Gunsmithing lessons

Foxtrot1 · 2026-03-06T20:01:03-0700

This one has taken me a couple of years to finish, working on it off and on. Started life as a 1908 mauser barreled action I got off gunbroker for $220 and an old fajen stock off ebay for $70. My friend Ann is on the smaller side, so guns never fit her. I wanted to build her a rifle that's proportional. I also wanted to push the envelope on my gunsmithing skills.

So barrel was shortened, rear bridge recontoured, tang shaped to let me create a thin grip that's swept. I also filed out any pits and stamps on the bottom metal. The lock screw holes were welded to fill them. It also got a commercial shroud and timney trigger with a side safety. This is the most metal work I ever done on a gun project.

Foxtrot1 · 2026-03-06T20:06:42-0700

The stock was shortened, thinned, then pillar bedded. It got a new recoil pad and a brass insert to stiffen forend if she uses a bipod.

I finished the metal with wheeler cerama coat. I made a redneck oven out of a 50 gallon drum. It worked pretty well.

Wood was finished with marine grade tung oil, so she should be pretty bullet proof.

I think it turned out well. I've got a couple more actions in the safe, but it'll be a little while before I start the next one.