I thought I would start a thread with the building progress of my 9.3x62mm rifle project. I know some people have said I should leave the gun alone but since it is not in original condition I don't feel guilty about changing it. The rifle is a Brno Model 21 chambered for 8x57. The stock is not original, the bolt handle is not original and it has already been drilled and tapped. The plan is to have a new recoil pad added, an ebony forend tip added, an Oberndorf style bolt handle added, Talley QD scope mounts and a Leupold 4x scope. I will post pics as the parts come together. Here are the before pics
Are you planning to replace the barrel or have it rebored? My vote would be for a rebore if possible. If not, I'd try to keep the sights for the new barrel. I'd also opt for a new safety.
______________________________ "Truth is the daughter of time." Francis Bacon
Posts: 5052 | Location: Muletown | Registered: 07 September 2001
If you dont get too crazy with the $ you put in it and ever want to sell let me know, Its what I am looking for as is.
cal30
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It is being rebored by JES Reboring in Oregon so I could keep the sights and barrel band swivel. I can't stand vented recoil pads either so this one is being replaced by a solid red one. The forend tip will be shaped in the "British" style. As soon as the stock and reboring are done it will be going to Mike McCabe for the new bolt handle and installation of Talley QD bases contoured to keep the "chargeing" hump. I might have him add a lever release for the floorplate. I am not sure about the release yet since it will be right at the natural carry position. Does anyone have a rifle with that style release that they have used a lot? How does it carry? How secure is it? Would you change it out or are you happy with it other than looks?
Just one opinion but lever releases look wonderful and that's all. They are in the way when carrying and the most likely release to be unintentionally operated in the field. Great for safe queens, bad for field use.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
Posts: 11142 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: 22 September 2003
I like lever-release floorplates and have had quite a few original Mauser-made sporters with them. I have never had one come anywhere near inadvertantly opening in the field, despite years of carrying them in the Canadian bush.
Properly set up, they are not effortless to open...they are not difficult, but they DO take a conscious effort with friction all the way, and have to turn almost 90 degrees to release the floor plate.
All the ones I had which were installed by the Mauser factory were quite nicely smoothed on the outer surfaces too and did not create a problem when carrying. They fit right into the natural fold in the middle of your fingers and to my way of thinking always helped me hold onto the gun without having to put a death-grip around it when walking through the bush.
I felt they stayed shut a lot better than a Model-70 style floorplate latch, yet were much easier to open when you actually wanted them to than were the standard Mauser "bullet-point" latches.
The ones I found to be a real PITA for coming open when you didn't want them to were the ones with a little rod sticking straight out through the hole in the floorplate, which would open when anything pushed that stubby little rod in.
Posts: 9685 | Location: Cave Creek 85331, USA | Registered: 17 August 2001
I really like that rifle! Change the recoil pad, change the bolt handle, rebore and you are almost there. I like your idea of ebony fore end but I also would consider reshaping the Schnabel?(if it were mine) For me I would change to a single Timney trigger and I don't like the looks or feel of the big lever floor plate release, but lots of folks do like that lever and double triggers. Very nice rifle and Mike McCabe is a heck of a nice guy you will love dealing with him.
I'd really like to hear how the rebore goes, I have a project that may head that way and would like to hear first hand how it goes.
Posts: 5604 | Location: Eastern plains of Colorado | Registered: 31 October 2005
Originally posted by pacecars: This one does stick out a little but it is a bear to get the floor plate to release, which is a good thing.
You know how a lot of pistolsmiths earn money "melting" the sharp edges on semi-autos....well, you can always do a little "melting" of the floor plate release lever to a size and shape you like....
Posts: 9685 | Location: Cave Creek 85331, USA | Registered: 17 August 2001
I actually like that bolt handle as it goes well with the twin set triggers and the euro look. I am not sure how well the bolt job has been done. Is it an original Brno 21 handle or an after market one from brownells?
Great project & good luck.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."
Posts: 11284 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 02 July 2008
Just a word of caution regarding the stocks on these little Brnos. Especially if one is going to go bigger on caliber.
The wood is not of very good quality and as they are old and aged the wood often shrinks so the fit is poor leading to unwanted loss of support in places and then the stocks split, an almost universal area of splitting is behind the tang on these little guns and often the wood behind the mag box also splits.
I have a whole safe full of these delightful little guns but they have their quirks !
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Alberta Canuck: From a cosmetic point of view, I'd get a new recoil pad. I know it is just my own bias, but I hate "ventilated" pads on nice rifles. [QUOTE]
+1
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Posts: 3316 | Location: USA | Registered: 15 November 2001
Got a PM that the stock arrived and then got a call from Leupold saying they got the scope and were confirming the reticle change. The action and barrel should be at the reborer either Saturday or Monday.
On a serious note, you are really going to like the work that he does!
Jason Z Alberts
“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you." – Samuel Adams
Pacecars: Awesome project and thanks for sharing. The 9.3x62mm is a great cartridge and I am really looking forward to pictures of the finished product.
Safari James USMC DRSS
Posts: 369 | Location: Texas | Registered: 16 August 2011
Thanks for all the comments. It looks like I am going to have more funds than originally thought so I was thinking about putting it into this rifle. Let me hear any ideas. I am thinking about a model 70 style safety and shroud. I was going to leave the finish alone since it looks pretty good but I might as well have it done. Should I go with a traditional blue finish? I was thinking about Birdsong's Black T to match the scope or maybe an appropriate Cerakote color? Also how d you feel about Alumina scope covers or Butler Creek covers? Does anyone know where to get an old style sling swivel for the butt stock?
I would definitely go for the classic rust blue finish and oil finished stock. You could use the NEGC http://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/ . You already have the barrel band front part.
I cannot wait to see the photos of the finished gun. Good luck.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."
Posts: 11284 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 02 July 2008
This is a rebored 9.3x62 that Cliff LaBounty did for me 12 years ago. I just got the stock back from Carlos a couple of weeks ago, the second he has done for me, and he again did a fine job. He stripped and refinished, recut the checking, added the ebony tip, crossbolt and Decelerator pad. You will be pleased I am sure. I bought the stock many years ago off this forum from Mr. Humbarger.
Posts: 1577 | Location: Either far north Idaho or Hill Country Texas depending upon the weather | Registered: 26 March 2005
The bolt shroud and safety is a big part of the good looks of the older BRNO's. A M-70 type shroud and safety makes it look like just another modified Mauser. Three position safeties are nice, but a two position safety is plenty safe and possitive if standard safety procedures are followed.
Originally posted by Remington720: The bolt shroud and safety is a big part of the good looks of the older BRNO's. A M-70 type shroud and safety makes it look like just another modified Mauser. Three position safeties are nice, but a two position safety is plenty safe and possitive if standard safety procedures are followed.
I would agree with the above statement but, if a new bolt handle is installed that will allow a lower mounted scope that 21H safety is a real pain in the butt to operate. When on full safe the lever is straight up and down. Your thumb is supposed to sweep across the the bolt shroud right to left and move the safety from safe to fire. With a low mounted scope this isn't possible and the lever almost touches the rear of the scope. To go from safe to fire with this set up most of the time you need to use your left hand and wedge your thumb in between the scope and the lever. This is a real pain in the butt.
If a low mounted scope is to be used this one case where I think function trumps form.
Look at the picture and imagine the safety lever straight up on the bolt shroud. I replaced it with a M70 style and am much happier with it.
Terry
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Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
Posts: 6315 | Location: Mississippi | Registered: 18 May 2002
I have a Dakota 70 style safety that will be going on it. I have been thinking about having the Talley rings and the Dakota shroud case hardened to go along with the rust bluing. Who did your rings?
