Help disassembling and replacing Krag loading door

[wanttolearn]

Hi,

I have a Krag rifle that came with a crack in the lower part of the loading door.

I would like to replace the door if it's not too hard.

Hoping you might help me with instructions and/or visuals to show me how.

thank you

[butlersrangers]

'wanttolearn' - Attached please find a schematic and a couple of pictures that I hope you find helpful.

Disassembly of magazine-gate and hinge-pin goes easier if you remove left side-plate. (This lessens spring tension).

Also, squirting a penetrant-oil on the exposed areas of hinge-pin will help.

A padded "C-Clamp" can be used to hold magazine-gate in position on receiver, while twisting & wiggling the hinge-pin forward out of the holes in receiver and gate. (I have strong fingers & experience and can do this by hand).

Make sure your replacement magazine-gate is correct for your Krag. Model 1896 and model 1898 gates are different. The 1898 gate is 'boxier' looking at the top rear corner.

[Mark21]

Another way is to use a padded clamp it hole the gate in place and when removing the pin it will take the pressure of the spring. Flip up the tab on the pin and using a flat end drift tap the pin out.

[wanttolearn]

Thank you so very much.

Still learning the formal names of the various parts. Will have to purchase a new door (gate?) now that i know what to look for.

i'll put some penetrating oil over night on the pins. I'll then take of the left side plate. I'll use a padded vise to hold the door/gate in the closed position as i wiggle out the pin.

Really appreciate the help.

[butlersrangers]

'wanttolearn' - That should work fine.

Avoid heavy strikes on end of hinge-pin. This can 'mushroom' end and make removal difficult. Twisting or rotating pin, while pulling it forward out of the gate, has always worked for me.

When it is apart, clean crud and rust off of pin. Any burrs or deformation (of tip) can be removed or smoothed with fine file and 'scotch-brite' pad & oil.

I clean 'hinge hole' on replacement magazine-gate with a pipe-cleaner soaked with solvent.

I do a 'trial' partial re-assembly, without the flat-spring, (that powers the follower-arm & tensions the magazine-gate). This just takes a moment and insures everything lines up and hinge works smoothly.

Then, I put everything totally back together with the spring in place.

Attached pictures contrast: 1896 magazine-gate and 'boxier' 1898/1899 gate.

[butlersrangers]

We all struggle with nomenclature and correct names of parts. Here's a couple of things I ran across on my hard-drive that may be helpful.

The schematic is from the KCA website pages.
You can access this by 'clicking' on the KCA symbol or Crossed Rifles at the top of this forum page. Click on tabs (like 'photos') to see some Neat stuff!

[butlersrangers]

To remove left side-plate and magazine-gate, the Krag barreled/action needs to be removed from the stock.

This is accomplished by 1st moving the front barrel-band forward and off the stock. The band is retained by a cross-screw.
(The band can be held out of the way by taping it to the front sight. To completely remove the front-band requires removing the front-blade from the sight base).

Next, remove the rear-band by taking out the sling-swivel screw and swivel. The rear-band can be spread-open a bit, to move it over the retaining pin that goes through the stock forearm.
(BTW - The "U" on the rear barrel-band is always on the right-side of the U.S. Krag).

Now, the two trigger-guard screws can be removed. Carefully place the Krag on a flat work surface. Roll the rifle so the barrel and action are sitting on the table and lightly 'rock' the stock, front to rear.
The barrel & action should easily separate from the stock.

If you wish to remove the handguard from the barrel, first remove the rear-sight screws and sight. The handguard can then be slid down the barrel taper toward the front sight and easily removed.
'Snapping' a Krag handguard on and off the barrel risks cracking the wood. The 'spring-clips' are under tension.
(Store the loose handguard with a Quarter twisted into the rear clip and a Penny twisted into the front clip, to counteract the spring tension).