When you remove the side plate... (and a sight question...)

[Griff Murphey]

I assume you first remove the screw (got that done), then tap it smartly from the inside with a punch, or a wooden dowel. The caveat to remove the stock first has come up before as a suggested precaution...

As long as I have you gents' attention: Which model sight has a ladder, and a grooved flip-type lever hanging off the right front of the base. I assume it is a windage adjustment lever. Mine seems frozen; at least, it will not move with finger pressure. It is on my sporter '98.

[Dick Hosmer]

That is the Model 1901 sight. The lever at front is only the friction-lock for the windage adjustment, which is set by hand. Soak it withe WD40, and tap it (counterclockwise) with a small wooden block and a hammer.

[Griff Murphey]

Am I right on tapping out the sideplate?

[Dick Hosmer]

I'm sorry - your suggested method is exactly correct - I can only add that the dowel should be applied to the rear of the plate, as it hooks under the receiver at the front, and pivots out.

Guess I read too fast and assumed you had already done it. Personally, I see no reason to remove the stock, as there should normally be no overlap by the wood.

In fact, I wouldn't remove the sideplate without some VERY good reason, such as replacing a broken ejector, ESPECIALLY so if there are no marks on the screw and patina has built up around the joint.

[Plain Old Dave]

Hear, hear on not removing the sideplate. If not properly seated, the sideplate can cause feeding problems. Had a '96 once that wouldn't pick up rounds from the magazine. Looking at it one day I noticed the sideplate wasn't seated fully. Tapped it in place with the heel of a screwdriver, tightened down the screw and it worked fine.

[Griff Murphey]

This thread is really a follow-on to my question about spitzers. I'm trying to improve feeding in a pretty clean 98 that was nose-diving the rounds into the flat of the breech face at 7 o'clock. I've been told that changing out the sideplate may fix the problem. So the sporter will loan its side plate to the issue 98.

If that doesn't work I will try modifying the sideplate with a little JB weld to point that bullet a bit better.

Both screws showed evidence of having been worked on. Neither required significant force to unscrew.

[Mark Daiute]

I'm afraid to speak up amongst my betters but I found that cartridge length could cause feeding problems......

[Dick Hosmer]

Hi Mark. The Krag was beautifully, and intricately (some people have gone so far as to describe the receiver assembly as metallic sculpture) designed to feed ONE cartridge - the service 220gr. roundnose - and ONE cartiridge ONLY.

Anyone who gets anythng else to feed really should consider themselves blessed, as they are receiving a nice little bonus.

[Griff Murphey]

My OLD sewerpipe '98 feeds anything. There is a You Tube video of me shooting prone rapid in the 2008 Texas state JCG/03/vintage shoot. Search "Griff T. Murphey shooting Krag". That gun is FAST. Ammo is with 180 gr. BTHP Sierra Matchkings. I think I finished in about 60 some seconds. I am hoping this better looking "new" rifle will feed as well....