Reducing Mauser 98 lock time
- Thread starter lucky77_
- Start date
I have a M96 Mauser that was converted to 6mm Remington, which has a #### on opening kit installed and some sort of speed lock kit.
One thing I noticed was the sear engagement was very positive but had minimum engagement with the striker face lug.
The striker face lug has also been ground back to shorten its travel.
I've never had a hangfire or misfire with this rifle, over hundreds of rounds. (I don't use it much)
A few years ago, I took it to the range to see if there was actually and "real" difference I would notice in the field in lock time.
There is, but it's just barely noticeable and under field conditions, I don't believe I've been able to detect the difference.
Almost all of the rifles I shoot regularly, other than milsurps, have adjustable triggers and frankly unless you're used to a specific rifle's lock time, I find it difficult to notice the effects from the slight difference.
I cut my teeth on old single shot 22rf rifle triggers (long,gritty,creep) and graduated to sported milsurps. Didn't get into the type of shooting where lock times were considered to be a factor until my late twenties.
It's sort of like splitting the hair on a gnat's backside for most folks.
However, that being said, there are people that actually seem to be able to tell the difference.
One old trick that was common not that long ago, was to use a screw, mounted in the trigger guard, to limit the travel of the trigger, after the sear was disengaged from the striker lug face.
Doesn't decreased lock time but it does limit the ability to keep pulling on the trigger and pulling the shot.
One thing I noticed was the sear engagement was very positive but had minimum engagement with the striker face lug.
The striker face lug has also been ground back to shorten its travel.
I've never had a hangfire or misfire with this rifle, over hundreds of rounds. (I don't use it much)
A few years ago, I took it to the range to see if there was actually and "real" difference I would notice in the field in lock time.
There is, but it's just barely noticeable and under field conditions, I don't believe I've been able to detect the difference.
Almost all of the rifles I shoot regularly, other than milsurps, have adjustable triggers and frankly unless you're used to a specific rifle's lock time, I find it difficult to notice the effects from the slight difference.
I cut my teeth on old single shot 22rf rifle triggers (long,gritty,creep) and graduated to sported milsurps. Didn't get into the type of shooting where lock times were considered to be a factor until my late twenties.
It's sort of like splitting the hair on a gnat's backside for most folks.
However, that being said, there are people that actually seem to be able to tell the difference.
One old trick that was common not that long ago, was to use a screw, mounted in the trigger guard, to limit the travel of the trigger, after the sear was disengaged from the striker lug face.
Doesn't decreased lock time but it does limit the ability to keep pulling on the trigger and pulling the shot.
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Not a lot to be found on the internet (last time I looked) on rifle ‘lock time’ which can’t be too easy to measure…. Occasionally you will find specs given for striker travel.
As a side note to Guntechs wise advice to buy a Remington 700 (ideally a short action with their comparatively fast lock time) It’s always amazed me how well the economically priced (ie darned cheap!) Rem 788’s could shoot. Remington actually called out it’s short lock time as a contributing factor to their accuracy in their advertisements. Fwiw the same could be said of the Tikka/LSA M55 which was selected ‘off the rack’ by SAS as a sniper rifle …. In addition to their above average construction and well made barrels, the M55 has a very short striker travel.
I have looked and can’t find the data on the Steyr SSG69 but would not be surprised if one of the contributing factors to their well regarded accuracy is a ‘quick’ lock time.
As a side note to Guntechs wise advice to buy a Remington 700 (ideally a short action with their comparatively fast lock time) It’s always amazed me how well the economically priced (ie darned cheap!) Rem 788’s could shoot. Remington actually called out it’s short lock time as a contributing factor to their accuracy in their advertisements. Fwiw the same could be said of the Tikka/LSA M55 which was selected ‘off the rack’ by SAS as a sniper rifle …. In addition to their above average construction and well made barrels, the M55 has a very short striker travel.
I have looked and can’t find the data on the Steyr SSG69 but would not be surprised if one of the contributing factors to their well regarded accuracy is a ‘quick’ lock time.
Basicly the same method describec by Guntech.
It was my intent on using the VZ24 for shooting chicken, pigs Turkeys and rams, but I find myself focusing on what sounds like a bicycle when I pull the pin. But that being said I’m to stubborn to grab something else out of the cabinet till I’ve finished going down this rabbit hole. I’ll be ordering a spring from brownells and definitely interested in shorting the cocking.
Thanks all for your thoughts and experience. Keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks all for your thoughts and experience. Keep the suggestions coming.
I had a titanium firing pin for a 98; this decreased lock time noticeably but, quite frankly, I never felt that it made any real difference.
For high power silhouette, I shoot a model 70. The Model 70 is quicker than a Mauser but not as quick as either one of my rimfires. Of course, the barrel time is much shorter on the centerfire. The thing is, regardless of locktime, one has to hold well and follow through to hit consistently. If one shoots a rifle with a slower lock time, I believe he will adapt to it, sub-consciously. I have seen some amazing off-hand shooting by good shooters with flintlocks.
For high power silhouette, I shoot a model 70. The Model 70 is quicker than a Mauser but not as quick as either one of my rimfires. Of course, the barrel time is much shorter on the centerfire. The thing is, regardless of locktime, one has to hold well and follow through to hit consistently. If one shoots a rifle with a slower lock time, I believe he will adapt to it, sub-consciously. I have seen some amazing off-hand shooting by good shooters with flintlocks.
