Mauser Project

[kwelz]

Ok here is the deal. I have an old Yugo Mauser M48A that I have been thinking about doing something with. Today I finally decided to just do it.
THe wood isn't great at all but the medal is all in great condition. The parts are not matching so it will not be a collectors piece or anything like that. the way I see it I have two options here

1: Turn it into a scoped Rifle perhaps going the scout Road. With that in mind I found This Stock and would like opinions on it.

2: Turn it into a Beautiful yet Functional rifle. This would keep the look of the original for the most part with new wood, etc.

Now I would like your opinions on both routes and any suggestions you may have on how to go about it.

Thanks as always

 

[Bear Gulch]

Mausers can become many wonderful guns. I would sugggest that you try several and as you play with them you'll find the features that you really like and want to accentuate.

 

[kaferhaus]

I wouldn't waste the money on the new wood.... cut the original stock down, sand it, etc and put the scope on it.

That way you haven't blown any more money than aboslutely required to get a scope on it...

You're correct in that it's never gonna be a collectible as these are all parts guns to begin with.... most are mediocre shooters at best anyway.

Even cusomizing a "good" mauser will cost more than it'll ever be worth.... I've seen dozens of guys with well over a grand in a $200 gun.

 

[oldfart]

I have two Mausers and I've "customized" both of them. The were Turkish Mausers, a '93 and a '98, and both in 8mm.
I re-barrelled and re-stocked the '98, added a good scope and a Timney trigger and made a very good .308 target rifle out of it. Total cost, spread out over a couple of years-- about $500.
The '93 was left in 8mm but I cut the barrel off to 24", re-contoured the stock, eliminating the take-down thingy in the butt, added a recoil pad, a scope and a new paint-job and now I have a "pretty good" hunting rifle. total cost, also spread out over a couple of years-- about $200.
Yesterday I took the '98 out to the range and shot several sub-MOA 5-shot groups. Two days earlier I took the '93 out and managed some 1.5 MOA groups. I think the '93 would do better if I put a heavier barrel on it but it's still plenty good enough for hunting.
You can do just about anything you want with a Mauser. If you're thinking about improving the value I think you might be in for a rude shock. there's jsut too many of them on the market. On the other hand, if you're just making something for yourself, go for it! After you've weathered all the comments from the preservationists, you'll realize that you finally have something you've made yourself FOR yourself!

 

[kwelz]

I never though I was in any way going to improve the value of the rifle. I just want to take a Rifle I never shoot and turn it into something I would enjoy.

 

[spurrit]

Mauser

Look at it this way. This rifle is your kid. Dr. Phil and Oprah can shout all they want, but you raise it as you damn well please. P.S. - I beat the crap outta my mauser, and it does what I say, when I say.(Unless I tell it wrong!)

 

[Bear Gulch]

I have redone several Mausser stocks. Sanding can bring out truly beautiful wood under all that BLO and cosmoline stain. If you don't like the end product you can alway order a Boyd's.

I take it that you are putting a long eye relief scope on it?

 

[theCZ]

Listen to BearGulch, refinishing an existing Mauser stock can be a rewarding experience. You don't need to buy all the chemicals needed to refinish a custom wood stock. Sand the heck out of it, some nice wood stain, and a spray on sealer, and you have a stock that looks suspiciously better than it should.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

If you don't like the scout type scopes, you could try this

http://www.iron-elite.com/

 

[2t2 crash]

dont cut the wood down, refinish the sucker and get a good scope set-up. ive seen some wonderful setups on the m48. im working on finishing up my K98

 

[Clemson]

Well, I will happily crawl out on a limb and encourage you to restock your rifle. Just don't use that hideous "Advanced Technology" stock. Go to Boyds (www.boydboys.com), and pick out a nice laminate or walnut semi-inlet. Rebarrel your gun to a commonly available hunting caliber like 7x57 or 257 Roberts, and make something you can be proud of. Forget about scout mounts. Have your receiver drilled and tapped for mounts and have the bolt handle altered to clear a scope.

When you are finished, you will have more in the gun than you would in an off-the-shelf rifle from Remington or Ruger. The difference is that you will have done it yourself, and you will probably have a more accurate piece.

Good luck!

Clemson