How to Clean a Mauser Bolt

The 8 mm German Mauser 98K rifle was the last significant model of a series invented in 1898 by Paul Mauser. More than 14 million 98Ks were produced between 1935 and 1945. Known for its reliability and accuracy, the bolt-action 98K was the principal rifle of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Surplus 98Ks were later issued to the armed forces of other countries, including Norway, China and Israel. Clip-fed by a five-round internal magazine, the 98K has a muzzle velocity of 2,493 feet per second and an effective range of 547 yards. Its barrel length is 23.6 inches and its total weight is 8.2 pounds.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood block
  • Gun cleaning solvent
  • Gun cleaning patches
  • Gun cleaning bristle brush
  • Gun oil
Show More

Instructions

  1. Bolt Disassembly Procedure

    • 1

      Close and lock the bolt by pushing it all the way forward to the chamber, then rotating the bolt handle clockwise. Set the safety lever in the straight up position.

    • 2

      Unlock the bolt. Push down on the bolt release lever on the left side of the receiver. Pull the bolt back until it is separated from the receiver.

    • 3

      Depress the retaining pin on the bolt sleeve and turn the bolt counter-clockwise.

    • 4

      Unscrew the bolt sleeve and remove it from the bolt body.

    • 5

      Turn the extractor clockwise until it pops out of the groove at the end of the bolt body. Pull the extractor forward off the bolt.

    • 6

      Push the tip of the firing pin down against a block of wood to compress the spring tension until the cocking sleeve clears its notch. Turn the cocking sleeve one-quarter turn in either direction and remove it from the firing pin. Gradually release pressure on the firing pin to let out spring tension until the spring is fully expanded.

    • 7

      Remove the firing pin assembly and remove the spring from the firing pin.

    • 8

      Rotate the rifle's safety lever all the way to the right. Remove the lever from the bolt.

    Bolt Cleaning Procedure

    • 9

      Dampen the cleaning patches with the solvent and wipe them over the surfaces of all the bolt components.

    • 10

      Use a bristle brush and cleaning solvent to scrub any powder deposits and residue from the bolt face.

    • 11

      Lightly lubricate the surfaces of all the components with gun oil.

    Bolt Reassembly Procedure

    • 12

      Slide the extractor over its lug on the bolt body. Rotate the extractor to mate it with the groove on the end of the bolt.

    • 13

      Insert the safety lever into the rear of the bolt sleeve.

    • 14

      Slide the firing pin's spring over the firing pin and install the bolt sleeve on the rear of the firing pin.

    • 15

      Press the tip of the firing pin down on a block of wood to compress the spring. Let the spring tension move the cocking sleeve slowly to the rear of the bolt. Rotate the sleeve one-quarter turn so its slot engages with the bolt sleeve. Let the spring expand to secure the cocking sleeve.

    • 16

      Put the firing pin assembly into the bolt body and turn the bolt sleeve clockwise. Turn the extractor so it is positioned directly over the bolt lug on the right.

    • 17

      Press and hold the bolt release lever on the left side of the receiver. Place the bolt into the rear of the receiver and slide it all the way forward into the chamber. Release the bolt release lever. Rotate the bolt handle clockwise to lock the bolt.