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Post by Polski on Feb 20, 2009 6:22:39 GMT -5
This is my first WWII gun project. Watching and learning from the custom projects of other enthusiasts on the forum, I’ve decided to finally take the first step and put together a fully functional piece of history. Though this will be my first creation, I have no intention of having it be anything less than beautiful; for this, I will ask for help and guidance from you all along the way and the gun I have decided to create is the famous German Karabiner 98 Kurz. As you can see with the pictures below, I’ve already started by prepping and sanding a wooden stock. I’ve decided to take my time with this process since the more effort I put into it, the more it will show once it is finished. I’ve already got some Minwax pre-stain, stain, and polyurethane set for when I feel the stock is ready. *One thing I’ll say before the pictures is that the stock was custom made from a soft wood, you may be able to see this in the second picture showing the inside of the stock; not as strong or nice as Walnut, it is nonetheless an easier wood to manipulate. (Just to explain a few things here: the butt plate and front barrel are covered with tape to prevent scratches. The butt plate by the way, is real as well the barrel band, which is not shown in any of the pictures.) (Again, if you look closely at the inside you can see shavings and imperfections from when the stock was created.) (Alright, here is why I am taking my time with sanding. From the grip to the rear of the stock, the rifle is done. From the grip to the barrel tip however you might be able to see a darker, more black spotted surface; this is probably due to using soft wood. It might take some time, but I’m going to sand the whole rifle until it is as clear and pale as the rear, or butt, of the stock.)So this is my progress thus far, I already have a question concerning gun, or perhaps wood, care concerning the stock. I want the stock to be healthy and last for a long time, so I was wondering if there was any kind of treatment you can give the wood in order to sustain and nourish it overtime? Any kind of gel or oil perhaps? Furthermore would I apply this treatment before or after I have placed the final coat of protective polyurethane? Thank you all for looking and please share any helpful information you might have. Polski,
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kalbs
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,142
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Post by kalbs on Feb 20, 2009 8:05:25 GMT -5
Very nice. I love the wood grain pattern. I hope you have a nice place to display it. I am so impressed.
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Post by A.K.L. on Feb 20, 2009 9:02:35 GMT -5
I am sorry I cannot give you any more input than it looks awesome and you have nice carpenting skills!
Good luck and keep us posted!
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Post by Polski on Feb 28, 2009 2:53:34 GMT -5
Thank you very much kalbs and Der Kampfer, the community of WW2AA is certainly one of the most nicest and encouraging. The stock is almost ready for staining; the process is unfortunately going to take longer than expected, due to college; but my goal for finishing the project will be late March, if all goes well.
Thank you again, will post progress as it occurs. Polski
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Post by Polski on Mar 13, 2009 20:51:21 GMT -5
UpdateGood Evening Everyone! I was happily given enough time this Friday to continue my project, and at last I have progressed from sanding to staining. The pictures you will soon see are of the stock itself, drying. It needs a total of 8-9 hours to fully settle, which means it will be dry around midnight, thus I decided to take a couple of early pictures while it was still sunny outside. As you can see, I used Minwax Pre-Stain and Wood Finish with a natural bristle brush; still have to wait before applying the protective coat of Polyurethane. I think I’ll leave the inside as is, but will nonetheless coat it with polyurethane when the time comes. At first, with the application of pre-stain, I noticed that all the black disease-like spots that I had spent days on sanding from the stock, returned almost instantly; I suppose that’s just unavoidable with soft-woods. However, as you can see, the Wood Finish really did the trick; I can barely see any spots. There will be an honest attempt, on my part, to assemble the rifle tonight or definitely by tomorrow. I have decided to use parts from a Gas Dboys 98k that I ordered from RSOV; this brings another benefit that I will be able to do a comparison between a stock stock and custom stock. As always, thank you for taking the time to look and if you have any tips, especially concerning gun care, please do not hesitate to share. Polski,
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Post by waffenbruder on Mar 14, 2009 11:14:53 GMT -5
Wow, it really looks unbelievable. You did a fantastic job, btw what color wood stain did you use
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mccallion
Private 1st Class
Official Road Sign Reader (retired)
Posts: 770
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Post by mccallion on Mar 14, 2009 11:31:49 GMT -5
wow that stock is amazing!
mccallion
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Ersatzjack
Corporal
"That silly Franz... he thinks we are winning."
Posts: 1,093
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Post by Ersatzjack on Mar 15, 2009 19:29:25 GMT -5
Looks pretty. Can't wait to see the finished product.
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Post by Polski on Mar 18, 2009 17:04:52 GMT -5
Thank you waffenbruder, mccallion, and Ersatzjack; your complements are what drive me to finish this project.
Waffenbruder, the wood stain color I used is called “Gunstock 231”. It’s fairly new to the Minwax arsenal, but as you can see it works well; especially with hiding unwanted disease-looking dots. The only downfall to it is that, since it’s new, it’s sold by the quart, not the pint; in other words it sure would have been more favorable to buy this product if I had 200+ stocks to stain.
This might be an odd question, but, is there such thing as transparent or clear grease?
Polski,
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mccallion
Private 1st Class
Official Road Sign Reader (retired)
Posts: 770
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Post by mccallion on Mar 18, 2009 19:10:48 GMT -5
polski, that stock looks just like an original ww2 k98 i saw recentally the color is spot on!
mccallion
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Post by Polski on Mar 20, 2009 22:02:36 GMT -5
For a forum that has seen its fair share of Kar 98ks, I nonetheless hope to impress some enthusiasts and hard core moderators. From Tuesday to Thursday, of this week, I completed the staining and coating process; I've included wearing down, with a sponge, as part of the coating process. From there I used steel wool to shine the associated silver parts, while polishing the rest of the rifle to attain a nice shine and feel. Before I started putting together the rifle, I decided to take a few stock comparison pictures. The stock at the top is my creation, while the one below is a Dboys, wood version, stock.While both stocks look nice, my custom stock has a roomier groove for the bolt handle.At this point I’d like to say that my custom stock’s butt-plate is real; though you might not see it, and I will have more pictures soon, there is a small eagle grasping a swastika symbol in the middle of the butt-plate. Here is something that might be useful to some Kar 98k owners, the two bolts you see above are both for the Dboys Kar98k. But one is spring, you might be able to see the internal spring on the side-angled picture, and the other is gas, I tried to align the bolt so that one could see the o-ring access point for gas. While not official, the gas bolt shoots at 400fps with a 6mm .2 gram bb; the spring bolt fires the same caliber at 300fps. Again, I will confirm power in the future, but what is certain, and verified by me, is that both bolts can be interchanged with either Dboy Kar98k body; this gives potential for the rifle to be used as both a mid and long ranged weapon. Those that own a Dboys, and perhaps the same applies to Tanaka and Marushin 98ks, know that the bolt can be taken out very quickly and easily; much like its military counterpart. Honestly, I could really picture someone going into battle with a spring 98k, skirmish with it, and interchange it with a gas bolt whenever longer range would be more beneficial. As far as the shells go, I used to airsoft with an accurate Pro 9 about 6 years ago and I didn’t mind the shells; even while confronting G36s and AKs, I just calmed down fired with an extended hand to pocket a shell ever time I patiently cycled the bolt. In other words the Dboys Kar98k is really not as un-skirmishable in the end as many had thought it to be. Though my creation might never see battle, for reasons not related to performance, I would nonetheless go to a WWII skirmish with a Dboys in my hands and some loaded shells in my 98k pouch. With that said, I suppose all that is left is to show you my rifle: I have only taken one picture of the rifle because she is actually not yet done; the project is only 90% done. While Ersatzjack might know what is to come, I will leave everyone else with a hint: “I named this “Project Scharfschütze” for a reason. Polski,
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mccallion
Private 1st Class
Official Road Sign Reader (retired)
Posts: 770
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Post by mccallion on Mar 20, 2009 22:12:48 GMT -5
wow that looks amasing man great job!
mccallion
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TommyGunner
Staff Sgt.
Hackjob Mauro
1st Marine Division, 1942
Posts: 2,265
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Post by TommyGunner on Mar 20, 2009 22:30:17 GMT -5
very very nice work! I love it.
so.......its going to be a sniper rifle.
TommyGunner
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Post by Polski on Mar 25, 2009 20:42:10 GMT -5
Thanks Mccallion and TommyGunner; and yes, it is indeed going to be a sniper rifle. I already have a zf-41 scope, however, I believe this rifle deserves a zf-39. Its going to take quite some time however to get one, so I think for now I’ll just post some more pictures of the rifle.
Polski,
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Post by Guinness on Mar 26, 2009 7:13:13 GMT -5
wouldn't be interested in selling the zf-41 then would ya?
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Post by Obergefreiter Raimund on Mar 26, 2009 7:27:58 GMT -5
OMG! How much did that cost you to make? I re-stained my D-boy and all. But your gun looks great! You can use it for Airsoft right? I mean, you fitted D-boy parts in it? I already have a d-boy wood version gun. I’d love to have a stock like yours though! How much did it cost you to make? How much would you sell one for? I mean the Stock to fit my D-boy parts if that is possible? BTW, I didn't even know d-boy made a gas bolt! I'll have to pick one up! Thanks for the information! Once again, Good looking gun! PS! I wanted to add that I scrimmage with the D-boy spring gun! I have 65 shells which is 13 stripper clips. My first two shots took out two guys at the Gap game. You can scrimmage with it. You just need good cover or great concealment! That or a reverse slope!
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Post by kilroy9thss on Mar 26, 2009 8:07:37 GMT -5
wow that looks great. cant wait to see it finished
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Post by Polski on Mar 29, 2009 22:39:05 GMT -5
Thank you Obergefreiter Raimund and Kilroy9thss, Guinness I will PM you about the ZF-41 scope.
Raimund, the project all together cost me about 400-500 to make; although it took way more time than money in my opinion. The stock, and all that went to finish it, I would estimate took 300 of that 500. Unfortunately I have no intentions to sell my creation; however, I would like to sell the Dboys Kar98k wood version-ed rifle that I made comparison pictures with.
Polski,
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Post by Wonko The Sane on Apr 7, 2009 15:26:06 GMT -5
I must say, if your able to make a replica with semi airsoft sniper rifle level accuracy out of this I will gladly sell some of my rifles to buy on of these, some tower mounts, and a ZF39! No rifle impresses me more than a authentic scope K98.
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Post by krumlauf83 on Apr 8, 2009 4:40:00 GMT -5
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Post by Guinness on Apr 9, 2009 18:37:30 GMT -5
yikes...I love accuracy and all, but that's pretty pricey for an Airsoft gun accessory dontcha think? I'll stick with trying to find a used Tanaka ZF-41 for $80 bucks or whatever lol- It's just a DBoyis after all, the whole point was how cool it was for so cheap. and mines shooting over 500 on avg with green gas.....
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Post by Polski on Apr 10, 2009 20:10:31 GMT -5
Thanks krumlauf83 for the link! They are a bit expensive, at least if you add the turret mounts which are also 300+; your left with an accessory that cost just as much as the whole gun project. Perhaps if I can sell my zf-41 scope…
Polski,
P.S. Guinness, the Tanaka zf-41 is cheap but it unfortunetly looks nothing like a real zf-41.
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Post by Polski on Apr 10, 2009 21:04:37 GMT -5
As promised, here are some more pictures. I also got a chance to finally shoot the rifle and assess its performance. Overall, I’ll say it’s not a skirmish weapon, but I nonetheless like it and would give it a chance at a WWII skirmish. The Kar98k has to be one of the most beautiful guns in the world; I could look at it for hours.For a quick review, this was a project I was working on throughout the winter. With a custom wood stock, gas Dboys internals, and a real butt, barrel band, and cleaning rod this is my first and best WWII project.Alright, this rifle is very accurate at 50 feet (You shouldn’t miss) and mediocre at 100 feet. (3 out of 5 times I hit the ball shaped target at 100 feet, thus it still should be accurate when shooting at a human torso) Here are the shooting results:
Shot 1: 50ft- perfect hit 100ft- miss Shot 2: 50ft-hit 100ft- barely hit Shot 3: 50ft-hit 100ft- miss Shot 4: 50ft- perfect hit 100ft- barely hit Shot 5: 50ft-hit 100ft- hit (Gas efficiency: All shots, 10 shells, were executed with only one fill of Green Gas.) *TWO THINGS: -Use silicone spray to lightly lubricate the rubber interior of the shells, this will increase your accuracy and possibly fps. (By the way, the gun had an average of 350 fps in cold weather.) -Make sure you have a cleaning rod, I had one shell clog itself to the point that the bolt catch would not bring it back…one small push with a cleaning rod however will fix this.For all these reasons, I would not recommend this rifle as a skirmish weapon; that is unless your up against other weapons that behave similarly with realism: Marushin Kar98ks, Clip Garands…etc.The point of my project was to finally make something with my own hands and furthermore show that it’s possible to create something better than what is being sold by the market. With this pictured comparison between my creation (right) and the wooden Dboys springer that I would actually like to sell (on the left), I believe I have accomplished my goal. But I’ll add a poll to see what you all think…Polski,
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Post by Guinness on Apr 11, 2009 19:52:51 GMT -5
wow polski! great job!
very impressive work and don't you enjoy it even more knowing you made it yourself.
Slainte!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 11, 2009 20:14:18 GMT -5
Ditto! Great job. Thanks for sharing your work.
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Post by Dees on Apr 17, 2009 23:11:38 GMT -5
That is a beautiful stock, you have really done a nice job on that man!
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Post by kilroy9thss on Apr 17, 2009 23:19:19 GMT -5
wow out standing
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Post by Polski on May 1, 2009 19:47:35 GMT -5
Hello Everyone,
Thank you Guinness, 2nd Bat, Dees, and Kilroy9thss, for all your kind words.
This project took a lot longer than I expected it to, mostly due to college. However, as you can see, it's worth it. I encourage everyone, regardless of your skills, to customize your store bought Kar and make it your own. Like Guinness expressed, you will enjoy your rifle more knowing that it truly is a work of your own hands. I enjoyed sharing this work; though with all the Kar98k projects on this forum I was not expecting to get stickied, and so for that I thank you all as well. Now as for my poll, I suppose the question was a little too easy. Lets see if I can make it more controversial.
Proud to be a part of such a friendly community forum, Polski
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