I inherited a Czech VZ 24 from my father which is sporterized. I shot the thing a few times as a kid, but never really knew or understood much about the rifle. Dad never shot it much either and its been on a gun rack on a den wall for the bigger part of at least 50 years. I'd like to occasionally use it at a range, but given the time elapsed since last used, I feel its imperative I fully explore and fully understand what I have and what may or may not being going on with it. I have posed my problem and questions at Mauser Central your Restoring and Sporterizing Resource and have received some great input. It can be reviewed here, if desired, for more details:
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The short of it is, I am not certain, actually I DON'T KNOW DEFINITIVELY what the caliber of this rifle is. I don't know if its standard 8 x 57, modified for 30-06, or jury rigged with something else. Because of the ammo I have, I'm guessing its 8 x 57 or 30-06. But, I'm not going to take any chances with this. I have had advice at Mauser Central to have a chamber casting made, the bore slugged, and the headspace checked to understand what I'm dealing with. Also, a close inspection for cracking and fissuring in the barrel has been suggested.
I need to find some competent, knowledgeable gunsmiths here in central Indiana to give me their professional appraisal of my rifle. I'm not talking about a sales person standing behind a counter promoting firearms and ammo sales. I know enough to understand having a gun shop doesn't necessarily mean there is professional gunsmithing being done on the premises. I need expertise, competency, and mechanical knowledge to understand what I have and what my options may be. Otherwise, I risk potential failure and serious injury.
Can you experienced users here, particularly rifle guys who are Mauser enthusiasts, suggest gunsmiths here in central Indiana offering the services I mentioned above, who are especially skilled with Mausers? What I'm really asking is, if you were me with this situation, who would you entrust the gun to? Since I'm pretty new to this and the gun community in general, full names and all relevant contact info would be deeply appreciated. It would be my desire do have this work done as locally as possible, rather than shipping it off somewhere like California or North Carolina to an unseen face. I live in Grant County.
Looking forward to your opinions and input.
Regards,
ztnoo
Mauser Central ? Login
The short of it is, I am not certain, actually I DON'T KNOW DEFINITIVELY what the caliber of this rifle is. I don't know if its standard 8 x 57, modified for 30-06, or jury rigged with something else. Because of the ammo I have, I'm guessing its 8 x 57 or 30-06. But, I'm not going to take any chances with this. I have had advice at Mauser Central to have a chamber casting made, the bore slugged, and the headspace checked to understand what I'm dealing with. Also, a close inspection for cracking and fissuring in the barrel has been suggested.
I need to find some competent, knowledgeable gunsmiths here in central Indiana to give me their professional appraisal of my rifle. I'm not talking about a sales person standing behind a counter promoting firearms and ammo sales. I know enough to understand having a gun shop doesn't necessarily mean there is professional gunsmithing being done on the premises. I need expertise, competency, and mechanical knowledge to understand what I have and what my options may be. Otherwise, I risk potential failure and serious injury.
Can you experienced users here, particularly rifle guys who are Mauser enthusiasts, suggest gunsmiths here in central Indiana offering the services I mentioned above, who are especially skilled with Mausers? What I'm really asking is, if you were me with this situation, who would you entrust the gun to? Since I'm pretty new to this and the gun community in general, full names and all relevant contact info would be deeply appreciated. It would be my desire do have this work done as locally as possible, rather than shipping it off somewhere like California or North Carolina to an unseen face. I live in Grant County.
Looking forward to your opinions and input.
Regards,
ztnoo
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