Lets Talk About Mausers

I don't think anybody who is interested in guns and rifles in particular, would be disappointed in a Mauser. They are so tough and strong and usually priced reasonably. I started with a Swede and have many others. I also advise against sporterizing them for the most part, but if you buy one then it is yours and by all means do what you want with it. I mean nobody tells you how to cook your hamburger meat when you bring it home from the grocery store cause it is YOURS!

There is also plenty of ammo available for most Mausers. I still get ORIGINAL surplus Swede 6.5x55mm ammo. It's great stuff.

Still reading up on them and learning. I'm sure one is in going to find a home here someday. Just don't have my ducks in a row yet for the new addition.

It will probably be a mixmaster [no matching numbers] for the first one. Something with no collector value to learn on.

That's what I'm thinking right now anyway. Thinking does change so the door is open.

BeauBeaux wrote:Something I've never understood. Removing the crest on imported surplus. With Japanese rifles it's the same story.

Sometimes they are ground of, left rough and in the white. I've seen it many times, and it messes up an otherwise fine example of a particular rifle.

Some of the VZ24 rifles were Romanian. King Carroll was assasinated by cohorts of the succeeding King Michael. The receivers were ground to remove the crest of King Carroll.

THe Japs asked that the Munm on the Arisaka rifles be removed before our troops could take them home. This was done after the War. The rifles that have the crest, are the rifles captured during the War and sent home before the surrender.

Doug

Anyone know if someone sell's a complete reciever. Haven't seen any on my usual stops on the net.

A complete rifle in rough shape would also work. Not looking to spend alot for one to learn on.

Probably no such animal, but thought I would ask.

check out gunbroker, I see alot of them there

I used to see the VZ actions for sale for around $80 or $90.
I have to agree with folks about the Swede's, but I'm a little partial to them. I'd like to add a couple more to my collection to pass down to my kids. I have a 1908 Carl Gustav that is in real nice shape and won local competition with it. It's also a favorite for the fact that My great Grandpa was named Gustav.
I have a Serbian K98 that was a war reparations gun that had been aresenal rebarreled. I also have a VZ 24 action with an ER Shaw 308 medium contour barrel, Timney trigger. It will shoot better than I can. The barrel on it when I got was all rust and worthless so I turned it into something usefull.
A pristine example of a Mauser I wouldn't have the heart to do that to.

I had a K98 German mauser that I loved it was made in 1939 and it shot great. I shot a target and 100 yards with iron sights and it shot great. I got it from SOG for i think 260 dollars and it was all matching numbers and looked brand new.

Hey BeauxBeaux,
I STRONGLY recommend the Swedes. Unless badly abused by Bubba, I have never encountered one that did not shoot GREAT, especially with the military surplus "Prickskytte" M41 (sharpshooter's) ammunition and / or good handloads. I won 2 state championships with a Swede using the milsurp. If the barrels were bad, they were replaced by Swedish armorers.
To begin, you should acquire books on the Swedes: first I recommend "Neutrality Through Marksmanship. A Collector's and Shooter's Guide to Swedish Army Rifles 1867-1942" by Doug Bowser. This book is generally credited with sparking interest in the Swedes in the US, and is the standard work for collectors. Contact Doug to see if there are any available anywhere.
Then if interested, get "Crown Jewels. The Mauser in Sweden. A Century of Accuracy and Precision" by Dana Jones. This one is more of a coffee-table book, with lots of terrific pictures of variants, accessories, and a history of the Swedish Mauser development with the Germans and the transition to production in Sweden. Very good but very expensive.
I have several Swedes, including an M 1941 sniper rifle. I believe they are the epitome of (military) Mauser production. Sources? Check out Allan's Armory, he still has some occasionally coming into the country, but keep your eyes peeled, troll the pawn shops, and occasionally one gets lucky and finds a good Swede. Right now the going price for a standard M 1896, not modified, and with no special qualities (like SA marking for being used in the Winter War when the USSR invaded Finland - see Doug's book ! ) starts at $400. If you find one for that or lower I say jump on it!

Our Doug Bowser here is the author on the Swedish Mausers?

The one and only. And he is a walking breathing encyclopedia on firearms in general, not to mention a staunch supporter of Second Amendment Rights. In addition to being president of the MSFOA, he is personally known to the NRA leadership, and due to this has secured thousands of $ in NRA grants for our club in McComb for building an indoor range, renovations, etc. He is a certified range consultant, holds too many certifications in coaching, etc. for me to list here.

Scharfschuetze wrote:The one and only. And he is a walking breathing encyclopedia on firearms in general, not to mention a staunch supporter of Second Amendment Rights. In addition to being president of the MSFOA, he is personally known to the NRA leadership, and due to this has secured thousands of $ in NRA grants for our club in McComb for building an indoor range, renovations, etc. He is a certified range consultant, holds too many certifications in coaching, etc. for me to list here.

That's awsome!

I think I found something to learn on. Don't know if there is any collector value, hope not anyway.

Should I go for it?

Surplus Czechoslovakian vz. 24 8mm Mausers
Most of these rifles have very little metal finish, decent wood with a possible crack in the stock or hand guard, appear to be complete functional rifles but allow for a small missing part as a possibility. These rifles are being sold "as is" with no return privileges but that's why they are priced to sell!

Price: $119.95ea

I haven't checked SOG lately, but they usually have some functional complete Czech Mausers for not much more $ - at least with them you're not risking getting a non-functional rifle missing parts!
My .02 -

Last time I checked SOG didn't have any. Will look again as this is no 911 to get done.

The above is from Aim.

Will be rebarreling, so don't want anything with collector value.

Thanks all for the help.