KestrelBike
11-13-2015, 12:37
My very first gun was a German Kar98K 8mm my parents got me on my 18th b-day (kind of a big deal, considering they never let me have a BB gun because they didn't want me shooting my eye out... but my dad taught me the fundamentals of gun safety with his antiques). It's a fantastic rifle that I'd like to keep in the safe. That said, I'd love another Kar98K to have just to shoot for fun, but more importantly in a caliber that's cheaper than what non-corrosive 8mm is going for (which is close to $1/rd after S&H these days).
Enter the various Kar98K caliber conversions, the 7.62*51 being the most desirous to me. There are Spanish ones and South American conversions of dubious quality/safety. What I'd really like is one of the Israeli models because they have a bit more historical value for me. I've called all around the LGS's around here with no luck (they've all been courteous, but only a couple have heard about 7.62 conversions, mostly the ones from Spain or SAmer), but gunbroker currently has about 4 for sale. Here's one that I'm interested in, but am slightly hesitant about what looks like pitting on top of the receiver. I just emailed the seller asking for pics of the breech/chamber and of the bore. Is it possible/worthwhile to try to clean up some of the metal?
62074
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Here's the link to that auction (I'm not terribly worried about someone here bidding & winning; the current bid-price of $328 is honestly not fantastic, but since these are all I can find on the market, *shrugs*)
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=520843528
Here's another auction going for $355 at the moment, http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=517164716
The bore looks a bit suspect in the first pic, but honestly I can't say I'm an expert at all in what's acceptable for a rifle this old. The barrel conversions are from the 50's. Meanwhile, the receiver looks to be in a lot better shape superficially than the first auction above.
62078 62079
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Anyways, I appreciate any all comments/thoughts/warnings/advice. I'd like one of these rifles because I'm interested in the history and I'd like to shoot in a caliber that is easy to find, but I'm not hung up on aesthetics or perfect-condition. All I really care about is safety/function (I'd much rather have it shoot straight than have a non-pitted receiver on top, but I know the latter can often be a sign of the overall condition of the parts that truly matter). Thanks!!
Fun fact: You'll notice that one rifle has the Star of David crest on top of the receiver but the other rifle doesn't (but has the six-pointed star as stamps in various places). When the Israelis converted the German rifles, they apparently only put the Crest on some of them. This increases the collector value, and it'd be cool to have it, but it's not that important to me.
Enter the various Kar98K caliber conversions, the 7.62*51 being the most desirous to me. There are Spanish ones and South American conversions of dubious quality/safety. What I'd really like is one of the Israeli models because they have a bit more historical value for me. I've called all around the LGS's around here with no luck (they've all been courteous, but only a couple have heard about 7.62 conversions, mostly the ones from Spain or SAmer), but gunbroker currently has about 4 for sale. Here's one that I'm interested in, but am slightly hesitant about what looks like pitting on top of the receiver. I just emailed the seller asking for pics of the breech/chamber and of the bore. Is it possible/worthwhile to try to clean up some of the metal?
62074
62073
Here's the link to that auction (I'm not terribly worried about someone here bidding & winning; the current bid-price of $328 is honestly not fantastic, but since these are all I can find on the market, *shrugs*)
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=520843528
Here's another auction going for $355 at the moment, http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=517164716
The bore looks a bit suspect in the first pic, but honestly I can't say I'm an expert at all in what's acceptable for a rifle this old. The barrel conversions are from the 50's. Meanwhile, the receiver looks to be in a lot better shape superficially than the first auction above.
62078 62079
62080 62081 62082
Anyways, I appreciate any all comments/thoughts/warnings/advice. I'd like one of these rifles because I'm interested in the history and I'd like to shoot in a caliber that is easy to find, but I'm not hung up on aesthetics or perfect-condition. All I really care about is safety/function (I'd much rather have it shoot straight than have a non-pitted receiver on top, but I know the latter can often be a sign of the overall condition of the parts that truly matter). Thanks!!
Fun fact: You'll notice that one rifle has the Star of David crest on top of the receiver but the other rifle doesn't (but has the six-pointed star as stamps in various places). When the Israelis converted the German rifles, they apparently only put the Crest on some of them. This increases the collector value, and it'd be cool to have it, but it's not that important to me.