New rifle in the family...

[Dionysusigma]

impulse buys!

Well, due to a "sick" day, I had some time off from work to relax and enjoy a couple of cigars (Torano Cameroon 1916s) and go to the gun store. Upon arriving at Outdoor America, I thought I'd take a look at the used racks to see if I could find a replacement for my long-gone M44. I found an M44 and a 91/30, both decently priced at 75 bucks each, but as I was checking out the 91/30 something else on the rack caught my eye.

It was a Swedish mauser, but someone had done some pretty good modifactions to it. Normally I absolutely *hate* Bubba-ized WW2 milsurp guns, but this... this was different. Sharp rifling, bright bore, the barrel had been shortened to 17" and BEAUTIFULLY recrowned to 11 degrees, the stock had been shortened accordingly, the standard sights were replaced with 1" scope rings, and the trigger pull... ~2lbs with a travel of 1/8". When I dry-fired it and the striker fell, my initial thought was "But I'm not even done pulling the trigger yet!" All in all, some pretty good work.

So, long story short, I now have once again a full-power bolt-action WW2 carbine, although sporterized. The thing is, I know nothing about Mausers (much less Swedish ones) or the 6.5x55mm round. My outlook is, even if it's just a fun plinker, I'm only out $120.00 plus a couple boxes of PMC 6.5x55. Anything y'all can tell me is appreciated.

Oh yeah... pics:

Muzzle crown

Left side of the receiver

Right side of the receiver

Any info on what to expect from this rifle? Recoil? Accuracy? Reliability? Any history it might've had before it was... changed? Thanks in advance...

 

[Dionysusigma]

Oh yeah... what's this thing on the buttstock?

And what optics should I slap on this thing?

 

[BusMaster007]

Here's a good place to get information on Swedes:
http://www.rebooty.com/~dutchman/

What you got for the $$$ is a STEAL!
NICE! Wait'll you see what the disc means.
You done good.

I've got two that have sat in the safe for about 5-6 years and haven't been fired by ME yet!
A 1901 matching #'s M96 and an AG-42B.
I REALLY should get them out soon...!

Congratulations.
You're gonna love that rifle.

 

[Dionysusigma]

What I've gathered so far...

The inspection officer's name is H.K. - Helge Gustaf Ludvig Kolthoff, worked from 1 Apr 1912 - 28 Feb 1923

Manufacture year: 1919?

Bore rust was rated at 1, Very Little

Bore diameter is 6.50mm (relevance?)

Either an 1894 or 1896 Mauser

Any other sites? How's this thing *probably* going to perfom?

 

[wasrjoe]

Wow, only $120??? Bubba-ized or not, that thing is worth well over that. Congratulations!

 

[Dionysusigma]

Update:

Well, took it shooting today...



This gun is... amazing. Absolutely great, and and has now become my favorite. Recoil is comparable to an AK, reliability is YTBD as I have only fired 40 rounds through it. I put a Wally World el-cheapo BSA scope on it, since my 6-24x50 wouldn't fit

Accuracy is simply unbelievable. It's more accurate than I am, and today shot my tightest group ever (one ragged hole about 1/2" wide, three shots, 144gr FMJ, 50 yds). For me, expected groups from a new rifle are about 8" in diameter at 50yds, so you can imagine my surprise.

This gun makes me look good.

The only downside is the ammo... the other guns I've had are (were) in easy-to-find calibers (7.62x39, .22lr, 7.62x54R) and this is my first departure from standard military calibers. I forsee the cost of ammo busting my bank account, and me not really minding all that much.

 

[JShirley]

Man...awesome find. Good job!

John

 

[Stickjockey]

The only downside is the ammo... the other guns I've had are (were) in easy-to-find calibers (7.62x39, .22lr, 7.62x54R) and this is my first departure from standard military calibers. I forsee the cost of ammo busting my bank account, and me not really minding all that much.

One word: reloading.

 

[OEF_VET]

Swede Mausers are great little rifles which shoot like dreams. I sold mine to Intune last year to help get me thru a brief peiod of unemployment and still regret that I had to do it. One day, I will own another one.

 

[The_Antibubba]

You LUCKY @#*!!$*!!#

Dio,

Ohhh, man. Look, you only think it's your favorite rifle. I'll help you clear up your "mistake".


Oh, well, can't blame me for trying.

You have a treasure there, my friend. Even an unmodified, 6 decades of storage Swede is a marvel-but what you have is a rare gift! Wait until you can get to a 300 yd or greater range-if you can see the target, you can hit it. And if you add a good scope... And the craftsmanship on one-they're the best of the Mauser family.

As for ammo costs, yeah, it's higher than many. OTOH, if you can hit your target dead-center on the first shot...

Yeah, someone put a lot of love into tuning it. You may start selling other guns to feed your habit-there are old Swede fans, and new Swede fans, but no EX Swede fans.

Enjoy!