VZ. 24 versus Yugo 24/47?

[Phaethon]

I picked up a VZ. 24 a while ago (I included some pictures near the end to not choke up the thread too bad), and after searching for a new Mauser 98 to dry up my stockpile of 8mm, I've come across many aesthetically similar - or practically identical - Mausers.

In particular, the 24/47 and VZ. 24 have beyond a striking resemblance to one another. I would love to extol the virtues of the VZ. 24, if only for the sake of me having one, but I don't really know what their merits are. Why do so many people say that the VZ. 24 is the shining epitome of the Mauser platform? What is the difference in terms of measurable quality between a Czech and a Yugo Mauser?

What about the Karabiner 98's? It's all so confusing to me, I don't understand why I should pay more for one over another when they all would presumably be capable of the same accuracy and fire the same bullets.

Also, what do you guys think of this wood repair on my upper handguard?



I don't know what to think of it, but it sure looks ugly.




The rest of my rifle looks excellent, though. The wood is a nice unfinished red, and the stampings on the stock are extremely clean. Despite the fact that the metal isn't nicely whited like on most VZ's, it means less maintenance work for me, and it's leaps and bounds ahead of my Mosin rifles. I didn't like it too much at first, but it's grown on me and become my favorite gun

 

[Semyon Vasilii]

if the wood repair is bothering you i would gladly take that thing off your hands. i could live with that mark...

but as far as vz vs. 24/47, i dont know. i only own a 24/47 and its the only mauser ive ever fired

 

[longshot7.62x51]

well as far as im concerned its a mouser i have a danish cerca 1930 and it looks almost identical to yours so the only was i could tell the diff is by looking at the proofs

 

[ball3006]

Have you tried to shoot the rifles to see how they do?....Really, the only important thing is that they go bang and hit what you are shooting at. Remember, military rifles were only made to shoot minute of man in battle.....Some do a better job than others...chris3

 

[madcratebuilder]

I like those old quality wood repairs, I would take it over a perfect one with no soul. The VZ24 is very similar to the M24/47 Yugo. Take a look at the Yugo M24/52C, it's a Yugo post war converted VZ24.

M24/52C

 

[nathan]

If you have one , they usually have dark bore with so much pitting. Try the JB bore paste to make it shine. Plus a good copper solvent like Outers .

 

[Phaethon]

I know they're all aesthetically similar and that their accuracy only needed to be minute of Red Army soldier, I already stated that in my post. I'm just wondering why the VZ. 24 is often considered better?

 

[NCsmitty]

I'm just wondering why the VZ. 24 is often considered better?

I'm guessing for the fact that it is a standard length action and many were produced under German occupation standards from '38-'42, where the 24/47 is an intermediate length action made in Yugoslavia after WW2, and parts for it are both more scarce and expensive as a rule.

The 24/47 is very similar to a M48 and both are Yugoslavian made and based on the pre-WW2 FN M24. Many say the 24/47 is a smoother action than the M48.

I have a VZ-24 that I built a custom target style rifle from.

Mausers are only going to get more expensive, and the 24/47 is a decent shooter for most people.



NCsmitty

 

[rocinante]

NCSmitty the 24/47 are guns produced from the early twenties and on by FN or in the factory in Yugoslavia setup and run by FN. I think the first 300,000 came from Belgium directly. The 47 part is when they were refurbished and largely mothballed.

I have a 24/47, all matching numbers, pristine bore. I wish it didn't have a straight bolt handle but as a lefty I can appreciate reaching over and operating it easily. The M48 bolt is better for scoping though.

 

[NCsmitty]

Here's a little history on the Yugo's at the large Canadian firearms dealer.

http://www.marstar.ca/Y-E-24+.htm

The M48 bolt is not bent for scope use, and lacks clearance with standard mounts for that, it was made that way for cavalry use. Scout mounts are the only option without modifying the bolt.


NCsmitty

 

[Phaethon]

The M48 bolt is not bent for scope use, and lacks clearance with standard mounts for that, it was made that way for cavalry use. Scout mounts are the only option without modifying the bolt.

Well, the same can be said for 24/47's and VZ. 24's. Is it the length of the receiver that makes the most difference? What exactly is the difference between intermediate and standard length receivers in practical terms?

 

[NCsmitty]

What exactly is the difference between intermediate and standard length receivers in practical terms?

Dimensionally, near a 1/4". The action screw CtC for a standard action is around 7 7/8", and for a Yugo 24/47, it's 7 5/8".

If someone wants to convert a Yugo intermediate to a custom barrel, it is very hard to modify the magazine and all to accept a 30'06 size cartridge. They do work fairly well if converting to a 308 based case, and it's all due to the shorter action.

The bolt comment was related to the rocinante statement,

The M48 bolt is better for scoping though

, which leaves the impression that nothing needs to be done to the bolt to scope the M48. That's false.

Here's a Boyds stock PDF file with stock dimensions if anyone's interested.

https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/receiver illustrations.pdf



NCsmitty

 

[Hud]

Smitty is correct that the M48 bolt is not favorable to scoping without some modification.

The reason the actions are shorter on FN24's, Costa Rican 1910's, & several Serbian & Yugo Mauser pattern rifles, is due to a safety feature patented by Mauser in 1898.

The barrels of these rifles are chambered deeper to fully enclose the cartridge case head. This required an extractor cut to be milled in the face of the barrel, unlike standard length actions which have a flat barrel face.
The small protrusion on the bolt face on the opposite side of the extractor was eliminated as well.

Barrel installation required more than just screwing in any barrel as on standard length actions.

On intermediate actions, the barrel was installed, the extractor location marked, barrel removed, extractor cut milled & the barrel reinstalled.

Bolts cannot be swapped between the different length actions.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

I can't speak for the Vz 24 but I have a Yugo 24/47 (though with a replacement M48 stock) that I couldn't be happier with. It's in great condition (I doubt it was ever used after it was rearsenaled) and is a real nail driver. I know the intermediate length action can cause some people grief (as it's not always compatible with other 98 action accessories) but I've never had any trouble with it (since I only use it with iron sights). I really like mine and with relatively cheap surplus available (WAY cheaper than .30-06 for my Garand) it sees a lot of use. I think you can't go wrong with either the VZ 24 or the Yugo 24/47, though the Vz 24s I've seen tend to have more wear and tear (as they typically were used in combat).