Ray
Thanks for the reply.

I ordered a 98 copy from Alex Imports thinking it would be a standard FN action. BOY WAS I SURPRISED. The machine work was of lesser quality than the imported stuff you see at Walmart. Instead of being a standard round top receiver it was a very short height double square bridge design. A very deep .750" dovetail was cut partially along the front of the rec ring bridge, and it looked like the ring placement would be too far back almost over the ejection port.

Since I posted the origional question I've had back surgery for a hernaited disk and am now 4 days post op. At least my leg and foot isn't on fire any more. I arrived on this board because I've been off work for two months and haven't been able to do much more than posting a few messages here. My intent of ordering the 98 distorted clone was to speed the process of building this rifle by trying to eliminate some metalsmithing time. The time it would have taken to remachine and polish the clone 98 would probably equal doing an 09 Argentine 98 right the first time. I just haven't found any 09's for sale at reasonable cost. Any ideas here?

I shipped the clone 98 back to Alex Imports and he should receive it early this week. I hope my check comes back without incident. I was fishing for info here about these clones thinking I might have received a lemon. The more I looked at the clone the more I had to think it was just the level of quality I got for the money I paid.

Now I'm looking for a quality military 98 that hasen't been already customized or "lightly pitted" as so many advertise.

gunmaker