I noticed an old thread on this site regarding the 1916 Spanish Mauser and its whether it was safe to fire 7.62 NATO or .308 Wincester out of this weapon. I would appreciate any updated feedback on this. Also, there was a reference to a G and A article on this rifle. Does anyone have an electronic copy of this or a url?
1916 spanish mauser
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GBExpat
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SARCO and Century both hired independent labs to test them, and found them safe. The gas venting is nowhere near as robust as a '98 mauser, but the '93 is sufficiently strong. Generally, it is not considered wise to use .308 Winchester both because of softer brass and higher pressures, but I do fire 7.62x51 NATO through my M1916 without issue.
GBExpat
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I will fire 7.62x51 milsurp that I have previously determined to not be a hot load in my M1916GC. I also shoot 7.62CETME in this rifle. IMO, relatively mild .308s should be OK.
The Spanish would not have rechambered and issued this rifle if it was unsafe for their troops. Metullurgy really improved around WWII. If your receiver is dated, that is something to keep in mind.
The same basic design was carried up to the M1896. I have seen factory M96's in 8X57 and then there are the 308 match versions.
As for 308 brass being "soft", I have not found LC, W/W, IMI, or R-P to be anything but excellent brass.
Of course the basic problem with all milsurplus rifles is you don't know much about the materials, processes, and history of the rifle. And that is the same with odd ball milsurplus ammunition. Just fire quality ammunition in the thing, don't hot load (and a lot of commerical ammunition is hotter than my LC match), act prudently.
The same basic design was carried up to the M1896. I have seen factory M96's in 8X57 and then there are the 308 match versions.
As for 308 brass being "soft", I have not found LC, W/W, IMI, or R-P to be anything but excellent brass.
Of course the basic problem with all milsurplus rifles is you don't know much about the materials, processes, and history of the rifle. And that is the same with odd ball milsurplus ammunition. Just fire quality ammunition in the thing, don't hot load (and a lot of commerical ammunition is hotter than my LC match), act prudently.
I used to have one and it was a great shooting gun. +1 on not using using hot loads.
I saw one at the last gunshow that someone put some kind of shiny finish on the stock with a 650 dollar price tag.
I saw one at the last gunshow that someone put some kind of shiny finish on the stock with a 650 dollar price tag.
lionking
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Well if you say so,personally I won't fire mine and might just use it to trade in for something else in the future.I have too many other guns to have fun with to risk shooting that one and being injured.
I read too many times that it is not safe to shoot unless you use the appropiate cartridge or handload softly.True or not Im not taking the chance.Luckily I only paid a couple beans for it and luckily I read about the controversy before I decided to try it.Id rather trade it for a Turk mauser or something.
I read too many times that it is not safe to shoot unless you use the appropiate cartridge or handload softly.True or not Im not taking the chance.Luckily I only paid a couple beans for it and luckily I read about the controversy before I decided to try it.Id rather trade it for a Turk mauser or something.
lionking
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nalioth,you mean buying it before I knew about it?Yeah I just "assumed" it coming from Century it must be safe,but luckily I found threads on it not being safe before I shot it.It was a lesson learned that from now on I stay away from milsurps that have been rechambered.
Or if you mean taking a chance with a Turk?
Or if you mean taking a chance with a Turk?
These 1916s weren't rechambered. They had complete new .308 barrels installed. If you don't feel like shooting them with milsurp .308, you can always get an adapter from mcace and shoot 7.62x39 in it all day long.lionking said:
Bingo.lionking said:
If you really want to know some cool stuff about your M1916 (and haven't already got your mind made up that it's totally unsafe) go visit the Spanish rifle forum over at Surplus Rifle Forum
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There was never an issue with steel used in Spanish Rifles. The myth started when France contracted with various Basque gun makers in WWI for their Ruby pistols. The orders soon outpaced the manufacturers, who sub-contracted other Basque groups to supplement the pistol production. It soon became a cottage industry, with hand tools making parts. Soft metal made parts faster than hard metal when using files.
The rifles were always manufactured of quality materials. The Model 1916 was re-barreled for 7.52x51. SOME Model 1916 rifles were re-barreled by exporters, who used heat to remove the barrels, like a torch. A number of these had problems with improper headspace, and metals problems. Guns and torches aren't good friends.
The rifles were always manufactured of quality materials. The Model 1916 was re-barreled for 7.52x51. SOME Model 1916 rifles were re-barreled by exporters, who used heat to remove the barrels, like a torch. A number of these had problems with improper headspace, and metals problems. Guns and torches aren't good friends.
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