I have 2 in my safe that are in excellent condition. I would like to take one and go beyond "sporterizing". I would like to keep the caliber the same but rebarrel. Does anyone know a good smith in the Texas area that could rework the action (cock on close, rework safety, etc.)? Or would just be wiser to leave the guns in their original form.....I've heard from one "guru" that told me that the 96's weren't the best to customize.

I'd leave them as-is; they are generally tack-drivers in their original condition.

But I can understand wanting to sporterize them as well.

With the work you described, actually anyone with a bit of patience can accomplish this, and dropping in a Timney trigger would be something I'd do as well. An after-market stock would complete the package.

About the only thing you'd need a 'smith for would be to properly drill and tap or to rebarrel if you choose that route. With the proper tools and one of the chambered/threaded barrels that are available, you could even tackle that aspect of the project yourself.

As to what your "guru" noted, he is only partially right. The 96s are NOT the best if you want to put together some large, high-pressure magnum. But for standard cartridges -- particularly those such as the mild 6.5x55 -- the 96s can be the basis for a sweet custom rig.

I had an action and turned it into a 6.5 X 55 sporter. My granddaughter will end up with it. They make really nice lightweight rifles.

Caretaker
Can't help you with gunsmiths in Texas but.
I have done what you are talking about
Action trued, cut the top down to allow direct mounting of a scope on the receiver. 26" bull barrel (6.5x55 natch). A nice light brown/dark brown laminated stock, varmint style. Barrel floated. Pillar bedded. Metal was dark blued(almost Colt like) It is real "purdy". Even had a good friend who is afraid of guns( I am working on that)say that this gun was very handsome.
And the thing shoots as well as it looks!
The only thing I regret is not doing what you have obviously have done. Buy two to start with.

muck

Caretaker,
If those Oberndorf Swedes are in as great a shape as you say, then please leave as is !

Only about 8-10% of all Swede Mausers are Oberndorf's. If they are all matching & original stocks with orginal finish, you have some of the finest examples of firearm workmanship ever produced.

Oberndorfs are considered the best of all Swedish Mausers, some say the best military production rifle ever made.
They are by far the most valued mausers on the market. There is a reason these mausers were still being used
as sniper rifles in the 1990's in the Serbian war.

I hope I changed your mine !



Boarman

Don't know about any gunsmith in Texas to help you but you can contact "z1r" who posts here on AR. He is somewhat of an expert on the 96's in my opinion. He is working on 3 of them right now for me.
I have 2 I am shooting right now one in .257 Roberts and another in the original 6.5x55. All of mine have the cock on open feature added (Dayton Traister speedlock kit)and two have Timney triggers, one has a Gentry 3 position safety and the other has a 2 position "wing" style safety, the other 3 will be left as 6.5x55's and will have Bold triggers with side safeties (like a Remington 700).
I really like the 96's and think they make great sporters, very handy, light and a great action length. They are perfect for the average cartridges but I have seen some 96's in 9.3x62, 30/06, 270, 243, .308, and 22/250. I think they are great as they are in 6.5x55, .257 Roberts is another great choice.
Good luck with yours!

If your Oberndorf M-96 is in good shape you may be able to sell it for the price of a new CZ-550 or a Remington M-700. They are relatively rare to fiind in good shape these days, and amounted to under 10% of the total 1896s made. Look close, you may have a keeper.

LLS

I collect M41b's, M96's, M38's and Swede hunting rifles. PLEASE DON"T DO IT!!
The Obies are the most sought after. Only produced for 3 years.

if you are looking for a shooter/sporter in 6.5, sell the rifle to someone who will take care of it and buy a howa for yourself.

STOP, don't buy a HOWA, the SHOT show reps there told me their testing only did 2.5" with everything they tried, even the newer ones with faster twists, they simply would not shoot.

Don't know why they had problems, but I'd buy a CZ or Ruger...Tikka/Sako also great.

Leave them in original form.

Another Texas here that has been looking for a good Oberndor for years.
Don't whack it up when there are so many Carl Gustafs or Huskies.