Wood stock for Interarms MkX Mauser?

[Scott Spencer]

Ok, I have my dad's 7x57 Mk X mauser with the full length mannlicher stock. Even though it is a 20" barrel, the rifle is damn heavy. There is also a high gloss finish on the stock.

My thoughts are to restock it with a AA Claro Walnut stock but I am not sure if anyone makes a stock for that Interarms action. I've found some for the mauser 98 action but I don't think the Mk X is a true 98 action. Am I wrong? I think I've found a synthetic stock specifically for the Interarms Mk X but I want a wood stock.

Am I looking at a prohibitive high $ option to restock that rifle? I'd love to hunt it but just don't like the wt of the rifle. Yes,I know a synthetic stock would really lighten it but I would prefer a pretty matt finished conventional rifle stock.

Suggestions? Ideas?

 

[DrMike]

I can't speak of a stock commercially manufactured for that particular action, but I certainly concur with your sentiment to maintain the wood stock if possible. What a treasure and what an excellent cartridge. I suspect that you are looking at a custom job to get what you want, and that means a good cash outlay. Since it was your dad's, and since you are likely to keep it in the family, the expenditure may well be worth it. I know that if I had any of my dad's firearms (all cheap and all heavily used), I'd treasure them for the memories. Let us know after you explore the issue what you decide. Any chance of posting a photo or two?

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thanks, Mike. Believe it or not but I don't have a pic of the rifle. In fact, it is still in my dad's gun cabinet. I've left things as they were since he passed away in April. Anyway, I'll be at my mom's in a couple of weeks and will take some pictures of the rifle. He has a nice Burris scope on it but I'll probably switch it out to a Leupy or Zeiss eventually.

 

[HTDUCK]

Check with Stocky's or Richards Microfit.

 

[RiverRider]

Scott, I think that if you were to acquire a stock that was inlet for a Mauser 98, the only thing you'd have to deal with is the safety on the Interarms action, and maybe the slot you might have to cut to accommodate the bolt handle . It shouldn't be a big deal at all.

 

[HTDUCK]

Now that I think about it, years ago I put a Bell and Carlson Carbelite on my Interarms Mark X 06.
I did have to use a dremel tool to make the safety operational.When I ordered it I order a Mauser 98 stock.
Took all of 15 minutes I think.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Do you think a gunsmith would be able to fit the action to the M98 stock? I ask simply because I have ZERO woodwork/stock work experience and I'd hate to pay $400-$800 for a nice wood stock and then screw it up! I do not trust myself in the least bit when it comes to something like that. I wonder what it would cost to buy a piece of wood and just have a stock maker use a CNC to cut out the stock and match my action and barrel?

 

[RiverRider]

Any "gunsmith" who can't fit a Mark X action into a 98 stock without screwing it up is no gunsmith at all. I am assuming a drop-in fit, though.

If the stock you buy is not a drop-in fit then you probably will need to pay someone to do the work and it certainly will not be a half-hour job anyway. In that case you may as well send the barreled action and the new stock to someone to do the job for you and bide your time. It will not be cheap, but you obviously treasure the rifle and want the project to be done right.

I have found buying rifle stocks to be more complicated than not. A nice drop-in fit is not something you'll find easily, at least not if you want a walnut or laminated stock. I wanted to restock a Remington 788 a while back, and I found one at Stocky's. I ordered it, and here is what I got from them:

This stock was made by Boyd's. I have dealt with Boyd's directly and the experience was completely UNSATISFACTORY---after 6 weeks they still could not deliver two stocks for 98 Mausers, which they supposedly had in stock in their factory. This 788 stock from Stocky's had the inletting for the floorplate all screwed up, and when I contacted them to return it for a refund they gave me all kinds of guff. I will never again deal with either of them.

 

[Scott Spencer]

WOW! That is a messed up stock! I hate hearing that neither company would stand behind their products and also give crap service!
I guess I need to just look for an Interarms Mk X stock some place like Gunbroker. I know they made regular stocked rifles along with the sporter/mannlicher version like my dad has. I had hoped to just get a pretty grained, dark colored, AA claro walnut stock for it. I love the 7x57 and my dad's rifle is a tack driver. I just hate the weight of it with that full length stock and scope.....even though it is a pretty rifle as is. :grin:

 

[6mm Remington]

scott between all of us looking a checking for you to HELP of course, maybe we can locate a wood stock. Just a thought I had on this since it is so special and it was your dads. It should not cost a great deal for a gunsmith or even you do strip the old finish, maybe have the checkering touched up, and refinish it. That way you would have that OLD/new stock in your gun safe just in case you should decide to ever put it back on for sentimental reasons and you would have it to go with the rifle.

David

 

[RiverRider]

That is a good idea, and a great place to keep an eye out is at this forum:

http://www.mausercentral.com/forum/index.php

The guys at Mauser Central are a great bunch and there is a ton of genuine gunsmithing expertise over there. Sooner or later you should get a shot at the kind of stock you want if you watch the classified section over there.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thank you, David and all!! I don't have to anything right now as I'm waiting on my 338-06 from Pac-Nor. It was suppose to ship this past week. Anyway, I'll keep my eyes open and I deeply appreciate the additional "eyes" from all of you as well. I'll check out mauser central and see what I can find over there.

 

[6mm Remington]

Scott- Message from Boyds on my questions for your Manlicher stock.

He would need to look at our Mauser section and measure what he has to see if one of our stocks will fit his action and barrel contour.
Boyds' Gunstock Customer Service
Retail Sales Division
www.boydsgunstocks.com

Hope this helps Scott. Good place to start as well as that other company I gave you the site on. Good luck and let me know if I can help some more.
David

 

[6mm Remington]

Sender: Kelly Clairmont <mtcustomguns@hotmail.com>
Subject: Mannlicher 7X57 Mauser
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:07:48 -0700
To: <davidwalrod@bresnan.net>

Dear David

Thank you for contacting us! Kelly is wondering whether your friends Mannlicher is a model 98 or 96? He said we do have a few Classic Style Stocks for each. These stocks run $350.00 ea. It will be $485.00 to inlet/sand, $89.00 for the buttpad, $340.00 refinish (polyoil competition finish), and $290.00 for a factory checkering pattern. It would take us approximately 3-4 weeks from the time we receive the gun to return the finished project back to you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to visit with you! We look forward to working with you (or your friend) on this project!

Best Regards
Kelly and Carla Clairmont
Montana Custom Guns
(406)883-1088



Sender: "Henry Pohl" <henry@gunstocks.com>
Subject: Re: Mannlicher 7x57 Mauser rifle
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:14:09 -0800
To: "david walrod" <davidwalrod@bresnan.net>

Yes, we furnish mannlicher stocks for this rifle. Prices run from $200 up for a semi-finished plain grade walnut mannlicher.... Sincerely... Henry
----- Original Message ----- From: "david walrod" <davidwalrod@bresnan.net>
To: <sales@gunstocks.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 7:07 PM
Subject: Mannlicher 7x57 Mauser rifle

I have a friend who has a 7x57 Mauser with the full length stock. He wants to pull the full length stock off and refinish the old stock and stick it away to keep it. Do you folks make a modern standard length rifle stock in walnut for this particular rifle and how much are they?

Scott I hope this helps you in your search!

 

[Scott Spencer]

WOW! Thank you, David! You certainly took the work out of it! I guess I owe you a dinner somewhere. :grin: