The Mauser K98 S (Spring) by M&G/DIANA

[HectorMedina]

Many years in the making. One of my most challenging and interesting projects.

A good shooting airgun version of the venerable Mauser K98

https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/the-mauser-k98-s-spring-by-mg

Hope you enjoy!










HM

[Robert 5mm]

Very good post Hector.

Of course I regret selling my K98, D460 and M48.

I thought I had to clear some out.

That was a stupid idea.

[splitbeing]

Mine has become one of my favorite and best shooters.  Wish I had a .22, too.  Looking forward to giving this a read.

[splitbeing]

I also found a spacing washer under the breech seal in mine, which is not something in my 460 or 48s.  When replacing the seal, I left the spacing washer in.  What do you make of the spacer?

My k98 seems to land either in a 14 or 15 fpe spot when replacing seals and springs, shooting ftts well.  I've wondered about that since it's a 460 platform, but also don't care as long as the ES is tight and it's shooting accurately (and pleasantly for me, which it is!).  I bet in .22 its a different story,,, more power!

Could you tell us more about the too long leade of Diana .177s?  I found that interesting as well, like the breech seal spacer, and would love to hear more of your thoughts on both,

Thanks for a comprehensive read (already) as well as entertaining promots for even more info.

[HectorMedina]

Thanks for reading!

@ SB.- I turned a special, thick, breech seal insert to replace the washer. Especially because I knew I had to remove 0.5 mm's from the breech.
The problem is that, when you load the pellets with the rifle in a muzzle up position, sometimes they fall out.
By shortening the leade, but without touching the forcing cone, this stops.

My experience is that with the proper tune, a 460 should yield about 18 ft-lbs in 0.177" and 23 in 0.22"
But that is with a custom piston and a Titan #4 in a custom guide. With the old Titan #1 the 460 used to yield about 15 ft-lbs in 0.177, so you're not far off.
The new Titan #1 will surely be in the 14 ft-lbs region without spacing.

HTH, keep well and shoot straight!





HM

[splitbeing]

That makes sense regarding the lead. I've found that 4.52 or 4.51 ftts don't fall out very often, unlike the 4.50s my d48 loves (no fall out there).

So after shortening the leade by .5mm, a spacer was put under the beech seal such that the leade and seal make contact?  Just making sure I am following,

How was it using the duolex reticle?  I also have a duplex on mine rather than a dot scope.  For some reason it makes more sense.  Maybe it's the replica aspect.  What range did you sight in at and how did you navigate the holdovers with the duplex?

I used a custom cut mouse pad to fix rhe slip on mine.  Yours is fantastic with the custom pad and leather cheek rise.  Glad you finally posted on this springer, which I wish was still produced.  James has said it's his favortie springer and shoots as good as his pcps.  I will never yield my 48, but the k98 is creeping up there with it as time goes on.  Lately shooting at shorter ranges, my k98 and my pcp (urban/bsa bucc) are yielding similar scores so James might be onto something.  I'm looking forward to trying the k98 out at longer ranges.  The ergonomics and weight are great.  Wonder how it will do against my 48 at 40 or 50 yds.

[Toxylon]

Whatever the sales figures for the K98 springer, it sure seemed like a hit product, combining the expansive WW II enthusiast interest with a quality, high power, high accuracy platform. Something really different from the common CO2 replicas that look the part but shoot like glorified peashooters, and only if the weather is right.

I say the above because when the K98 came available here, they flew off the shelves, and commanded good figures and quick sales in the second hand market, as well. If I were just a little different, I would have been all over this gun, too, getting a handsome conversation piece of the WW scene that actually shoots the lights out.

The reasons I didn't spring for the K98 were (in no particular order):

1) I'm not a WW II buff, or a military history guy in general, and would've felt a little silly carrying, looking, and showing the K98.

2) The K98 is appreciably heavier than the D460 which it is based on, and which is still on my short list.

3) The K98 has a pretty short LOP and adjacent barrel heaviness, in accordance to the real K98, which doesn't work for me

4) The K98 has a very slippery butt plate, in accordance to the real K98, which doesn't work for me (addressed in Hector's blog entry).

5) The K98 was apparently made in several power levels (not the German or British etc. limits, but higher and tighter), and it would have been difficult to ascertain which one I was getting.

[HectorMedina]

So after shortening the leade by .5mm, a spacer was put under the beech seal such that the leade and seal make contact?  Just making sure I am following,

How was it using the duolex reticle?  I also have a duplex on mine rather than a dot scope.  For some reason it makes more sense.  Maybe it's the replica aspect.  What range did you sight in at and how did you navigate the holdovers with the duplex?

I used a custom cut mouse pad to fix rhe slip on mine.  Yours is fantastic with the custom pad and leather cheek rise.  Glad you finally posted on this springer, which I wish was still produced.  James has said it's his favortie springer and shoots as good as his pcps.  I will never yield my 48, but the k98 is creeping up there with it as time goes on.  Lately shooting at shorter ranges, my k98 and my pcp (urban/bsa bucc) are yielding similar scores so James might be onto something.  I'm looking forward to trying the k98 out at longer ranges.  The ergonomics and weight are great.  Wonder how it will do against my 48 at 40 or 50 yds.

Leade shortening.- Nope. I turned a thicker insert and that took care of the added space.
Duplex Reticle.- I ended up sighting in at 25 yards (the Javelina), this put the chickens ¼ down from center to top of bottom post, the javelinas straight on, the turkeys ½ way down between the center crosshairs and the top of the bottom post, and the rams at the top of the bottom post. All this at 7X.
Buttplate.- Definitely yours is a cheaper solution, but my friend is a stickler for his airguns, all of them are pristine and in excellent state, so no "glue-on thingies" LOL!
K98 vs. sidelevers.- more than the gun, the scopes will make the difference at extended ranges.

Keep us posted!



HM

[HectorMedina]

Whatever the sales figures for the K98 springer, it sure seemed like a hit product, combining the expansive WW II enthusiast interest with a quality, high power, high accuracy platform. Something really different from the common CO2 replicas that look the part but shoot like glorified peashooters, and only if the weather is right.

I say the above because when the K98 came available here, they flew off the shelves, and commanded good figures and quick sales in the second hand market, as well. If I were just a little different, I would have been all over this gun, too, getting a handsome conversation piece of the WW scene that actually shoots the lights out.

The reasons I didn't spring for the K98 were (in no particular order):

1) I'm not a WW II buff, or a military history guy in general, and would've felt a little silly carrying, looking, and showing the K98.

2) The K98 is appreciably heavier than the D460 which it is based on, and which is still on my short list.

3) The K98 has a pretty short LOP and adjacent barrel heaviness, in accordance to the real K98, which doesn't work for me

4) The K98 has a very slippery butt plate, in accordance to the real K98, which doesn't work for me (addressed in Hector's blog entry).

5) The K98 was apparently made in several power levels (not the German or British etc. limits, but higher and tighter), and it would have been difficult to ascertain which one I was getting.

All very valid points.

The suitability of the 460 to replicate almost any bolt action of the WWII era is there.
At some point in time, we thought about making a Garand, but Pyramyd Air got it good.
It could be also developed into a M-N, but I am not sure there would be a market for it.

Given the realities of WWII I would think that any person with some military penchant can argue that a "captured" Mauser K98 served in any army in the war, especially a "precision shooter" oriented one.

JMHO

Keep well and shoot straight!




HM

[Crowman]

Great post. Invaluable. I have 2 460’s, but my K98 .22 is irreplaceable. All my guns are squirrel guns, and the K98 is easily my favorite with iron sights. Sniped one at 35 yds. One of my favorite shots. It whacks.
I originally bought it because of the name “Mauser” and loved the looks.
Obviously never had mine apart. But now I know the procedure, and going to have to change the spring. Thanks for sharing. Crow

[splitbeing]

I like the maneuverability of the 460. It's great with a red dot... Just the right weight and look.

The K98 ergonomics really grew on me once I scoped it. The thick grip makes for a wide area for the thumb to support the squeeze. Offhand, for me, hokding behind the balance point makes for a pretty stable shot. The weight helps the accuracy, especially rested.  All that said, the K98 is an underlever made to have a sling! And also unlike the 460, it is built for a moderator!

[Toxylon]

Yeah, the quality iron sights and the moderator tap are the inarguable great things about the K98 springer. Now, if only they were in the 460 Mag, too...

[Mark 611]

Excellent job Hector!!!

[HectorMedina]

Thanks, my friends!

Best Christmas gift ever is to get your positive feedback!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

;-)





HM