Mitchell's Mausers

[Werewolf]

In the NRA magazine American Rifleman every month there are full page color ads for Mitchell's Mausers.

They advertise Mauser K98/48 mausers. They come with a full kit including sling, ammo pouches and some other stuff all for $299.

Has anyone got any experience with these guys? Are the rifles they sell any good? Worth $299.

Supposedly these are never issued and manufactured in Yugoslavia.

Are these the rifles like the Germans used in WWII or some type of post WWII version?

What caliber are they (8mm ?).

I've been hankerin' after a German WWII mauser or a good copy so any info on Mitchell's and what they are sellin would be very helpful.

 

[BryanP]

They sell beautiful, if overpriced, Yugo M48 8mm Mauser rifles. If all you want is a shooter you can get one for much less $ in decent shape. OTOH, the Mitchell is pretty much guaranteed to be perfect. That may be worth a few extra $ to you.

For an example, you can buy a "good condition" Yugo for $110 here:

http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplusrifles.html

 

[MSGT9410]

I'll be getting one sometime soon... I'll be sure to post a review.

I do believe it fires 8x57JS?

(I'm supposedly going to recieve one for my birthday in September... Might be a while )

 

[Sactown]

I got one of the Mitchell Mausers. It's a Yugo M48. I paid $150 for it from CDNN. It was brand spanking new. It came with all the accessories. $299 is a joke. $150 was my limit that I would pay for a M48. Mitchell has borderline advertising, they try to make it appear that the rifles are K98s or that they are German manufacture by the way the advertising looks. You can purchase Yugos from many sources, in fact AIM is selling very good condition M48s for $120. If you're fine with paying $299 for a Yugo M48, you won't be disappointed. Mitchell cleans the rifles very well.

 

[jefnvk]

They are beautiful weapons, but as others have mentioned you can get great shape ones for a lot less. They are good guns, I always shot my M48 the best. The only gun I regret getting rid of, but the good news is that it is cheap enough I can replace it someday.

Also, Mitchells has a spotty advertising. Things like WWII-era (started production in 48, I guess it is kinda WWII-era) and German-Equipment produced (made on German equipment, yes, but it is a Yugo weapon made by Yugos in Yugoslavia). It seems that they are trying to make the impression that it is a German WWII weapon, but it isn't.

And yeah, it is the standard 8mm Mauser (8x57JS, 7.92x57JS)

 

[alamo]

Their advertising was even more deceptive a couple of years ago. It is less so now but still misleading. Here is their new disclaimer - "Some people may be getting the mistaken impression that these rifles were manufactured by Germans during the occupation. That is not the case. These rifles were manufactured with German technology in Serbia after the people had driven the Germans out of Yugoslavia."

Their target market is those who don't know any better. Particularly those looking for Lugers, P-38s, etc.

Check out their Lugers, starting at $3,500!! These apparently are run-of-the-mill Lugers that have simply been refinished. Here is the last sentence in the description - "Restored to Military-New Condition". Notice they say nothing about matching serial numbers. You would expect that at these prices. Most of the description talks about the "walnut presentation case", "Blue Max medal", "French-fitted with red velvet", etc.

http://www.mitchellsales.com/autopistols/hist_p-08 luger/index.htm


Anyone in the market for a Russian capture 98K? Cleaned up really nicely and some parts replaced. Starting at only $2,500:

http://www.mitchellsales.com/rifles/hist_k98/index.htm

P-38 anyone?

http://www.mitchellsales.com/autopistols/hist_p-38 walther/index.htm

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Mitchells

Over-priced
misleading advertising

They are not WWII K-98's, they were not used in WWII, they are post production rifles, but arguably are the last made and issued bolt action rifles used and commisioned in war.

However, I must say the rifle I got from them is in perfect condition and is a borderline tack driver (I say border line because I can't shoot well enough to confirm it)

For comparisons check out these links
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of_Yugoslavian_Model_48_8mm_Mauser_Rifle.html

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Yugoslavian_Model_48_8mm_Mauser_Rifle.html

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Excellent_Yugo_Model_24_47_8mm_Mauser_Package.html

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Yugoslavian_VZ24_47_8mm_Mauser_Package.html

 

[Matthew748]

They are almost out of German K98s, but Empire Arms still has some vz24 Mausers made by CZ during the late 30s in stock. They cost $ 175.00 and come with a bayonet and accessory kit. I bought one a fews months back and it is a beautiful rifle. Here is a link if you are interested.

http://www.empirearms.com/

 

[Werewolf]

Thanks for the info guys.

A good starting point for sure and it seems like I should probably steer clear of Mithell's.

 

[straightShot]

Everyone here has had the same, correct response.

The Mausers that they sell are NOT K98 Mausers.
The M48 and M48As can be purchased for much less elsewhere.

Shoot straight.

 

[klover]

Bought a scout mount and scope from 'em

a few years ago. They told me it was made my Teka? (or something close to that spelling in Japan). It seemed to be a fine scope although I have yet to mount it

An yes, I bought a new m48 for $200 with LOTS of cosmoline ALL OVER from the local boys. It is a fine rifle.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I made the mistake of buying a scout mount from them awhile back, stripped it out just trying to get it lined up properly. They purposely give the impression that what you are getting is a WWII rifle, a little white lie is still a lie. Brigadoons and C&J's both had M48A's last time I was in for much less. You might have to clean them up abit, but that's half the fun. If you want a real K98 several places still have Russian captures for under $300.

 

[Magnum88C]

I think most people's problem with Mitchell's is their advertising. You have to read the ads carefully. Read what they actually say, rather than what you think they say.

What you're getting are nearly new Mausers. A German World War-II era designed weapon, made on German equipment in Serbia.

Now for a nice, clean, nearly new Mauser with the accessories with it, is $299 too much? Only you can say.

If you want to be a collector as well as a shooter, these are worthless, they have no "history" behind them.

If you just want a shooter and don't care how nice it is or if you don't really want all of the accessories, then buy a cosmoline-loaded Russian capture or Yugo from the milsurp rack and use the $150 you save to buy about 5,000 rounds of ammo.

Me? I'd prefer a cosmoline-soaked surplus rifle. But then, I collect as well as shoot, and I have a slight cosmoline addiction. . .

 

[Ash]

They used to say made in WWII because of the date on the crest (ignoring the fact that it is the M48). Then, they said simply date on crest is 1944. I don't know what they say now. They are a bunch of hucksters who are pinhooking for some ignorant souls. They aren't even 98 Mausers, but a semi-98 mauser.

Ash

 

[Ash]

Even now, they imply, nay, they say that they were made during WWII, tough as 1948 is generally recognized as occuring after both Japan and Germany surrendered. Free people, I suppose free under Communist Workers Paradise control.

Ash

 

[MechAg94]

Anyone know a dealer who sells good Mausers around the Houston area? I have thought about getting one, but never see nice ones.

 

[MAUSER88]

I have the premium model. It's in 100% perfect condition. Well woth the $299.00 I paid for it. With a 220 grain bullet off the bench I can hit a quarter every time.

 

[jefnvk]

They used to say made in WWII because of the date on the crest (ignoring the fact that it is the M48). Then, they said simply date on crest is 1944.

I don't think that is even a date. That P...44 (I'm not going to shame myself trying to spell it) was the name of the factory.

 

[Feanaro]

There IS a date on the Yugoslavian crest, though it's actually 1943. But it isn't a production date, that was the year Yugoslavia was reconstituted.

 

[cracked butt]

'Preduzece 44' translates to 'factory 44'

The 1943 date on the Yugoslavian coat of arms on the receiver refers to the formation of the new Yugoslavia on november 29, 1943.

 

[jefnvk]

Whoops, forgot about the date on the crest as well. THought he was talking about the factory name on the side.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Wolf, you should see the M48A I just finished. Complete with scout scope. I haven't had a chance to work up a favorite load for it yet, but it shoots Turk surplus just fine.