I have a 1938 K98 that sits on a hand-carved custom Monte Carlo stock. Everything else is original with all matching #s. Shoots 1 1/2 groups from a bench rest with iron sights at 100 yards. Two questions: should I have it drilled and tapped for a scope, thereby altering an original piece? And two: is there any way to mount a scope without having to alter the safety? I am kinda hesitant to add a scope because of the originality factor, but I would like to hunt with it on occasion, and the old eyes ain't what they used to be and the hands are kinda shakey. And I like the looks and the functionability of the original safety. What do you all think? Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

I have a 1938 K98 that sits on a hand-carved custom Monte Carlo stock. Everything else is original with all matching #s. Shoots 1 1/2 groups from a bench rest with iron sights at 100 yards. Two questions: should I have it drilled and tapped for a scope, thereby altering an original piece? And two: is there any way to mount a scope without having to alter the safety? I am kinda hesitant to add a scope because of the originality factor, but I would like to hunt with it on occasion, and the old eyes ain't what they used to be and the hands are kinda shakey. And I like the looks and the functionability of the original safety. What do you all think? Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.


Couple of things to think about:
1. If you can shoot 1 1/2" groups with open iron, how good were your eyes when they WERE what they use to be?

2. IF the original stock is gone, even if the hand carved stock is fantastic, it ain't original...so scope mounting holes aren't a major problem.

3. The safety has to be switched to a low profile type, have to hang the scope way high to work the original. Are a couple of less sadisfactory mounts that would put the glass to the side...and there is the scout mount type that puts a long eye relief scope where the rear sight is. Thinking about it. may be possible to put on one of the intermediate eye leif scopes (or a shotgun scope) so that the occular is just ahead of the safey, but I haven't tired that.

Therer are some no-drill mounts out there...the one that replaces the rear sight and uses a handgun scope is a pretty easy do-it-yourself job.

Hey, Ribbonstone, that's just the kind of feedback that I'm loking for. As for my eye sight, the gun was shot from a gun vise, so no shaking hands and eye sight not really a factor. I agree that by changing the stock it changed the character of the gun. I only hesitate to alter the safety because everything matches, which, in my limited experiance is some what rare. She's in very good shape, and seems how I'm not an avid C & R/Military type collector, I'm just interested in what you all think. If it turns out that a significant number of forun members think it best not to drill and tap, I would rather sell it to some one that would like it as it is, and replace it with something simular, so as not to destroy something that a true collector would appreciate more than I. I appreciate your take on this, and I'm inclined to agree with you. Remember, I'm a "no safe queen" kinda guy. Thanks for your input. Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

I've used the no drill/tap scope mount system that ribbonstone mentioned. It replaces the rear leaf site. (the leaf can be easily replaced) I've used this system on both Mosin's and Mausers and it works quite well. I personally hate to permanently alter my older military rifles so this is a great choice for me. Granted the scope is placed forward into a "scout" type arrangement so you will need an extended eye relief scope to mount on it. Typically these are rails that will mount a variety of scopes.

Hi wolfsong,
If you want to put a scope on your K98, find a good gunsmith. They are hard to find. He must remove the barrel and have the correct drilling gig for the receiver. Be sure he knows and understands whats involved. The safety can be replaced with a drop in.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=473058

I have used the "scout" type scopes with mixed results. They are held in the rear site area by the pivot pin. Not a strong mount. But they are convenant. I usually replace the orginal sites with MOJO's. Maybe you should look at them. Peep sites that are easy to install.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/mojot38/index.asp

Dave

This is for the scope mount that fits on teh rear sight:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/1916bsquaremount/index.asp

Pretty clear explaination/illustration of how it mounts. In your case, the important part is that it is reversable withut leaving an holes and doesn't require a safety change.

I psersonally am not a big fan of this system as to get the long eye relief a scope has to give up field of view. To get enough filed of view to make me happy, need a 2 or 2 1/2X scope. Other people seem to like the system just fine. As mentioned by other posters, i do not think the mount would take abuse very well.

The LER scope system works well for deer hunting in the woods and brush. It's probably the fastest way to get on a deer and shoot, but it is not what I'd use to to try for fine accuracy.

My wife loves her Mauser done this way, I have one done up this way also, but I need a new stock as the original stock has way to much drop to use this system on. My wifes stock worked well just changing the sight, so it goes...

hope this helps you decide.

Regards,
Gene

Welcome to the forum wolfsong

Everyone here has given you pretty good advice. I would add a couple of things to think about.

One of the fellas talked about the drop in the stock. When you add a scope or any sighting device that raises the original sighting plane above the bore your going to need a way to get your head that average 1.5 inch higher.

That can be solved with a lace on cheak piece or a new stock.

I personally don't think drilling and tapping for scope mounts detracts much from the value of a rifle, except if your talking about guns in the 5,000 dollar plus range.

I know that I'm in the same posiltion as you and about need optics to enjoy shooting anymore.

The safety issue is a non-issue. Just a drop in replacement that can be changed at will.

Good luck either way you go.

wolfsong,Brownells sells a low scope safety that operates just like the original, and is out of the way. it only has 2 positions rather than the three on the original tho.
As for drilling and tapping the receiver, If the barrel was cut to a shorter length, the matching number on the barrel means nothing.
If you are not going to return it to it's Miltary configuratin you might as well drill and tap the receiver and enjoy it as an accurate shooter. All the conversions I have ever built has had the rear receiver bridge re-shaped and the receiver drilled and tapped for both peep sights and scope mounts.
You have received a lot of good advise here, and what ever you decide, remember, It's your rifle, so do whatever strikes your fancy, and enjoy shooting your 98.

Lee L.

Personally, I wouldn't drill it. Prices for these old beauties will only go up and the fact that you don't have an original stock may not mean much in 10 years.

I found a peep sight at Midway that replaces the rear iron sight. I have old eyes also, and I feel that with this peep I'll be able to hunt well within 100 yards. It makes my old Mauser a pretty hand brush gun.

Lets see...the original stock is gone...so I assume the barrel bands and other metal work that once attached that stock are also gone. If the barrel has been trimmed back, then add that to the list. Big thing is that it stands now, you aen't able to shoot it well enough to hunt with it (ain't age a wonderful thing?).

I'd say in 10 years, you'd be lucky to beat inflation.


No doubt about it, a collector will turn his nose up at a dirlled reciever on an otherwise perfect (including all the stuff I mentioned in paragraph #1) example. But considering that the'd turn thier noses up at a miss-matched gun even if you were to put it back into original looking shape, I'd go ahead and scope it and use it.

If you buy guns for an investment, you'll need to keep them in NIB looking condtion (and keep the box) to have a fair chance of actually beating other more common investments...and most of us don't buy a gun to baby it or not shoot it.

Besides...if you own a gun for 10 or 20 years, chances are you won't have the urge to sell it even if it did increase in $.
------
Might study on that stock a bit. Most home-made stocks tend to be excessivly thick...which isn't all bad as it leaves you some room to improve the lines and still have a stock of reasoanble thickness.

Well,guys, after reading and considering all the great input from all of you, I took the old girl out of the safe and looked her over. She's a beaut in my opinion, the stock is really unique, she feels good in my hands, and I bought her because she really caught my eye. It's a bonus that all parts match numerically and the fluted barrel has not been cut down. Shoots dead on, looks good, feels good. The action is smooth, the trigger crisp. I feel fortunate to have lucked into this gun. The fact that the stock was hand carved by an old timer from Sacramento who has since passed is an added treat. I have decided to go ahead and have it drilled and tapped, put a good scope on her and take her out in the field next season. It'll be hard to leave the trusty ol' 30.06s in camp for awhile, after all, old habits die hard. But I see no reason to doubt this gun's capabilities. So use it I will. I just didn't want to make a serious mistake by altering it when I have other guns as options. Meaning no disrespect to military affectionados and collectors, I'm a huntin' fool, not a collector, so, while the collectors may shudder at my decision, I think the hunters will appreciate my decision. It's not a $5000.00 gun, probably be lucky to get more than $300.00, but what do I know...I thank you all for your advice, I'm glad I asked. If any of you happen to know of a qualified smith in the Fresno, Ca. area let me know. My local guy in town is way behind due to health reasons, so I'd be willing to make a trip to Fresno. Thanks again for your help. Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

wolfsong,

In the end its your rifle and should be outfitted as you see best. In any event I'm sure she will treat you well. Best of luck next season!

Wolfsong. I too have an original 98 and since I picked it up, I've replaced the stock, replaced the trigger and just this week it returned from the gunsmith after having been drilled and tapped and Leupold 1 piece mounts installed. I don't buy firearms to look at, I buy them to use and appreciate. I want them to have their own stories when I pass them on. Like you, my eyesight isn't what it used to be and a scope makes hunting much more enjoyable. Youth is wasted on the young. Enjoy your rifle and don't worry what someone else will give for it. It's your's to care for now.

To add to my original post, I also forge and reshape the bolt handle for a low mount scope mount.

Lee L.