I just purchased an M48 Mauser and received it the other day. I was going to take it all apart to start cleaning off the cosmoline (theres a lot), but I cant manage to switch the safety to on. The rifle cocks and fires properly, but when cocked the safety wont move at all, even with a good amount of force. I cant take the bolt apart to clean it otherwise. Ive looked online and havent seen any solutions other than taking it to a gunsmith. Anybody have a fix to this problem? Thanks
M48 Mauser Safety Stuck
- Thread starter DES0LAT0R
- Start date
Try engaging the safety while pulling the cocking piece back.
I had the same issue with a Swedish m38 Mauser where someone in the past had ground the cocking piece down where it engaged the sear,
after installing a new cocking piece she's all back to normal.
I had the same issue with a Swedish m38 Mauser where someone in the past had ground the cocking piece down where it engaged the sear,
after installing a new cocking piece she's all back to normal.
Thanks, i managed to get it to switch to on, it seems it only wants to work if i switch it while closing the action. I have it apart now to clean it, hopefully its just cause its dirty. The problem im having now is i tried to take apart the rest of the rifle, but the barrel band wont budge. Its on so tight i cant push it down at all. I tried heating it up with a hair dryer to hopefully let some of the cosmoline to melt out, but it didnt help. Any ideas?
Biggest challenge with the old rifles is avoiding “idiot marks”; screwdriver scratches, hammer dings, flattened corners from dropping the rifle because you don’t have two sets of hands. So there are a few tools you need to become a successful Mauser owner.
I bought everything listed below at princess auto except for the bench vice, that came from Home Depot. Right at $100 for everything. Delrin scraps can be had at some machine shops for a six pack or a skidoo track slider will work
Ball mount bench vice (let’s you turn the rifle in more ways than a gun station will. The dremmel one works really good)
Brass hammer (NEVER ON THE EDGES)
Delrin plastic blocks (for placing against barrel band edges and hitting with brass hammer)
An assortment of brass punches (trigger pins)
A set of plastic jaw clamps (compress band spring while striking band with delrin block and brass hammer)
Hollow ground flat head screw drivers (new tapered profile screwdrivers are not meant for straight cut old slotted screws. Get a profile that is the right width and won’t cam out as you turn.)
Also, I put my guns in the oven. Lowest setting is under 100f and the cosmo drools right off. Yes it stinks but it works. You get a clean rifle and food cooked on the bbq tastes better anyway!
I bought everything listed below at princess auto except for the bench vice, that came from Home Depot. Right at $100 for everything. Delrin scraps can be had at some machine shops for a six pack or a skidoo track slider will work
Ball mount bench vice (let’s you turn the rifle in more ways than a gun station will. The dremmel one works really good)
Brass hammer (NEVER ON THE EDGES)
Delrin plastic blocks (for placing against barrel band edges and hitting with brass hammer)
An assortment of brass punches (trigger pins)
A set of plastic jaw clamps (compress band spring while striking band with delrin block and brass hammer)
Hollow ground flat head screw drivers (new tapered profile screwdrivers are not meant for straight cut old slotted screws. Get a profile that is the right width and won’t cam out as you turn.)
Also, I put my guns in the oven. Lowest setting is under 100f and the cosmo drools right off. Yes it stinks but it works. You get a clean rifle and food cooked on the bbq tastes better anyway!
×2... There could be some hardened cosmoline below the flat spring that retains the front band. Try to soften or dissolve the cosmoline with varsol or mineral spirits. You may also want to use a clamp to depress the spring and free your hands for a wood dowel and mallet. Mine was also stuck and I was able to free the band after a few good whacks. No damage done by taping softly with a piece of wood and mallet. Good luck!
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