[Jack19]

I've been thinking about picking up one of the Russian rework 98Ks. Anyone have one and can you tell me how accurate they are?

[El Tejon]

Have a couple, have given others away. Most are Frankens. I had a smith check headspace on mine before shot. No idea as to accuracy, never benched them.

They were a lot of fun though. "Big boy" plinkers.:D

[Tamara]

I don't have one of the Russkie refurbs, but rather a no-import-marks byf '43. A very nicely-built rifle, as firearms made before folks realized that not everything really needs to be made out of milled steel and wood tend to be.

[RON in PA]

Don't own one, but have seen a bunch. They are parts guns with all mismatched parts that have been renumbered with an electropencil. Bores appeared in good shape. Probably shoot ok, but not for a hardcore collector who wants matching numbers. On the other-hand a collectable that costs 2 or 3 times these rebuilds is not necessarily a better shooter.

[telewinz]

I got one of the AIM K98k's about a year ago. Alot of parts are matching some are not but for $200 its the best deal in K98k's in decades. The bore was mint and the rest of the rifle was about 90%. I redid (no sanding) the stock and now the whole rifle looks about 98%. Mine was made in 1937, could I get $350 for it today, yep. It's still all German made and in excellent condition plus it has an excellent history behind it. Ron in PA is pretty much correct, I'm not willing to pay $800 to $1100 for a a few more parts that are matching.

[GD]

I have a Soviet Capture K98k. It is in nice condition and has the waffenampts pinged. The laminated stock looks really great.
As far as accuracy is concerned, it does 4 inch groups. I really wish it did better as it has one of the best sights of any rifle that I shoot. The bore is shiney and the crown looks great. It is a 1944 DOT.
The part that I really like about the rifle is its history.

[Hkmp5sd]

I've got one with matching numbers and in about 70% condition. Still been thinking of getting one of the Soviet captures though.

[Damnathius]

I have a 1941 CE (Sauer & Sohn) with the light colored laminated stock, (red glue) waffenampts and no import markings. Also, no duffel cut. Very clean but has a lot of faded blueing, and a very clean, sharp bore. The stock number does not match the numbers on the metal, so I would assume it was a take-home from WWII, and perhaps later the intact stock replaced the cut stock. The story is the guy that sold it to my local gun shop had it for a very long time. Then again, it could be a 50s-60s import due to the lack of import marking. Accuracy: I would guess it has the capability to shoot 2" @100 yds., but I've never shot it from a stable bench.

I have owned one of the Yugo reworked Mausers that came with all of the accessories, and it was an okay rifle. Unfortunately, the bore was quite tired, and after owning it for a while I sold it. The stocks I have seen on these are generally pretty rough, but I have seen many that have beautiful blueing on them as well. Personally, I'm rather particular and not too fond of reworks, but for a general starter Mauser they are okay.

Dave

[444]

I have a bnz 43 Mauser 98. Like every mil-surp Mauser I have fired, it shoots very high at 100 yards. It also has cracks in the wrist of the stock which I have also found to be very common.
But it is a lot of fun.

[Reason]

I got an AIM RC K98 (DUV 41) on Friday and am pretty satisfied with it. The wood is in very good condition with just an occasional scratch and no cracks (could use a refinish, though). The rifle did not come with a sight hood or a cleaning rod, though, so that'll be another $15 for both. The "blueing" is about 99%, with just a handful of small scratches here and there. The rifle has been rendered matching by the cunning use of electropencil, but it headspaced beautifully. The receiver swastikas are intact and there for all to see. The bore had quite a bit of pitting in it, indicating that the rifle wasn't just a depot gun and was shot in combat (the lack of wear on the magazine follower indicates that the rifle was not used after the Russians rebuilt it). Still, it cleaned up okay and this rifle will make a good shooter. I'll take her out to the range tomorrow morning to see how she shoots.

Incidentally, I picked up 210 rounds of 1946 Turkish ammo and quite a few had split necks. Ended up pulling 24 rounds out of the bandoliers (and 15 out of one of them), so be careful with it. I think I'll pick me up some Yugoslavian ammo for next time instead.

At least now I have a bunch of powder, 24 primed cases, and 24 spritzer bullets. :)

[Deadman]

I have an Israeli Mauser that started out as a byf '43. Boy, would I love to be able to find out about that rifles history (only on an Israeli Mauser will you see a Nazi emblem roughly scratched out with a Star of David emblem next to it....).

[PzGren]

I had many K98k's but kept three that are better shooters, a Bruenner, a Mauser, and a Weimar. With surplus ammo, the groups are 3 to 4 inches, with lighter handloads, I can get two inches.

They are a lot of fun. If you ever find a swedish Mauser 96 or 96/38 or 38, in 6.5x55, give it a try! They are more accurate and have much less recoil.

[Damnathius]

(only on an Israeli Mauser will you see a Nazi emblem roughly scratched out with a Star of David emblem next to it....).

I have never read of this. Is the Star of David emblem actually stamped into the metal? My wife (Mauserlady) being Jewish, would probably kill (well, perhaps not "kill". :) ) to have such a piece if it was indeed a common/authentic practice to stamp the Star next to the defaced waffenampts.

Any pics?

Dave

[RON in PA]

Re: Israeli Mausers. If made for the Israelis by FN there will be a large Star of David on the receiver as part of the IAF ornance corps marking. Most Israeli Mausers seen in this country were converted to 7.62x51 from the original 7.92x57 and are usually parts guns, often with the Star of David on the receiver and NAZI proof marks on some of the parts. On the one I had the waffenampt marks were not scrubbed.

[Damnathius]

Thanks for the info Ron. We might have to look at those. :)

[reelhook]

check out Mitchell's Mausers-they are 43's that are in like new shape. the www.mitchellsales.com

[Damnathius]

I think $2500-$20,000 is a tad out of my budget, reelhook. :)

[Hkmp5sd]

$2500-$20,000 is a tad out of my budget
Especially if it isn't a full-auto! :)

Those are kind of pricey for reconditioned firearms.

[ReadyontheRight]

Did anyone see the product article and ad for $295 K98s in the latest NRA's "America's First Freedom" magazine?

They look pretty nice. Almost new Service grade w/ sling, ammo carrier, bayonet, sheath and English owner's manual.

[Cosmoline]

Be warned re. the Star of David. It does appear on some genuine Israeli Mausers from the War of Independence, but a mark VERY SIMILAR to the Star of David also appears on other, earlier Mausers. I've found it on Turkish '93 Mausers, and was really scratching my head until I found out it was an proof mark unrelated to any religion.

[reelhook]

Damnathius: The 43's are not $2500. they are Yougslavania(sp) copies of the 98 and are made on German equiptment. Some have bores that are like new and all have matching numbers. Reelhook

[spacemanspiff]

i think what you mention are really not TRUE k98's. if we are talking about the same thing, the ad says they are 'preserved by a fluke' or something like that....
anyways, i think those are post-war production from yugoslavia, and the ads are misleading on those as they were not battlefield pickups but were produced after the war was over.

HOWEVER! that is not saying these are not wonderful rifles to shoot. they have little collectors value though, if a person is searching for a true K98.

[Damnathius]

reelhook,

I guess I followed the wrong link as I was looking for k98Ks, not M48s. I'm of the same opinion as spiff, that the M48s are great rifles, but to me they are pricey re-dos with no historical importance, and for the price Mitchell's charges for a decent M48 one could actually find a nice war or pre-war relic less accessories. It all depends on what you want, though.

To be fair, my first Mauser was a Yugo, and it certainly gave me "the Mauser bug". But then I discovered the Swedes, which fit in very well with my taste for quality. :)