Having caught the surplus rifle bug, I went out today and bought a Mauser to match my M44 Polish Carbine. I found a beautiful Turkish Mauser. I am not a Mauser expert but I have read enough posts to know what to look for. It has a date stamp of 1944. On the receiver with the date, there is the crescent moon, Ankara, and K. Kale (I remember reading somewhere that the K. Kale receiver was good?) The bolt has the 3rd locking lug and cocks upon opening. The stock looks brand new. No dinks, scratches, dents or discoloring. However the butt plate shows signs of wear and the bluing is overall good with a few worn spots (maybe the rifle was re-stocked). There is no rust anywhere on this rifle. The bore is in excellent shape and the headspacing is good. The barrel has a stamp by the muzzle that reads- 1938 German 8MM CAL Georgia VT. Can anybody tell me anymore about this rifle. Is it a "large or small" ring Mauser. Is the bore .318 or .323 and can I use the Mauser 8x57mm JS loads? The headspace is good so a KB is not likely. Advice on ammo? Any info please!? Oh yeah....I paid $49.99!
1944 Turkish Mauser
- Thread starter BMiracle
- Start date
BMiracle,
Congratulations! I just bought one tonight myself. It's my second Turkish Mauser. I got it at Big 5, also for $49.95. I've looked at quite a few of these, and I got a fairly nice one, but it doesn't sound as nice as yours. I've enjoyed shooting my first one. I use the cheap Turkish surplus ammo - I ordered a bunch from J&G Sales and I think it cost around $91/1,400 rounds delivered.
I actually put this gun on layaway. I also have a pristine Yugoslavian M48 there. I'm letting them accumulate so I can get them all at once and save the $15/gun California DROS fee. I feel like I'm saving $15 on every additional rifle I put on layaway. I'm hoping they get a decent Mosin-Nagant or two before I have to pay these off and pay the DROS on them. Its kind of fun checking every week or so to see what comes in.
Doug
Congratulations! I just bought one tonight myself. It's my second Turkish Mauser. I got it at Big 5, also for $49.95. I've looked at quite a few of these, and I got a fairly nice one, but it doesn't sound as nice as yours. I've enjoyed shooting my first one. I use the cheap Turkish surplus ammo - I ordered a bunch from J&G Sales and I think it cost around $91/1,400 rounds delivered.
I actually put this gun on layaway. I also have a pristine Yugoslavian M48 there. I'm letting them accumulate so I can get them all at once and save the $15/gun California DROS fee. I feel like I'm saving $15 on every additional rifle I put on layaway. I'm hoping they get a decent Mosin-Nagant or two before I have to pay these off and pay the DROS on them. Its kind of fun checking every week or so to see what comes in.
Doug
I bought 17 1903 Turkish Mausers from Big5 in 2000.
I passed up again as many in my search for good bores.
Then they started selling 1938s.
I got one for $50 that is way better than my #1 1903.
I should have waited for the 1938s.
The M91/30s are great.
I can bend the bolts on the Mausers, but the Ruskies I have to have the bolts TIG welded.
I passed up again as many in my search for good bores.
Then they started selling 1938s.
I got one for $50 that is way better than my #1 1903.
I should have waited for the 1938s.
The M91/30s are great.
I can bend the bolts on the Mausers, but the Ruskies I have to have the bolts TIG welded.
I've shot the Turkish ammo in three different Turkish Mausers (mine and those of a couple of friends). I can't say much about accuracy - it's all been plinking at cans and such (although we could bounce a milk jug pretty regularly at 200 yards). I don't know how the headspace is on any of these rifles. We fired the first few shots from each rifle holding them at arm's length with a barricade between us and the rifle. If it doesn't blow up, we figure it's okay. Very scientific, I'm sure 
It is sometimes tough to open the action after firing. I haven't noticed any split or damaged cases. I don't recall any misfires (in several hundred rounds). I've bought 2,800 rounds of the stuff, so I hope it's okay.
I did recently see some eastern-european (Romanian?) 8mm advertised for a similar price. I haven't heard anything about it. I'd get some of the Turkish while its cheap and available.
Doug
It is sometimes tough to open the action after firing. I haven't noticed any split or damaged cases. I don't recall any misfires (in several hundred rounds). I've bought 2,800 rounds of the stuff, so I hope it's okay.I did recently see some eastern-european (Romanian?) 8mm advertised for a similar price. I haven't heard anything about it. I'd get some of the Turkish while its cheap and available.
Doug