Kar98 Bolt Closure issue?

So I have a Kar98- and whenever I try to close the bolt with an empty magazine, the bolt is blocked by the magazine; by that I mean the shelf where rounds are seated. Have not tried with a loaded magazine, so I do not know if this is intentional (maybe a way to inform the user that the magazine is empty) or if it is a defect; the bolt can be closed, but pressure must be applied to the magazine while the bolt is being closed so that the face of the bolt can slide over; once this is done, obviously, the bolt closes fine, because the shelf has slipped under the bolt. Any advice or information would be appreciated.

?2014-03-31T17:30:29Z

Favorite Answer

It's normal, means you have an original unmodified follower. You have a few choices available to you.

1. Live with it the way it is, lots of folks do.

2. Follow the good advice already give about grinding a bevel so the bolt will ride up over it

3. Get a commercial replacement that's already got the bevel.

Anonymous2014-03-31T22:52:23Z

It is designed that way. It is a battle rifle and is designed to let the soldier know when his magazine is empty. The bolt will close if there is ammo in the magazine. A gunsmith can grind a bevel on the rear of the magazine follower so that the bolt will close on an empty magazine.

BBean2014-03-31T22:55:48Z

Some do close and some do not. There`s a lead angle machined on the follower on the Mausers that close. You can either grind an angle or buy a follower with it already done. It must be ground so that the bolt over rides it and pushes it down before closing.

Carl2014-03-31T23:27:21Z

You can do this a home. Just grind a tapper and try. Be careful you want the bolt to slide on to and push the spring down until you have a smooth operation. Finish with a file to a very smooth finish

lana_sands2014-04-01T07:47:42Z

No issue. It works as designed.