Question about sporterized.
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- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2016 7:44 pm
Re: Question about sporterized.
Barrel length is 30 inches.
- butlersrangers
- Posts: 9898
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: Question about sporterized.
If your bore is decent, you have a full length Krag that may be worth restoring.
As others have written, a restoration would require a hand-guard (original or reproduction for the 1902 sight), a front barrel-band, and a replacement forearm.
Reproduction wood pieces can be ordered from a gentleman who is listed in the KCA Classifieds. The front barrel band shows up on ebay and at gun shows. (These parts will often cost about $200-$225, total).
WARNING - It is easy to sink more money into a restoration than the rifle is worth (to others). You can always enjoy and shoot your Krag, as it is.
Take your time, shop around, buy a basic reference book and decide if you like Krag rifles. (Poyer's - "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine", costs around $20). Nice complete Krags show up sometimes in the $600 to $700 range.
I am a 'stickler' for excellent bores. In my experience, when Krag bores are Dark, they never clean up. "Strong Rifling" is a scam term for rusted & pitted bore with visible rifling. Such barrels may still shoot decent, but, they collect fouling and never get clean. The early Krag ammo was very corrosive.
A picture of a similar Krag in process of restoration:
As others have written, a restoration would require a hand-guard (original or reproduction for the 1902 sight), a front barrel-band, and a replacement forearm.
Reproduction wood pieces can be ordered from a gentleman who is listed in the KCA Classifieds. The front barrel band shows up on ebay and at gun shows. (These parts will often cost about $200-$225, total).
WARNING - It is easy to sink more money into a restoration than the rifle is worth (to others). You can always enjoy and shoot your Krag, as it is.
Take your time, shop around, buy a basic reference book and decide if you like Krag rifles. (Poyer's - "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine", costs around $20). Nice complete Krags show up sometimes in the $600 to $700 range.
I am a 'stickler' for excellent bores. In my experience, when Krag bores are Dark, they never clean up. "Strong Rifling" is a scam term for rusted & pitted bore with visible rifling. Such barrels may still shoot decent, but, they collect fouling and never get clean. The early Krag ammo was very corrosive.
A picture of a similar Krag in process of restoration:
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- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2016 7:44 pm
Re: Question about sporterized.
Thanks for the info. Restoring it is just a hobby for me. So I'm taking my time.
- psteinmayer
- Posts: 2690
- Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:31 am
Re: Question about sporterized.
restoring a Krag can be fulfilling. I have a friend on FB who has restored several. Take your time and enjoy it, and you'll love what you've accomplished. As Chuck said, get a book and get familiar with all things Krag.
BTW, don't know why I missed it before, but your sling swivel is not standard either, and will also need to be replaced.
Cheers.
Paul
BTW, don't know why I missed it before, but your sling swivel is not standard either, and will also need to be replaced.
Cheers.
Paul