Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mauser 98 Action

Hi Guys,

Hoping someone might be able to help. I have a friend who recently bought a mauser 98 bolt action second hand and has been happily firing away with it. I had a look at it on the weekend, and with an empty chamber, it is difficult to open when closed. Lifting the bolt is fine, but pulling the bolt back is really sticky. After it has moved a short distance it moves very freely, as it should.

Has anyone else had this happen or know what the cause may be? I personally haven't had this happen with any of my rifles so have no experience to offer him. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Just for the fun of it, if it has a scope base in the front ring, check that the mounting screw is protruding just a wee and is rubbing on the locking lug.

"I have a friend who recently bought a mauser 98 bolt action second hand and has been happily firing away with it."

So it works OK when loaded and firing but not when cycled empty?

Remove the striker and check with the empty bolt. If it is still sticky, you will have eliminated the bolt sleeve and cocking piece as the cause and you can proceed from there. GD

The follower may be dragging on the bolt too, but I've never experienced such resistance that I'd describe as "hard". I suppose it's possible the action may be warped a bit or bowed by pressure from the screws holding it in the stock.

I'd pull it apart, check to see if it still binds, disassemble the bolt and clean it inside and out, then lube the striker spring with Dri-Slide or other non-gumming lube, then apply lithium grease to all contact surfaces on the bolt: back of lugs, camming points, sear, etc. I'd do all that even if there was no sign of trouble; do it to my new rifles too.

The screws in the rear base can also cause bolt-sticking on a 98, partly because the bridge is relatively thin. The thickness can vary slightly due to various factors, even polishing.

That's what I was thinking. I have a CA Ridgeline that was binding with a 6X SS on top. The scope was bent just enough to actually bind the action a bit upon opening the bolt when it was torqued down. Put a new scope on it and it works as it is supposed to.

Try loosening the rear action screw and see if it still does it. Could be a bedding issue and it doesn't take much to bend and bind a 98

Thank you gentlemen, i will pass on your thoughts. Very much appreciated.