|
|
|
|
|
The Chameleon: A Yugo m48 Mauser w/Boyd's Laminate Stock, Iron Elite Scope Mount, and Huber Concepts Mauser Trigger!
|
| |
| Article by |
| |
|
Adobe PDF Downloadable Version of Article
|
|
|
 |
For sometime now I have wanted to write a "Mauser Sporter" article. The premise for the article would be to take an inexpensive Mauser and turn it into a customized hunting rifle.
I have written several Sporter conversion articles prior, just none focused on the Mauser. A good example is "Lil' Black Beauty", where I customized a Mosin m44 carbine into a great little hunting rifle. The problem is that I always get email chastising me that I have "bubba-ized" a military rifle.
|
|
|
Not that I really care what others think. If I did I probably would not publish my thoughts in such a public forum. The term bubba-ize when applied to a military surplus firearm means that the owner has taken a collectible firearm and permanently modified it to be used as a "huntin' rifle". Usually a Bubba-ized rifle cannot be returned to its original military configuration because something has either been cut off or welded on.
I agree with the ideology that to Bubba-ize a collectible rifle is bad. But I only apply the ideology to me. I would never publicly criticize anyone, stating: "Hey - you ruined a beautiful, wonderful, collectible military firearm!" I might think it, but I would never be so self-righteous as to say it out loud or actually write it in a forum as I have seen a few folks do! What makes this country great is freedom. The basic freedom that what you do with your own rifle or pistol is your own business and not mine or really anyone else's for that matter!
Here at Surplusrifle.com we try to promote non-permanent alterations or improvements you can make to your rifle without destroying the value or collectibility factor. Sure, we have strayed from the purist path more than a few times when we demonstrated in articles: How to drill and tap a Mosin/SKS carbine for a scope mount, or we bent a rifle's bolt, or we committed the crime of all crimes.....in our early days we actually applied polyurethane to a rifle stock after we stripped and stained it. But for the most part we love mil-surp firearms in their original, untouched condition and this is the mindset we very much try to promote.
I have been keeping an eye out for a while for components for a project that would give the look and functionality of a custom sporting Mauser. This Sporter rifle would be built upon a traditional military Mauser, but with a catch! All would be done without permanently modifying the original rifle. For the transformation I chose a cantilever scope mount from Iron Elite Scope Mounts, a beautiful laminate stock from Boyd's Rifle Stocks, and a Huber Concept's trigger. Now keep in mind that the Huber trigger requires you to remove wood from the inside of the rifle stock in the trigger well. If necessary the modification would be made on the Sporter stock and not the original so it still qualified for the project.
Last but not least: The title of the article is "The Chameleon: A Part-Time Bubba" this kind of further defines the scope of the project. The idea for the article would be that we would start with a Yugo m48 Mauser (as shown in figure 1) and then disassemble it. We would then build up the Sporter rifle and when we were all finished we would take all of the the new Sporter components off of the Yugo and return it back to its original, unaltered, military configuration. The point we are trying to prove is that you can take a rifle and shoot it as a "Huntin' rifle" during hunting season and then turn it back into the military rifle you have fun with during the rest of the year without making the collectible value swirl down the drain.
|
|
One more last thing: The military Mauser I chose as the basis for the project is in unissued condition and is an excellent shooting firearm. I mean it is accurate (more so than I am capable of).
Whew! Take a deep breath and let's get going.
I disassembled the rifle and stored away the military parts.
For detailed disassembly instructions for the Yugo m48, click here.
|
 |
|
| |
|
Huber Concepts Match Grade Custom Mauser Trigger
|
 |
The Huber triggers come in three flavors:
- Match Grade: Looks pretty much like the original trigger on the outside;
- Ultra Light: A skeletonized version of the Huber trigger;
- Custom: Out of this world in appearance. Your imagination is the only limitation (figure 3).
|
|
|
Legend
|
 |
|
|
|
On close inspection the Huber trigger is very adjustable. You can make three adjustments via the supplied allen wrench:
- Over-travel: How far the trigger travels after you break and fire a round.
- Anti-friction ball: Anti-friction ball adjusts the sear engagement.
- Trigger creep: Trigger creep is how far the trigger travels before you break and fire a round.
|
|
Huber Concept's Supplied Product Description
|
|
Stainless Steel Ultra-light Mauser Trigger $79.99
|
I have created this trigger with the collector as well as the shooter in mind. The black teflon model gives you the performance of a match grade paper puncher while keeping the original military profile. The stainless steel and ultra-light models add a distinctive custom look with the performance you can expect from this patented design. about us about us about us more about us and even more about us.
As a collector of Curio & Relic firearms I have always loved the look of a rifle that has survived 50 years or more. Matching numbers with 90% finish, a great bore with solid action but - that awful trigger. With a pull you can measure with a yard-stick and and creep that is unreal. Now you can bring new life to that old favorite with a one piece up grade. I have tried other industry standard and custom triggers. Even at twice the price my trigger can't be beat! With only a little fitting required on some models compared to the major inletting and grinding required on some types, this installation is a snap.
In my military days we learned as riflemen that each shot should be a surprise. While my collection of war time bolt actions was quite function able and contained several great calibers - that D@$#^ trigger. That's why this trigger has come to be. Now my favorite Mauser is a game getter. Match grade quality and a sniper sweet feel. The shooter can set the adjustments for the feel that best fits their style and needs.
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Figures 4 and 5: Using a punch, I tapped out the trigger pin and the original trigger fell out.
Figures 6 and 7: Installing the Huber trigger is just as easy as removing the old trigger. I placed it in the sear and tapped the trigger pin back in.
The Huber trigger has more metal surface area below the sear, when compared to the original trigger. You will need to remove some of the wood in the stock for the new trigger to move freely without obstruction in a standard military rifle stock. The beauty of the Boyd's stock is that they supply an oversized trigger well and the Huber trigger is literally a drop-in part!
For more detailed information about installing a Huber Trigger in an Enfield, Mosin-Nagant, or the Mauser click on the respective links.
|
|
Boyd's JRS Pepper Laminate Yugo m48 Mauser Rifle Stock
|
|
 |
| Next I moved onto prepping my new stock. I had ordered what Boyd's calls a JRS Laminate Sporter rifle stock that they now also make for the Yugo m48! This was a long time coming. There is not a lot out there for the Yugo m48 in after market accoutrements. |
|
Boyd's Supplied Product Description
|
|
JRS Yugo m48 Stock $119
|
Designed exclusively for BOYDS’ Gunstock Industries, Inc. by the noted firearms/hunting writer Jon R. Sundra, this stock is a synthesis of all the design elements found in the most elegant examples of the classic style. The slender, somewhat open grip is well defined, but does not extend too far below the toe line. The comb is parallel to the bore, which aids scope use, and because of its straight-line design, minimizes cheek slap under recoil. Additional facial support is provided by a graceful cheekpiece that blends perfectly with the overall shape of the buttstock. The forend is flat-oval in cross-section, and proportioned to complement barrels of 22-26” in length. The JRS is available in a wide range of inlettings to accommodate most barreled actions with factory barrel contours.
 |
Boyd's Gunstock Industries
25376 403rd Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone: 605/996-5011
Fax: 605/996-9878
http://www.boydboys.com/
|
|
|
|
The Boyd's stock is a very nice Sporter stock indeed. I really like the overall shape, look, and feel. Boyd's also offers this stock in nutmeg (brown) laminate as well as a traditional walnut. I love walnut but wanted something different so I opted for the pepper colored laminate as pictured in figure 8 above. I was really lucky to have read the article Fitting a New 98k Stock written by Mike Wetteland. It helped me in prepping the stock for installation.
Once I examined the stock I found that although the receiver seemed to drop in perfectly, the military barrel was not a drop-in fit at all. If you look closely you can see that the barrel rides up about a half an inch in figure 8.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Following Mike's tips I closely compared the original stock's barrel channel (figure 9) to the new stock (figure 10) where I found it had a much narrower barrel channel. The problem area was mainly around the rear sight sleeve (figure 11). I could not remove the rear sight sleeve because the scope mount I chose for this project is attached to the barrel via the rear sight frame. The plan was to take my time using a rotary tool and cut away only a little bit of wood at a time. I would use the original stock as my guide. Every once and a while I would stop and test the fit. I was sure I would be just fine. |
|
| Please note that I am NOT a wood working type of guy. I do not have electric saws and other wood working tools in my garage. The extent of my wood working ability is cutting two pieces of 1x2 pine to sit under my stereo receiver to make it sit flat on an uneven surface. Both pieces are almost the same length! My wife now only complains once a week about how bad they look. This is after she walks by and spots the unfinished and unsanded pieces of wood that stand out in a glaring fashion because they are about as white as snow in color and brightness. |
 |
|
 |
 |
Once I had the barrel channel inletted and sanded to perfection and my barrel actually fit, I installed the hand guard and hand guard screws. Everything went fine with assembly until I tried to insert the bolt. I could not insert the bolt at all. There was wood that was blocking the way. I also could not swing out the bolt stop so even if the bolt did slide into the receiver I would not be able to remove it. I found the area of stock as pictured in red in figure 14 was about 1/8th of an inch too high and I needed to remove it. I re-disassembled everything and installed a large cutting disc on my rotary tool and went back to work. I cut very thin, even pieces of wood off both sides of the stock (areas in red). |
|
| I have learned that you really need to take your time when using a rotary tool. The dang thing will fly out of control very easily and do permanent damage to your body or even worse - the rifle stock you are working on! Please be careful! When I had removed enough wood (figure 15) for the bolt to easily slide in unobstructed and the bolt stop would swing out, I sanded everything down and continued with the project. |
 |
|
 |
Next task: I installed my sling swivel studs. I do not have a jig for this because I don't do this enough yet to afford one. For now I use the old "sighting the the location with my eyes method" and then I drill a couple pilot holes. After this I compared the length of the screw of the rear (longer) and front (shorter) studs against the drill bit so I knew how far I should drill. I then drilled the final holes.
I used a small steel punch as a wrench to turn the studs as I installed them (figure 17).
|
|
|
|
 |
Figure 19: Using a punch, tap out the rear sight pin.
Figure 20: Remove the rear sight pin.
Figure 21: Place a flat blade screw driver against the forward part of the rear sight leaf.
Figure 22: Remove the rear sight leaf and leaf spring. |
 |
I reassembled the rifle with the new stock and everything fit perfectly. I was really excited and moved onto the next task in the project of installing the scope mount. |
|
|
Iron Elite Cantilever Scope Mount
|
|
For the mount I chose something very unique in design. I got the opportunity to speak with Robert Krenzel of Iron Elite Scope Mounts to describe the project I had in mind and the outline for the article. It was obvious to me from the phone conversation that Robert thrives on making an excellent and quality product.
When I received the mount in the mail at first I thought he had sent me a bunch of the mounts because the package had considerable weight to it. Nope, it was just a single mount. This is not some cheaply made aluminum mount, it is made from CNC machined steel and is pretty heavy. The design is pretty ingenious. Taking from the design of the typical no-gunsmith, scout type, scope mount that replaces the rifle's rear sight, Robert's product extends back over the receiver where the scope is suspended over the bolt. The great thing with this mount is you don't have to bend a bolt or know how to drill and tap to install it. I was able to completely install the mount in about a half an hour with only the following tools:
- Assorted Allen Wrenches;
- Assorted Punches;
- Mallet.
When you first look at the Iron Elite mount you wonder if the cantilever style mount will really hold the scope in place after firing many cartridges or being jostled around while being dragged through the brush. I answer this question later in the article.
|
|
Cantilever
|
can·ti·le·ver n. A projecting structure, such as a beam, that is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end or along its length.
Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cantilever |
|
 |
|
Iron Elite Supplied Product Description
|
|
M48Y Mount W/Rings $112.45
|
|
Most people favor and enjoy shooting a scope mounted rifle, but until now you had to either drill & tap the receiver, cut off and weld on a new handle or bend the bolt handle after heating it with a torch. There are other mounts available , but none of them offer the Iron Elite advantages.
Iron Elite TM Classic Cantilever Scope Mounts
- No Drilling
- No Gunsmithing
- No Permanent Alterations To Weapon
- Use Standard Eye Relief Rifle Scopes
- Does Not Interfere With Use Of Safety
- Windage & Elevation Adjustable
- Uses Standard Or Dual Dovetail Rings
Iron Elite offers mounts for the following Mauser rifles:
- German K98K
- Yugo K98K reworks
- M48,M48A Yugoslavian
- VZ24 Czechoslovakian
- 98/22 Czechoslovakian
- M38 Turkish
|
|
 |
|
|
| Please use the legend in figure 26 when installing your mount. Not all steps are covered in the photos but are in the written text instructions. The part names used in the text instructions correlate with the part names used in the legend above. |
 |
Place the retaining nut into the leaf spring groove of the rifle's rear sight as shown in figure 27. |
|
| Place the Iron Elite scope mount onto the sight bridge making sure the hole in the mount aligns over the retaining nut (figure 28). |
 |
|
 |
Turn the rifle on the side and place the retaining pin in the hole in the side of the sight bridge/frame. Using a punch and mallet tap the pin through the scope mount until it is centered between the sight bridge and securely holding the mount in place. |
|
| Use the provided allen wrench to tighten the set screw that is in the center of the retaining nut. This will secure the retaining nut in the rear sight's leaf spring grooves. The instructions note that you should not over tighten or use loctite. Install the retaining screw and tighten with the provided allen wrench. Tighten the retaining pin set screw at the very front of the mount. |
 |
|
 |
Turn the elevation screw until it just touches the receiver. The tip of the screw is brass tipped so it should not scratch or mar your receiver's finish. |
|
|
The rings included with my mount are Leopold scope rings and like the mount are a very high quality product. You could say that I approve.
Mark Trope is turning me into a scope and scope mounting hardware snob. There are many things that it is perfectly all right to go cheap on when purchasing. Optics and optics mounting hardware is not one of these areas!
Mount the scope and tighten the rings.
|
 |
|
 |
Please note that scope sits off to the left hand side of the receiver (figure 33). This is true with the Iron Elite mounts also made for the Yugo K98K reworks, Cz VZ24, Cz 98/22, M38 Turkish Mausers. The 98k Mount sits directly over the receiver. This is because the 98k bolt is bent already to a degree that allows for proper clearance of the bolt whereas the other Mausers either have semi-bent or non-bent bolts and the mount needs to be offset to allow for non-modification of the bolt handle. This is great! |
|
| Well, figure 34 shows the completed project ready to go to the range and test fire. |
 |
|
|
Range Day aka Swimming in the Cold!
|
 |
Weather had prohibited me from going to the range now for the past three weeks and short of a tornado, hurricane, and torrential flood all happening at the same time - I was going! Range day came and it was very cold and wet.
I decided that since the end result of this project is supposed to be a hunting rifle, that it would be appropriate to use commercial 8mm Mauser ammo. So, begrudgingly (because of the expense of $20 per box) I purchase four boxes for the test.
|
|
| I purchased four boxes because I had no idea how many rounds it would take for me to sight in the scope and since my range is a 45 minute drive one way I wanted to make certain I had more than an adequate supply on hand to get the job done. Although the Iron Elite mount has both elevation and windage adjustments I was very lucky (probably far more lucky than ever before) as I was able to place shots on paper right away and it took me less than seven shots to get the scope reasonably dialed in as shown in figure 37. |
 |
|
 |
Any fears that I harbored hat the scope would not be secured properly were quickly put to rest. This is a very solid setup! The mount is great. I ended up shooting all four boxes of cartridges during the shooting session (with cool-off sessions periodically) just because I wanted to give the rifle a good test. My shoulder took a little bruising, but the zero stayed intact and I was quickly shooting out at the 100 yard range and very accurately at that. The stock's recoil pad limited the bruising though and is the reason I was able to shoot for such an extended time. Well, and the fact that I was having fun! |
|
|
When you combine all of the new components with the Mauser: The greatly improved grip of the handsome Boyd's JRS rifle stock, innovative and very stable Iron Elite scope mount, and the phenomenally improved trigger because of the Huber Concept's trigger upgrade, I was soon shooting 100 yard three shot targets very similar to the target shown in figure 38.
I left the range cold and wet, but with a smile on my face.
|
 |
|
|
| Compatibility Note: The components in this article are available for most Mauser rifles. You may not own a Yugo m48, but you may own a Turkish 1903/38 or a k98 Mauser and with to complete the same project. You can! The Huber Trigger will work with most any Mauser I have touched. The Iron Elite scope mount is available for the Yugo K98K reworks, Cz VZ24, Cz 98/22, M38 Turkish, and k98k Mausers and the Boyd' generic Mauser stock will work on most 98 Mauser pattern rifles. So, granted the focus of this article is on the Yugo m48, but you could basically build the same rifle on most Mausers. |
|
 |
After I got home and cleaned the Mauser I removed the stock, replaced the Huber trigger with the original military issue trigger, removed the Iron Elite scope mount and reinstalled the original rear sight. Then I reassembled the rifle with the military components I had stored away. I had completed the project and had my Yugo m48 Mauser back in its unaltered original configuration.
No evidence of Bubba here!
|
|
| I waited until the end of the article to let you know that the article actually does not stop here. I was able to get FAC of America to sponsor a contest associated with this article. If you would like to win a Boyd's laminate stock and Iron Elite scope mount for your very own Yugo m48 then please go to the http://www.gunsnstuff.net/ web site and on the main page you will find the following section: |
|
This is a sample graphic only. It is just a screen shot so you will know what to look for!
|
|
|
|
Click on the Free Newsletter Graphic above to go to the FAC website and enter the contest!
|
| Once on the FAC website's entry page you will enter your email address and then click on the submit button. On March 31st, 2005, FAC will send me an email address and I will contact that person and let them know that they are the winner! Then I will send them the components. To me this is really cool. To be able to actually give someone else the same components I used in the article. There is no obligation to purchase anything. All you have to do is sign up for the email newsletters telling you about sales at FAC on mil-surp parts and rifles. |
|
FAC Mailing List Privacy Statement
|
| Privacy is important to us; therefore, we will not sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone. At any point, you can select the link at the bottom of every email to unsubscribe, or to receive less or more information. |
|
|
| |
|
Winner Selected!!!
|
|
Bill Umphrey wins himself the Boyd's Yugo m48 Stock, Huber Trigger, and the Iron-Elite Scope Mount!!!
Congratulations Bill and thank you FAC!
|
|
| |
| jlm;) |
| |
|
Adobe PDF Downloadable Version of Article
|
| |
| |
