I'm starting to exercise my new C&R license (thanks group buy!) and was thinking a Mauser (or 2) would be good to add to the collection. I know very little about these yet other than they are old bolt-action rifles. They seem to vary a lot in price (quick search shows slightly over $100 to well over $500), what country they are from, etc. Anything in particular I should go for? I'll just be shooting it and am not too concerned about features that make them worth more just for the sake of them being unusual or interesting to collectors. I just want a good reliable rifle for shooting accurately, and it doesn't hurt any if the rifle is also pretty... other than that, cheaper the better.
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What Mauser rifle to buy?
- Thread starter Prepper
- Start date
JuergenG
NES Member
What caliber are you looking for, long rifle or rather K98k length ?
Knowing this would help to narrow down the search a bit.
As for cals. 6.5x55 Swedish, 7x57, .308, .30-06, 7.65x53 Arg., 8x57 for examples.
Knowing this would help to narrow down the search a bit.
As for cals. 6.5x55 Swedish, 7x57, .308, .30-06, 7.65x53 Arg., 8x57 for examples.
I'd probably go for .30-06 if it comes in that (I'm not too familiar with the full choice of calibers for Mausers, assuming the one I got isn't converted to an unusual Mauser caliber by previous owner). I prefer to standardize calibers as much as possible, and two other rifles I have are already in .30-06. A quick check online didn't show anything in that caliber though.
There are 1 or 2 of the FN produced versions that are chambered in .30-06 but condition will determine price. 8mm will be the better choice as far as the ammo availability goes.
Me personally, I prefer the long rifles myself. That 29" barrel just appeals to my sense of what a Mauser should be. Conditions will range from poor ( Turkish M38's - most are sewer pipes but some good ones exist ) to very good ( Persians were good if you can find one. Mine is very good. ) I own 2 myself - a Persian M29/30 and a Polish Wz-98A. Four Seasons has a Czech 98/22 long rifle and a Turkish M38 ( I think ) to look at if your in the neighborhood. The Czech is in good condition and worth the money.
Kar 98's are around now thanks to the Russian and Yugo captures for sale. I own one of each. The RC was more work to clean off but it also has the most markings on it. My Yugo only has 2 Waffenampts on it and you have to look for them. Good values if you can find one in good condition. At the worst they'll need a front sight hood, capture screws, and a cleaning rod to complete the look. Any real 98K's that aren't from the 2 groups listed above will cost you some money. Know what you're looking at before you pony up the cash.
Mausers can be fun but expensive additions. I'm still looking for a 1909 Argentine long rilfe to add to the collection and maybe a 1891 Argentine also. I've let both go thru my hands.
Joe R.
Me personally, I prefer the long rifles myself. That 29" barrel just appeals to my sense of what a Mauser should be. Conditions will range from poor ( Turkish M38's - most are sewer pipes but some good ones exist ) to very good ( Persians were good if you can find one. Mine is very good. ) I own 2 myself - a Persian M29/30 and a Polish Wz-98A. Four Seasons has a Czech 98/22 long rifle and a Turkish M38 ( I think ) to look at if your in the neighborhood. The Czech is in good condition and worth the money.
Kar 98's are around now thanks to the Russian and Yugo captures for sale. I own one of each. The RC was more work to clean off but it also has the most markings on it. My Yugo only has 2 Waffenampts on it and you have to look for them. Good values if you can find one in good condition. At the worst they'll need a front sight hood, capture screws, and a cleaning rod to complete the look. Any real 98K's that aren't from the 2 groups listed above will cost you some money. Know what you're looking at before you pony up the cash.
Mausers can be fun but expensive additions. I'm still looking for a 1909 Argentine long rilfe to add to the collection and maybe a 1891 Argentine also. I've let both go thru my hands.
Joe R.
USMA-82
NES Member
The Mauser world is HUGE! There are hundreds of variations. Just do a search on "mauser" on gunbroker and see how many listings pop up.
It all comes down to personal preference. The Russian-Capture K98's are flooding the market right now, and you can get them as low as $199 (maybe less). Of course, these are arsenal throw-togethers, with forced match serial numbers. But from a history standpoint, hard to beat. A standard WWI "Gewehr 98" with matching serial numbers will often be over $1000.
I have about a 1/2 dozen or so mausers, and the most accurate is probably my Persian (Model 98/29), followed very closely by the Swede (Model 96). The beautiful lines of my Argentine rifles (1891 and 1909) are classic, but the bores are not terrific, so not as accurate. The Chilean (Model 1895) is a fine shooter in 7mm.
But the one that I personally enjoy just looking at is the Mauser 71/84 - a 120 year (+) blackpowder beauty that is a true marvel.
Man, they are all great. Just pick one and let the sickness begin!
It all comes down to personal preference. The Russian-Capture K98's are flooding the market right now, and you can get them as low as $199 (maybe less). Of course, these are arsenal throw-togethers, with forced match serial numbers. But from a history standpoint, hard to beat. A standard WWI "Gewehr 98" with matching serial numbers will often be over $1000.
I have about a 1/2 dozen or so mausers, and the most accurate is probably my Persian (Model 98/29), followed very closely by the Swede (Model 96). The beautiful lines of my Argentine rifles (1891 and 1909) are classic, but the bores are not terrific, so not as accurate. The Chilean (Model 1895) is a fine shooter in 7mm.
But the one that I personally enjoy just looking at is the Mauser 71/84 - a 120 year (+) blackpowder beauty that is a true marvel.
Man, they are all great. Just pick one and let the sickness begin!
Look for a Yugoslavian 24/47. They're still out there in excelent condition for as low as $160 and in good condition for $130.
They're 8mm and are a typical Mauser style but with a straight bolt.
They're 8mm and are a typical Mauser style but with a straight bolt.
Agreed, I have a yugo 24/47 and it shoots wicked good.
Also a RC k98 would be a good choice.
right now i have a synthetic stock mauser. it's a 7mm and i had the barrel customized just for me. I have to say it's mad nice and the 7mm caliber is a good size, you should consider about it. i use it for deer hunt and some small animals that invades my back yard.
i believe i have Tasco 6-24X42MM scope mounted on it and it's mad nice. I'll have pics of it up later tonight if you'd like to see it. and oh i had the stock reduced a bit and added a thick padding of rubber, now it fits me very well. It does punch a kick but it gets the job done very nicely.
i believe i have Tasco 6-24X42MM scope mounted on it and it's mad nice. I'll have pics of it up later tonight if you'd like to see it. and oh i had the stock reduced a bit and added a thick padding of rubber, now it fits me very well. It does punch a kick but it gets the job done very nicely.
I did see a couple at Four Seasons... the cheapest was the Turkish one, $140 was it? It looked fairly beat up, so I'd prefer better. They had a nicer one there for like $250 but I forget what one that was (Yugo was it?). I'll have to go back and look. I see some Swedish ones online for around $500 or so, which seems rather expensive, more so than I'd prefer at this time.
So, I guess 8mm seems really popular with this rifle?
Maybe I'll lean towards the Yugo ones...
*sigh* While there is no such thing as having too many guns, it is possible to have enough I-gotta-haves out there that I want to buy (and do buy) that I can't clean them up and give them the proper range time each deserves. Decisions decisions....
So, I guess 8mm seems really popular with this rifle?
Maybe I'll lean towards the Yugo ones...
*sigh* While there is no such thing as having too many guns, it is possible to have enough I-gotta-haves out there that I want to buy (and do buy) that I can't clean them up and give them the proper range time each deserves. Decisions decisions....
USMA-82
NES Member
While I understand the desire to have some "hands on" time before you buy, don't forget the power of the C&R - if the firearm qualifies, you can purchase it from sellers in other states. That gives you a MUCH wider variety to chose from over just cruising the local gun stores, and keeps you from paying "retail" prices.
Don't get me wrong - I understand the need to support the local gun shops, so they don't give in to the state government's desire to close them all down. But when I can buy a nice Mosin-Nagant 91/30 for $69 with a 5-minute phone call, and have it shipped directly to my house, that sure beats paying twice as much (or more) for the same product.
Then I have some money left over for ammo....
Don't get me wrong - I understand the need to support the local gun shops, so they don't give in to the state government's desire to close them all down. But when I can buy a nice Mosin-Nagant 91/30 for $69 with a 5-minute phone call, and have it shipped directly to my house, that sure beats paying twice as much (or more) for the same product.
Then I have some money left over for ammo....
Turkish Mauser types aren't rifles I'd recomend for new owners. Some weren't made to handle high pressured ammo and many of these have bad headspace.
Your best bet is to get a copy of shotgun news and hunt for a Yugoslavian made Mauser. M48s, and 24/47s are both great for starting out because they're often still in new condition and many were never issued after being built. Matching numbers and excelent condition will almost guarantee a trouble free rifle.
Your best bet is to get a copy of shotgun news and hunt for a Yugoslavian made Mauser. M48s, and 24/47s are both great for starting out because they're often still in new condition and many were never issued after being built. Matching numbers and excelent condition will almost guarantee a trouble free rifle.
Don't forget the M1903 "Springfield' is really a 30-06 Mauser. You'd get the best of a German and US rifle milsurp. And it'll always be more valuable than a 'real' Mauser.
The 1903 and 03-A3 Springfields are much better rifles than the best of the '98 Mausers.
A true Rifleman's rifle, and even the German's gave it (and American Infantrymen) praise in WW1.
CMP has them from time to time, and a good one (not great) is worth about $600-$700. CMP usually sells them for about $400. http://www.thecmp.org/m1903.htm
1917 Enfield is another good purchase. Clunky, but a good rifle. Very accurate, like the Springfield. Again, check CMP. http://www.thecmp.org/m1917.htm
A true Rifleman's rifle, and even the German's gave it (and American Infantrymen) praise in WW1.
CMP has them from time to time, and a good one (not great) is worth about $600-$700. CMP usually sells them for about $400. http://www.thecmp.org/m1903.htm
1917 Enfield is another good purchase. Clunky, but a good rifle. Very accurate, like the Springfield. Again, check CMP. http://www.thecmp.org/m1917.htm
I was wondering about the M1903... I saw it on CMP earlier today but they are taking orders in January. The Enfield is probably another one I'll want to add to the collection someday; CMP does have that one currently ($500 - orders can be placed Sept 2). I wonder how long those will last. I'm kind of busy with other recent purchases right now, but then things are going to get suckier after this election. (Buy tons of stuff now and then figure it all out later? It'll be a busy winter!)
JuergenG
NES Member
Check for K98k's converted to .30-06 by the Norwegians.
Original WW II German rifles, fitted with new Kongsberg barrels and
the sights altered to "U" rear and post frost.
It's a byf 41, made by Mauserwerke Oberndorf in 1941.
Nope, this one is not for sale.....
