Bolt Action Rifles. Wayne Zwoll

by the bolt-stop so that only part of the cartridge projects in the path of the bolt. The magazine can be fully loaded by inserting one cartridge at a time, or loaded by stripping cartridges from a charger clip. The loaded magazine can be quickly emptied by merely pressing down on the checkered projection on the bolt-stop.

      The Schoenauer magazine system is reliable in every way. It holds five cartridges in a space only slightly larger than needed for a staggered-column magazine. Feeding is positive and smooth, and there is only one path for the cartridges to take as they are fed into the chamber. The spool prevents cartridges from moving forward as the rifle recoils. This prevents bullet point mutilation. Finally, the magazine box and spool can be easily removed for cleaning.

      The Schoenauer magazine has disadvantages. It is much more costly to make than a staggered-column type because every part of the system has to be made for the specific cartridge for which the rifle is chambered. Once so made, it is not readily adaptable to cartridges with different dimensions.

      Takedown and Assembly

      Make sure chamber and magazine are empty. To remove the bolt, raise the bolt handle and pull it back and out while depressing the bolt-stop. To disassemble the bolt, grasp the bolt body in one hand and, with the other, rotate the cocking piece ¼-turn counterclockwise so it is against the bolt; depress the safety and swing it to the right. Turn the firing pin nut ¼-turn counterclockwise and pull it free; swing the safety to the left, remove it from the cocking piece off the firing pin; now grasp bolt head firmly (remember it is under tension of the mainspring), turn it counterclockwise until the ejector is in line with the guide rib and ease it forward. This will release the firing pin and mainspring so they can be pulled forward out of the bolt. Remove the ejector by turning out its screw and sliding it forward. Remove the extractor by lifting its front end up with a screwdriver, then pull it forward. To avoid any chance of breaking the extractor, it should not be removed unless necessary. Reassemble in reverse order.

      Using a bullet point or some other pointed tool, depress the floorplate latch spring through the front hole in the floorplate. Turn it about ¼-turn and pull out the magazine. Remove the magazine spool by depressing the rear spool bearing and lifting up the rear of the spool. Remove the bearings and magazine spring from the spool by rotating the front bearing counter-clockwise about

-turn until it pops out and unwinds; the bearings and spring assembly can now be pulled out. It is best not to remove the spring bearings, although this can be done by lifting the hooked ends of the spring from each bearing. The spool spring, with bearings attached, is reassembled by inserting it into the spool and rotating it until the small bearing projects through the spool; now depress the large bearing and turn it about one full turn counter-clockwise until it falls into place and is locked into the spool. The assembled spool is fitted in place by inserting the large bearing into its slot in the magazine box and then depressing the rear bearing until it slips into place.

       Mannlicher-Schoenauer Triggers Single and Double-Set for Rifles and Carbines

       Adjustable Single or Double-Set Triggers

      All models, both rifle and carbine, come with choice of regular single trigger or double-set triggers. The single trigger is of the clean crisp shotgun type, that is, it is completely without creep, the pull being about 4½ lbs., and is the type most shooters are accustomed to. Below, it will be seen that the single trigger is provided with a regulating screw, permitting adjustment of pull.

      The double-set trigger represents a novelty to most American shooters, but once understood, has numerous advantages, particularly when used with a scope. In this type, the front trigger alone always fires the gun, the rear trigger never does, its sole function being to “set” the front trigger thus making a “hair” trigger of it. If the rear trigger is ignored, the gun is fired by using the front trigger, though the pull is somewhat heavier and less sharp than on the regular single trigger model. The reason for this will be clear from a study of the two illustrations, whereby it will be seen that the leverage exerted in the single trigger is several times as great as in the double-set.To make a “hair” trigger of the front trigger, the rear is pulled back until it clicks, and the front trigger is then “set” and a pressure of a few ounces fires it. This is perfect for long-distance scope shots as the gun may be fired the instant the bead is on the target. If the trigger is “set”, it can be unset without firing the gun or opening the bolt.To accomplish this, the rear trigger is pulled first, and while pressure is on the rear trigger, the front trigger is pulled very lightly, and the gun is back to normal pull. This last “trick” should be practiced on an empty chamber until it is thoroughly understood. A small regulating screw is located between the triggers, permitting adjustment of from nothing to about three ounces.

      This illustration shows double-set trigger unit complete with trigger lever. This entire unit can be replaced or used interchangeably with the single trigger mechanism shown at right.

      This is the new style single trigger mechanism (illustrated more fully below) which can be used to replace the double trigger unit if desired. This new-style trigger is being furnished on all current Mannlicher-Schoenauers.

       OLD SINGLE TRIGGER MECHANISM

       NEW SINGLE TRIGGER MECHANISM

      A page from the 1939 Stoeger’s catalog showing the different trigger mechanisms for the commercial M-S sporter at that time. (Courtesy Stoeger Industries)

      Regular sporter-type rifle built around the Greek military M-S action. The action was fitted with a new barrel, a flat bolt handle and a 1903 Springfield trigger guard bow, and to this the Fajen stock was fitted. The Weaver K-6 scope is mounted in Weaver top-detachable rings on a Weaver 60 base attached to the receiver ring with two 8x40 screws.

      The floorplate can be removed by driving the spring clip off of the floorplate stud, which will release the floorplate and the spring catch. Reassemble in reverse order. The assembled magazine can then be inserted into the action and locked in place by turning the floorplate lengthwise with the action.

      To remove the barrel and action from the stock, remove the magazine and barrel bands; turn out the rear receiver screw, lift the rear of the trigger guard out of the stock, slide it back and remove it; turn out the front receiver screw and the barreled action can be lifted out of the stock. Drive out (downward) the bolt-stop pin to remove the bolt-stop and spring. Turn out the cartridge-stop screw from the right side of the receiver and work out the cartridge-stop and spring. Drive out the sear lever pin to remove the trigger assembly. Drive out the sear and trigger pins to remove the sear and trigger. Reassemble in reverse order. The barrel is screwed tightly into the receiver (right-hand threads), and it should not be removed unless the action is to be rebarreled, and then only if the proper tools are available.

      Rechambering and Rebarreling

      I’ve already pointed out some limitations of the M-S action and magazine, but there are more. There is just no way in which this action, made for the 6.5 M-S cartridge, can be altered to handle a cartridge whose overall length is more than about 3.10”, nor any practicable or easy way it can be made to handle any cartridge much shorter than about 2.875”. The new cartridge, which must also be a rimless type, practically eliminates all modern cartridges except the 257 Roberts, 244 (or 6mm Remington) and the 7mm Mauser. While these