How to reshape the tang sight on a Mauser rifle receiver

When converting a military Mauser to a sporting rifle, it is common to reshape the tang of the receiver to allow for a thinner, more pleasing pistol grip. Larry Potterfield, CEO and Founder of MidwayUSA, demonstrates this process using a Mauser 98 receiver and some basic tools you will find around the shop. He starts by applying some layout fluid to the tang and then scribes in his guidelines. With the receiver in a holding fixture he can file down to the lines using a mill bastard file. If the metal is too hard a grinding wheel or bench grinder can be used to remove the bulk of the material, switching to a file as you get close.