Current addiction--Argentine Mausers

[Cosmoline]

I've really taken a liking to these '91 Argentine Mausers. I've collected a batch of them, in various states of use. The prices are still very low, and you can get a pristine one in full military condition for under $300. The workmanship on these rifles is just outstanding. The wood used for the stocks is exceptional, and I have yet to see any warped or split pieces. That tells me that the folks and Loewe and DWM really knew what they were doing, and took the time to do it right. You don't get fine pieces of tiger-striped hardwood that doesn't warp after 100 years by accident. The machining is also very impressive. They seem to fit tighter than later vintage Mausers.

But the biggest advantage of these rifles is also the biggest drawback. They use the moribund 7.65 Belgian cartridge. There's some "San Francisco" military ball ammo around, but this was designed for the later-vintage 1909 Mausers, and does not work as well in the earlier '91's. On the down side, this situation makes finding hunting ammo tough. On the plus side, it means that most of the used ones floating around haven't been shot very much. I've found several very nice sporters that appear to have been fired only a few times before going to the back of the closet.

Handloading is the best bet. Graff & Sons is putting out new brass, and of course you can get it from Norma. I've had my best luck with heavy 312" bullets from Woodleigh and some really big 220 grain custom stuff in 313". My best Argie shoots 1 ½" groups at 100 meters with the big customs and Woodleighs. This same rifle will only give 4" groups with the spitzer ball ammo. The big advantage of the very heavy RN bullets is that they have extremely high sectional densities. A lot of hunters used these big, moderate velocity loads in the 1890's and early part of the century for big game hunting, and it would be interesting to see how they perform now.

 

[Clemson]

I totally agree on the workmanship of the Argentine Mausers. The only ones that I have built sporters on were the 1909 variety, and I have a full military Cavalry Carbine and an Engineer's Carbine in the safe now. I was sorely tempted by a '91 in a pawn shop a couple of weeks ago, but it had been sporterized, and it had apparently seen duty as a truck gun. It was still a very slick gun to work the bolt on. I could have gotten it for less than $100, and I still may if it is there on my next trip.

Clemson

 

[BHP9]

I make my brass from piles and piles of surplus '06 brass I picked up years ago when it was very cheap. I use cast bullets and get outstanding accuracy and it adds years of life to the bore rather than shooting full power jacketed loads.

I think that when you have owned these outstanding works of art its very hard to accept what is being made today. There just is no comparison as to the workmanship and quality of materiels used in their construction. And contrary to popular belief in no case has any of my newer rifles ever shot any better than these wonderful old guns that were made 100 years ago. The gun manufactures can throw all the bull crap at the general public they want but us old timers see right through all of the advertising hog wash in regards to both rifles and the latest super blaster cartridges. I will take the old works of art anyday. They did the job then,,they do it today and they did it with class. They were the last of the real work of art rifles.

 

[JShirley]

Golly...and I thought the Model 70 held that position!

 

[BHP9]

Golly...and I thought the Model 70 held that position

I do not mean to start a flame war but I have never regarded the M70 as a true work of art. True, compared to the garbage being made today it was a very fine rifle but it in no way compared to the workmanship of many of the European Mauser rifles.

I own model 70 Winchesters. I own one of the very first Model 70's ever made and one of the last ever made and I own some of the M70's made in between those times.

The M70 workmanship suffered a steady but slow decline after WWII. The pre-war M70's being the best made but they were still no where near the workmanship of the classic European 98 Mauser rifles. The were not the equal design wise either.

I do like the very smooth actions of the Model 70 rifle as well as the well designed adjustable trigger and three position safety and well designed bolt handle.

But having said all that they are not even in the same ball park quality wise when compared the classic Mausers.