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Author Topic: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"  (Read 735 times)

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Offline john keyes

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what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« on: August 14, 2009, 01:54:16 PM »
I went out of town yesterday and of course hit all of the pawn shops (almost a complete bust) and some gun stores (a dying breed)

anyway I came across a real nice FN Mauser chambered in 270 that was on consignment.  It had a laminate stock and a long 24 or 26" barrel that was not a bull barrel but nicely heavy.  It looked to be unfired.  The action and barrel were kind of charcoal matte colored. 
they didn't know alot about it.  I'm trying to get them to contact the owner and get some more info about it.  My concerns were how bad it could be butchered with the action/barrel out ie the bedding area. I would like to see that area.  Also what if it swells brass or backs primers out from some weird headspace issue.  It had a one piece mount on it.  the trigger was  EXCELLENT   :o

plus:  unique rifle, NICE chunk of wood and metal

minus:  what if something went wrong when it got built and they want to una$$ it   ::)

I thought it was really cool. I'm tired of production-everybody has a zillion of them-rifles.  But then you don't have to worry so much about them.   
I'm really leaning towards getting it.  I don't care what the sum of the parts is....I just want it to shoot. 
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Offline huntswithdogs

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Re: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2009, 10:33:30 AM »
About all you can do is buy it and touch it off!
 If there's a problem with the barrel, have it rebarreled.
The shop should be able to put you in touch with the true owner so you can ask your questions.



HWD
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Offline john keyes

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Re: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2009, 01:46:52 PM »
thanks dude

I did some research here and it looks like a couple things i need to check first are:

will the bolt clear a scope w/o nosebleed bases

will ammo reliably feed

 ;D :o

I've been pretty lucky and made some smart buys  (addict's attempt to minimize and justify  ::)
so either my winning streak shall continue or end with a train wreck   :o
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Though taken from established manufacturers' sources and presumed to be safe please do not use any load that I have posted. Please reference Hogdon, Lyman, Speer and others as a source of data for your own use.

Offline Bigeasy

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Re: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2009, 10:16:14 PM »
 Has the bolt been lowered?  Has it been drilled for scope mounts? I would slug the barrel, and run a set of go/no go gauges thru it to check headspace.  The shop should at least allow you to remove it from the stock if you want to check the bedding.  The thing with sportsterized military rifles is they can run from great to dangerous junk - it all depends on the builder.  The FN is a good action, so that may speak well for the rest of the rifle.

Larry
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Offline kix

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Re: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2009, 04:44:27 PM »
  John, here's a question that might have some relevance-what do they want for the rifle? I would think headspace would be the only problem and that would be evident with the first shot. A buddy has bought boatloads of sporterized Mausers and not once has a problem arose and while rebarreling isn't rocket science I suppose it could happen.It sounds like someone put some time/money into the gun so if the price pleases you then buy it.Of course the best advice is see if you can contact the previous owner but I have a feeling that all is OK. And why is it being sold? Because lots of people buy/sell for a hobby (my buddy) and not because they want to get rid of junk.Him selling is how I got a beautiful sporterized 1915 Swede.Anyway,check it out.  Kix
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Offline mannyrock

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Re: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2009, 06:27:21 AM »


  No, there's more than headspace to worry about.


    1.  Sticky or tight or rough chamber.

    2.  Failure to feed.

    3.  Failure to smoothly and crisply eject.

    4.  Sometimes, failure of the magazine to take more than 3 shells, though it should take 5 and store 4.

    These are all very common problems that arise whenever anyone builds a sporterized mauser.  Sometimes, the problems are worked through and fixed by a competent gunsmith, . . . sometimes NOT.

    I would never buy this rifle until you have (i) checked the headspace with the proper gauges, (ii) loaded it up with 5 dummy rounds, and (iii) made sure that at least the dummies cycle well.


   Regards,

   Mannyrock

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Offline Wyo. Coyote Hunter

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Re: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2009, 11:18:08 AM »
 ;) Manny, gave some pretty good advice as did everyone else. My pal used to buy stuff like this, usually, there was some little thing or maybe a couple that needed correcting. I would talk with the owner, if it is on consign. that should not be a problem unless there is something to hide. :-\
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Offline sgtt

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Re: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2009, 05:42:17 AM »
How much was it?
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Offline slim rem 7

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Re: what could be the risk....ie worst case scenario on an unknown "custom"
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2009, 08:33:42 AM »
the best way i know to get what i want is look for it on the range an hope you got something he ll trade for it ...or possibly just needs the money...not being a gunsmith any used gun is gonna be looked at by my bud who knows guns...that is if i can t shoot it myself..thats what i really want to do....hence huntin for it at the range...not that im looking right now... heck i just buy savage 110s in deer rifles etc...sigs in semi auto handguns an smith an wesson in revolvers..
 ps put you a little sign up while you at the range,,,telling what you looking for ...then have any callers meet you at the range...they don t want to let you shoot it... the rest is common sense..jmo
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