Which Mauser to get?

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Phaethon

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So let's say I wanted to get a Mauser 98-type rifle; there seem to be so many out there, from so many different countries, I'm unsure of which one is worth the buck. To my understanding there's obviously the German Kar 98's, the Czech VZ-24, the Yugo M48 (which I hear isn't really a "Mauser 98" persay), and various contract Mausers produced for other countries.

Which one would you guys get? I'm interested in a gun's history, but primarily its condition in relation to shooting accuracy. Keep in mind that a gun doesn't need to have serviced in the ubiquitous Second World War to fit my definition of "history" - just having a weathered shooter that looks distinguishing on my wall would make me happy. I'll drop a thousand dollars on a WWI Gewehr 98 some other day.

Those Turkish Mausers seem pretty decent, and they cost practically pennies. What's the catch with them? And what's better; the VZ-24 or the M48?
 
An M-48 and M-48A is not a full size Mauser. They are intermediate length Mausers. As are the Mexican M1924s and 1910s.

As for a full size M-98 type Mauser it is hard to beat a Czech made Vz-24 or even better yet the Persian models made by the Czechs. they are not cheap , but they sure are nice.

The 1950 FN made military contract Mausers are also very nice. Those can be found in 30-06. But they are big bucks. I used to have a Moroccan Police carbine in 30-06 that was made by FN in the 1950s. I always thought i could get another , so I sold it when times were bad... I have been looking for another every since.

Of course if you want class and accuracy, then get a small ring Swedish Mauser. While they are not as strong, the m/96 Mauser will out-shoot any other Mauser ever made.
 
If you cruise your local gun shows you should be able to find a G.I. bring back K98 or maybe a post WWII import for $300-$600 they're becoming easy to find on the used market due to aging WWII vets and our depressed economy.

That's how I got mine a couple of months ago and I'd do it again if I found one at a bargain, but whatever you don't get a Mitchell's Mauser they are basically reproductions and they charge the same as what you could get the real deal for.
 
What Float said re the Swede. Not unreasonably priced either and IMO, the best-looking mil Mauser.
 
I appreciate the suggestion of the Swede M96, but I actually already have one. Granted it's sporterized, but the point is I'm primarily interested in the 98 action.

Whats the difference between "full-size" and "intermediate length"?
 
Get a copy of Branko Bogdanovic's book on the Yugo Mausers. The Yugo's are both full and intermediate size actions. The Yugo capture Mod98's are very nice and often less money than the RC Mausers. Prices seem to be up from last year but still a few deal around.
 
I had an opportunity at a very nice Swedish Mauser that was as close to 100% as I have ever seen. The price was high for what it was I still think at 500. If it did not have import marks (very, very rare) I would have scooped it up. Instead I took the rifle next to it for 150. The best deal you will ever get on a complete No 4 Mk1 that was marked as a Mosin Nagant.

My opinion on the matter at hand is this. If you are looking for a good complete rifle I would get a VZ-24. BRNO was picky as heck and made some darn nice rifles during the war which cannot be said for the Germans or the occupied FN factory. Plus there are quite a few that were chambered for 7x57 which I would prefer over 8x57. Next I would say a Venezuelan contract then probably a Swedish.
 
I think I might end up going for the VZ after all; though I must know, what do people think of the Turkish Mausers? I've seen 1903's and T38's going for practically as much as
Mosin-Nagants - and not the Finnish ones, either. Are they good shooters and well machined, or should I expect something Khyber Pass?
 
Whats the difference between "full-size" and "intermediate length"?
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One is ~6 mm (0.25") longer.

Additionally, 1924 and later Yugo Mauser's (except for modded Mod.98 German captures) are safety breeched. The design mod, developed by Paul Mauser around 1910, was never adopted by the Germans. It removes the two slight extension on the sloted lug side of the bolt face, and moves the bolt closer to the barrel and mills a slot in a "timed" barrel for the extractor. This added production steps and cost, and most nation state customers did not adopt it. Mexico and Yugoslavia did.
 
Every Turkish Mauser I have ever run across was just flat out loose. I dont deny they could still put a round out of the barrel but I dont know what kind of sccuracy you can expect. If I were to get one I would be doing some kind of work to it.

I consider these to be good candidates for bubba sporterizations. There is a small following for the Turks that will probably grow because they are very inexpensive. If you were to compare them side by side with a Mosin I would take the Mosin everytime as a general purpose rifle. If I wanted a project to work on I would take the Turk. With a few variances they can use many of the other Mausers parts so availability of them is great. Plus you could always buy a parts gun since they are so cheap.
 
Turkish Mausers certainly do vary in quality and condition more than any other milsurp in my experience - not that such experience has been THAT great. But every now and then you might find a jewel. I found an 1893 Turk last year that was TIGER-STRIPED and a good shooter to boot. I'd post a picture but I wound up giving it to one of my nephews for Christmas.
 
A Turkish mauser would be a very good choice. Not TOO many years ago a lot were released on the market at give-away prices(I paid $70ea). These were very tight,sound rifles in heavy cosmoline. I'm sure some can still be found. The K.Kale Turk uses a large ring receiver with small ring threads and make VERY good sporters.
 
I appreciate the suggestion of the Swede M96, but I actually already have one. Granted it's sporterized, but the point is I'm primarily interested in the 98 action.
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Apparently no-one read this.
 
The bulk of the German issued K98's seem to be pretty ratty and war-worn. The Turks are Turks and as such have been used and re-used for generations. They're typically in pretty rough shape. They seemed to ride their rifles hard in training. The Czech rifles are often less abused, possibly because they weren't issued or used as hard. The Yugo's include some pre-war true 98's and their M48 design. The M48's are often unissued but not the greatest Mausers in the world. They're good but not great.

The best around on the market are, IMHO, the Persians (Czech made and barely ever fired), the Argentine 09's, and the Venezuelans. But they're getting more and more expensive. Overall I think you should aim for a VZ-24 in good condition.
 
The best around on the market are, IMHO, the Persians (Czech made and barely ever fired), the Argentine 09's, and the Venezuelans.
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I agree. I personally think the Argentine 1909s are the best of the M98s. I don't think there really is a bad choice just poor examples. A careful inspection before buying is the way to go.
 
mitchell's mauser

I got one of mitchell's tanker carbines, and yes, i know its new, but that is why i bought it, you seemed pretty concerned with accuracy, and mine (in .30-06) shoots like on fire. i orginally wanted a german ww2 k-98, but i didn't feel like rolling the dice on if it was taken care of/blow my face off due to a tiny crack my gunsmith could not see in the barrel. I like that its short, easy to handle, is accurate and looks just like a 98 except for its length. just my 2 cents....
 
i currently have over 40 mausers in my collection and whem i'm looking for military mausers i prefer oberndorf & cg haenel GEW98's, agentine 1909's and peruvian 1909s. everything else i will buy if its priced right.
i prefer prewar sporting rifles to military rifles
 
They are all good and fun to own. I would agree that the BRNO is a great value. An original military 98 with proper markings is a piece of history and last year I broke down and bought one just because I wanted it. I also picked up a decent Turk because it was $81 with the bayonet. Too much fun to pass up. I have a semi-rare model Yugo I bagged 30 years ago for $69.

All are service rifles, all are pretty old at this point, and most have seen hard use so don't expect precision accuracy.

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you can easily find german K98's (russian captures) for somewhere in the 350-400 dollar range. thats what i would suggest doing.
Its what i did, and its one of the best, smoothest bolt guns i own.
 
leatherneck448 said:
you can easily find german K98's (russian captures) for somewhere in the 350-400 dollar range. thats what i would suggest doing.
Its what i did, and its one of the best, smoothest bolt guns i own.
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All the RC's I have seen seem pretty ratty to me compared to the Yugo captures.

This Mod98 is in very nice condition, bore is excellent, blue is excellent, laminated stock is very good. $165 less than a year ago off Gunbroker.

pix3309944890.jpg
 
I need some advice on this topic. 25 years ago my father bought for me what was sold as a "Columbian Jungle Carbine" by the dealer here. It appears to be a 98 pattern Mauser, is chambered in 30-06 and has a 16 inch barrel.

Being a kid at the time I removed all the military trimmings (please don't shout me down with howls of derision!) and cut and pared down the stock to a sporter.

From reading a bit I think I have what is called a 1951 FN Mauser. I am thinking about using the action for a project rifle, maybe a 9.3x62 or possibly 338-06. How would this go?

This will be a hunting rifle only and I would like to use the action because I want to keep it for nostalgia's sake as I have used the rifle for many years. But as it, it is not that practical. The muzzle flash and noise is insane!
 
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