All:

Stopped by a local shop yesterday and saw a 1909 that piqued my interest.

It was 'sporterized" and looked to be fairly well done. A few of the things done:

Had new bolt handle welded on
Was drilled and tapped for leupold mounts
Wad a 3-position safety added (think it was a Dakota)
Had a new floor plate release lever with a raised serrated tab.
Bolt release was trimmed down and checkered.
Didn't remove from the stock, but it looked like a Timney trigger was in there.
Bolt body was polished and looked straight.

It was a 25-06 and teh receiver had no visible pits. Bolt face was very clean and I could not see anything that sent up a flag. evrything looked well done and professional as far as I could see.

I was hopong to get a bit of input as to what to look for as far warnings/indicators of poor work and or general concern?

Is there any way to assess lug set-back with out pulling the barrel? Maybe not with 100% certainty, but a clue? Rotating the bolt back and forth into battery I could not discern any sort of "catch" or lack of smoothness, FYI.

Also, re the 3-pos safety. When the safety is in the middle position and the bolt removed from the rcvr, one should be able to unscrew the striker assy by depressing the bolt lock plunger, yes? Just like on a Model 70, right? I could not get this one to release and unscrew the striker assy from teh bolt so was curious.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated before I plunk down some $$

TIA,

BB

Mauser 3 position safeties have only two positions. There is no middle release point; have to hold the cocking piece back with a penny. Main thing to look out for is lug set back, as you know. Everything else is workmanship that you can see. Work the bolt up and down and see if you can feel the lugs move in/out of a recess. If it is smooth, don't worry about it. But 1909s are the most liable to set back when barreled for higher pressure ammo. But I use them a lot for my own rifles in all calibers.

To check headspace, buy or borrow a no-go gauge and know how to use it. Bring in some dumby rounds to check feeding. I'm not a gunsmith, but these two are just common sense advice.

Well if it has the D W M (abbreviated here) Berlin address that would be a plus. It sounds OK. What kind of money.

M1909's get a bad rap for set back lugs. It does happen more with them than others; I personally had two and they were not hot calibers or hot loaded, 257 roberts and a 30-06.
I honestly can't remember if they were Berlin made or Argy made. Try to get a test fire with a factory round, 3-5 being better.

Dakota 3 position safeties are 3 position and do work as you suggested, if they were done right. My friend just did 3 last week. I don't know about other makes of 3 position safety, but why would they call it a 3-position??? There is a difference between a Side Swing and a true Side Swing 3-Position.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Mauser 3 position safeties have only two positions. There is no middle release point; have to hold the cocking piece back with a penny.

Mauser 3 position safeties(Dakota, Gentry, NECG, Satterlee, Lapour, etc.) do have 3 positions. The middle position holds the striker back while allowing the bolt to rotate.

I think you are thinking of the side swing conversions that fit the original shrouds. Those are two positions.

If you have a local gunsmith that you like. See if the shop will sell it pending your gunsmith's inspection and blessing. I've done that before on old double shotguns.

Jeremy

The most important thing to look for is crappy workmanship. crooked holes, overgrinding, etc.

When the OP said "3 position safety added" I took that to mean the safety was added to the original bolt shroud. He also said it didn't work so I used that as further evidence that it didn't actually have three positions. He did not say new bolt shroud. The safeties "added" are two position. The new bolt shrouds do have true 3 position safeties.

Guys:

Thanks for the input and apologies for the slow reply...been outta town for a few days.

I am going back today to take a more detailed look and hopefully get to pull the stock off to see what, if anything, lurks below the surface....

Sorry for the confusion regarding the safety. I believe it is a Dakota and will try to narrow that down today as well.

As for price, it is on consignment at $600 and comes with a Leupold 3-9x40 Vari-X IIc and a like new Fajen laminated Thumbhole stock. The barrel is an unknown brand, but relatively heavy profile, looks like a #3 or 4 maybe.

If I buy it, I am going to part out everything but the action. Not interested in the scope, stock, or a heavy bbld 25-06 on a 98.

Will let you know what happens later today....stay tuned....

Bob