Repairing An M48 Mauser Upper Hand Guard

[Qball]

So I bought an old Yugo M48. When I disassembled it back in November to clean the cosmoline out of it, the very thin front portion of the hand guard broke into two pieces and separated from the rest of the hand guard. I was expecting that to happen since I could see the split before I broke it down. After searching, with no success, for another hand guard, I decided to make use of what I had to work with.

So I bought a bottle of DAP Weldwood Contact Cement. I chose that stuff because I've used it before with great success. After it hardens overnight, I'll sand off the excessive glue and put a coat or two of clear satin poly on it. The hand guard and stock of the rifle have already been sanded. I just need to get the glue off. Other than the broken piece of hand guard and the friggin cosmoline, this rifle is in remarkably good condition. My son and I can't wait to take it out and shoot it.

 

[Short Fuse]

I did not think that would be a hard part to find. Good luck with the repair if I run across one in my internet travels I will pm you.

 

[Qball]

I did not think that would be a hard part to find. Good luck with the repair if I run across one in my internet travels I will pm you.

I wouldn't have thought so either. But I think these upper guards are known to crack in various places due to the direct contact with the barrel and the thin wood. So they're in high demand and short supply. It's really not that hard to repair them. On this particular rifle, I didn't really need to do anything because the front and rear barrel bands would hold it all together. But I decided to go ahead and fix it. I checked it this morning and the repair is very strong.

 

[dalek]

Congratulations! Are you going to smooth it somehow so the crack is less visible?

 

[Qball]

Congratulations! Are you going to smooth it somehow so the crack is less visible?

Yeah. I'm going to put down a thin layer of wood filler on it and then sand it good before putting on a coat of tinted poly and then clear satin poly on top of the tint to hide the crack. It went back together with the contact cement pretty tight. I'm not going to mess with however until the rifle is back together. The two barrel bands will hold it in place nice and tight and will make it easier to work on hiding the crack. I just finished cleaning the cosmoline out of the barrel today. The barrel, receiver, and trigger assembly are in great shape. Thanks.

 

[bones92]

Call Ralph at Sovereign Guns in Fuquay Varina. He can likely dig up a spare handguard for you. Keep the old one, of course.

 

[Qball]

Call Ralph at Sovereign Guns in Fuquay Varina. He can likely dig up a spare handguard for you. Keep the old one, of course.

Thanks for the info. I may do just that.

 

[Qball]

Well, I finally finished this rifle. The upper hand guard, while not perfect, turned out better than I expected considering what I had to work with. The nose of the guard where both barrel bands are parked, was split into two pieces and had separated from the rest of the hand guard. There were some small pieces of wood that had broken off and were two small to salvage. So I used some wood filler, contact cement and super glue to reconstruct it.

 

[Sleipnir]

I know that I am late to the conversation, but if I had the skill to do so I would put a biscuit, or two, perpendicular to the split. This would create a much stronger repair.

 

[Qball]

I know that I am late to the conversation, but if I had the skill to do so I would put a biscuit, or two, perpendicular to the split. This would create a much stronger repair.

I agree. The key word in your statement above is "skill". That's the part I'm a little short on. Lol. This piece of wood that I was dealing with is very thin. When you couple that with the curved profile that fits over the barrel, it makes it very challenging to do much else with it. If the joint breaks after firing the rifle, and I still can't find a replacement hand guard, the next step will be to evenly cut off the nose and have a good wood carver recreate one for me. Thanks for the tip sir.

 

[eddie0225]

I agree. The key word in your statement above is "skill". That's the part I'm a little short on. Lol. This piece of wood that I was dealing with is very thin. When you couple that with the curved profile that fits over the barrel, it makes it very challenging to do much else with it. If the joint breaks after firing the rifle, and I still can't find a replacement hand guard, the next step will be to evenly cut off the nose and have a good wood carver recreate one for me. Thanks for the tip sir.

Lord don't do that if it happens to break send it to me I'm good at repairing busted up pieces like that and making them match up

 

[Qball]

Lord don't do that if it happens to break send it to me I'm good at repairing busted up pieces like that and making them match up

That's an awesome offer and gesture sir. We've put enough rounds through it to make me think it's gonna hold up. If it does break, I'll send you a PM. Thanks a bunch.

 

[eddie0225]

I've done tons of repairs to stocks and normally I do a pretty decent repair in fact most have trouble finding it if I aint hurried doing it lol I love doing stuff like that though keeps me using my head for something other than a hat rack

 

[JohnFreeman]

Looks really good!

 

[Combat Diver]

Good Job OP! There are too many different Mauser verariations to consider. The M48 isn't a true K98 as there are differences, namely action length (M48 intermediate), wood between rear sight and receiver, different barrel bands, etc. I acquried a M48 BO (no markings except S/N) back in the early 90s. Love ringing iron maidens at 500 yds shooting surplus Egyptian or Israeli ammo with mine.

CD