Mauser

S

Steel

New member
I had the pleasure of handling some old Mausers recently at a gun store. There were a number of 8mm Mausers (German, I assume)with different comments noted on the tags, such as 1944 model, etc.

I have read taht the 98 Mauser is a real joy to shoot. I would like to pick one up. The prices I saw were all under $400 and they looked good, with, seemingly, solid hardware.

Is this a good price?
What should I know/beware of in acquiring this?
Is this 8mm readiily available (I am not a reloader)?
 
Weidener's has good prices on 8mm (I think corrosive), and 8mm S&B is affordable and non-corrosive.

If you just want a shooter, you can get a Yugo M48 (a good Mauser 98 style rifle) unissued for around 200. The actual Mauser 98s can be had in fair-good condition for around 100. If you can get one, I strongly reccomend a Czech Vz24. Probably one of the best made, and beautiful. Good luck, and welcome to the dark side!!!
 
Welcome to the fold!!:D I've got a Turkish model,circa 1938,very good condition, shoots great(I believe the gun is more accurate than I am:D),I've seen the ammo on Cheaper Than Dirt for $75/1000. Local gun show here had it for 5.99 per bandolier(70 rds. per),so around $90/1000 there. Also saw about 20,circa 1938 Mausers for $80 in about the same condition as mine,a few had better wood. My wood looks a little dirty. But I didn't get it for looks,I got it for Shooting,and it does that very well. Just remember if you get the cheaper corrosive ammo, CLEAN it religiously,everytime you shoot it. Good Luck with your piece of history.:D
 
Unless you really want a K98 German Mauser, I highly recommend that you look at the other varieties if you just want a shooter. A nice German K98 will run from $500 - $??? and you will be better served spending that extra cash on ammo and/or reloading gear.

The Yugo M48 and M48As are real nicely made and are available in unissued condition for around $200. The Czech Vz24s are an absolute work of art. They are in greater demand than the Yugos, so you will pay a little more. Turk Mausers are abundant and cheap ($60 in good shape). The Swedish Mausers are not 8mm, but are some of the finest milsurps on the market.

My favorite is the Model M98/29 Persian Mauser. It's a long-action K98 receiver and strongly resembles the early WWI Mausers. The workmanship rivals any commercial rifle today.

8mm has become very popular with the reloaders and there is no doubt a wealth of information available both on this site and at some of the milsurp boards.

Good luck
 
I just picked up an fr8 and took it to the range this morning.....it shot as well as Im capable......it is a fine little rifle, I plan on using it as a scout platform.....as time and money permits.....at 100yds off the bench using the iron v rear, not the diopter's I was able to keep them in 4" group---I'm looking into getting another one...I like em...fubsy.
 
I too have an FR-8 that I love. I have "changed" mine a little. My sights were way off so I decided to build a short rifle out of it. (As if a 17 3/4 barrel is not short, right?) Anyways, I cut off the front sight,ground and polished to match, knocked off the rear sight, welded up the flat spot in the rear of the receiver, drilled and tapped for Leupold scope mounts and stuck a scope on her. I am holding about 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 with surplus, closer to 1" with my handloads! For having a short barrel those things sure shoot! Oh yeah, I also put a Timney trigger on it and adjusted it to 3.5 pounds. Should be a great "woods gun."
 
Big 5 is a sporting goods chain that sells rifles. They tend to also cater to the surplus arms collectors as well. Most of the stuff they order is from Century. I know they have some in Texas. If you have never heard of Big 5, then they must not have any where you are located. Bummer.
 
Be wary of any Mauser Model 98 made in 1943 or later. The slave laborers used in their production had begun some amount of sabotage. Even if the steel is okay, the precision of the bore may be in doubt.

If you get one, definitely check the headspace prior to purchase. Definitely check the bore, as well...

Art
 
Art, thats good advice.....the fr8 avoids that as the barrels were new and the spanish mausers were rebuilt and reconfigured after the war...........mine is either 51 or 54 the last digit is hard to make out...fubsy.
 
The Yugo's are reconditioned 98's.

No they aren't. The Yugo M48's are Mausers that were made in Yugoslavia after the Krauts were run out of the country.
 
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