought.
 
Cost of parts is 180. Not too bad, and I just came back from having the rifles metal tested and X-rayed, metal integrity was not compromised. So im glad for that, once the stock arrives im going to take it out and fire a few rounds through it.
 
I'd still tie the action to a old tire and test fire it with a long cord behind something safe......................JMO......Harold
 
I would do that and more. An x-ray, fpi or mpi test will only show the resence of cracks and or voids close to the surface. In order to fire that rifle safely, it needs to have a HARDNESS test done, and if there is any deviation throughout the action it needs to be re heat treated. The fact that the stock was burned badly enough for someone to strip it to a barreled action before selling should be pretty indicative that heat definitely got to it.

How much money are you saving by buying a so obviously red flagged rifle action and shooting it with abandon? Is it less than the cost of a new set of fingers, hands, and eyes after detonating an explosive inside a tube that has the mettalurgical consistencey of silly putty (no cracks though!) ?
 
Probably worth defining what "metal tested" includes, and what happened to it in the fire.

As other have mentioned, if heat got to the wrong parts and they cooled slowly or quickly, the gun could be too hard/brittle or soft/flexible to be safe to shoot. Not testing it and refinishing it could mean passing it on as a risk to the next person.
 
Obviously you didnt read my post correctly. I had the metal TESTED and X-RAYED. I would shoot (and have shot rifles) in poorer condition than this, and i wouldnt hesitate to fire this one. This post is to show my restoration
 
As for a proof test none has been preformed, because its not required. The heat was not severe enough to warrant one.
 
Keir973 said:
Obviously you didnt read my post correctly. I had the metal TESTED and X-RAYED. I would shoot (and have shot rifles) in poorer condition than this, and i wouldnt hesitate to fire this one. This post is to show my restoration not to be harped on
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Wow, I can definitely see why your feedback score is 91%. These gentlemen are just trying to help you out when they warn of an unsafe rifle due to a fire.

I would recommend that you do in fact shoot this rifle.
 
dinnertime6 said:
Wow, I can definitely see why your feedback score is 91%. These gentlemen are just trying to help you out when they warn of an unsafe rifle due to a fire.

I would recommend that you do in fact shoot this rifle.
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Perhaps you should view my feedbacks before commenting about them IMO. And i understand the warning, hence why it was tested. I do have a fair bit of knowledge on firearms, definately not a newbie about restoring milsurps. The point i was getting across that perhaps others should read before commenting.

And i will be firing this when the stock arrives! Going to put it thru its paces, and upload a video.
 
Jeeze a whole lot of raining on the op here.
Gun stocks can be destroyed before the temp gets high enough to ruin the metal heat treatment. It could have just been scorched badly.
It's his project to do as he likes. Kudos for getting the old girl going again.
 
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