Recently came upon an old Argentine mauser action that looks to be torqued. When viewed from back to front, it is obvious that the rings are not in alignment. The difference is very slight, but visible to the eye.

I'm guessing this occurred when the barrel was removed. My question is whether this action is safe or whether it should be discarded. The bolt travels smoothly and without difficulty. So from a mechanical standpoint, the action functions fine.

Any thoughts or experience with this phenomenon?

Are you sure that the bases are not drilled off-center? The reason I ask, is normally on a torqued action, the bolt will not travel smoothly. Most people will tell you that if it is torqued it is no good, my experience is that if the twist is from the rails backward and not too bad, it can be repaired. I would not build a high dollar sporter on one, but for an average rifle it would be servicable. Just my .02.

If the action truly is torqued, it becomes a nice paperweight or demostration model. If the scope holes are drilled off center, a good gunsmith can deal with that.

I would not invest any money in a torqued Mauser action. These actions cost too much money to turn into a nice rifle when they're in good working order. To spend additional money on an attempt to straighten one out would be waistful in my opinion.

If you take a couple of straight edges, rulers or some other things, and place them on the flats on the bottom of the action, when looking at them from the back, it should be evident whether the action is "twisted" or not.

Straight edge along the rails reveals a definite twist, from front to back, about 2/3's back along the rails. This action will continue service as a desk ornament.

Why not try untwisting it. what have you got to lose?

Rojelio

If nothing else you got a good pratice receiver.
-Don

I have seen them twisted along the rails from using an in line action wrench. I straightned one for me that was like this, but had no damage to the front ring. With a little judicious use of an inline wrench, I got it back and it has worked just fine for years. I sure would not invest a bunch of money in it, but if it is a functional gun, I'd use it. I wonder though, what was done to make it function after it was twisted, without straightening it!??!

i have a 1912 steyr that a hamfisted yahoo twisted using an inline wrench. the bolt now travels smoother than when the action was straight. it's a pretty action, and some time in the future, maybe i can fix it. i'd really like that.