Steyr Mannlicher M95 Carbine 8x56R

[ReadyontheRight]

Any comments on this rifle? Aim has some Hungarian-marked M95 carbines in 8x56R.

The straight pull bolt action and the Steyr name interest me, but the caliber seems rather rare and it's likely an arsenal cut-down (if the Germans do a "Bubba" on a military rifle, is it a "Fritz"?).

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Neat, historically significant rifle. I saw a couple of the arsenal refurbished ones at the last gun show I went to. They looked very nice.

It's unlikey to be a cut-down. Carbines were made for use by cavalrymen and artillerymen of the Austro-Hungarian army.

The original calibers was 8x50R. Most of the rifles and carbines were rechambered for the slightly more powerful 8x56R which was adopted after WWI. 1930s vintage ammo on clips can be obtained via mail order or maybe at gun shows, but you aren't going to find it at Wal-Mart.

 

[Marko Kloos]

I keep one as a trunk rifle. They are very neat, although the ammo is corrosive and hard to get. You'll also need Mannlicher en-bloc clips, otherwise it's a single-shot rifle.

Reloading is a bit tricky, too. Bullet diameter of 8x56R Hungarian is .329, so .323-caliber bullets will rattle down the bore a little. Recoil of 8x56R is "brisk" in that lightweight carbine, but it's a very handy and powerful little gun with historical significance.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

My History-Buff-ness is pretty much limited to a History Channel addiction.

What is historically significant about the M95?

Thanks for the info!