Steyr M95

[dispatch55126]

I just picked up this Steyr M95. The receiver, barrel and trigger group have original matching serial numbers and proof marks but the stock is different and has been renumbered. The bolt, action and barrel were thick with cosmoline and the foaming barrel cleaner turned a dark blue but once cleaned, the metal turned out to be in great shape.

Now, I just need to learn how to reload.

 

[xjedix]

That is sweet man, I have been thinking of picking one up myself. How much did that run you if you dont mind me asking?? I just picked up a K31 a few months back and am a bit fascinated with the whole straight pull bolt design.

Does anyone else own a Steyr??


-Derek

 

[MAKster]

Buy a good recoil pad. The M95 kicks really hard.

 

[dispatch55126]

Buy a good recoil pad. The M95 kicks really hard.

That's what people say about the M44/T53, but mine isn't that bad at all...as long as I'm sitting and not on the bench.

It cost $150 which is high but I had a gift certificate to burn. There was a 8mm Mauser and end production Arisaka (the 3 nails type) but they were both beat up pretty bad.

The downside to the Steyr is the ammo. New commercial costs about $25/20 round and surplus is going for $0.75-$1/round.

I've really started getting into the old/antique rifles of the unusual type. It's an interesting piece of history but it also means I can't afford to shoot them regularly. Good thing I have an AR.

 

[ArmedBear]

Do have the en bloc clips for it?

 

[dispatch55126]

Bought some on ebay last night. One hungarian and two nazi.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Surplus 1938 dated ammo on clips is available at most shops and shows around here, though prices have indeed gone up. Used to be $3 a box (with two clips) a few years ago, now it's up to $12.

Mine looks much like yours, which appears to be an M95/30 from the Bulgarian shipment.

Felt recoil is a bit stouter than the M44.

ENJOY!

 

[dispatch55126]

I'm looking at reloading. Figuring brass can be reloaded 6 times and 40 grains of powder, I can reload for $0.50/round.

 

[Golden Hound]

Bought some on ebay last night. One hungarian and two nazi.

Wait, why would the Nazis have these?

Did they capture them from Hungary and then stamp them with their markings?

 

[alemonkey]

Cabela's in Omaha had one this weekend for $200. I couldn't believe they were asking that much.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Golden, both Austria and Hungary had legacy stocks after WWI broke up the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Italy and a few other countries had captured stockpiles of them, too. Between the wars, Austria and Hungary each made more of their own separate ammunition and clips on the same patterns. The Nazis took the guns and ammo from the Austrians after the 1938 Anschluss. Hungary joined the Axis for awhile (as did Italy and some of the other holders) and so the Nazi-marked ammunition and clips got mixed in with the Hungarian stuff. You can find 8x56R and clips with Imperial Austrian, Austrian Republican, Hungarian and Nazi markings all mixed up together, all of it interesting.

 

[geolemer]

I love the looks of the M95 I plan to buy one if I can find one with all matching #'s. I wound need a Steyr, the only Hungarian gun I like is the AMD-65. I plan on using new ammo I don't really trust surplus ammo.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Of the m95 patterns imported into the United States, nearly all are of the M95/30 pattern (miss-labeled "M95/34") from Bulgaria. Every M95/30 I have ever seen is in a renumbered or replacement stock, and every one I've seen has a replacement upper band with miss-matched numbers seleected to fit the shortened stock and to add the stacking hook.

So, good luck finding an "all matching" M95.

I've never had a piece of military surplus ammunition fail me, and I regularly shoot 8mm German, .303 British, 7.62x54R, 8x56R, 7.5mm French, 7.5mm Swiss, and .30-'06 surplus ammo, as well as a few oddball calibers.

 

[JWF III]

Wait, why would the Nazis have these?

Did they capture them from Hungary and then stamp them with their markings?

Yep. And if you look hard enough you can find Nazi marked M95 rifles, for a premium of course. I know where one is (it's on my list of guns to get). But buyer beware, there were many fake "Nazi M95s" imported several years ago.

The one I know of is at a shop owned by a HIGHLY knowledgable gentleman. All he deals in is mil-surps and military memrobilia (sp). He even lists this gun as unknown authenticity. He's almost positive that it's original, but not 100%.

Wyman

 

[aka108]

I read in some gun mag that the 95's were in some cases rebuilt in Germany at the start of the War and issued to the German police. How true, I don't know. I bought two of these about 18 to 20 yrs ago. One came in plain and the other has the eagle over swatstika on the left side up forward on the reciever and and cartouche on the stock. I've wondered about those markings being authentic but nothing was mentioned by the selling company nor order by me. Just run of the mill. Both were equally crud coated when they arrived.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I would bet that all Waffenamted M95 rifles, at least in the United States, are fakes.

The worst was one I saw at a show in Maryland seven years ago. First it shows up without any markings and a slightly too-high price. It didn't sell. Next show, it appears covered with phony Waffenamts and other markings, and a much higher price. Still no sale. The NEXT show, it comes with a little card, stating it was a vet bring-back and was "authenticated by a knowledgeable collector." Price was reduced a little. It sold.

 

[Coronach]

Well, the nice thing is that you now know which guy at the gunshow to avoid.

Mike

 

[Avenger]

On shooting it: The M95 has some funny sights. For long ranges, i.e. more than 300 yards, you flip the sight up and use the notch on the slider in the normal manner. For 300, you flip the sight back down, and use the notch on top of it. For 200 yards, you flip the sight back up again, run the slider all the way to the top, and use the notch at the bottom of the slot. To shoot 100 yards, you flip the sight back down AGAIN, fix your bayonet, and use the 300 yard notch and the blade sight that is part of the bayonet muzzle ring, NOT the one mounted on the rifle. It's a bizarre system, but does make some sense in a round-about, "let's really over-think this" kind of way.

In a nutshell, without the bayo I'm hitting about 2 inches above point of aim at 100 yards using the 200 notch, and about 3 inches high using the 300. At 200 yards, the 200 yard sight is pretty much spot-on with mine.

They do kick pretty good, especially with the Bulgarian ammo.

 

[cracked butt]

That's what people say about the M44/T53, but mine isn't that bad at all...as long as I'm sitting and not on the bench.

The m44 recoil is really overrated by people- its probably because its often their first centerfire rifle. My advice is to take a few aspirin before shooting the m95- its a lot lighter than a mosin nagant and is quite a bit more powerful.