Mauser 98K - Springer Conversion

[2nd Bat]

Do you know what FPS you produce from your guns Ersatzjack? All five of the Sprinmger Bolt actions I've built (which are all based on VSR knock off springers) shoot .20 grams at just under 400 FPS unless they have a tightbore barrel which cranks them up to about 440 FPS. I suspect because they are single shots they are far more consistent from shot to shot then an AEG and being springers are way more consistent then gas guns. They are actually quite
competitive in an airsoft skirmish where AEG gunners are limited to low or real cap magazines.

The MP001 base rifle I use unfortunately does not have a hop up system that works well with .25 or 28 gram BBs so Ishoot 20 grams from them. The heavier weight BBs would be a better cal for most bolt action rifles but unfortunately not the MP001

[ersatzjack2]

2nd Bat, To answer your question,

At the NY game in August the first mauser chrono'ed in at 426fps, the second at 430 fps, the third (ersatzjack2's) came in at 426 and the scoped K98 (the latest one) at 440-445 fps.

[2nd Bat]

That's quite appropriate for bolt action rifles. Harder then most AEGs and not so hard that limited engagement ranges beyond what are usually employed need to be factored in. When you get up over about 450FPS it's a prudent idea to restrict those rifles from enagaging the opposition inside of about 50 feet. (The sting factor drops off considerably after about 45 feet)

(Two 1/2 car lengths) When guns go up over 500 FPS it probably needs to be expanded further as is done on most fields. The challenge of course is getting folks who can accurately and responsibly, gauge those distances.

[Ersatzjack]

New addition to the family. Family of Mauser's that is.

I just finished the latest Mauser and wanted to post in the technical thread. This one is going in the airsoft FOR SALE thread too. It is my 5th Mauser and my third 98K.

This gun is a 98K cupped-buttplate that had a metal dowel repair that was removed since that was post-war and replaced with a wood dowel repair which arguably could be WW2. I followed the same construction methods of previous models. The parts used/supplied include the Wooden Stock = $100, Laylax Teflon cylinder $110, high pressure piston = $50 (this piston is a backup piston for use with high power springs) I use the stock piston in the gun because I like the way it shoots with a fairly reasonable spring. The stock cylinder, upgraded piston and stock spring all go with the gun as back ups. You can't use a more powerful spring with the stock piston (it is plastic and strips if you try) and would need to use the upgraded piston if you wanted more power but who needs it? It shoots 420-430 as is. Coke can chrono and experience tells me this. It's smooth as silk BTW. Base USR-11 = $100 and $20 for a 130 spring. It has an upgraded nozzle and spring guide. $60. The nozzle is a PDI with a o-ring seal and I think the spring guide is a steel upgrade. It has upgraded Laylax sears all three parts that go with that modification for another $100 including trigger springs. The crucial Laylax hardened bolt handle so that I could mod the bolt = $60. It also has the sling and sight hood and cleaning rod, let's say $50. Miscellaneous metal that I needed for the stock included a real steel barrel with gunsmith drilling and trigger guard, upper and lower bands, spring yada, yada -- $175. Shipping charges $40. Add all that up and it comes to $865. This is just a low end guesstimate. So what about labor??? I guess we'll make that $35 to round off the price. Then add $10 more for the retrofit on the left side of the receiver. That makes it a $910 gun. Make no mistake - I think that's pretty close to what it cost me.

What doesn't it have?? Well it doesn't have a PDI receiver or cylinder set, or PDI trigger or tightbore upgrade. Those are the biggies. It could be upgraded to tightbore with no problem but the stock has been carved for the stock receiver so trying to put a PDI receiver in would now be tricky. That's why some upgrades have to be selected before the gun is started. I will be selling this on the other thread. I only need so many and want to spread the happiness. That's actually the way I am compensated for my labor. It would be nice if a 9th SS candidate could buy it. I would discount it $50 for a new member joining up, or an established member. I'm asking $910 for this one to cover my costs, or $860 as expained above. SOLD

Testimonials:
Udo - who bought my first one had this to say in messages to me.
Aug 27th - "What can I say? This rifle is awesome and exceeding my expectations in every way. This is truly a one of a kind. It seems very accurate." On the 28th he said, "I threw about 120 rounds through it last night and boy is my arm sore. My buddy, who is not well versed in airsoft, said it was "the coolest bb gun he has ever seen."

burt - who is on these boards and operates airsoftcorner.com said "Outstanding craftsmanship and superb quality - a real pleasure to shoot with all the feel of true steel. A must have for the true WW2 airsoft collector". He has commissioned me to build him a sniper version which is in the works.

No existing Mauser rifle was harmed in the making of this airsoft version."
Anyway, here are the pictures.






UPDATE
Sniper98 ended up with this gun. When asked in a PM how he liked it after owning it for several weeks he replied, "Also I love the 98k springer. I cant stop shooting it, lol." Another satisfied former Tanaka 98K owner.

[Ersatzjack]

Back once again to my favorite thread . This time I am here to announce completion (99.9%) of my sixth conversion. This is an "Enemy at the Gates" weapon. Yeah, sniper version. I used PDI throughout and this one got a real WWII scope unlike the reproduction one I used because the price was right. It has a nice thick sight post inside unlike the thin post in the repo. The scope is quick release and the new owner might want to add a scope box to his items. This is going to a FJ troop out in NY and is spoken for. I just have to finish painting the bottom of the magazines and this one is done. Probably 430-440 fps like mine. It also has a lighter colored sling since it is a FJ rifle. It should give years of service. I couldn't leave you all in the lurch while I went off tomorrow for fun at the Neillsville event so I figured I'd stay up late and post this before I hit the road. I wanted to do something for the 'Little People'. Little People are defined here as anyone who doesn't get to go airsofting on a fine fall weekend. Excuse me, but I'm feeling kind of smug because I won at cards tonight and that rarely happens. A good omen for the weekend I'm thinking.

I am going to make two more and am just waiting for some missing airsoft upgrade parts. Then I'll probably not build another unless it is for some very unusual reason. Of the two remaining, one will be a Boyds stock and the other is a lighter colored blond k98 from Norway. They also will be all PDI. The 5th one is going to Neillsville this weekend for a tryout. It is still for sale but there is a chance that someone there will take notice of it. Anyhow - here are the pictures.













UPDATE
Josh at Airsoft corner provided the following feedback for this gun which he acquired from me.

"I GOT IT, I GOT IT…. I sighted it in and its dead on with .23gr at 75ft the length of my work shop
( around a 8” grouping ) Fps hi 489 low 464 FPS." - Josh (aka burt)

[2nd Bat]

That really looks super. The best one yet (in my opinion) Thanks for helping to get these out there on the airsoft field. I know all too well how hard these are to build in terms of time and effort and you are significantly under paid. Great job.

[jd7]

My man over at WWII airsoft UK has done a really nice conversion of a VSR 2 k98 following in the steps of the one posted here.

USA and UK WWII Airsoft would be great if we could do a combined US EAST coast weekender !!

hell I know UK guys going to Russia middle winter, so what's the 'short hop' over the 'big pond' to east coast USA? if there was a venue.

[grinch]

2ndbat said:

When your dentists tells you the chipped tooth will cost 700.00 to fix I hope you remember that not wearing a face mask was your decision...

Little off topic... I have lost half of me second front tooth earlier about 6 years ago as i were hobbying airsoft maybe my 2nd year.

But now i moved back to goggles (Bolle x800) it gives more vision but one thing is sure, IN CQB games i will use mask.

PS. The gun which shot me from 5m (moutth not shut as breething) was from russian and was ûber powerful. Outside normal limits i would think.... i was 8 years old then, or 9 or 10 donno.


Cya!

Grinch

[grinch]

And the repair was for me thank god.

I see people building mortars... i say what one Finn guy said:

If the maker and shooter cant put hes hand over the barrel and shoot... i will not allow to use it

[2nd Bat]

The exit point on the NERF launchers is quite powerful and remain so for a good 20 feet. (They fire the NERF rockets 130 yards when powered by a CO2 cartridge!) They obviously should be shot in a plunging arch and one must take great care not to have the head or face over the barrel when shooting it. Duhhhhhh!

[Ersatzjack]

Oh my. Looks like I just can't stay away from my own thread. How pathetic. Well I have a problem. It seems like I can't stop building them. But that's not true. I will make one more using a boyds stock that I purchased (it seems like they aren't selling those anymore in case anyone cares) and it will be a cupped buttplate model with full PDI internals and will be my last for the foreseeable future.

I just finished Mauser #7 tonight (except for painting the magazines) and wanted to post the pictures. I really like the way this one turned out. I had been hoarding some of the waffenampt stamped parts and put them all into this gun. This is my keeper. That means I have to add another one to the for sale column and I was thinking of making it my sniper rig. I have to mull that over. Anyway this one has the Bore-Up cylinder kit which allowed me to go with a weaker spring and it still shoots comparable to the others although I won't know for sure until Dec 8th in New York when I get to use burt's chrono. Without further ado -

[chasem]

Looks great as always.

[Ersatzjack]

This thread has lied dormant for far too long and I for one am not going to stand for it.

Okay - time for a little update. The only thing I wasn't totally happy with was the cosmetics on the back of the receiver by the bolt and safety. I sorta solved that with the safety lever but I think this is better.





Don't anyone fret that I dug into the stockpile of rare WWII parts. This was from parts saved from an earlier K98 demise. That was when I bought a whole rifle instead of parts. Glad I didn't give them to my friend. The neat thing is that the parts of the VSR-10 that allow for the detent (that clicking noise and feel) that works on a stock VSR-10 are incorporated underneath (you'll have to trust me) and so I still get the click up and click down with the motion of the bolt. Time will tell if it is strong enough. I kept the other end as a backup. Very time consuming BTW without a nice milling machine.

[CharleyNovember]

Great addition to your already great replicas man! Does the safety function or is it cosmetic only? It really adds to the look if nothing more though.

[Ersatzjack]

allamericandan said:

Great addition to your already great replicas man! Does the safety function or is it cosmetic only? It really adds to the look if nothing more though.

Nope - the safety does not work. The cocking piece is welded below and so doesn't move for the safety to flip over. Besides, my guns are never placed on safe. They have to be ready for the next shot . Thanks! With your mini-mill this would be an easy (relatively) addition for your customers.

[CharleyNovember]

Problem is more people order the Mosin Nagants now than k98's. I have the safety switch but not the whole back section it looks like you have added.

[Ersatzjack]

CN - Funny you should mention Mosin-Nagant. I am going to try my hand at that next. It has different challenges and doesn't look to be as easy a conversion by a long shot although it is cheaper I think. Anyhow, I'll hopefully post on it if I get it together. It is not for me but spoken for already. I understand why you have more MN orders. They aren't available anywhere. With the Mausers, people have so many choices.

[CharleyNovember]

I think you will find the conversion satisfying as you said unique challenges are involved but a real nice change of pace from the K98's for you.

[Ersatzjack]

Well - this is the end of the line for my Mauser building. I am on a permanent hiatus for now. Next project is the Mosin-Nagant and it looks definitely challenging.

Mauser Number Eight is finished however and is here to report for duty. I used all PDI upgrade for this one as well which elevates the price and I think I got the last Mauser stock that Boyd's intends to make (at least until someone promises to buy a big production run). They had to set up the CNC machine just to make me a handguard. Ha-ha. That was really nice of them. Anyhow, I really like how it turned out. It is rock solid and the Boyd's stock allowed for extra room (tolerances) since they are slightly oversized and sanding is supposed to make them correct sized but if you don't want exact Mauser tolerances and a little extra wood in the right place is a good idea than the Boyd's was the solution. Too bad they aren't available any longer. If I was gonna do another, I'd wait to see what that Chinese wood stock version Mauser is selling for. That could be a great base gun to convert.

My brother hasn't had his hands on this one yet but after he decides if he wants it or keeps his original I will sell the one not chosen. It is currently spoken for by a person on these boards so I don't have one to put on the market right now. All-in-all, I had a great time with these and really enjoy watching the progress that other folks make too (even if I don't always say so.) I kinda get into trouble that way so now I'm gun shy (punny) about posting.

Here are the pictures.









Next time it will be a new thread. Mosin Nagant!

UPDATE: This one sold to one of my unit members. Here is his comment, "I already love the Mauser. I chronoed it at the event the next day and it shot 450 with the hop up on. I cannot wait to use it at a WW II event." Another satisfied customer. Too bad that Laylax bolt handles are extinct presently as now I really have to take a break.

[Ersatzjack]

So Burt the Great discovered a great way to line up the bolt handle and recess and didn't need the stock anymore from Mauser6 so sold it back to me at a reasonable price. For Him . The stock appreciated being saved from the scrap heap.

Anyway - I built Mauser9 with it. This one is sold to another unit member. We'll see how Garrick likes it. I tried some new things on this one. It kept the stock receiver but other parts of the rifle were upgraded where it counted. It has a tightbore and other cylinder and internal upgrades. It is built not to break. I think it will shoot about 440-FPS. It is shown without the bolt sleeve modification but that is going to be added as well. I figure about one week. I was using my stockpile of Laylax bolt handles for this one. I have one left (I had to find it in England) for another rifle (yep, you guessed it - another team member) and then I will take a break. Our squad could do early war now. Let's see... we have 5 of my Mausers in tow. We'll have six in a few months. That will make a nice picture. ;D

FEEDBACK - Garrick used it first time at Operation Overloard in Fargo, ND (Jun 08) and posted this in another forum. - "I am happy as a pig in slop with this new piece of hardware!" That makes me happy.

[Chaos]

Does anyone have a good guide for doing the conversion, i just picked up a cheap Dboys 98K and JG Bar - 10 and want to merge them to make a shell less Kar 98, found heaps of info on WW2AA but no straight guide, thanks in advance.

[click]

Ersatz the stock on #8 is just beautiful!

[Garrick Udet]

Just some follow up on Mauser #9:
- I used it at Migano gap in July and the accuracy issue (shooting to the left slightly) was resolved by taking apart and reassembling the gun. Chronoed in at 458-458-482 with .20s.

- Ersatzjack has had it since that event to wrap up a few final tweaks before Baltic Summer. I also have the cleaning rod now.

-Full writeup and review will be posted following Baltic, but I'd like to say again how great these Mausers are.

[maxdesp]

I would like to know too, Chaos, if it is possible to assemble vsr + kar98 dboys ... :x

[2nd Bat]

It would seem to me to be just as easy and virtually the same cost to marry an actual Kar 98 to a vsr/ Bar 10 as using a Dboy Kar 98 and would result in a nicer end result.

[zzs8mm]

You have to realize that modifying a K98 stock will turn it of something that can appreciate in value over time into basic firewood. K98 stocks go for big money, about $100 a piece (more for matching numbered parts). Once you cut it, you can't go back. There is still a good demand for these stocks, as many collectors are trying to restore sporterized rifles back to its former glory. Isn't it more worth it to buy a Dboys K98 and just upgrading it?

For the airsoft world, sure for the realism. In the gun world, especially those who collect historical military rifles, they will be shocked and appalled by it.

Other parts go for big money too:
Handguard $20
Stock bands/ w band spring: $10-30
Triggerguard/w floorplate: $20-50

[Ersatzjack]

Well, I promised some positive news for Monday but it took me a couple of extra days. Here it is all done. It is a sweet one and I'm not making that up. It really looks a lot like ersatzjack2's Mauser. This is Mauser10. It is Udo's rifle. The coke can chrono says over 450FPS. It punches right through the bottom of a can. Shoots right through both sides clean as a whistle, and puts a big dent and starts going through the top of a can. It has never had a misfeed yet. Nice tight action. Yeah, I like this one. The only thing I consider an improvement was a shorter magazine catch arm. It still holds real good but is a little shorter. It is a cosmoline stored stock and might sweat a little on a hot day like Steve's gun but that can be cured too. Oh, the bayonet is for the picture. You'll need to get your own.

Next up is Shady's Mauser and I am itching to build it because it is going to use some new parts. It will be the first one with the Laylax trigger system and also is getting dampers for the piston so it will be quieter. Then another Mosin-Nagant and I think that will do it for me for awhile.






Three magazines all 30-rounders


Deadly at any range. Okay, a little exaggerated, maybe.

[Ersatzjack]

Finished Shady's Mauser tonight. Boy, I worked all week on it because I promised him this for this weekend.

It is upgraded with Laylax parts. Tightbore, Zero Trigger (very smooth), spring 150 Laylax, and a nine ball hop up rubber. I also bought those damping pads for in the piston. This gun is quiet. Haven't shot it yet outside but I chrono'd inside with mixed results. 507-FPS was highest but mostly about 450-FPS. I'll have to test it in daylight outside. He bought a super nice stock for this one (Oak w/ waffenampts all over) and it wasn't destroyed (at least for airsoft) and it is very pretty.



zzs8mm - I understand your comments and appreciate you presented it in a tactful way. What it comes down to for me is that in a free country, I get to spend my fun money my way. Those "collectors" trying to fix their sporterized K98's can compete for the parts with me and others like me. I didn't tell them to throw away their original stock, did I? Besides, you can get a complete run-of-the-mill Mauser for a couple of hundred if you shop around. There are still stockpiles of Russian Capture rifles to be had. When these airsoft versions are done they are worth $1100 - $1,300 depending on the upgrades I use. Which is more valuable then on a strict monetary scale? But to the airsofters who carry them, they have more than monetary value. They really add to the experience.

Set your mind at ease on one point... I wouldn't destroy a collectors gun. Not yet at any rate.

[kilroy9thss]

the rifles look great but i would try and find demilled k98s before destroying a still working rc k98 but like u said its a free country an u can do what u want but it is shame to do that. but still they look great nice job

[Ersatzjack]

Apr 24, 2009 10:54:39 GMT -5 kilroy9thss said:

the rifles look great but i would try and find demilled k98s before destroying a still working rc k98 but like u said its a free country an u can do what u want but it is shame to do that. but still they look great nice job

Okay. If I do another, and that is questionable, I will search first for a demilled rifle. Actually I have seen them and they cost more than one that shoots most of the time - CRRAZY. But I will try.

Oh, I guess I used a bad example, because the only complete rifles I've ever cut up have been the Yugo M48's (my first two). The rest I'm almost sure have come from parts and stocks. No Russian Capture guns. But admittedly there is a finite number of stocks still out there.

Next project for me is getting the G43 humming and then (2) MGs. So I don't plan on re-visiting rifle production for awhile.