1916 Spanish Mauser open sights/scope advice needed.

[Crosshair]

I own a 1916 Spanish Mauser chambered for the .308. Some dismiss this gun as dangerous because it uses a pre-98 action. Personaly, I love the rifle, but the factory open sights just stink. The rear notch is too shallow and I hate the coarse triangle shaped front sight. I want to upgrade the rifle to better aiming system and I have several options and problems.

Problem: No permanent mods to the rifle, nothing, not even the handgaurds. This eliminates the S&K mounts that would allow me to use a standard rifle scope.

Option 1: Get a "no-gunsmith" scout scope mount and a pistol scope. I was thinking about using the one that Brownells has for 1896 rifles. For the scope I was planing on using a NcStar 2-7x32 Extended Eye Relief Scope. From what I have heard, they are like the Leapers brand of scope. Not top of the line, but very good bang for the buck.

Option 2: Get a Williams WM-96 sight. I would probably get the open sight version because I like them better than aperture sights. Only problem is that this does not solve the "crappy front sight problem". This makes option 1 seem like the better route.

Any advice that people can give to me would be appreciated. One more thing, what type of bayonet does this rifle take and where can I get one?

 

[Campusninja]

Would you consider http://www.mojosights.com/index.html
MOJO Sights?

 

[Crosshair]

Looks interesting. I would have to replace that horrid front sight though. It looks like it is held in with a pin. I will have to see if they have one that will work in the rifle.

 

[thereisnospoon]

Scout scope

I have not used the MOJO sights, but they are spoken of very highly.

My 1916 7.62X51 has been turned into a scout gun, but I permenantly modified it to do so. DeputyVaughn here on THR has put one of the no mod scout scope mounts from CDNN (i think?) on his and has been very pleased.

Makes a great plinking/ close hunting package.

Good luck.

 

[Roudy]

Crappy sights

I've got a 1916 that I have modified with a target stock and Redfield Olympic sights (front and rear) and have used it to win local rifle matches. (I do used reduced .308 loads, but they shoot great)

Now that you have stopped laughing about the Redfield sights ($400-500) on my 1916 Mauser ($85) ....the Mauser shot pretty good and I just happened to have the sights on hand. Works for me.

Before I modified the rifle with the sights and stock I used to shoot in rifle matches with the rifle in it's original configuration with it's pointy little front sight and blade rear sight. What I found was that after I became familiar with how the rifle shot with the original sights I could shoot pretty well.

I still keep the original stock on hand and the original sights are still mounted on the rifle. This way if I shoot in a match that requires an 'as issued' rifle I just unbolt the Redfield sights and drop the rifle in the original stock.

As a 'no cost option' you might consider shooting the rifle as is for a while to see if you have the same experience that I did. Nothing to lose and you would have an excuse few more hours at the range.

 

[jobu07]

Mine is still in OEM trim. I like it. But I think any owner of any mauser rifle would agree that the sights weren't the most condusive to pin point accuracy. Of course tehy will most certainly get the job done. And as someone said, practice builds familiarity with the issue sights.

 

[Crosshair]

I'm still leaning towards the scope option. Since I like having optics and the mount still lets me have the open sights.

 

[Crosshair]

HELP, I need it.

OK, I have a problem. I ordered the 1896 scope mount that uses a handgun scope. (Since it is a small ring mauser.) I get it today and see there is no way it will fit. Should I have gotten an 1898 Mauser mount or what kind of scope mount will fit this rifle???

 

[thereisnospoon]

DIY

Crosshair,

A friend of mine got his mount from CDNN then just ground away till it fit. Holds zero pretty well for ten bucks.

I bought one of those AR15 carry handle scopes and used a little , uh..um "force" to get it between the ears of the rear sight. I drilled the mount for a screw where the rear sight spring screw was and tacked it down there. Drilled through the ears and pushed the pin in (I left the spring in to apply upward pressure on the mount and make it more..."stable". Then mounted a pistol scope and viola`.

Here's a pic...ugly as sin, but she works, well.

 

[Crosshair]

It looks like a 98 mauser scope mount. I will have to call B-Square to be sure.

 

[DeputyVaughn]

I reccomend buying the CDNN Mosin Nagant scout mount ($14.95 I think). It will replace the rear sight on the 1916 with almost no modification. Then a Simple pistol scope will have you up and running.

Remember that CDNN gets $9.00 or so for shipping no matter what. Might as well go through the catalog and get your shipping dollar's worth.

Scott

 

[Crosshair]

Really DeputyVaughn? Is it that easy? I'll have to compare my Mosin Nagant sights to my 1916. Now that I think about it, they look similar. I'll compare them tomorrow.