Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Commercial Mauser bolt handle

Looking to start a new Mauser project on a FN commercial 98 in .458 Win Mag.

I would like to have a straight bolt handle for aesthetics and to avoid beating up my hands.

Is it possible to straighten out the commercial swept bolt handle and make it look decent or would one be better of paying to have a custom Oberndorf style bolt handle installed?

What is the going rate to have a Oberndorf style bolt handle furnished and fit by a reputable smith?

I use Dan Armstrong www.accu-tig.com He has done many for me. Quick and inexpensive.

Butch, I'm afraid there might be something wrong w/Dan. Can't get him to answer the phone or emails. He's had my bolt almost a month. powdr

I'd say forget the heat, beat and bend and go with a new handle. Brownells website sucks for searching, but I think there might be a few options out there.

I highly recommend a straight down bolt on .458's and larger.

I have a two panel checkered Max McFarland bolt handle if such is desired. $100 shipped.

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...action-engraved-bolt-knobs-prod9075.aspx

My FNs all have a lot of sweep to them. I'd doubt trying to straighten one will look very good.

tag

Most old school gunsmiths should be able to do a decent job of welding one on. You can order the knob you want from Brownell's. For a .458 Win, I would go with a smooth (i.e., not checkered) knob.

I thought SARCO had some FN straight handle bolts that were new.

I wouldn't send it to Dan Armstrong. powdr

Sarco only has military straight-handled bolts.
They have commercial Dumoulan bolts, but they have a swept back handle. Straighter than an FN commercial handle, but still swept back.

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/model98mauser.aspx?page=4

Why not?

DF

DF, you can read my responses on the other bolt thread. powdr

Link?

DF

This one was welded on. I don't know who did the work, but it's pretty nice and very strong. I had to open the action with a mallet after an overload, handle did fine. I bought the action with all work done here on the Fire Classified. The previous owner picked it up at a gunshow, no info.

The handle is sorta straight, not full Oberndorf type, but without much sweep, requires med rings.

The handle never bumped my finger, even on a bench with heavy 9.3x62 loads. I subsequently sold that barrel, it's now a Swede.

DF

Looks like a McFarland handle.
Don

Thanks for that info.

I'm not familiar with McFarland.

DF

Top notch metal man and supplier to the custom trade.

Try this: www.riflemax.com

Thanks, Butch and Don.

You may be onto something, does look very similar.

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...action-engraved-bolt-knobs-prod9075.aspx

Not cheap. I bought this action for $550 on the Fire Classifieds, still in the white but with all the custom work done. I just had a barrel fitted and the whole thing blued.

Seems I got a good deal.

Thanks,

DF


Edited to add Don...