Stock issues with tradeex rifles

gonecountry

gonecountry

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Hello everyone, I have been checking out the tradeex site off and on for awhile now and have noticed that a few of the rifles that I'm interested in mention things like "a small crack behind the tang, or a small crack behind receiver." I'm just wondering if and what kind of problems I might run into if I was to purchase one of these rifles? Should the stock be removed and have the crack fixed by glueing etc. Or are these mostly just visual issues and should present no problems? Also I would not want to shoot the rifle and cause more damage than there already is, so maybe fixing it would be the proper thing to do. Although I wouldnt be sending 100's of rounds out of it per year anyway.

On another note I asked a question on some of thses rifles a week or so ago in the Optics forum and didnt get a whole lot of response. So I'd like to re-ask it here. I have seen that many of their commercial model 98 guns are drilled and tapped for side mount scope bases. Why is this? I thought you could easily mount a scope on the top of of a commercial 98, and most of the bolt handles appear to be turned down well enough for clearance in the pictures.

Thanks in advance.

Jon
 
Having seen a bunch of these rifles close up, I would say that the stocks should be repaired before firing because wood crachs tend to migrate with every shot fired. Some of the cracks are very minor and won't affect the firearm eccept for esthetics. My suggestion is to ask for a pic of the gun before buying.
The side mount is a popular item in europe especially because even though the bolts are turned down they won't allow a LOW scope mounting because they are usually BENT DOWN and not done in a so called low position, again ask for a pic. Selling through the internet requires pics for people to actually see what they are buying before hand.
In saying all of this they remain really good bargains if you luck out and get a solid one that isn't drilled or cracked. They should be priced accordingly.
Good Luck
bigbull
 
Wood cracks

I bought one of those sporters and it was described.The Mauser recoil lug is on the smallish side. If the inletting is on the loose side and the wood(beech) a bit soft,the receiver will move back in the stock.The tang acts as wedge.Old time gunsmiths will tell you about Husqvarna stock problems.The Germans used crossbolts. The repair is simple,inject epoxy in the crack or as I did opened it up and filled with a glass fiber renforced epoxy.But first you should glass bed the action with Accuglass Gel or make up your own coloured mini-fiber filled epoxy. Lee Valley has what is needed.
 
gonecountry said:
Would wood glue be strong enough for these types of repairs? Or should you use some type of epoxy?
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In general "wood glues" work well when there is a very close fit between the two pieces, it's hard to say if it will work without seeying the crack. Cracks in stocks is not normal, if the inletting is well done and the wood is of decent quality there are no issues usually. Cracks in non stressed areas can be repaired very well with wood glue. A glue that I have found to be excellent for wood repairs is Gorrila Glue ( Canadian Tire), when used as instructed it is excellent and fills wider gaps than the "wood Glues", but it is tricky to use, it will expand when drying and requires that the wood be dampened before hand. Epoxies can also work if you can get them into the crack. If the stock will be refinished they will not blend as well as the wood glues in my opinion.
bigbull
 
Well - The trick is to eliminate the stresses at the tang, which shouldnt be taking any axial load in the first place. This is easily achieved with some sandpaper and/or a dremel. If its a small tang crack, this activity should eliminate any further propagation.
As far as side mounts are concerned, ask a lot of questions. If the complete mount exists, c/w rings, then the only variable is scope tube dia. If the rifle is lesser equipped, then you are likely to have some difficulty completing the rifle. In addition to possible bolt issues, be aware that the mauser style safety is unuseable with most scope arrangements. Finally, most of the rifles have a fixed floorplate - this is a PITA when hunting, as you have to cycle the shells through the chamber everytime you want to empty the rifle.
 
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I agree,getting a hinged floorplate on a Mauser or P-17 is something I try to get. The floorplate on a Mauser isn't really fixed,it's removable.If you make a release button like the FN 200 series,it's easy enought to unload.
 
I have a couple of Swedish commercial rifles purchased from Tradeex and believe that they are good deals, but the consensus is that even should you purchase one that's lacking any cracks, that you should glass bed the stock beforehand as they'll otherwise eventually show up. This was a weakness in the design that becomes readily apparent with stocks that have been drying for the past 60 years.

The guns that you are looking at are by and large commercial rifles produced at Husqvarna with Mauser 96 actions, or with Mauser 98 actions supplied by FN. Because of the design of the M96 bolt, many of them utilize either a side mount, see-thru mounts or regular weaver mounts and Swedish Aimpoint sights that don't extend behind the reciever. Alternately, many of these rifles have had their bolts modified to clear a scope.

If you are really interested in these rifles, take a look at the forums at www.gunboards.com, which has a forum dedicated specifically to Swedish commercial and sporting firearms. It covers all the scope mount issues, stock repairs and bedding, reloading for the 9.3x57 and other calibres commonly found on these rifles, as well as historical information on the different models. I'm particularly indebted to the site for having informed me that a rifle that I bought as a 9.3x57 (listed as 9.3mm on the barrel) was one of a run of 228 rifles chambered in 9.3x62!

BTW, Tradeex is a great company to deal with, and they would be happy to send you closer pics of any rifle that you're interested in.

Regards,

Frank
 
I recieved a less than stellar rifle IMO from them .
A 96 in 6.5x55 . It was one of the higher priced ones and from the pic looked good . Excellent condition except one small repaired crack in the tang . So I ask for a close up of the repaired area . They sent a pic right away .
So I buy the gun .
When it shows up I'm a little surpised at what " excellent " means to them .
The stock had tacky inlays in it that never showed up in the pic's , the checkering was not only amature but poorly done plus the stock was not for this gun - it clearly had been made for a different type of rifle . Other things that really irked me was the crown had clearly been nicked by a grinder and then blued over it plus the trigger and sear area was full of metal filings . The engagement was just plain dangerous . Lightly tap the rifle or bolt and click it would - good thing I noticed this prior to loading it .
To be completely honest I never contacted Tradex again over this rifle Due to the distances involved and freight costs incured . I just chalked it up to a learning experience .
 
I bought a shotgun from Tradex. A very happy experience. I've come to trust Anthony's word, and when in doubt, he sends picture right away.
Same thing with other products bought from them. Bayonets, cleaning kits etc.... as described and delivered promptly.

There might be the occasional bad experience, like with pretty much everything else in life, but I dare say that one should expect nothing but excellent service from them.

Rupzuk.... call Anthony and explain the situation to him . It is only their fault if they refuse to repair a mistake or deny communication, no?
 
I hold no grudge against them at all .
I like the gun , it just isn't what I expected .
As I said I consider it part of the learning curve .
I should have asked for more pictures , asked more questions about it and I should have phoned him to ensure I was getting what I expected .
Seems I have alot of " I's " in the last sentence , can't blame him for that .
 
Why not give them a chance to make it right and if you are happy or not , let us know, so we know what to expect from this or any dealer.
 
Rupzuk, I would still talk to Anthony. He and his Dad are all class, I'd be suprised if he doesn't take it back or try to make ammends with you.

My 9,3 I got from Anthony was as described and I squealed with delight to find it that way! He will get you any pics you want. *The tang on mine was not cracked when I got it but it did not take long before it was!* AS mentioned the wood shrinks over time and doesn't support the lug. Be sure to protect your new toy, if you don't want to do it yourself we have a Gunsmith on CGN from the west coast who does great work in the shortest amount of time I've ever seen!

Here is a pic of mine to show the kind of bolt clearance you need with a factory 146 Husky:
MVC-005F.jpg

MVC-003F.jpg
 
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I hear what you guys are saying but this is the thing ;
1) I've aready dicked with it and bought assessories for it .
2) It's mine , I like it and ain't no body getting it , so its a little late to phone him . My major concerns have been adressed with it ( trigger/safety ) and this rifle is really growing on me . So there is nothing to be gained now by contacting them .
Reminds me of another life experience . We got a retarded/defective dog from a recommended breader (CKC and all ) . You options with the breader are pretty standard - if your not happy send it back and another puppy will come your way . Here's the clincher , by the time you realize it's a 'tard it's to late , your attached . Plus you know that if the dog is returned you have an equal chance of getting another defective dog , that and they will probably destroy the defective dog .So in the end ....
I have one defective dog with vet bills . So what else is exactly new . lol
 
I keep looking at the TradEx site and waiting for something to push me over the edge. There's a couple there I'm looking at. Such is the life of a rifle loony!
 
RUPZUK said:
I hear what you guys are saying but this is the thing ;
1) I've aready dicked with it and bought assessories for it .
2) It's mine , I like it and ain't no body getting it , so its a little late to phone him . My major concerns have been adressed with it ( trigger/safety ) and this rifle is really growing on me . So there is nothing to be gained now by contacting them .
Reminds me of another life experience . We got a retarded/defective dog from a recommended breader (CKC and all ) . You options with the breader are pretty standard - if your not happy send it back and another puppy will come your way . Here's the clincher , by the time you realize it's a 'tard it's to late , your attached . Plus you know that if the dog is returned you have an equal chance of getting another defective dog , that and they will probably destroy the defective dog .So in the end ....
I have one defective dog with vet bills . So what else is exactly new . lol
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I might suggest there is no point slagging a company who doesn't know you were disappointed with the deal. Posting negative info regarding a deal when they had no chance to remedy the situation is not going to help anyone. Your happy with what you have now, but your notes here may or may not tarnish his otherwise excellent reputation. Just my .02 worth......;)
 
Noel said:
I might suggest there is no point slagging a company who doesn't know you were disappointed with the deal. Posting negative info regarding a deal when they had no chance to remedy the situation is not going to help anyone. Your happy with what you have now, but your notes here may or may not tarnish his otherwise excellent reputation. Just my .02 worth......;)
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X2 to what Noel Said. I have dealt with Anthony a few times and he's a stand up guy.
 
anthony is A++ in my book , but used is used dont excepct a new gun unless they say its new. fror the prices they are asking its always a good deal anyway
 
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