Mitchell's Mausers questions

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

Guvnor

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
414
Let me start by saying I am fully aware of the controversy regarding Mitchell's.

I am looking to buy a milsurp rifle, but im more concerned with getting a good shooter that is ready to go out of the box rather than something with maximum historical value.

My question is, which would be the best choice...K98, M48, or M24/47? Whats the difference between the them, besides country of origin?

The M24/47 is the cheapest but where exactly did they come from? The webiste says "made in belgium and serbia." The Belgians made Mausers??
 
Get one somewhere besides Mitchell's. The workaday Mauser 98's are incredibly easy to find on the market and they've been ready to go since they were made.

The 24/47's were reissued after the war from FN and CZ Mausers. You can find the original VZ Mausers for far, far less than Mitchell's is charging for theirs. They are basically ripping people off, there's no other word for it. If you're prepared to drop $600 for a Mauser PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go with one like THIS:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=134166322

That's a true Persian you can hand down to grandkids, AND it will shoot rings round a Yugo retread. Tough as nails, to boot.
 
Last edited:
I like the look of the MM, and know that they are no way that authentic-- that being said, I do like the Tanker length, and would really love one scoped in .243--- I won't trash talk anyone who buys one- -they seem expensive, but they do look good, and if someone is happy with them, then I have no problem....:)
 
Thanks for the info cosmo.

Im not looking to spend 600 bucks, im leaning toward a "collector grade" M48 ($349) or M24/47 ($299).

I realize I can get a better deal if I shop around, but in my opinion the mitchell's are worth the extra cost.

The way I see it...Yes I could buy an M48 for about half the price...but then id have to drive two hours away to a gun show, find one in good shape, bring it to a gunsmith to have it checked out, and scrub out all the cosmoline. Whereas the mitchell's gun would be all checked out and ready to shoot out of the box.

Some might say im being lazy, but to me the extra cost just means less headache.

I do like the tanker mauser, but I agree those seem a bit overpriced.
 
Just about every country that you can think of built a variety of Mauser rifle. The 24/47 is actually a Yugo. If you've got access to a gun show, that would be the first place I would look to pick up a Mauser. I'm always a little leary of buying milsurps from online. You never really know what they're going to look like.
 
Check out Samco and J&G sales online before you buy anywhere. (I don't have a relationship, other than as a satisfied customer, with either of them). I hear you, the Mitchell's guns are pretty, but you are just plain old overpaying. Why not clean a milsurp up yourself? It's a pleasure to refinish a stock, clean up cosmoline, etc. Really, it is; you can get a great feel for your weapon.
 
In defense of Mitchell's Mausers they aren't really rare original pieces but rather refinished shooters. That being said for the casual shooter that wants a pretty gun that is representative of what they looked like new Mitchell's aren't that terrible. It may be cheaper to go through a gun yourself but not everyone has the time and skills/experience. Some shooters actually have more money than time and skill.
 
I would be all over the 308 tanker if it wasn't $100 more than the other offerings. *** is the deal with that?
 
Last edited:
Cosmoline:

If it was built under contract in BRNO, the number two city in the Czech Republic (after Prague-nice city), then isn't it basically a Czech Mauser, when discussing the quality of these?
 
Last edited:
I'm not sure how a rifle carrying original markings but done up with a new stock (what? about $100.+?), a new barrel (+$100-$200.) clean, headspaced, and gauranteed is a ripoff when sold for $500. or less.

These aren't Mosins made in Lubchek's bathtub or someplace, and not everything is available for $100. or less.

Don't read me wrong - I think those bright shiny laminate stocks look as much like doo-doo as that new phony 1903a4 that Aimsurplus is so proud of, it's just that money, once spent is seldom missed but nice things can last forever.

I will admit that that Chek built "Real Persian" is as clean and nice as my 1979 bought Swedish M96 but it's $800. for that reason.
 
Some shooters actually have more money than time and skill.
Click to expand...

I have none of the above...:D

I can see where the cleanup could be rewarding I guess, but im not really comfortable attempting it. Im great at taking things apart but not the best at putting them back together.

Plus I was concerned about safety issues and I like the fact that mitchells checks everything out before they go up for sale.
 
My first Mauser K98 was a Mitchell's collector grade. I was unaware of the issues when I bought it as an impulse buy as I had always wanted a Mauser. While I really liked the blonde wood I just couldn't get past the blingy polished parts so I quickly sold it. I then replaced the Mitchell's with two Russian Captures, a 1941 Gustloff bcd and 1941 Steyr bnz. I was never happy with the bcd stock so this past week I replaced it with a Norwegian capture blonde laminated stock (shown below) that approximates the blonde wood of the Mitchell's but is far less re-worked (and the waffenampts are real).

With the cost of the Russian Capture and the blonde laminate stock (and cleaning rod, captive screws, and sight hood) I've probably got more into the Gustloff than if I had bought a Mitchell's. On the plus side, although it is a mix and match, it does have more of a "real" look to it than a Mitchell's and doesn't look like it belongs in a parade. One plus to a Mitchell's is that you know that the headspace is fine although that generally isn't an issue.

As to the Yugo 24/47, I think that it's an underrated rifle. My understanding is that it is based upon the Yugo M24 and not the Czech VZ 24, which is an entirely different animal (and a great Mauser).

blmau.jpg
 
Last edited:
My K98 was a Russian capture, made in 1941. That being said, it is in great shape (cosmetically) and fires great. As already posted, I wouldn't get taken for a Mitchell's.
 
Storm, "and the waffenampts are real"............I didn't know that Mitchel's fakes markings. I've never held one of their rifles in my hands so took it that they were reworking German issue rifles, at least. I've got two Mod. 98 rifles, a 42 and what appears to be a late 44 from it's lesser metalwork (It's marked "44" and has waffenampts all over it but the machining isn't as nice as earlier guns were). Neither looks all that great but they're both authentic and have good bores, which was the main reason I bought them.
I like good shooting rifles, as good as is possible, and both are solid 2 MOA rifles, even though I don't much like shooting bolt guns in military loadings anymore. I used to get a kick out of it, but I'm getting more frail now. :)
 
Storm, "and the waffenampts are real"............I didn't know that Mitchel's fakes markings.
Click to expand...

You may want to do a search on that. Some knowledgeable collectors maintain that it is the case, at least that some of the markings are faked, by someone along the way, not necessarily by Mitchell's themselves. Mauser's with fake stamps are not at all uncommon, especially SS runes or the Death's Head. I don't know one way or the other, but as I have said, with my rifles there are no doubts or controversy.
 
Last edited:
I'd also add that a Mitchell's Mauser may be a decent choice for someone if they understand exactly what they are getting. Mine was actually quite nice as far as rifles go, but it lacked the soul of a milsurp.
 
The Mitchell reworks are good shooters and "pretty" rifles. If that is the criterium for your rifle and you are happy with the price, buy it. I think Mitchells advertising a "Collector's Grade" rework is where the shadow of perceived deceit appears. Perhaps,if it was advertised as a "Presentation Grade" it would be better received.
 
Perhaps,if it was advertised as a "Presentation Grade" it would be better received.
Click to expand...

I think that is a good distinction.

They are pretty rifles, if not a bit too glossy ;) It will fit your need for a good shooter.
 
Hey, as long as you know that Mitchell's Mausers have about zero collector value, and are willing to overpay, have at. They are not bad looking guns.

On the other hand, that $1500 dollar "sniper" Mosin Nagant was ridiculous. And as for the $250 accessory kit for it that I can get free from buying a $70 Mosin at J&G Sales............, I'm speechless.
 
If it was built under contract in BRNO, the number two city in the Czech Republic (after Prague-nice city), then isn't it basically a Czech Mauser, when discussing the quality of these?
Click to expand...

Sure, but it may have been beaten up quite a bit. Certainly between the M48 and the retrofitted Czechs I'd go with the latter.
 
The m24/47 and M48 are both yugo mausers. The 24/47 were made in 1924, and than rebarreled in 1947. I'm not aware of the M48's date of origin (I would presume 1948).

Both are great shooters, and have their pros and cons. I like the turned down bolt on the M48, but the M24/47 is cheaper and arguably more accurate. At least from what I've heard anyways.

My M24/47
YugoM24.gif
 
Thanks for all the input.

I see everyones point...but personally I dont really consider purchasing one of their YUGO mausers as overpaying or being taken for a ride. I look at it as paying for a service. They do the dirty work for you.

However, I will probably be steering clear of the K98's because of all the controversy surrounding those. It seems they are a crap shoot.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
Yugo Mauser Questions
Replies
5
Views
1K
Jim K
J
S
  • Locked
Mitchell's Mausers, Question
Replies
7
Views
1K
Feanaro
Feanaro
K
  • Locked
Mausers
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
hang fire
H
B
  • Locked
Tell me about a Mauser 98 vs M48?
Replies
12
Views
6K
kjeff50cal
K
K
  • Locked
Yugo M24/47 Mauser OR Mosin M91/30?
Replies
15
Views
1K
chevyforlife21
C
Back
Top