WTB a Mauser: Mitchell's Mausers a Yay or Nay??

H

hivoltagefx4

New member
Ok all, I'm relying on your all's help and opinions here. I am really interested in buying a German Mauser. I came across Mitchell's Mausers, but the more research I have done, the more I seem to find people saying to stay away from them. I guess the one thing is that they obviously are not German. Would I like one for historical purposes? Yes, but I would also like one to take out to the range and shoot. I don't want a trophy piece just to sit on the shelf and look at it.

Anyway, I have looked around and either the historical Mausers are out of my price range or they are beat up. Does anyone have any good suggestions or other sites for me to checkout when it comes to wanting a Mauser. I'm a "rookie" when it comes to milsurp weapons, but I am eager to learn.

Looking forward to your help and/or suggestions on what to look for.
 
If you really want a Mauser-type bolt action rifle from that period that shoots well, I'd consider checking around for a Yugo M24/47. Right now they seem to be readily available for around $175.00 and many are in excellent condition.

I don't think you'd go wrong going in this direction if you're looking for a period Mauser that handles and shoots well.
 
The problem with Mitchell's Mausers is that they charge prices for "collector pieces" that aren't. A collector wants a piece in original condition, whatever the condition is. Mitchell reworks all their pieces, up to matching numbers. What isn't bad if you want a shiny shooter, but for that you can buy the Yugo Mausers at a fraction of the cost.
 
Sorry for the dumb questions, but how could I tell if its a Russina capture Mauser or a Czech version? Again, please excuse me being a "Rookie" when it comes to these :D:D
 
hivoltagefx4 said:
So, if I go for a Yugo Mauser, what should I be looking for? Is the M24/47 similar to the German K98K??
Click to expand...

There are several different Yugo Mauser rifles. All are very similar to the German issued Mausers.

You have the
M1924
M192411.jpg


M24/47, a rearsenialed M1924
M244701.jpg


M24/52C, a rearsenialed cz24
m2456c07.jpg


M48, M48A and B, M48BO, these are post war medium action Mausers, 1/4 inch shorter action. Most can be found in near unissued condition, shoot well and should be under $250-300.
yugo001.jpg


Yugo Mod98
These are rearsenialed German capture Mausers. They remove the German marking and stamp a Yugo crest on the receiver ring. Many well retain most of the German "dirty birds" and other marks. The Yugo capture rifles are head and shoulders above the Russian capture rifles in terms of quality, fit and finish, may retain original matching numbers.

I picked up this all matching Mod98 off Gunbroker for $165 last year, it's like new condition.

pix3309944890.jpg


Search Gunbroker using "Yugo Mauser" as the search term. If your a member you can view completed auctions and see what prices are doing. Look at selling prices, not asking prices.
 
Are you looking for a 98K or a Mauser made in Germany? If the latter, then I suggest looking for a Swedish Mauser in either M96, M96/38, or M38 being made in Carl Gustaf's factory in Germany using Swede's metals. They're HIGHLY accurate, low recoiling, and are made very well.

If you want one that's all dolled up and purty, I don't have an answer. If you want one that actually looks like it's been used (meaning history is behind its use) then I can point you in some directions.

The only thing I have to say about my vote for Mitchell's is NAY.
 
Mitchell's Mausers is a controversial company.
If you want a "shooter" Mauser & don't care if it's a trophy gun, the 24/47 and M48 are solid guns that work very well.
They are not collector pieces.

They do cost more, but what you get is throughly cleaned up, de-gunked, and looks like new. Not beat-to-hell battlefield relics.

The true German guns Mitchells offers are similarly cleaned up, and again are not considered collector pieces by the collector market.

I have an M48 and a 24/47 from Mitchells. I bought both because I wanted shooters in as-new condition, and that's exactly what I got. The 24/47, as I've noted before, has outshot my scoped Weatherby Vanguard in .308 at 100 yards.

I was happy to pay the extra because I don't enjoy removing cosmoline (did it once years ago & decided never again), and I didn't mind in the slightest paying somebody else to do it for me. :)

The thing with Mitchell's is that you have to separate their ads from the equation. You want a collector piece, go elsewhere. You want a cheap Yugo Mauser, go elsewhere (and risk getting either a beatup gun or one you'll have to de-gunk yourself). You want a good shooter in excellent condition, and you're willing to pay a bit more, go with Mitchells.

On the serials thing, I see it often quoted that Mitchell's re-numbers, but I see no sign of that in either of my guns, and I've never seen anybody on the Internet offer definitive proof.
They MAY do it on some of the German captures, but I seriously doubt they mess with the Yugos.

I was told by Mitchell's that the Yugos are sent out with the same bolts that come in the guns.
I did have the headspacing checked on the 24/47, came out perfect.

Buy where & what you want, I'm just attempting to cut through some of the confusion about Mitchell's.
I am delighted with both of mine, they're exactly what I bought 'em to be.
Denis
 
I owned a M48 Yugo I got from Mitchells Mausers and it was a good rifle. I had no problems with it and picked it up for about 250 bucks with the bayonet and all that other useless mall ninja action kit. the price was steep for the rifle I think but it did work flawlessly. (but it is a Mauser remember :D:D)

I'm looking into making a Kar98. Rguns.net sells K98 Barreled receivers for $150 and a stock set for $100. So it would be the same price as the M48 but actually a K98.

Mitchells Mausers do supply a good rifle in my opinion but for the price I would just track down a WW2 issued Kar98 and have the history along with the shooting factor.
 
I love my 24/47 Yugo

They almost always have a new barrell from what I have been told.

The arsenaled and rebarreled a tremendous number of these and then
packed them away in cosmoline.

Since it isnt a collector, it can be had for less than $200.

You will want to buy a "tall-sight" (under $10) because the original front
site is set for 300 meters.

I recently bedded the action and added a scope (I wouldnt have done that with a K98)

It hits 1.5 to 2 inches at 100yds and 4" or better at 200yds

The 8mm round will knock down any animal in North America.

I use it for the mean old texas hogs.

Mitchells mausers to me charges too much for a cleaned up 24/47
They also make some "claims" about their guns that are a tad misleading.
 
I have a Mitchell's 24/47. It was a present from my wife, before we were married. I think they're generally overpriced, and I know she paid too much for it, but it is a very nice looking rifle in excellent condition, and it was a great surprise to wake up to one morning, and it's an outstanding shooter. The old rifles I buy for myself generally have that "been there, done that" look, but I'm very happy with her gift. And it gave me an excuse for a small Yugoslavian collection - to the 24/47 she gave me I have since added a Serbian M1924 and an early 1960s M57 Tokarev, and if I ever get around to an SKS it'll probably have to be a Yugo model too.
 
Wow, awesome help guys! Thanks a lot. Pictures are also a huge help. Thanks for that madcratebuilder!!! Looks like I have some homework to do. I've been looking on Gunbroker and have found some nice rifles so far. The problem is? I don't know what I should be paying for a Czech Mauser or a Yugo Mauser? I don't want to over pay. Sure wish I knew the going prices for these rifles. :confused::confused:
 
J&G Sales has Yugo 24/47 rifles for $200, probably still in cosmoline, so I wouldn't pay any more than that unless it was a really nice example. Czechs tend to run a bit more.
 
How about VZ24's?? Are they any good? I found a refurb one that looks really nice (what I can tell from the pictures) Asking price is $250 How do the VZ24's compare with what has already been talked about??
 
The VZ24(CZ24) are good rifles. The Yugo M24/52C is a redone VZ24. If you want to learn more about the Yugo Mausers get Branko Bogdanovic's book "Serbian & Yugoslav Mauser Rifles" It well fill you in on all the different models. Contrary to what you may read these are collectable. There are many collectors that are always looking for the rare factory stamp or odd series of serial numbers. Lot of info on surplusrifle.com, ParalaxBill's and gunboards.com. Prices should be in the $200-300 area depending on condition. Some of the rare model 1924's well bring more.

The most common of the Yugo's is the M24/47 and variations of the M48A. A true M48A has a milled steel floor plate and trigger guard. Most of the M48A's you see for sale are in reality M48B's, stamped floor plate and trigger guard. These retained the M48A roll mark but are really M48B's. The M48BO has no marking at all. "BO" means "without marking".
 
VZ24s are good rifles too. Czechoslovakian or Yugoslavian, there's not much difference quality-wise. However, a lot of the VZ24s on the market right now are Russian captures that have been scrubbed of most of their markings. Makes no difference from a shooting standpoint, and there are some that still have their crests.
 
madcratebuilder and TCL, I appreciate your help guys. I never knew when I ventured into wanting a Mauser that there would be SO many freakin' choices! :D:D Anyway, I am just glad to the ones here that have helped me steer clear of Mitchell's Mausers. I am not knocking them, I just can't see spending that type of money when I am finding other Mausers for about half the price :eek:
 
mauser advice

I have 3; a Yugo M24/47 from a sporting goods store that happens to sell guns, it was so full of cosmolineI could barely see through the barrel, military stock had several cracks, gun non matching,(100 bucks) long story short; new stock, trigger, scope & mounts, bolt handle & low safety, 1-1/2" @ 100yds 3"-4"@200 yds. I have as much in that as my Mitchell M48A ($400.00) collector grade in military dress; which was ready to shoot after a quick cleaning; 1" @ 50 yds & 3" @ 100 yds open sights. My German K98 was aquired after my buddies Grandma found it in Grandpa's closet several years after his passing, she just wanted it out of the house, I gave her $300. It is a decent DUV-41 without import marks believed to have been brought back from WWll but not positive, also 1"@50 yds & 3"@100 with a badly pitted, dark bore, & strong rifling. there you have it ! I like the German best for nostalgia, but my Yugo sporter shoots better than the other two, all with handloads, all great fun to shoot, and all about the same investment. Good luck !!
 
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