30-40 Krag loading gate stiff

Sluggo33 · April 21, 2020, 04:51 PM

Cleaning up a 1898 30-40 krag for a friend. The loading flare/door is very stiff to open even after lubrications. Any tips?

Scorch · April 21, 2020, 05:11 PM

It's supposed to be. That keeps it from popping open in combat.

mikejonestkd · April 21, 2020, 05:12 PM

The loading latch is spring loaded, and it is supposed to be stiff.
as long as it works you have nothing to worry about

<Scorch is a faster at typing than me >

**44 AMP** · April 21, 2020, 11:14 PM

Stiff to open and almost snaps itself shut when you start to close it. Besides the spring, I think there's a cam surface involved but its been years since I looked at the parts.

While it lost out as a "not as easy, simple or practical" as the Mauser and other stripper clip systems, one has to give the Krag system points for ingenuity, and a degree of elegance in the design.

Open the box, dump in loose rounds, close box, and as long as the bullet it to the front, it feeds. No rimlock, no stripper clip, and it allows the magazine to be topped off, without opening the action.

If you want real class in an old school and old world kind of way, find a Krag in 6.5x55mm.

April 21, 2020, 04:51 PM	#1
Sluggo33 Junior Member Join Date: July 15, 2018 Posts: 1	30-40 Krag loading gate stiff Cleaning up a 1898 30-40 krag for a friend. The loading flare/door is very stiff to open even after lubrications. Any tips?

April 21, 2020, 05:11 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	It's supposed to be. That keeps it from popping open in combat. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 21, 2020, 05:12 PM	#3
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	The loading latch is spring loaded, and it is supposed to be stiff. as long as it works you have nothing to worry about <Scorch is a faster at typing than me > __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. Last edited by mikejonestkd; April 21, 2020 at 06:00 PM.

April 21, 2020, 11:14 PM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	Stiff to open and almost snaps itself shut when you start to close it. Besides the spring, I think there's a cam surface involved but its been years since I looked at the parts. While it lost out as a "not as easy, simple or practical" as the Mauser and other stripper clip systems, one has to give the Krag system points for ingenuity, and a degree of elegance in the design. Open the box, dump in loose rounds, close box, and as long as the bullet it to the front, it feeds. No rimlock, no stripper clip, and it allows the magazine to be topped off, without opening the action. If you want real class in an old school and old world kind of way, find a Krag in 6.5x55mm. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.