Having both a small ring Mexican 98 and a small ring BRNO Vz33 on hand, has got me thinking (usually not good): How hard would it be to give the Mex the 33/40 treatment? Anyone ever done one? Can a handy fella do a professional looking job with files, stones, and sandpaper? I want to try it just for the hell of it, as I'm down for a couple of months following A.C.L. surgery, and I'm bored out of my mind! Anyone care to walk me through it? What tools (i.e. stones, files, dremel?, sandpaper, etc.) do I need for the task. While I'm at it, I might as well detail the whole thing. Anyone want to coach me. I can post progress pics as I go.

I found an old post where a fella bought a Mexican already put through the 33/40 diet plan. Folks started weighing stuff. Thought you might find it interesting. All weights in ounces:

1936 Mexican 14.5
1908 Brazilian 15.7
1909 Argentine 16.0
G33/40 w/charger hump milled off 12.9
1910 with 33/40 treatment 13

Blackburn bottom metal for Mexican (#10) 10.1
Blackburn bottom metal for std. M98 (#9) 10.2

With small ring Mexicans, the real weight savings comes from a narrow profile with less stock wood and barrel steel, as the Mex actions actually weigh the same as a standard length large rings. Trimming a couple of ounces won't really matter, but it might look cool.
Matt

Yes, you have too much time on your hands.
I have made 33-40s from other Mausers but you need a milling machine to do it.
The weight saved is not worth it but the looks might be.

Have thought about the same modification, i.e., milling a Mexican receiver like a G33/40. It seems to me the 1910 is a better choice than the 1936. The '36 S/N is on the left sidewall aft of the receiver ring and would be milled away. then there's also the gas vents and huge thumb slot. I have a 1910 receiver that's been annealed with that very project in mind.

quote:

Originally posted by Glen71:
Have thought about the same modification, i.e., milling a Mexican receiver like a G33/40. It seems to me the 1910 is a better choice than the 1936. The '36 S/N is on the left sidewall aft of the receiver ring and would be milled away. then there's also the gas vents and huge thumb slot. I have a 1910 receiver that's been annealed with that very project in mind.

Thanks for the info Glen. The first action, pictured above, is a DWM 1902 Mexican 98. Comparing it to a 1910 I have, they seem identicle. The serial # on the DWM is on the right side of the front ring, and is stamped very shallow. This action needs a surface grind, as well, and I see no way of avoiding losing the number to the grind. I know this is a no-no, but it is done all the time on old mausers. The number just gets re-engraved and no one seems to care. I suppose the number could be left behind in a raised oval.
Matt

Just a matter of setting it up and machining it out, do the charger hump in the same set up.
3 to 4 hour project, nice Saturday morning job over a cup of coffee.

If you have time on your hands you could hand polish your Mexican action to get it ready for customizing, as did a member here hand polish this action.

quote:

Originally posted by lindy2:
If you have time on your hands you could hand polish your Mexican action to get it ready for customizing, as did a member here hand polish this action.

That looks fantastic!

I would love to do that. I would just need someone to walk me through it. I have this action on hand that I would love to be able to detail:



This thing was arsinal refinished, so the lettering on the left wall is shallow/overpolished. I would like to just remove it altogether.


The rear bridge looks good. I think I just need to take it 400.


Do you think the crest can stay? I like it, but I fear it may be over polished. I intend this action for a blued open sight rifle.


Some good recommendations on tools and techniques would be greatly appreciated.

I do not remember his name (I hope he will please forgive me for that) but I believe he is the representative for Heim here in the U.S.

One thing for sure you will need are some polishing stones. You need to keep lines STRAIGHT or you will get the dreaded dishing that you complain of.

It looks like your action is a 1908 Brazilian by DWM. You could improve on the bottom metal by swaping out for a 1909 bottom metal and replacing the button and the floorplate. 1908 Brazil actions may be soft (I don't want to get into that argument anymore) so if you have it checked and you feel it is soft you may want to have it carburized by someone whom you can trust - I.e. someone that top notch gunmakers use.

I may be wrong, but that doesn't look like a Blackburn bottom metal to me. Blackburn bottom metal is almost egg shaped, and this one looks a little bit more square. Maybe Swift changed the shape a little bit, or else it could be reworked bottom metal or another company's bottom metal like Sunny Hill or Wiebe.

I would definitely change out the trigger as well. Blackburn makes a good one.

Here is a photo of the other side.



Good luck.

You're speaking of newguy. He is in Dallas, Texas.

Thank you. That is the gentleman.

Sure you can keep the crest; it won't need much polishing anyway.

Lindy,
Are you sure that's the same action? I have that same picture saved to my computer. It was for sale on gunsamerica for a few years. It's a 404 Jeffery barrelled action sold by Michael Merker on a VZ24 and a Wisner/PME 404 Jeff bottom metal. The right side of that action has the striped clip mortis removed for extra clearance when loading.

No, I'm not sure its the same action. It was stored right next to the other photo on my computer and I just assumed it was the same.

Nevertheless, its a beautiful piece of work, isn't it? Here it is from the other side. What I think is so neat about it is that the stripper clip recess has been milled out, so probably as you say it is set up for a large cartridge.



Anyway, if you could polish one up like that you ought to be proud of yourself.

Indeed!

to late guys clayton nelson did one for 2 years ago used 1910 with later model bolt like spfd and nobody can figure out what it is and it looks great 257 roberts

I never polish off milling marks off the parts of a receiver under the wood line; I want it to always be known that it was milled, the old fashioned way.