Questions on sporterized Krag

Sporterized and unofficial modified Krags
indy650
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:26 pm

Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by indy650 »

Just found this crack.
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20210401_221119.jpg
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Local Boy
Posts: 555
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2015 5:03 pm

Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by Local Boy »

Once again, check out previous forum discussions about dealing with securing the barrel to the stock.

The barrel, if not secured properly to the stock, could lead to the stock cracking just behind the tang of the receiver.

Almost exactly where yours is cracked.

indy650
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:26 pm

Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by indy650 »

Local Boy wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:03 pm Once again, check out previous forum discussions about dealing with securing the barrel to the stock.

The barrel, if not secured properly to the stock, could lead to the stock cracking just behind the tang of the receiver.

Almost exactly where yours is cracked.
yeah i looked it up. it's not worth any value as an original so I was thinking along the lines of tack welding a nut on the barrel and putting a screw through the stock. Lots easier than trying to reform the stock for a barrel band.

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butlersrangers
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Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by butlersrangers »

'indy650' - It would be interesting to see some photos of your front-sight.
This is often the best clue in determining if a 22 inch barrel is an original Krag carbine barrel.

Since you have a model 1896 receiver, actually any of the U.S. Krag cut-off levers will work on it.
The correct lever has a long shaft. (But, the short 1898 cut-off lever will function).
Initially, the 1896 action fed cartridges from the magazine with the lever in the 'down' position.
Later, these cut-off levers were replaced with a lever that fed when in the 'up' position.

I suspect your 'sportered' Krag was once fitted with a Pacific 'no-drill' receiver (peep) sight. The K1 & K2 Pacific aperture sights have a shaft on them, that occupies the hole for the cut-off. An 'Allen' screw, on the Pacific sight-base, locks into the cut-off 'niche', that was machined into the Krag's receiver.
There is a notch in your stock that was likely for clearance for the Pacific sight-base.

The use of a scope and a receiver sight would explain why your stock comb is so high.

The original Krag barrel mounted rear sights required a different 'low' cheek position.

The two sets of 'scope-mount holes', on your receiver, appear to be for a Weaver side-mount.
A detachable version of this mount, which clamps to a Weaver #2 side-plate, is still available and practical.

Previous owners must have found it necessary to move their scope to a different position or eye-relief. The Weaver 'rig' usually interferes with 'safety-lever' function.

The left side of your stock rises high and covers part of the magazine side-plate. This additional wood stiffens and strengthens the stock, in one area, where the wood often splits when no barrel-band is present.

The stock crack, you have discovered, is likely the result of rearward movement of the action due to sloppy inletting. It is likely repairable with epoxy bedding.

indy650
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:26 pm

Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by indy650 »

butlersrangers wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:43 pm 'indy650' - It would be interesting to see some photos of your front-sight.
This is often the best clue in determining if a 22 inch barrel is an original Krag carbine barrel.

Since you have a model 1896 receiver, actually any of the U.S. Krag cut-off levers will work on it.
The correct lever has a long shaft. (But, the short 1898 cut-off lever will function).
Initially, the 1896 action fed cartridges from the magazine with the lever in the 'down' position.
Later, these cut-off levers were replaced with a lever that fed when in the 'up' position.

I suspect your 'sportered' Krag was once fitted with a Pacific 'no-drill' receiver (peep) sight. The K1 & K2 Pacific aperture sights have a shaft on them, that occupies the hole for the cut-off. An 'Allen' screw, on the Pacific sight-base, locks into the cut-off 'niche', that was machined into the Krag's receiver.
There is a notch in your stock that was likely for clearance for the Pacific sight-base.

The use of a scope and a receiver sight would explain why your stock comb is so high.

The original Krag barrel mounted rear sights required a different 'low' cheek position.

The two sets of 'scope-mount holes', on your receiver, appear to be for a Weaver side-mount.
A detachable version of this mount, which clamps to a Weaver #2 side-plate, is still available and practical.

Previous owners must have found it necessary to move their scope to a different position or eye-relief. The Weaver 'rig' usually interferes with 'safety-lever' function.

The left side of your stock rises high and covers part of the magazine side-plate. This additional wood stiffens and strengthens the stock, in one area, where the wood often splits when no barrel-band is present.

The stock crack, you have discovered, is likely the result of rearward movement of the action due to sloppy inletting. It is likely repairable with epoxy bedding.
Lots of great info thank you! Something is messed up with the safety too it only locks the trigger when its pointed up in the middle but when it's over to the left the bolt is locked and the trigger can be pulled. when it's to the right the bolt is unlocked and the trigger can be pulled. not sure what's up with that. I'll get a picture of the front sight iyt appears to have a piece added to make the sight taller and bring the point of impact down.

indy650
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Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:26 pm

Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by indy650 »

Heres the front sight. Thanks again for the great info!
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butlersrangers
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Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by butlersrangers »

'indy650' - Your 'safety-lever' appears quite battered and has obviously been taken apart, (which is unusual).
Someone altered its function, so that it operates with only 90 degrees of rotation.
It now 'fires', when in the normally 'safe', 3 o'clock position.
The safety-lever,(at least partially), engages the striker-rod at the 12 o'clock position.
(This was done because the scope on your Krag interfered with the full 180 degree rotation of the safety-lever).

The normal Krag safety-lever rotates through 180 degrees and the spring-loaded 'detent' holds it in two secure positions: 'Fire' at 9 o'clock and 'Safe' at 3 o'clock. When on 'Safe', the Krag Bolt is locked and can't be open.

When an original Krag 'safety-lever' is placed in the 12 o'clock position, there is nothing mechanically holding it in place and the bolt can be opened.
Although, there is 1/2 engagement of the safety's shaft with the striker-rod, this is not a designed safety position, as it is, with the 1903 Springfield's 3-position safety.

I would recommend you get an original Krag safety-lever and replace your 'altered' one. They are getting hard to find and one will cost about $60.
(BTW - The early model 1892 Krag safety is different and won't work).

Your front-sight photo indicates that you have a likely carbine barrel with a battered, but correct, front-sight base.
Your front-sight blade is a commercial replacement. It is taller than an original carbine blade. It was likely used with a "Pacific" receiver sight which would have required a taller blade.

Attached photos show Pacific receiver-sight and Weaver scope-mount.
Attachments
pac-k1_k2_010.jpg
pac-k1_k2_010.jpg (51.43 KiB) Viewed 1675 times
Krag_notch_pac_K1_002.jpg
Krag_notch_pac_K1_002.jpg (95.31 KiB) Viewed 1675 times
krgcarb-2_011.jpg
krgcarb-2_011.jpg (135.57 KiB) Viewed 1675 times
Last edited by butlersrangers on Sat Apr 03, 2021 4:10 am, edited 1 time in total.

indy650
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:26 pm

Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by indy650 »

Ah it should have been so obvious now that you explained it! the scope was in the way of the safety. Thanks for all the help man.

indy650
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:26 pm

Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by indy650 »

this site has some really cheap parts but of course the safety I need is out of stock. Maybe if I can find a good picture of the tang on the safety lever I could weld it back up and grind it back to how it's supposed to be
https://www.lodgewood.com/Krag-Parts_c_109-4.html

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butlersrangers
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Re: Questions on sporterized Krag

Post by butlersrangers »

I think your 'safety-lever' is beyond reclaiming.
Your safety-lever's shaft was likely rotated 180 degrees. The lever's body and the cocking-piece, likely, had metal removed (yellow arrow) so that the striker could move forward (with the parts in the normally 'safe' position).

Granpa's Gun Parts has the correct safety for $70.
(But, I suspect there was some metal removed from your cocking-piece body).

You may be further ahead buying a complete bolt or at least a striker assembly, with the safety-lever attached.
Attachments
granpas gun parts 1898 safety.jpg
granpas gun parts 1898 safety.jpg (10.56 KiB) Viewed 1656 times
krg altered safety.jpg
krg altered safety.jpg (64.86 KiB) Viewed 1656 times
krg safety regular.jpg
krg safety regular.jpg (25.06 KiB) Viewed 1656 times

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