Mitchel's Mausers

[matt]

I have a friend in NH looking at these in the American Rifleman. He's thinking he'd like one.

I know virtually nothing about Mausers, never mind his particular varieties. It sounds, from what he said, like they come stripped of all cosmoline, etc. which he's willing to pay a little premium for.

Any here dealt with them? Comments on price, Quality, etc.?

Thanks,
Matt

PS - this would not be shipped to MA, but to NH so don't get in a twist...

 

[ranger4-7]

I'm no expert but Mitchells seems very expensive relative to what you get ( a refurbed/non-original rifle). I think you friend could do better buying elsewhere.

 

[Cross-X]

I'm no expert but Mitchells seems very expensive relative to what you get ( a refurbed/non-original rifle). I think you friend could do better buying elsewhere.

Ditto!

 

[45collector]

What are they, $299?

 

[Eye5600]

I think you friend could do better buying elsewhere.

And where would that be?

 

[Lucas McCain]

I have not heard good things about them. I have heard rumors about them marking things with fake insignia, etc. I would be careful.

 

[gerrycaruso]

45 collector is correct on the price. The same rifle from XXXX is $149.95. If you have a C&R they'll ship it to your house. If you don't, have it shipped to a dealer. I listed the name because they will only ship to 01 or 03 FFL's. Are we not supposed to list those companies either?

 

[USMA-82]

I look at these as being the same as Universal carbines - brand new examples of a model of rifle, but with no history or "character." Some people are looking for a new gun that no one else has used (and maybe abused) and that's fine. Different strokes for different folks.

Buy it if it makes you happy - I would never try to convince someone NOT to buy a gun unless it was dangerous or an obvious fake for alot of money. But do consider some of the original "war veterans" before you buy - they may have a few scrapes and scars, but they are a piece of history you can hold in your hands.

 

[bggsp]

i bought one from mitchells. I paid a premium for all matching #s. They were not all matching. The upper band did not match. But, it was beautifully referbished and I love to shoot it. I love my mauser even though MM didn't sell me what they said they would. Look at this thread for mine:

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=55577&page=3

 

[MassMark]

You know? I'm going to defy the pack. My neighbor in Becket bought one of these - granted, they were cheaper several years ago. I have to say, for the money, it was really nice. I understand the "historic" element to buying a seasoned rifle, but this guy wanted something that looked nice and shot nice - it delivered and the accessories were really neat. I'm not sure it's worth $299.00, but if it appeals to sight, sound, feel - then why not?

 

[vellnueve]

45 collector is correct on the price. The same rifle from XXXX is $149.95. If you have a C&R they'll ship it to your house. If you don't, have it shipped to a dealer. I listed the name because they will only ship to 01 or 03 FFL's. Are we not supposed to list those companies either?

It's illegal to ship to anyone but an FFL when selling a gun...

Never, ever post dealer names here.

 

[KMM696]

If you always wanted a nice Mauser refurb with no regard to collectability, Mitchell puts together a nice rifle. It won't be of any interest to collectors, so to get your money out of it will be more difficult, but if you want one, buy it, shoot it, enjoy it!

If you want an original, military Mauser bought as a collector, than look somewhere else. You can find nice M24/47s fairly easy for less than the Mitchell, that will shoot as well. They will be easier to sell if you get tired of it, and won't be as pretty, but should be just as functional. K98s are easier to find now, too.

They were more fun a while back when one of the big importers was selling them for 5 for $145 shipped - they were beat, but 4 out of 5 would shoot. The 5th had a divot in the chamber that would leave a nice 1/4" wart on fired brass. It was filled with hardened cosmoline that concealed it until the first (and last) round went through it. This is the sort of problem that you don't have to worry about with Mitchell, but you'll pay for this privilege.

 

[jpattersonnh]

If your Buddy wants a sweet Mauser, let my know. I have a few calibers. I picked up a few 24/47's that at perfect and matching. I'll toss him some ammo also.

 

[Coyote33]

I look at these as being the same as Universal carbines - brand new examples of a model of rifle, but with no history or "character." Some people are looking for a new gun that no one else has used (and maybe abused) and that's fine. Different strokes for different folks.

Buy it if it makes you happy - I would never try to convince someone NOT to buy a gun unless it was dangerous or an obvious fake for alot of money. But do consider some of the original "war veterans" before you buy - they may have a few scrapes and scars, but they are a piece of history you can hold in your hands.

I'd be willing to get something like one of these carbines as a "daily driver" (a shooter, not a museum piece). Where can they be found, and for how much?

 

[USMA-82]

I see them at most gun shows and sometimes at shops. You just have to look for them. I wasn't very impressed by the first one I saw a few years ago. It had a metal, ventilated handguard that was so out-of-spec, you couldn't see the front sight post. No thanks.

Hopefully, they have improved the quality control, but given a choice, I'd go with the original USGI type - even if a mix-master.

 

[SKS Ray]

Just a note... every Mitchell's Mauser is refurbed by them and you can buy any variant they offer for cheaper just about anywhere else.

Anyone here can buy a $250 Russian capture mix master in what they advertise as (service condition which means it functions) and spend a few hours scrubbing the stock and polishing the bolt/butt plate and have a Mitchell's Mauser.

If you're turned on by the minty offerings of Yugoslavian Mausers like the M48 and 24/47, save your money and buy something unissued or in excellent condition from a dealer like the a**h***s at SAMCO Global and have it shipped to an 01 FFL here in Massachusetts and get a true military Mauser type that needs nothing but a little cleaning.
You'll save a hundred or few hundred dollars and get a real military rifle in just as good condition as a Mitchell's.

FWIW... I only refer to SAMCO as a**h***s because they stopped honoring Massachusetts C&R licenses.

Here is an example: I sold this mint, all matching 24/47 last year on our WTS boards for about $100 less than what Mitchell's sells them for and mine was clean inside and out, zeroed, with accessories.

 

[matt]

Hi all,

Thanks for the good feedback! I'll pass the link for this thread to Larry.

Matt

 

[vellnueve]

Yeah, Mitchell's isn't really a scam although their advertising is deceptive as hell, but the rifles have no collector value. I'd go for a pure surplus Mauser.