Barreled Mauser action - what else do I need to make a complete rifle

[Nico Testosteros]

I see various barreled Mauser actions available on the internets.
Obviously a stock is needed to complete a weapon.
Anything else?
I think it'd be cool to build a Mauser sporter on a barreled action and a nice synthetic or laminate stock.
It wouldn't be cost effective compared to simply buying a Yugo mauser at the LGS (local gun store) but I'd have pride in having assembled it.

Thanks!

 

[greyling22]

is it drilled and tapped for rings? is the bolt pre-bent or military straight?
you will probably need to bed it, so bedding compound.

and at the end of the day a one of those stevens, marlins or nicer rifles will still probably out shoot it. I'm a little disenchanted with buying a barreled action and stocking it, having just gone through it myself. it turned out nice, but my $400 rifle turned into a $650 rifle not counting the man hours that went into it. if you count that I would have bought a sako and a very nice scope.

 

[earlthegoat2]

If it is a 6.5x55 or a 7x57 I would go with the barrelled action as opposed to a recent manufactured rifle. Rifles in these calibers are only getting more scarce as everyone is going towards the latest and greatest.

 

[exbiologist]

Lock, stock, barrel. That's it. But if you want a true sporter, you'll need to do what greyling22 said. Or you could buy a commercial Mauser action whose bolt and safety will already clear a scope and buy a prethreaded, short chambered barrel that you headspace and finish ream yourself. Buy an inletted stock, finish the inletting, bed it, blue the gun, and voila! Give yourself 6 months at least though.

 

[Olympus]

You will need a trigger too.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

A commercial Mauser action will start at about $400,short chambered barrel $100-$200+,Barrel vice $150,action wrench$80+,finish reamer $80+. Add cost of finish,scope and mounts plus stock and you've got an expensive project.If you use the military barrelled action your cost will depend on how much modification is done and how much of it you do yourself. It's a great hobby but it ain't cheap and as already said it may just be average accuracy wise.

 

[exbiologist]

Midway will have them in stock for $280, brand new from Zastava at the end of the month in several magazine lengths and bolt faces.

 

[gdcpony]

What do you plan to do with it? The more you expect out of it the more you will have in it. Just want it to go "BANG?" Well you could mount it in a vice and not need a stock even. Want to aim it? I think most of them come with irons (correction anyone), so just the stock. Want it to look good? Want a scope? What about a decent trigger?

Barreled action- $150
Stock- $50
Mounts and rings- $30
Trigger- $50
Scope- $100

I went super cheap too. I also didn't put in any labor ie. bolt handle, drill and tap, stock inletting, and a few extras that you might need.

I would like to do one of these too, but the truth is I could go buy a Howa (my favorite modern company fro bolt guns) and have the same in it.

 

[PzGren]

You need the complete trigger group, including the trigger guard and magazine, too.

 

[highorder]

Bottom metal, I reckon.

 

[navyretired 1]

Money wise it's a loose loose situation, but I doubt if many gun guy hasn't wanted to build one himself. You can buy a good sporter lots cheaper but you won't have that pride in ownership. My first step would be get the AGI dvd on building a custom mauser and shopping for my parts instead of just buying all at once.
I did it and wouldn't ever part with that gun, but I've got as much as a new Remington 700 in it.
Just do one and have fun while learning, there is no substitute for learning by doing. Good luck

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Even at $280 you havent figured in FFL transfer fees and shipping so you're still pushing $350-$400 for a commercial Mauser action. If you use the military barrelled action and replace the barrel with a sporter don't do that work yourself. You must have the proper tools and they ain't cheap. Chamber reamers can be rented but break one and you'll loose your deposit which can be $80-150. Have the barrel installed and headspaced by a gunsmith. It will be better and much cheaper than doing it yourself.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

OP,I'm not trying to dissuade you from attempting such a project, in fact I encourage it. Just trying to enlighten you (if you've never done it before) to what you can expect. I have put together more Mauser sporters than I can remember and enjoyed building and shooting everyone of them.

 

[interlock]

do it, I did one and i love the rifle to bits. its not cheap and its hard work, but great. there are loads stocks etc out there. the original trigger, two stage military can be improved to be accurate enough. you don't need a barrel vice, your gun shop will probably have one and can whip off the old barrel and put a new one on. however you will need one of them pull through reamers....
it would mean you could shoot a real piece of history at acceptable accuracy in a great round (7 x 57 was mentioned) or a modern round.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

you don't need a barrel vice,

I disagree with that very much! Without the PROPER tools you can very easily ruin your receiver. The receiver is turned off of the barrel and it is very tight. The new barrel must be installed very tightly and a bench vise can't hold it and a press needs the proper bushings to prevent marring the new barrel. Dont do this if you don't have the proper tools or you risk damaging your gun.

 

[interlock]

sorry, maybe i wasnt clear. the gun shop will have one. I also agree that to remove the reciever you have to have the right tools.... but you don't have to buy one if the gunshop has one

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Sorry interlock,I misunderstood your post.

 

[navyretired 1]

I pull barrels all the time for customers and never charge unless I don't have the proper bushing (rare). As far as barrels having to be so tight that it takes a gorilla to tight it, that's just plain wrong. The bench rest shooters here wring their barrels on with their bare hands and it takes a barrel vice to remove as firing barrel tightens threads from torque. Gorilla's with action wrenches and no anti-seize make gunsmiths life a lot harder.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

That is why it should be done by someone experienced in replacing barrels. Overtightening the receiver can stretch or gall the threads. A good anti-seize should be used BUT sufficient torque must be applied to prevent the barrel from loosening even a tiny bit. AGI recommends that,after the barrel is fully seated,the receiver should be turned an additional quarter inch(mark barrel and receiver then turn until marks are aligned) .

 

[Nico Testosteros]

Sounds like I should just buy that Yugo mauser. And Long Branch Enfield. And Swiss K31. Might be cheaper

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Sounds like I should just buy that Yugo mauser. And Long Branch Enfield. And Swiss K31. Might be cheaper

Do that too but don't give up on the sporter build because of what people you don't know say on an internet forum. It is a LOT of fun!

 

[Olympus]

Do that too but don't give up on the sporter build because of what people you don't know say on an internet forum. It is a LOT of fun!

+1 on that!

Forums are great to get feedback from a variety of different people. It's a good way to get different viewpoints and opinions. It helps you see things from different perspectives and things you might not have thought of. But ultimately, everything is your decision. At the end of the day, you're the one who has to live with the decision. If it flies in the face of what others have said, who cares? If it serves its purpose and you're happy then that's all that matters. If you can learn a few things in the process even better. Use that knowledge to help others who attempt the same thing or use it for the next project you tackle.

There are a handful of people on forums who have opinions that I personally value more than others. This is because I've been posting long enough to recognize those that I can tell truly know what they're talking about. But there have been times when I've "gone against the grain" so to speak. Use the opinions and perspectives of others to help you make a better decision, but in the end, you're the one who has to be happy.