Looking for surplus mauser

[Tosi]

I'm looking for a surplus mauser but I realy know nothing about them. Im looking for one mainly intended to shoot, so I'm not to concerned about history etc. I would like one in nice condition, but could care less about country of origin. Any advice on where to buy, what type to buy, and what am I looking at for 8mm mauser ammo prices? Also im looking for one less than >$250 Thanks for the input, Mike

 

[Daniel964]

Am I right in reading that you want to pay over $250? If you want to pay less that $250 try a turk mauser. You can usually find them for under $100. I have a good dealer that sells them for around $70 at the gun shows. She says she would rather make her profit selling a lot of guns at low prices than selling a few guns at high prices.

 

[Tosi]

haha, less that $250, my second grade math skills are slipping

 

[northwolf]

Milsurp Mausers

The problem with most 8X57 is that the barrel is junk!! Specially when it has seen action in WWII. Try the Swede Mausers in 6.5X55.
OR you get a junk Mauser and have a Gunsmith put in another barrel in any caliber that fits the action.

 

[Tosi]

how much does 6.5X55 ammo go for? and compared to 8mm how readily available is it?

 

[dstorm1911]

there are ALOT of Yugo mausers available for under $150 that were totally rearsenaled after WWII and had brand new barrels installed...... the same goes for the Turk Model 38s as well as most post WWII mausers after WWII Europe started rebuilding all the rifles used as well as captured rifles so they would be in new condition for WWIII, about the only junk 8X57 barrels I've ran into have been Chinese mausers that did their post WWII service as training rifles and Original German mausers captured by the Russians who did very little with em, look for a Yugo 24/47 or a m 48 they usually have a new barrel..... a Swedish mauser will easily exceed your $250 price limit

 

[saturno_v]

Around my area (Washington state/Seattle) we had a "flash" of very good conditions Yugo Mausers 98 available at sporting stores Big 5 or GI Joe's for 79-89 dollars in March and April and unfortunately I lost that train....they totally disappeared...

Nowdays around here, the cheapest 98 (non German) you can find at specialized firearm stores or gun shows runs at about 200-250 and so-so shape...I'm sorry, I'm a collector but, at heart, a practical guy too, for $299 I can buy all the time a Savage in 30-06 with a cheap scope on sale at Wal Mart.....

If i can find a good Mauser 98 specimen at no more than $100-120 I may consider it.

 

[ROMAK IV]

6.5 x 55 is generally more expensive than 8mm. 8m surplus got rare there for awhile, but it is coming back, especially with the M-76 sniper grade ammunition. Under $250 should give you several options. Yugo whatevers are a great deal, and come in several configurations. There is the K-98 version, the one I have, made from a mixture of Yugo factory parts and actual K-98 rifles. They are often scrubbed of Nazi proof marks, and a Yugoslavian crest is roller embossed into the top of the receiver. On mine, German proof marks left on the barrel and receiver, and even a Nazi one they missed on the bolt. These are identified because they have a bent bolt handle and the relief for the handle under the handle on the stock, The hanguard starts before the rear sight, On mine the barrel looks new and so does the stock, although the number on the stock was changed to match the current one on the receiver. The numbers don't match either. A Mod.98, on the receiver will indentify the rifle. A Yugo M-24 has a straight bolt, usually, and the handguard encircles the rear sight. An M-48 or M-48A looks similiar to an M-24, will usually have a bent bolt, and all of these models are usually marked as to model on the receiver.Turkish Mausers are a wide class of mausers that were possesed by Turkey. The most common is called a KKale and was assembled prior to WWII with a variety of parts from a variety of manufacturers. They usually have the longer barrel and have a short protruding bayonet lug instead on the longer slotted version on K-98's. VZ-24's were made at the BRNO factory in Czeckloslvaia now better known as "CZ." VZ-24's usually have dark bores and at least have the model and the factory name on the receiver. They will also often have elaborate Czech coat of arms on the receiver, except when the rifles were exported to contries like Romania where that government didn't want it known where the rfle had come from. VZ-24's have distinctive barrel bands and handguards, and come in 8mm or 7mm. M-96's the Swedish Mausers, are usually over $250, I saw one for $500 today. The Model 1914 is a unique carbine that is even more expensive that M-96's. There is also a 38 version of the Swedish Mauser, it has a shorter threaded barrel. You might find a sporterized one for less than $250. There also aren't too many RC K-98's under $250, and as the supply runs out, a couple of companies has been fixing the remaining one up and chargig more. Good LUCK! 6.5 x 55 costs a minimum of $10 fro twenty and goes up from there. It is currently available in Swedish surplus and it is good stuff! it is also quite common among commercial ammunition, but it is going to be $20 for twenty or higher. Today, where I live, turkish 8mm was $12.95 for 70 rounds, on stripper clips and in a cloth bandoleer. Regular Yugo, was $5.95 for 15, and the M-76 stuff was $8 for 15, or $345 for 900, about the same price as 308 surplus ball.

 

[Tosi]

Thanks for the advice, its appreciated. I called around all the stores in my area and none seemed to have anything I would be intrested in. So I went looking for some online and came across SAMCO Global. Does anyone have any experience with them? I was thinking about one of there excellent or collector grade yugo mausers for either $149 or $199. Also a random question could you easily put a bent bolt on one of those (straight bolts are a pet peeve of mine)? Thanks Mike

Actually they also the M98k carbine in special select for $229 anyone have experience with those?

 

[azhunter12]

If you have your c&r licsense (sp?) you can order a german mauser from aim or a yugo 24/47 from J&G sales.

 

[dstorm1911]

TOSI, swapping the bolt as with "most" will involve expensive re-headspacing or ALOT of luck in getting a bolt that headspaces correctly Or you can get a Yugo m48 however be aware that the wide arc bolts will not clear most scopes and provide less leverage for cycling the bolt with a stuck case

 

[Tosi]

haha okay well then prob wont do that

 

[Smokey Joe]

Best you can do...

Tosi, is probably a Yugo M-48 or M-48a Mauser, in yr price range. These were made in 1948, then warehoused, so none was abused by field conditions during WWII. Bbl will likely be good-to-pristine on any of 'em, and the rest of the firearm in similar condition. They were made in Factory #44, and it says that, too, on the side of the receiver (in Cyrillic) but don't get BS'ed into thinking that this is a 1944 model that was used in the war. The "M-48" or "M-48a" is clearly marked on top of the receiver. (The difference between the -48 and the -a is that the -a has a stamped magazine cover/trigger guard, and the -48's is milled. Big deal. But perhaps useful as a bargaining chip.)

They will probably be below yr price limit of $250, although as the supplies dry up the price seems to be rising.

The Czech VZ-24's, 24-47's and the Yugo re-worked k98's I have no experience with.

The Swede Mausers are lovely, but they are already very hard to find, and out of yr price range. With the standard German k98K Mauser, there is a huge variation in quality and price, and the collectors now hold most of the good ones. There are many other Mausers to be had, but none that are reasonably cheap and reasonably available.

As to the cost of ammo, the cheap surplus stuff--which may or may not be Berdan-primed, and/or corrosive, and/or steel-cased, well they're not making those WWII-era cartridges any more, so that is and will continue to rise in price, too. But non-military ammo is rising in price also. Seems to me that now is a really good time to seriously consider getting into reloading ammo, if you don't already, thereby sidestepping the ammo-cost consideration.

There is a ton to know about the various Mauser rifles--it can be a separate hobby all by itself. From yr post, all you want is a decent-shooting, not-too-expensive Mauser rifle. And that, IMHO, brings us back to the M-48. Good hunting.

 

[Tosi]

The m48 is the conclusion I came to its got that classic k98 look but can be found far nicer, now any advice on where to find one? Thanks, Mike

 

[aka108]

You might give Samco Global Arms in Miami a call on their toll free 1-800-554-1618. Believe they still have some 98K that were supposedly assembled in late war in Czechoslovakia. I bought one years ago. Excellent condition, CE marked (J P Sauer) 44. Bolt was made without guide rib which eliminated in late war to cut production time. Think they are asking 220 bucks. Stock was walnut or similar dark wood.

 

[Smokey Joe]

"shooter" Mausers

Tosi--I just browsed through my bookmarks of milsurp rifle sellers, and Auction Arms and Gunbroker. For the M-48, it would seem that the wholesale supply has dried up. AA and GB have M-48's at auction; they are individual sales. You pays your money and you takes your choice. Some would be in yr price range. FWIW, I've had good luck buying firearms from online auctions in the past. You do hear the occasional horror story, though. And what's available will vary day by day.

The following online sellers had Mausers in yr price range: (Be aware that shipping, and the fee for an FFL holder to receive it for you, will probably cost you extra.)

Centerfire Systems, www.centerfiresystems.com has 24/47's for $149. They say the rifles are non-matching (bolt doesn't have same serial no. as receiver) but are XLNT condition. The 24/47 has a straight bolt.

Aim Surplus, www.aimsurplus.com has RC K98's (RC=Russian Capture, prob. from the Battle of Stalingrad) for $219.95. None of the RC's have matching anything--the Russians disassembled them all and then reassembled rifles from the piles of parts. The Russians also left off the "capture screws," cleaning rods, and front sight hoods. Nice piece of history, though.

Samco Global, www.samcoglobal.com has several Mausers in yr price range.

J & G Sales, www.jgsales.com has RC K98's and 24/47's in yr price range.

Classic Arms Inc, www.classicarms.us has RC K98's they claim are in XLNT condition, at the top of yr price range.

The missing parts for the RC's are available, if they matter to you. None of the normally missing parts will keep you from shooting the rifle.

I'm sure there are other sources. Sorry I couldn't find a company selling M-48's--the advantages to those are that the bolt is already turned down, and it's a shorter rifle than the standard K98, therefore handier to the shooter. The disadvantages are: 1. The bolt is not turned down enough to just slap on a 'scope--you still must modify the bolt, or use a scout 'scope mount, and 2. The M-48 receiver is just a little shorter than a k-98's receiver, therefore, many of the retro parts made for K-98's won't fit an M-48.

IIWY, I wouldn't hesitate very long if I wanted a military Mauser. The sources of these seem to be running out, and as they do, the WWII-era milsurps will do nothing but go up in price.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Yugo Mauser. Heck you can probably even find an un-issued one if you look around hard enough

 

[cracked butt]

http://samcoglobal.com/rifles.html#m98kmc

^^^ These are post war rifles put together at BRNO from parts. The one I go a few years back was brand new and a good shooter with reloads.

I'm very partial towards Czech and Swedish mausers. That said, I'd stay away from VZ-24s- most that you find in your price range are going to be worn out and shot out.
You should be able to find a nice 98/22 or 98/29 in that price range, both of these are the long rifle with a 29 1/2" barrel and the 98/22 has sights regulated for 400 yards which might be a problem unless you build up the front sight- I shoot nothing but cast bullets in my 98/22 so the sights are not a problem. The 98/29 sights start at 100 yards. Both are outstanding rifles and are at the peak of mauser 98 quality.

Swedish mausers- you shouldn't have a tough time finding a M96 or a M96/38 (M96 shortened to carbine length) in that price range. I see alot of them on gunbroker priced at $300+ but I don't see a lot fo them selling for that much, $250 is a more realistic price unless its a pristine rifle or a rare variation. Either model will have a high likelyhood of being an outstanding shooter.

 

[beertracker]

Here is another data point. The last time I was at the Pasadena, TX guns show there was a dealer selling Russian Capture K98s for $230. This was in Oct 07. Look around at guns show and see whats available. Good luck.

Regards,
Beertracker

 

[Paramemetic]

I recently ordered an RC German K98k from Classic Arms and I'm waiting on it to come in. His descriptions have a lot of these with XLNT and VG+ barrels. There are some cheaper ones for shooting at ~220 or so, but they move fast. I'm hoping it arrives today or tomorrow so I can stop obsessing over it and start cleaning the cosmoline off. I hate waiting for things to arrive.

If I remember I'll report back with the condition of the rifle when I get it so you know what you're looking for, but if you're not interested in the history, get a KKale Turk or an M48, they both run around ~100.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

Turk M1938 Kirikale (Turks were neutral in WW2)
Yugo M24/47 (Rearsenalled M1924 in 1947) straight bolt handle
Yugo M48 all milled parts
Yugo M48A 'A' marked receivers, all milled lower parts
Yugo M48A(B) (All made in 1957) 'A' marked receivers, all stamped lower parts
Yugo M48(BO) (All made in 1957) Unmarked receivers
Yugo Mod98 rearsenals
Russian Capture Kar98K