I had a conversation today with one of CD's senior product folks, and here are my notes from the conversation. They revolve around 1) technical details of their action design and 2) miscellaneous product availablity and direction points.


Technical Notes
---------------

- M98 large-ring base

- Extractor: full-length non-rotating; NOT undercut

- Bolt: shrouded bolt-head; basic two-lug design (no third safety-lug); bolt has guide-rib; cocked upon 90 degree bolt-lift; gas shield on bolt-sleeve; gas escape-holes in bolt

- Safety: adjustable; single-stage; two-position; trigger safety; moveable to "safe" only when cocked; NO decock mechanism; safety does NOT lock the bolt (may be unloaded on "safe")

- Scalability: sized for different COL sizes through variable magazine lengths; recoil crossbolt ONLY on magnum caliber sized action
- 2 7/8" + .470 bolt face (.308 / short-action)
- 3 3/8" + .470 bolt-face ('06 / long-action)
- 3 3/8" + .532 bolt-face (long-action magnums)
- 3 11/16" + .532 bolt-face (large magnums)

- Ejector pivot-hole IS elongated for cushioning (protection from rapid/forceful bolt retraction)

- Standard 1/2" firing pin travel

- NO (guard-screw) locking screws

- NO stripper-clip guides


Product Notes
-------------

- CD will look into reports of misalignment of guard screws, as they are mating Zastava actions to new, oil-finish walnut American classic style stock which should be available in the Sept/Oct timeframe (blued versions only)

- SS actions and barreled actions will be available in Sept/Oct timeframe, but will probably be limited to synthetic stocks

- Product road-map will include WSM chamberings in resized (smaller) actions, possibly in 2006 timeframe



Uji

I've got one laying here(regular 30-06 length), and its got the third locking lug...

Its not more than 3 months old.

Is this for a new product? I'm assuming that since you mention availability later in the year. I've got one a couple of years old that's the Large Ring 98 copy with a third lug.

If it doesn't have a third lug wouldn't that disqualify it from being a "M98 large ring"?

quote:

Bolt: shrouded bolt-head; basic two-lug design (no third safety-lug); bolt has guide-rib; cocked upon 90 degree bolt-lift; gas shield on bolt-sleeve; gas escape-holes in bolt

Up till now Zastava actions have had the safety lug and I'll bet they will continue to have it. This seems like you got to talk to the intelligent and marvelously informed CD staff.

It wouldn't surprise me however that CD would have them delete the third lug as a cost reduction.....

Did you further ask them about their honoring their warranty.....???

I did ask about their warranty... no changes there.

I specifically asked about changes to the M98 spec, and then proceeded to ask about a number of specific M98 features ( per the comments in my original post) including the third lug.

They guy specifically said the action he had did NOT have a third lug.

Don't know if their newer actions are different or if the guy I talked to just couldn't recognize a lug (I doubt that, though, based on his other comments).

Well I hope he is wrong about the lug.

I checked the 3 actions I had loose in the safe. All had the lug. One I took delievery on last week.

quote:

Originally posted by Uji:
-they are mating Zastava actions to new, oil-finish walnut American classic style stock which should be available in the Sept/Oct timeframe (blued versions only)

That might be interesting to see.

My guess is the person you talked to didn't know what he was talking about. Considering it was KBI I'm not surprized. As for the warrenty, there is none.

Terry

quote:

Originally posted by TC1:
As for the warrenty, there is none.
Terry

Not true. CD's "lifetime warranty" applies to their Zastava-based rifles, actions & barreled actions. I clarified this with him when asking whether or not modifying an action to accommodate a caliber they don't barrel for today would nullify the support. He said that it would only effect the part modified, not the rest of the product (rifle, action or barreled action).

Uji

Front their website.

""This Lifetime Repair Policy does not cover repairs related to unreasonable use, corrosion, failure to provide proper maintenance, damaged or shopworn display guns, gun barrels damaged by an obstructed bore, guns damaged in shipment due to improper packing and handling, or wear of any parts including finishes of metal, wood, camo or chrome.

Unauthorized alterations or service not approved or performed by Charles Daly, or the use of handloaded, reloaded or other non-SAAMI standard ammunition will also void all warrantees. Charles Daly reserves the unconditional right to inspect any firearm before making any repairs or adjustments under this warranty.""

Uji,

As TC1 has stated, good luck getting them to honor their warranty. They will hold to the line that the grossly out of spec product you returned is within their specs. That should tell you something about their QC standards!

All my comments are limited to MY experiences with their right hand actions only.

Two people on this board have sent back products to KBI for warrenty related issues that I know of and both claims were denied.

On one the chrome lining peeled off a CD shotgun barrel. They claimed the product was modified.

On the other, the mounting holes were drilled off center and canted on a CD mauser action. CD said it was with in specs.

If you buy one and have a warrenty claim, well,,,best of luck to ya. I'll spend my money elsewere.

For what one of those actions costs. By the time you barrel it up and stock it, you could have bought a nice rifle.

Terry

Food for thought, no doubt about it.

Anyone know where the Mauser actions that Legacy Sports International is importing (http://www.legacysports.com/product/specs/mauser.htm) actually come from?

Uji

I believe the Legacy Action is a cast action as opposed to a machined action. I believe it is cast somewhere in central Europe.

That would the case with just about any action by the time you barrel and stock it you could have bought factory. If you are happy with a factory stock, barrel, chambering why would you buy an action in the first place?

Be willing to bet that 70-90 year old M98 doesn't have a warranty either.

By no means am I saying they are on the level of a custom action or a fully smithed 98. But the cost if far less as well. For a hunting rifle I find them well up to the task. I have never had a problem with their actions or barreled actions. For a high $$ collector piece I would start with something else.

Here is a good alternative. Look on GunBroker.com and several other places for one of the Sears J.C. Higgins Mausers with the FN action. I've never seen one fetch more than $400. Once you pull off and sell the barrel and the stock on ebay, you'll be way ahead of the game as far as quality goes and you'll probably have less $$$ in it too. Hell, if you shoot it, you may decide you don't want to customize it

Terry

Terry, I've done that as well. Only problem I've had is with a Santa Barbara. Set the lugs back with factory ammo.

There are risks no matter how you go. Unless you start out with a full high $$ custom.

Santa Barbara actions had the same problems as the the new CD ones, No quailty control. You won't find too many high end customs built on Santa Barbara or CD actions, you will with F.N.'s There is a reason for that. Of coarse there are risks in everything you do in life. It's just best to start with a quality product to begin with. And, if you can do it for the same amount of $$$ to begin with, Why not do so.

What's that old saying, $hit in equals $hit out.

Terry

So give me a hint. How to you tell which of the older Sear, Wards, Higgins etc had a good FN and which had the SB. When you buy sight unseen. Don't think many sellers would take it back because it was built on a SB action.

If it's a FN, It'll have this on the right side above the stock line, just ask.


Terry

Terry I sent you an email