I'm thinking about buying a Mauser rifle...

[spin]

for target shooting and perhaps deer and hog hunting.

Does anyone have any experience with Mitchell’s Mausers? (Note: I have no interest in the collector value of the Mauser. I just want a weapon in good to excellent condition that's been checked out for safety.)

A friend recommended the 6.5x.55 Mauser as a good choice as with the reduced recoil it will be pleasant to shoot and the round has enough power to hunt any game that I would be interested in. I haven't found many of these for sale on line.

I'm looking for any advice on where to buy a good Mauser, a rough estimate of what one should cost and some advice on the best caliber.

[krispos42]

1. The 6.5x55mm used to be a Swedish military round

It's about the same size and energy as at .25-06, which is a good thing IMO. You'd probably have to find a former Swedish military rifle that's been sporterized. The article on Wikipedia suggests the 2nd run of Swedish rifles, the 1938-adopted M38, would be the one you want. The M38 has a shorter barrel than the older M96 and the bolt handle is turned-down instead of straight, which would probably make the M38 out-of-the-box compatable for a scope.


I have a 7x57mm Spanish Mauser that my ex's uncle gave me, but I've only shot it a couple times. It's pretty worn and feeding reliability isn't all that great, and the primers stick out from the brass. But hey, can't argue with free, right?

[spin]

2. I believe the M38 was the rifle my friend showed me..

as it had the turned down bolt handle. His rifle was in excellent condition with the stock showing some minor wear and usage.

I'm also considering a K98 Mauser form Mitchell's Mausers or perhaps one of their new production M63 "Tanker" Mausers in .270.



Another possibility is a Remington M798 with a Mauser 98-style Sporter Action. I believe it was made in the same factory as the Tanker Mauser.



Lots of choices and lots of research. I'm enjoying it.

[krispos42]

3. Winchester and Ruger also make Mauser-style actions

with the controlled-round feed (as opposed to push-feed Savage rifles or the Remington M700).


Ruger make a scout-style rifle with a short barrel and a scope mounted forward of the ejection port. You put a long-relief low-power scope on it (like maybe intended for a handgun) and you get the precision of a scope but the situational awareness of iron sights. And the short barrel makes it compact and agile. If you want to hunt in the brush, this wouldn't be a bad choice. The Ruger come in .308 Win.

You could buy one then rebarrel it for a short-action round of your choice. The 7mm-08 or .243 Winchester are both based on the .308 case, just necked down. The .243 will kill a deer up to 300 yards away with a good bullet, the 7mm up to 400.

[spin]

4. Interesting...thanks. New choices to research! (n/t)

[virginia mountainman]

5. NO!!!!!!! NOT A Mitchell’s Mausers!!!!

They are about 2 to 3x over priced..

Since you are not worried about collector value get a Yugo Mauser.

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/c/c-r-guns/p/yugoslavian-24-47-mauser-rifle%2C-matching-bolt%2C-8mm-backordered-/cPath/290/products_id/1334?osCsid=735980a92d48f52f5d8a28193b01a648

http://www.classicarms.us/

Or a Real K98k

http://www.classicarms.us/firearms.htm

If you want a "PREMIUM" rifle, but at a bit more in price...

Get it here...

http://www.familyfirearmsandfinishes.com/contact.html

I have done business with ALL of the above named companies, and I have no qalms about recomending them... For a great K98k, at a great price, I would get it from Family Firearms and Finishes...Get them on the phone, and talk to them in person!

[spin]

7. Thanks for the links...

looks like what I'm looking for.

[Euromutt]

12. Mitchell's publicity material always struck me as full of crap

I came across them when I was interested in acquiring a Yugo M48, and they were flogging off a batch from Kragujevac. Oh, I see they still are: http://www.mauser.org/rifles/M48%20Serbian/index.htm
So their page claims:

A “NEW” Mauser, and it’s over 50 years old! {...} Maintained Combat-Ready (and it still is) for over 50 years, now it can be yours. {...} Preserved by an accident of history, supply is limited.

Now, as it happens, I spent my military service on the S3 (operations & training) section of the Dutch 11 Infantry Brigade (Airmobile) while we rotated two of our battalions to Srebrenica (1993-1994), and I read the intelligence briefings. Then, from 1997 to 2001, I worked in the Office of The Prosecutor of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, so between those jobs, I picked up a fair amount of knowledge about JNA (Yugoslav People's Army) hardware.

The notion that an M48 must have been manufactured in 1948 is obvious bollocks. That was the year the Kragujevac arsenal started making them, and they continued to be made at least until 1959, but likely 1966, when the M59/66 (the Yugo SKS) was introduced. Even after the JNA phased them out, the TO (Teritorijalna Obrana, Territorial Defense, comparable to the ARNG, but purely light infantry for local operations) kept them in its armories until the 1990s. The Croat and particularly Bosnian forces used quite a few in the wars of 1991-1995. The Serbs had appropriated most of the M59/66s and M70s (and they'd cleaned out the Bosnian weapons plants before Bosnia declared independence and shipped the machinery to Serbia), so the Serbian and Montenegrin TO's M48s stayed in the armories during the 1990s, and that, I suspect, is what Mitchell's is flogging.

So these rifles aren't necessarily 50 or more years old, and they haven't preserved "by an accident of history" but because the Yugoslav defense plan in the event of invasion by the Warsaw Pact called for keeping as many rifles available as possible.

[mistertrickster]

17. I also want a Mauser (just got my C&L) and have also heard BAD things about Mitchell's . . .

Probably the worst is that they reportedly sell Mausers as "all parts matching" and then line out the unmatched numbers and re-number them to "force match."

Thanks for the links.

I think that a Yugo with a good clean crest in decent condition could have historical value eventually.

They sure aren't making any more of them, heh.

[Richard Steele]

6. The 6.5x55 Swedish Mausers are also generally the most ACCURATE, on average.

In addition to the things you've already mentioned about
the 6.5x55, it's an inherently accurate cartridge,
and Sweden had some very particular QUALITY demands
written into its contract with Mauser.

Supposedly, every Swedish Mauser that came off the production line
had to be clamped into a vise and fired 3 times at a target 300 yards away.
If the 3 rounds made a group larger than a standard military helmet,
the rifle was REJECTED.

Now, that's just what I was told once long ago.
I don't really know if it's true.
I -DO- know that I've never seen a Swedish Mauser
that didn't have a first-rate fit & finish on its internal parts.
(Some of the late-war 8mm German Mausers have internals as rough as a corn cob!)

I've been out of the Rifle business for a long time now,
so I'm afraid I don't know what a good one goes for these days,
let alone where to find one.
I can only tell you that if you do find one in good condition,
you'll probably be very happy with it.
Almost everyone always is.

[spin]

8. Very interesting info. Thanks (n/t)

[old mark]

9. I have owned maybe a dozen different Mausers over the years.

They are fine, rugged rifles, and would be excellent for your purposes. I'd recommend a Yugo. You can get one in nearyl unused condition for under $300, but I would recommend you go to several local gun shops with cash in hand and see what is available. I would rather pay a few dollars extra and be able to pick and choose. Nearly any of the 98Kar varieties would be excellent. The Turkish Mausers are just too long if you hunt in woods, but they are still under $200 and the 3 I had were good shooters.
I'd get a Yugo, if you can find one - it will literally last for your lifetime and a few more after that, and I'd keep it pretty much as found.

There are many many sites with general info on Mauser rifles and I think you may become a real fan.

Good luck - enjoy.

mark

[spin]

10. That does sound like a good plan...

I might just land a good deal on a weapon in very good condition.

[old mark]

11. Google the site for AIM Surplus.

They have some really good Yugo Mausers for about $270 - I doube you will see any in better condition anywhere - they are a great company to deal with.
Just saw them online Tuesday.

mark

[SteveM]

13. Correct me If I'm wrong, but aren't a lot of "house brands" made from Mauser?...

I have in mind the various rifles sold through Sears Roebuck. I am told that a lot of these had Mauser actions in .30-'06; anyway, it might open up the market for you. Sears didn't sell crap (shotguns were often made by Hi Standard, now defunct). I recall some of their bicycles in the 60s carried Campagnola Nuevo Record derailleurs -- top flight.

[virginia mountainman]

14. No, they where just copies of mauser actions..

Most of today's bolt action hunting rifles use it.

The Dumbasses that want to ban "military weapons" have no idea of the number of conventional hunting Arms they would be banning in the process. It would be a safe bet that more people where killed with mauser, and mauser based actions than AK47's.

[SteveM]

15. The one I remember is the J.C. Higgins Model 50...

According to Guns & Ammo, it was built around a Mauser 98 commercial action at FN and came with a Weaver 4X scope. Made in early 50s.

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/J.C.+Higgins+Model+50

[spin]

16. I did pick up a 6.5x.55 Mauser in good condition...

Finally took it shooting yesterday.

Pleasant recoil and very accurate.

[mistertrickster]

19. Where from? nt

[spin]

20. A friend who is a close friend of a dealer...

found this rifle for me.

My friend also owns a Swedish Mauser which he is fond of.

[mistertrickster]

21. Was it an on-line sale? If so, where? I'm just asking because I want one too. nt

[spin]

22. No, the friend who found the Swedish Mauser...

was the friend who recommended the Mauser in the original post in this thread.

This individual was rooming with us while he was in between jobs. When I expressed an interest in Swedish Mausers, he told me he had a friend who had several. He picked the best one and sold it to me.

My friend has found a job in an another city, when I see him again I'll find out more details and relay the info to you.

[mistertrickster]

23. Well, that's kind of you. I just was interested in the general details. But if he has more to

sell, go ahead and PM me.

I may not be in a position to buy until after Christmas, hehe.

[spin]

24. Hopefully, I'll see him before Christmas...

he has some elderly parents he is taking care of who are in bad shape.

But I will PM you with the details.

[spin]

27. Update: still no contact with my friend...

he left some items in my house, so he will eventually show up.

[mistertrickster]

18. If you're trying to save money, East bloc countires have been flooding the market with Soviet rifles

The Mosin Nagin 91-30 can be had from Aim.com for less than 100 dollars. I fired mine just a few days ago. It uses a 7.62 round very similar to a 30-06. It's kind of rough compared to a Mauser, but it would definitely do the job for deer or hog.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

25. 6.5x55 Swede is a good cartridge

But a Swedish Mauser may or may not be the right rifle.

If you like old guns, it's a good one. If you want to put a scope on it, that may get you into more expense than you want. Even the "bent" bolt handle of the M38 would interfere with most scopes. A good gunsmith can cut the handle off and weld a scope-friendly handle on. And drill holes for the scope mount.

I just shoot mine without a scope and it works just fine.


:hi:

[spin]

26. Actually I had no intention of putting a scope on the rifle ...

So that wasn't a consideration.

I don't plan to make any changes to the rifle. The one I got shoots fine and being primarily a handgun shooter, I'm used to iron sights anyhow.

[old mark]

28. Mausers are great-Mitchell's is NOT. Overpriced. Shop around at local shops

with cash in hand, actually see and handle the rifle. You will be better off.
The Swedish Mausers are very fine rifles, and a very nice one will be under $450 depending where you live.

Get the best you can find and afford.

mark

[spin]

29. That's basically what I ended up doing ...

A friend found a Swedish Mauser made in 1942 in very good condition at a gun store one his friends runs. I paid $300 for this weapon.

I really haven't had a chance to go to a good rifle range, but I did test the weapon at a friends house. The recoil was comfortable and at 20 yards it appeared accurate. I'll have to try it out at 100 yards, but I believe the closest range I shoot at might be flooded out. We have had a lot of rain in North Florida in the last couple of months.

[old mark]

30. Tell me. I wanted to shoot next week, but the range is under 2 feet of snow.

Maybe later.

Enjoy it - they are great rifles - I suggest you look up a few Mauser forums online - there is a lot of information on them and millions of enthusiasts for Mauser rifles of various kinds.

mark

[oneshooter]

34. The last Swedes I bought were $75 each.

That was 10years ago at a closing sale of a outdoors chain.

Oneshooter
Armad and Livin in Texas

[old mark]

31. Spin, this is a link to a very good Swede Mauser forum, on a great

militarty surplus rifle collector/shooters forum, one that is pretty much non-political (some are pretty irritatingly RW) Paralax Bill's:

http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums.yuku.com/forums/82

I am sure you will find a lot of good and interesting information here. Enjoy.

mark

[dashrif]

32. Congrats

Spin I think you will enjoy it keep the DU Paper Plate Web Match in mind when you take it out :hi:

[oneshooter]

33. Look into a Turkish Mauser.

No matter which rifle you get, take it to a reliable gunsmith and have the headspace checked. This is critical to have a safe to shoot rifle.

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas