WWII Mauser 98K versus WWII M1 Carbine

[Armchair Bronco]

For several years, I've been dreaming about adding an M1 Carbine to my small collection of old military rifles (I have a Krag 30-40 Carbine and a Korean-era M1 Garand).

However, recently I've been looking at auctions for WWII era 8mm Mauser 98K's...and I'm thinking I may go in that direction, instead.

Seems like surplus 8mm ammo is still more plentiful than surplus 30 cabine ammo. The only downside, I guess, is that most 8mm ammo is corrosive, so I'll have to budget more time for cleaning up after a trip to the range.

Some day, I'll own one (or more) of each, but right now I'm leaning in the direction of the Mauser 98K. If you had to pick between a Mauser 98K and an M1 Carbine, which would you choose and why?

***

If I had $2K to burn, this sniper rebuild would be fun to shoot:

And for less money, this 1945 correct era build Mauser would do just fine:

 

[memphisjim]

id say m1carbine first since you already have a garand the carbine seems to fill a void in your weapons that the 98 wont

 

[Old Time Hunter]

The difference for me is: when I take the K98's to the range I am lucky to go through 20-40 rounds each just due to the time it takes to reload, my M1 Carbine eats a minimum of 100 rounds even on short day. The M1 is way too easy to shoot....but really, really fun!

 

[BHP FAN]

I HAVE a Mauser,and so should you,but get the carbine first.Even at this late date there are plenty of mausers about,most still at quite reasonable prices,but have you looked for a carbine yet?They are getting hard to find and prices are steadily rising.I'd get one while you still can.I wish I'd kept any one of the three or four I've had over the years. Better investment than gold.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Totaly different weapons, can't even compare them other than both of them were used in the same war.

I have an IP carbine, which is fantastic. Its a nice light little rifle, very accurite for what it is to. But its not a K98, the K98 was the Wehrmacht's main battle rifle.

K98's seem to have recently gone up in price, I was bidding on some very nice bring backs on gunbroker but both went over $1k. So insted I bought a K31.


You should own both.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

For 2K you could get examples of Both that are VERY NICE


Nevermind....I see what the 2k was in reference to.

 

[Armchair Bronco]

Heh! Spending 2K on one gun probably wouldn't go over too well with the wifey. Whether it's a gun or a guitar, I always to better "on the home front" if I keep each purchase to under 1K.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Just keep in mind that the cheapest and most common surplus for the 98K is probably going to be the Yugoslavian M-49 ammo made in the '50s. I had a case failure in my rifle with this ammo, and while the ammo is clean, accurate, full-powered, and brass-cased, I advise you to stay away from any lots produced between 1952 and 1956 as those were prone to failures. Perhaps buy the ammo, pull the bullets and powder, and reload them into new cases.

In any case, the 98K has safety features designed to handle case failures without injury to the shooter and no damage to the rifle. I have first hand experience with this and can testify to the fact that the safety features of the Mauser 98 DO WORK. Always wear eye protection.

 

[Runningman]

If you had to pick between a Mauser 98K and an M1 Carbine, which would you choose and why?

When I was a teenager many years ago now, was given Mauser 98 for my 1st Deer rifle. My Dad had a M1 Carbine. Have very fond memories of shooting lots of ammo thru that M1 Carbine.

Shooting very many rounds out of the Mauser 98 was not much fun with that steel butt plate. In addition my WWII M98 did not cycle and feed very smooth at all, the action was very rough from a machining standpoint. Eventually I sold the M98 don't miss it at all. The M1 Carbines would be my pick by far.

Believe it or not I'm a big fan of commercial M98 Mauser's and their variants but never cared for the Military Mauser's 98s at all. Their crude machining poor triggers and sad stocks are a major turn off for me.

 

[Armchair Bronco]

In any case, the 98K has safety features designed to handle case failures without injury to the shooter and no damage to the rifle. I have first hand experience with this and can testify to the fact that the safety features of the Mauser 98 DO WORK. Always wear eye protection.

I was reading about this safety feature of the Mauser K98 last night:

"Mauser bolt is a simple, extremely strong and well thought out design. The bolt has three locking lugs, two at the bolt head and one at the rear part of the bolt. The bolt handle is rigidly attached to the bolt body...On the K98k the bolt handle was bent down, which allowed for more comfortable carrying and bolt operations. Bolt has a gas vent holes that are designed to move the hot gases away from the shooters face and into the magazine opening in the case of the cartridge case or primer rupture."

Here's a picture of (I think) these vent holes on a WWII era gun:

 

[Ignition Override]

Armchair Bronco:

But $1,000, even $2,000 is a very small fraction of the cost of most wives, i.e. they will one day want a different house with a nicer kitchen.
This is hard for me to understand, as are most things.
And I hope that a wife reads this.

My wife after 15 years has her original starter ring, as I would rather put my money into several rifles and lots of ammo.
She is too petite/weak to want to even try holding the lightweight old .22 Savage!

Have you considered a much more affordable Yugo or Czech Mauser, instead of a sniper rebuild, and how much ammo can be bought with the price difference?
My time cleaning corrosive primer residue is about five minutes for each rifle. These 8mm ammo prices will only last so long, unless a major chunk is one day imported from our (Yugo) Serbian or Romanian friends.

 

[murdoc rose]

m1s will just go up in price now is a fine time to pick one up, personally Id want the 98 but that's just me

 

[Armchair Bronco]

Regarding my wife, she's actually on my side. As long as I keep my various hobbies at *reasonable* levels, I dont' get too much flak. (I also collect electric guitars and tube amps...and lately that's where most of my disposable hobby money has been going -- the trouble with that hobby is that all my guitars and amps are taking up valuable space in our house. At least guns can be stashed away in my safe!)

The sniper rebuild isn't in the works because I'd be happy with a less expensive "G.I." issue Mauser K98 from the early 1940's. But as I'm getting older, those iron sights are starting to get just a little blurry. So when I spotted that period Oigee, steel tube scope marked 'Berlin', I thought: "Humm...a WWII Mauser with a scope...now *THAT* might be fun! And easier on my 46-year-old eyes, too."

But for that price, I'd rather get a plain WWII Mauser K98 and maybe a Winchester M1 Carbine.

 

[CZguy]

You could get a M1, M1 carbine, or a 1903A3 and have iron sights that work with aging eyes. Peep sights.

 

[XxWINxX94]

I own both of those rifles/carbine and they are great weapons. However I would suggest going with the M1 Carbine because it has less recoil, more fun to shoot, and its just an all-around great gun.

Don't think the Mauser isn't a good gun though!

 

[Slamfire]

M1 Carbines are overpriced for what is an inaccurate and low powered pistol subsititute.

Our Gun Club Iwo and Okinawa veteran is still frustrated that a Carbine was not accurate enough to hit Japanese at 200 yards.

 

[HOWARD J]

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The least expensive carbine you can buy is a Iver Johnson--most of it put together from surplus parts-except the receiver.
I refinished the stock & put a lot of new parts in this weapon.
I don't trust Iver J using full loads--I down load for safety.............

If you want a military carbine-- it will cost you big $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Universal Co---another carbine rebuilder ( out of business like Iver J )
made carbines---you could not replace some of their parts with surplus.

Have fun..............

 

[zoom6zoom]

98K's aren't the only Mausers out there, either. You can get a like new Yugo Mauser for around two hundred bucks.

 

[bennadatto]

If you do plan on owning both at some point, I'd go with the M1 cabine first. As mentioned earlier, they are becoming a bit more scarce, and certainly more expensive. If this is the weapon you are considering, then I think now's the right time to make that investment.

For my purposes, it also works very nicely as a HD weapon for my wife. "Bump" goes the night, I grab the street howitzer, and wifey grabs cell phone and M1 Carbine. I wouldn't normally advocate house clearing for anyone, but I do have a daughter in the house whose safety I value more than any other human (save for wifey).

All that to say...get the M1 carbine first. You WILL NOT regret it. Then save up and get the Mauser. You WILL NOT regret it either.

 

[earlthegoat2]

As far as Mausers go I would go with a VZ-24. Essentially the same and are still a good buy. I would opt for a 7x57 version if I could help it.

My next Mauser purchase would be a 6.5x55 Swedish mauser.

 

[Armchair Bronco]

As far as Mausers go I would go with a VZ-24. Essentially the same and are still a good buy. I would opt for a 7x57 version if I could help it.

A VZ model might be an interesting second Mauser for me, but the first one has to be a Wehrmacht-issued WWII specimen from, say, 1941 or 1942.

I'm a history buff, and part of the allure of these guns is their country of origin and their born-on date.

 

[courtgreene]

Love my VZ 24 but I wish prvi partizan's plant hadn't exploded... sad for loss of life and careers but practically speaking it's hard to feed the 8mm's with factory ammo now. I got no use for military ammo, and if you don't want military ammo that's something you should think about. You can get american loads for it, but they are loaded down and expensive compared to prvi and S&B.