My FR8's. Update and new photos

[Craig0ry]

This is a Cautionary tale of being too Eager for the gun you have your eye on!

Some of you might have seen my thread from a month ago asking what Spanish FR8's were worth and my hunt for one, Link is below.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2339902-Wanting-an-FR8-what-are-they-going-for

Well after almost a month of searching and asking people if they wanted to sell theirs, I finally got one. The seller was looking for a trade but after a weeks decided he would sell it to me, So me being eager as can be for one of course I went all willy nilly I bought it!! (For more than was advertised because the seller ignored my messages of saying I would take it, and even bumped the post the next day and didn't respond to me until I offered him more than he offered to sell it to me the night before) anyways that's besides the point.
There was two issue I was aware of with the rifle before I received it as they were noted in the post.
Worried it would sell fast I didn't ask for anymore information or detailed photos of the rifle that what was posted.

Received the rifle today and oh man what a hunk of junk!! My fault for not asking for more photos and more questions, I know that.

The moral of my story is, Just because you want that one gun really really bad, don't take shortcuts in getting it or it can come back to bite you like it did me!

I'll add some photos of what I got, and see what you guys thing I can do to fix the issues it has.

Rifle had been painted you'll see(thinking send away for full cerakote),
Front sight housing was cockeyed almost 1/4" over to one side, Making the bayo tube not line up correctly,
A random screw had been threaded into the front sight housing to hold the post Threads weren't the same so they are mashed up
Stock is incredibly warped, This is the main issue I have and want your guys' help with. should I try and find a k98 sporter stock and modify it to work??
Barrel comes out of the stock at a fairly good angle because of the warped'ness as you can see.
I want to make this rifle a shooter, Something I can take camping or push bush with, while also making regular range visits with it.

 

[Jay]

(thinking send away for full cerakote)
I want to make this rifle a shooter, Something I can take camping or push bush with, while also making regular range visits with it.

I can understand the allure of a certain rifle, perhaps due to some sort of previous connection like shooting your first deer with one...

But man oh man, putting lipstick on a pig doesn't make it a ballerina... Are you sure you want to sink more money into it to try & improve it OR...

Keep looking for an FR8 in better shape?

Cheers
Jay
P.S. What's the attraction to this rifle for you? Curious...

 

[Claven2]

I don't see paint on the rifle. Maybe there is varnish on some of the metal?

The warped and repaired stock would have made me pass on that rifle. I saw the add and thought "nope".

That said, before you do anything to it, try shooting it first.

If you muse refinish it, fix that ridiculous modern screw and get the gun reparkerized.

 

[Craig0ry]

I can understand the allure of a certain rifle, perhaps due to some sort of previous connection like shooting your first deer with one...

But man oh man, putting lipstick on a pig doesn't make it a ballerina... Are you sure you want to sink more money into it to try & improve it OR...

Keep looking for an FR8 in better shape?

Cheers
Jay
P.S. What's the attraction to this rifle for you? Curious...

I will definitely actively keep looking for a other FR8, I may not be able to turn this pig into a ballerina... Was thinking more of and 8 beer at the bar kinda girl, may be a little rough around the edges but at the end of the day it will get the job done.
My main allure to this rifle is simply looks, caliber and irons. I have alot of surplus 7.62 I'd like to start using up before my eyes don't work with iron sights one day. I had done up a beautiful 18.5" m305 in a dark walnut stock for this purpose, two weeks later it was prohib along with a fair part of my safe.

I don't see paint on the rifle. Maybe there is varnish on some of the metal?

The warped and repaired stock would have made me pass on that rifle. I saw the add and thought "nope".

That said, before you do anything to it, try shooting it first.

If you muse refinish it, fix that ridiculous modern screw and get the gun reparkerized.

The end cap and and a 6" section of the barrel have green paint crudely sopped onto them, possibly nail polish, unfortunately I couldnt see the stock repair or that screw in any of the photos. Even if I had I may have still bought it thinking I could repair it, but the level of crooked is well beyond any repair.
As for parkerizing, If I knew of company who provided the service in Alberta I would go that route, but being the rifle is a candidate for a new stock I figured a cerakote job in armour black would looks nice too.

 

[IvoB]

Thanks for sharing -

 

[Claven2]

I will definitely actively keep looking for a other FR8, I may not be able to turn this pig into a ballerina... Was thinking more of and 8 beer at the bar kinda girl, may be a little rough around the edges but at the end of the day it will get the job done.
My main allure to this rifle is simply looks, caliber and irons. I have alot of surplus 7.62 I'd like to start using up before my eyes don't work with iron sights one day. I had done up a beautiful 18.5" m305 in a dark walnut stock for this purpose, two weeks later it was prohib along with a fair part of my safe.



The end cap and and a 6" section of the barrel have green paint crudely sopped onto them, possibly nail polish, unfortunately I couldnt see the stock repair or that screw in any of the photos. Even if I had I may have still bought it thinking I could repair it, but the level of crooked is well beyond any repair.
As for parkerizing, If I knew of company who provided the service in Alberta I would go that route, but being the rifle is a candidate for a new stock I figured a cerakote job in armour black would looks nice too.

Cerakote is a total bubba move. Send the metal to Vulcan gun and get it parkerized. It's the only right way to do it.

You can also look for a new stock. They are out there.

 

[Craig0ry]

Cerakote is a total bubba move. Send the metal to Vulcan gun and get it parkerized. It's the only right way to do it.

You can also look for a new stock. They are out there.

I don't think FR8 stocks are available, the rifles themselves are hens teeth these days, finding a stock itself would be like winning the lottery. But of course I'll keep my eye out, the only path forward I see right now would be another 98 stock I can modify to work with the front end cap.

 

[Tudenom]

Ah man, sorry to hear that. I've been there myself and it sucks.

It's sad to say, but there is a segment of the milsurp crowd that sets their "milsurp averge" condition down to what most people consider beat up junk.

These are the types of people who crimp a brake line with vise grips and then continue driving the car for months becasue they "got lots of pedal now".

They often say things like:

It's in good condition considering its age.
There's still visible rifling, it should be a good shooter.
The bore is dark but it should clean up with some elbow grease.
Can't hit the side of a barn with a 303.

Their one and only photo is dark, or blurry, or both.



Have you ever considered buying an already sporterized Isreali Mauser instead? You could put a reciever aperture sight on it and it would be pretty close to an FR8 in most respects. Probably a lot cheaper, even with a bit of gunsmith work to shorten the barrel and add the site.

 

[Craig0ry]

Ah man, sorry to hear that. I've been there myself and it sucks.

It's sad to say, but there is a segment of the milsurp crowd that sets their "milsurp averge" condition down to what most people consider beat up junk.

These are the types of people who crimp a brake line with vise grips and then continue driving the car for months becasue they "got lots of pedal now".

They often say things like:

It's in good condition considering its age.
There's still visible rifling, it should be a good shooter.
The bore is dark but it should clean up with some elbow grease.
Can't hit the side of a barn with a 303.

Their one and only photo is dark, or blurry, or both.



Have you ever considered buying an already sporterized Isreali Mauser instead? You could put a reciever aperture sight on it and it would be pretty close to an FR8 in most respects. Probably a lot cheaper, even with a bit of gunsmith work to shorten the barrel and add the site.

The photos definitely weren't the most clear, you're right on the money with that one! I called a number I had got a week ago about a supposed shop that may have had one in stock, and low and behold, they did, sent me photos just now and it's near mint, for almost the same price I paid for this one.... Unfortunately I had made the deal on this the same night I got the number for the shop. Talk about irony. Anyways looks like I'll have a very good example coming now. And as far as this one goes.... Not sure what my plans are as of now. I'll post photos of the new one when the deal is finalized.

 

[R711]

One thing I’ve noticed recently about sellers is that they’ve really believe they have the holy grail of rifles when selling. One sent me pictures and them proudly stating there selling a pristine rifle. I’ve then pointed out that the serial numbers don’t match, the fact that the throat erosion is excessive (by having a bullet inserted into the muzzle and it goes all the way down), plus other dings damage. But, yet when offered a reasonable sum for the item they act all insulted etc. it’s getting to be both entertaining and frustrating.

 

[Claven2]

My suggestion - trust trader ratings.

Low number of transactions = ask a lot more questions. Demand photos.

 

[Can-down]

If it's not as described, send it back.
If buddy' won't take it back, leave the appropriate feedback and move on....

It sounds like all the warning signs were there, lesson learned.

How much did you pay?

 

[fritzhanzel]

Yeah, you rushed into that one. I never though they are very special other than the fore end fake barrel stabilizer.

Not only this, because of your panic to buy one, you drove the prices up.

Lesson learned, you deserved it but appreciate your honesty.

I was looking at the Carcanos from Marstar for about a year and always thought they were a bit pricey at $400, now I hit the button at $249.

You can see that K98 Russian capture are pricey on the EE but you always find a cheap one on GP.

Don't drive prices up please.

 

[Craig0ry]

Yeah, you rushed into that one. I never though they are very special other than the fore end fake barrel stabilizer.

Not only this, because of your panic to buy one, you drove the prices up.

Lesson learned, you deserved it but appreciate your honesty.

I was looking at the Carcanos from Marstar for about a year and always thought they were a bit pricey at $400, now I hit the button at $249.

You can see that K98 Russian capture are pricey on the EE but you always find a cheap one on GP.

Don't drive prices up please.

Please elaborate how I drove prices up? I would love to know. Enlighten us. You can't drive the pricing up when there's none for sale.

 

[inthehizzy]

Cerakote is a total bubba move. Send the metal to Vulcan gun and get it parkerized. It's the only right way to do it.

You can also look for a new stock. They are out there.

I would agree. Vulcan is worth the time and money. Nick does it proper. A+

 

[Claven2]

As for the stock, if you are adventurous you could stem it back into shape. It wasn't made crooked - it's a cut down M43 stock.

You could use steam into an enclosed container with the stock inside, then clamp it in jigs in a straight alignment and let it dry. It's doable if you have the skill.

 

[Craig0ry]

As for the stock, if you are adventurous you could stem it back into shape. It wasn't made crooked - it's a cut down M43 stock.

You could use steam into an enclosed container with the stock inside, then clamp it in jigs in a straight alignment and let it dry. It's doable if you have the skill.

This thought had crossed my mind, same way they used to shape wooden canoes and kayaks, getting set up for it may prove a little more tricky.

I'll look into Vulcan, I would like to find a closer option. It came from that side of the country, and shipping these days takes its toll.

I have another come coming as of today, I was able to get detailed photos beforehand this time, and it looks great! For only $100 more than I payed the this current one.

 

[Can-down]

I have another come coming as of today, I was able to get detailed photos beforehand this time, and it looks great! For only $100 more than I payed the this current one.

Nice!
$100 more then.... what? I'm just curious what they are selling for.

As to the people saying they are nothing special, I would say they are unique for sure. Special is in in the eye of the beholder or seeker.

 

[Potashminer]

As for the stock, if you are adventurous you could stem it back into shape. It wasn't made crooked - it's a cut down M43 stock.

You could use steam into an enclosed container with the stock inside, then clamp it in jigs in a straight alignment and let it dry. It's doable if you have the skill.

I am curious if you have got that steam idea to work on gunstocks?? Was my impression that "old school" was done with hot oil - like to bend the wrist of a shotgun to create offset - I was curious if one could steam bend a forearm - is at least two here that have taken a bend (sideways, and probably up or down as well) in the foreward 12" or less - I can pull them back to straight with blocks attached to work bench and with hand squeeze clamps - but was never sure how to get the wood fibres to re-adjust to that? So far, they simply "re-bend" when I release the clamp pressure.

 

[Claven2]

I am curious if you have got that steam idea to work on gunstocks?? Was my impression that "old school" was done with hot oil - like to bend the wrist of a shotgun to create offset - I was curious if one could steam bend a forearm - is at least two here that have taken a bend (sideways, and probably up or down as well) in the foreward 12" or less - I can pull them back to straight with blocks attached to work bench and with hand squeeze clamps - but was never sure how to get the wood fibres to re-adjust to that? So far, they simply "re-bend" when I release the clamp pressure.

I've corrected minor warps before soaking the stock in scalding hot water and clamping it to a hard flat surface to dry in alignment, yes. Steam would work even better.