Mannlicher Shoenauer

Lovely things. Slower than many bolt actions due to the forward bolt handle making it difficult to use the "salute using the edge of your index finger to open, drive forward with the base of your thumb" bolt manipulation with the rifle at the eye, but... they are lovely things. I mean, really... they are *lovely*....


Willie

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I own a 1966 MCA in 243. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this rifle. The metal work is flawless, the wood to metal fit is tight. The DST is a novelty, which I wouldn't choose for a heavy hitter like the 06, and while I wouldn't buy one without the DST, it probably doesn't matter.

Lock time is pretty slow.

It is the best finished rifle I have ever owned. Unless the example you receive is pretty worn down from hunting, I think I would choose something I didn't worry about for that task, something like a Remington or Savage where you don't care if it gets beat up.

A buddy of mine was just given this rifle just before an old friend of his passed away. It is the most classically beautiful rifle I have ever seen. It is topped with the original or time period correct scope as well.
This is 1954-57 if I recall correctly.

Nice rifle! What caliber/chambering?

barnbwt said:

Anybody have one? How do you like it? I'm considering adding a 30-06 variant to the stable at some point (to keep the 30-06 FN49 company ) and the M-S seems like a very well put-together alternative to the ubiquitous Mauser action

TCB

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These are nice quality rifles of that period. Others being from: FN, Sako, Zbrojovka Brno (mods 47 & 22), Winchester, BSA (mod. Majestik),..... Having short arms and medium sized hand I never cared for old split receiver M-S rifles.

This kinda brings back good times for me. My first rifle was Steyr-Mannlicher 7x57 carabine imported into Skokie IL.

What is truly shocking is all these can be beaten by brainchild from son of wealthy plantation owners from Jamaica. His name was Arthur Savage and the rifle was Savage Model 1899.....the best repeating rifle EVER made.

I had a Greek military MS that was all original.....I sold it a few months ago for a very good price. It had a smoother bolt than most other bolt actions I have handled. It was even slightly smoother than a Krag.

They're probably the smoothest bolt action ever made, and one of the classiest designs. The ones I've handled were exceptionally well balanced and tuned. The only real problem is they tend to command a premium price. Which is why I've only "handled" them, never been able to buy one.

I have a pair in 30-06 and .270,engraved, this kind of quality will never be seen again unless you pony up for some of the custom makers.

Classic design and execution, it is the kind of quality that comes from many man-hours of effort. Man-hours that have grown far too expensive for most of us.

More modern rifles may be better in some respects, but this is art and technology at the zenith of man's efforts.

jungle said:

I have a pair in 30-06 and .270,engraved, this kind of quality will never be seen again unless you pony up for some of the custom makers.

Classic design and execution, it is the kind of quality that comes from many man-hours of effort. Man-hours that have grown far too expensive for most of us.

More modern rifles may be better in some respects, but this is art and technology at the zenith of man's efforts.

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+1 That is the nicest way to say it. My M/S carbine is not the most accurate rifle I have ever shot, but it is certainly the best finished I have ever owned.






Love it! Super nice rifle.

Stubbicatt, that would be 30-06. And all my pictures were taken with a cell phone. What's that say about the rifle's beauty? LOL.

30-06, 4x Khales in Jaeger Mounts

Modern Kongsberg 393 sporter is smoother right out of the box. I have never heard of that name before but working the bolt seemed effortless. I would have bought the new rifle despite rather high price but I passed because it was chambered for the .338 Winchester and they had no other in stock. Quite honestly besides the fact that barons, earls, dukes and Karamojo Bell used one the only fine thing about old M-S sporters are the wonderful rotary magazines.

Many years ago, I owned a Model 1908, for the 8X56mm M-S cartridge. I liked it and occsionally found a box of DWM ammo, but that ended and I finally sold the rifle.

It was very well made, and has the legend behind it. If I had the money, I'd buy another, but in a US caliber.

The price has really escalated over the past two or so decades.

Lone Star said:

Many years ago, I owned a Model 1908, for the 8X56mm M-S cartridge. I liked it and occsionally found a box of DWM ammo, but that ended and I finally sold the rifle.

It was very well made, and has the legend behind it. If I had the money, I'd buy another, but in a US caliber.

The price has really escalated over the past two or so decades.

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Yes, things were very well made back then especially in Europe. The standard military sidearm in Kaiser's Army was very well made Luger 08. I tell you what surprises me is fine Savage 99 with rotary mag and cartridge counter in excellent shape can be had for under $1000. That is truly remarkable when one considers if the gun was designed today it would be considered truly modern firearm. There is little doubt the Savage is far superior to the venerable but archaic Mannlicher-Schoenauer.

The greatness of the 1899 is not that surprising as it was brought to fruition by one time Australian rancher, NY rail engineer who probably did not know all that much about firearm design. All the best designs seemed to start that way. There was Jonathan Moses Browning, Ivo Fabbri & Perazzi, Flodmann in Sweden,........ Ansley Fox of Philly shotgun fame.

I own MS rifles in 6.5, 7x57, 30-06, 9.3x62 and 458. In my opinion they are the greatest hunting rifle ever devised. I have harvested several deer with the 30-06 and a couple bears with the 9.3. because of the ultra slick action, I can cycle this rifle faster than any other bolt gun I own and I own a few. Archaic? No way. Inferior to the savage 99? Get serious. You can't go wrong with one of these rifles. They are very reliable, controlled feed, accurate, hold their value and they look super cool. The only problems are scope mounting on the split bridge receiver, thin stocks on some of the larger calibers and the bolt keeper spring.

If you absolutely have to mount a scope, I'd stick with an original Steyr mount instead of having someone drill holes all over the place. They look like they belong on the rifle and are quick detachable. Other options include a variety of flip up side mounts but they require inletting of the stock and holes drilled in the side of the receiver.

Due to the nature of the rotary magazine, a lot of material is cut out from the stock sometimes leaving very thin wood between the magazine and the trigger assembly. Some of the heavier calibers tended to split stocks at this location. I had my heavier rifles glass bedded and have had no problem with them. Neither of my 30-06 MS rifles have this problem.

Pre war MS rifles are equipped with a Mauser style wing safety. Later rifles retain this safety but have added a thumb safety on the right side of the receiver. When utilizing only the thumb safety, the bolt is not locked but held in place with only a small triangular retaining spring on the right side of the bolt. When utilizing only the thumb safety, I have already slung the rifle over my shoulder to walk through the woods only to find at my destination that the bolt slipped past the retaining spring and the super slick action opened merely under the force of gravity, ejecting a live round somewhere on the trail.

In spite of this, I stand by the statement that these are the greatest hunting rifles ever made. If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity, get one or two or three.

I have a 1905 M-S Carbine with 3 digit serial number, set trigger etc. Absolutely amazing workmanship on this little rifle. My is in 9MM M-S and even thought he barrel is pitted it shoots 250 gr. fine.

I guess I should go ahead and sell it (forgot I had it till I saw this thread) as I haven't shot it in over 20 years. I even have loading dies for it! ! ! ! At 66 I can't see the close sights and I can't bring myself to put a scope on the little rifle.

I fell into it in 1979. It was a bring back from WW2.

I've owned and shot Savage 99's, and some of them are really fine rifles, no doubt. I would not equate the fit and finish with the venerable Mannlicher Schoenauer, and most definitely would not rate that rifle more highly. There are some I've seen engraved and with really fancy wood, but these are not "production" rifles, which in pale in comparison to the robust M/S.

Sorry PabloJ, I just don't see it.

I have had a couple of Steyr Daimler rifles over the years. I get them for their safe queen ability. One that I have is this carbine in .358 Win.

I shot it recently and it did well.

Though it is not widely known, Steyr Mannlicher also made a very classy .22 Rimfire rifle. Attached are photos of both sides of one of them in my Mannlicher collection.