Need opinions of Century K98 .308 conversion

[TCB in TN]

Was trying to decide about what my next Milsurp acquisition, and ran across these K98 mauser rifles converted to the modern .308 caliber by Israel. Has anyone ever had one, what kind of mechanical condition are the fair vs the good, how do they shoot, and especially how to they hold up to modern .308 factory ammo? They look like they would be right up my alley, but would like other opinions so I am not buyin a pig in a poke!

 

[R.W.Dale]

When the words Century and Conversion are used in the same sentence it can only bode ill. Most century conversions shoot about as well as a wilted stick of celery.

 

[Cmdr. Gravez0r]

it's the Israelis that did the conversion, not Century. Just thought I'd point that out.

 

[nalioth]

Yes, the Israelis did the converting.

Century just imported them. (quite a bad choice of thread title wording)

Everyone can breathe now.

I would expect the quality to be excellent. The Israelis converted these for their own use.

More info: http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/oddshot4/index.asp

 

[Seafarer12]

I have a spanish mauser that was converted to run 308 and its a good gun. If they put a good barrel on it I would take it over an 8mm.

 

[Koblenz]

Should be OK if the Israelis' and not Century itself did the conversion. Century has a very bad reputation for botched conversion jobs. They really screwed up some French MAS's converted to .308 several years back. I would'nt buy any gun Century themselves has altered. If they are just importing the guns and leaving them alone, you should be OK.

 

[cracked butt]

fair vs the good

Translation of 'fair' and 'good' for Century products.

'Good'- Bore shows no rifling left. Blueing is only present under the handguard which also happends to be cracked in 3 places. One or more of the guard screws are rusted in place or snapped off. Stock has been run over by a tracked vehicle.

'Fair'- Same as 'Good' above with the exception that the bolt is permanently rusted shut.



Only buy stuff from Century that is marked as 'excellent' condition or better, that is my rule of thumb gained from hard experience.

 

[Vaarok]

The Israeli K98s Century has now are quite rough. An Israeli Mauser is a good gun, but heavily used, and the ones CAI has left (they sold most of 'em several years back), are pretty close to bottom-of-the-barrel.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I got a k98 Israeli conversion a few years ago. It shoots ok, but the bore shows signs of wear, and I seem to get groups around 5".

The group size could be because I don't like k98 sights. Front and rear are too close together, and I don't like the pointy front post that the German guns seem to have.

I don't recall what the original receiver marking was, but it's mostly obliterated by a large "7.62" stamping on top of the front receiver ring. Then, there's a small Star of David stamped on the left side of the receiver.

I have no idea what quality is available now from Century. A friend has a Century M1 Garand, and it shoots great. Apparently, their quality varies.

 

[TCB in TN]

Thanks for the input, and sorry for the poor choice of wording on the thread title. From what I am hearing I would better off getting a couple more Enfields to play with. Thanks guys.