When I was 11 yrs old in 1963, a friend collected (he was 13 yrs old) military surplus guns. The cheapest one he had was a Carcano. I believe it cost $6.95 delivered to his door. It was so bad he bored it out and made a 410 out of it.
C’mon, but it wasn’t the Carcano’s fault, but rather lack of upkeep/storage that caused it to not “hold up!” A lot of those milsurps (especially non-Mausers) were stored for decades, if not almost a complete century in various different conditions.
That's 75$ in today's money. And that's the price for a carcano part kit... But you can get carcanos with shot out barrels from the old Tripolitania colonies for something like 140€/$. A friend of mine rebored one from 6,5 carcano to "308 carcano" ( ie 7,35 carcano with .308 bullets for easier reloading)
Hey it's me again Mike, Another fine educational and entertaining video. There are many myths parroted by internet know-nothing pundits and others about the alleged weakness of the early Mausers, particularly the M93, M95 and M96 actions. The average pressure of the original military loading of the 7x57 in the M93 was 50,370 Copper Units of Pressure. While there is really no totally accurate formula for converting CUP to PSI, probably the closest converts the 50,370 CUP to 58,458 PSI. The problems with the conversion formulas is that none of them can account for the pressure spikes that can be detected with the modern piezo transducer measuring methods. I have not read of any M93's coming apart from high pressures during the Spanish-American war and while the 50,370 CUP is significantly higher than the SAAMI standards of 46,000 CUP or 51,000 PSI, that does not give one license to turn any M93 or M95 7x57 into a 7mm Rem Mag. The early small ring M98's, such as my KAR. 98, which is actually a medium length action, is a great action for getting the most out of a 7x57 because the bullet can be seated out far enough to take full advantage of the 7x57's case capacity. As such it can equal and exceed the 7mm-08 without exceeding the small ring 98 pressure limits. For an example of the 7x57's capabilities, look at the Nosler reloading data for the high BC 175 grain Long Range Accubond and Partition bullets. Those loads are all within SAAMI pressure specs. Just run the numbers through a ballistic calculator to see what is possible. The prejudice against the M96 action is just as bad. My Husqvarna 9.3x62 is was built in 1944 on an M96 action. The SAAMI standard MAP for the 9.3x62 Mauser is 57,500 PSI using the modern piezo transducer measuring method. That's the same action used in my "Sporterized by Kimber" 1914 Carl Gustaf 6.5x55. Although we don't usually think about it the Husqvarna 9.3x62 as being a "Swedish Mauser" it very much is. The quality of the steel in the Swedish Mausers, whether from the Carl Gustaf or Husqvarna factories was higher than from any German steel because of its alloy specifications. The M96 actions were subject to a single proof load of over 65,000 PSI. The best, IMHO, source I have found about the history of the Swedish Mausers, is "The Swedish Mauser Rifles" by Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer from North Cape Publications. I found it as a free downloadable PDF. 375 pages of details including the information about the steel alloy specifications which was exact same from the M94 action all the way to the last M38 in WWII. Probably the best technical book about Mauser actions in general M91-98 is the shop manual by Jerry Kuhnhausen. I hope this information will lead your young viewers to learn more about the rifle action that is really the father of all modern bolt action rifles. Happy hunting boys and girls.
Thanks..i accidentally got a Remington brl that i thought was from a 798...i was wrong and it would need to be rethreaded...im thinking small ring..i am considering 300 savage. re chamber...might just keep 308 use nato load.
Thank you! Great video, great rifles! In the 60s when we made our "rifle builds" from surplus Mausers or Springfields, I acquired a Model 94 Swedish carbine, with the full length stock. My intent was to make a "light rifle" of it chambered for .243 or .250 Savage. After some investigation, I was hesitant to re-barrel and rechamber it for either of those cartridges as the rumor (probably incorrect) was that the action wasn't strong enough. 🤷♂ The Mauser 98 or Springfield action kind of defeated the idea of a "light rifle" IMO. (though my opinion may be biased) I any case, I ended up not modifying the carbine and found that it was a really handy and useful rifle just as is. It served as a truck gun and I killed several whitetails with it. I lived on our family's ranch in Texas and during the deer season it wasn't unusual to come across deer while working in the pastures, so a suitable "deer rifle" in the truck was good to have, but I didn't want to beat up a "good rifle" so the military surplus, low cost (at that time) Swedish carbine was just the ticket! It was a pretty good "light rifle" just as it came! I still have the unmodified Swedish carbine. The cartridge is great! It is one of the best looking military rifles ever made, IMO. My "light rifle" project got put on hold until the early 80s when I ended up buying 3 Model 77RSI Mannlicher stocked carbines. One for me, one each for my 2 sons at the time. Mine was a .250 Savage, the other 2 were .243s. They were my two oldest 2 son's first centerfire rifles. Later, the .250 got passed to my 3rd son (he got the best of the 3, IMO). Both the 6.5x55mm and the 7x57mm Mauser are such great cartridges, I wouldn't recommend anyone acquiring one of these rifles to change a thing. The recent interest in other 6.5mm cartridges has produced an even better array of bullets for handloaders to choose from, making the 6.5 Swedish better than ever.
Hi Gary - Great post. Your sons are so fortunate to have you! I agree - the .250 is the cat's pajamas. I had one from Lipsey's in stainless walnut...and sold for no good reason. Thanks for the stories around your Swede - they're the same today - buy and hunt and shoot well - there is no better rifle and cartridge. For all the noise about other 6.5s -- the 6.5x55 Swede still does everything well. God Bless
This is a great video. It's been awhile since I've had time to view your content. It is excellent, as usual. Can't thank you enough for providing such informative and thorough material without all of the bluster and nonsense. This is my favorite gun channel by far.
Thanks Mike. I just bought two ATA Turqua generation 2 rifles. 243 and 6.5 Creedmoor. They are made in Turkey. Magnificent rifle for the money. Cloverleaf MOA and under 600cdn. Beautiful Turkish walnut. Savage will sell them as the Model 334. Just a fabulous rifle for anyone looking for quality on a budget. Just hitting North America now.
Hi Simon - Great country, great people - Canadians are an incredible people and I doubt they will let freedom lose; they died for it at Vimy, Hong Kong, Normandy/Juno, Ypres, Passchendale, Amiens and Gallipoli to name a few. I didn't know that a Newfoundland Regiment fought and died at Gallipoli until a fellow wrote me about it on the channel. Anyway, all these people who are trying to destroy freedom might not be here had others before them not fought and died - so they - or their parents/grandparents...could live in freedom. Surely not so much time has passed that we can't remember how we got here?
Thank You very much for your commentary. I have several German Mausers converted for hunting. Favor the 8mm for larger game. Was not aware of the large variety out there. Thanks again.
I bought one for 100 bucks off a guy. I don't think he knew what he had. I really didn't know much either but for a hundred I couldn't pass it up. Sooooooo glad I bought it. Love it. Stupid accurate. German with swastikas@UnitedStatesOfGuns
I remember growing up, in the late 80's and early 90's, we used go shooting CG63s (the competition version of the Swedish Mauser M/96) in Secondary School during field days. These days I guess there would be nothing short of an outcry. We've gotten to the point where the national school board wanted to abolish firearms handling at the forestry eduction in High School - as if that has any relevance to our gang crime epidemic..
Excellent, I've seen the single shot shotgun magazine system on the C&R arsenal channel. It's neat to see a new production version. God bless you my friend.
Hi Stephen - I was chatting with a couple of collector friends and we decided that the 7x57 is better than just about all of the current "frenzy" cartridges. Of course, wine was involved. 😂
You know I love my Swede…..though I may have to figure out a way to steal that rear sight from you! I've mentioned my old Spanish mauser, which is the ugliest sporterized gun you’ve ever seen. Right down to the huge rust pits on the barrel, but it’s easily a sub MOA gun. At 50yrs they go through the same hole, but only with the right bullets and load. Mine, though it’s Spanish, is a 98 clone in 8x57. There were a few made for Spain. The bolts are pretty different. The 98 is more complicated to reassemble than the Swede. I’d like to see that freakish shotgun in action one day. Had to be a drunken Friday end of day idea. 😀
The Spanish Model 98s were made for the Air Force. I have a single shot target rifle built on a Spanish Air Force action and fitted with a Kongsberg barrel.
You do a good job on these Videos!..... Very informative my friend!... I remember when I was a young fella, Dad used to take me to the Gun Shop just about every Saturday Morning..... It was in New Cumberland Penna then moved to Grantville Penna... It was called Shelly's Sporting Goods... It was located in what used to be an old Hay Barn.... They literally had a half dozen old wooden whiskey or wine Oak Barrels FILLED with Old Milsurp Rifles... Everything from various Mausers, Jap Rifles, Enfields, Krags, Etc..... I think anything in the barrels was $50, if I'm not mistaken... Man, if I knew then what I know now.... Thinking back about that kind of stuff just makes me crazy!!... Haha!.....
Another excellent presentation. I have one of the Yugo Mausers marketed as the Mark X. It is well made, but IMO it falls a bit below my K98, a WWII "bringback" made by Steyr arms in 1943. The Swedish M96 is excellent but a little less "modern" design with the straight bolt handle. You are correct that very few modern rifles are made to comparable standards. Good luck to Canadians with their firearm legislation!
Bought a spanish carbine for 400$. Sold it 2 weeks later for my money back. I had too many encounters with spirits in my house with that old rifle in my closet. My dogs would freak out when they hear the footsteps with boots down the hallway, and popcans getting thrown off the table, my clothes basket flew off the stand in front of my eyes!!!! Hearing a person walk up behind me when im downstairs watering my plants. Too much shit happening so its gone and i dont think id like to buy those spanish mausers anymore, i never had that occur with the 303 british or any other old shotguns. this is true and im glad its gone. The 7*57 is a solid round and i was going to use the gun as my brush gun since it was sportered and it was light. You got to press the side button and push the sights all the way forward to lock to sights down, theres a little lug it pushes under. There is almost no kick to the 7*57 too, what a cool old rifle but owell. There always 303 brits out there I can get.
Hi Dalan - Thanks for the post. I must have ended up with that carbine; interesting going on around here. Maybe try another one - they're really fine to own and shoot; not in the league of the Brazilian Mauser but still excellent. Thanks for the sight locking tip. Cheers.
great vid mike. was hoping youd pull out a yugo 48 and compare as that is a shorter action as well. i missed one this summer for 400$ was a little late
The Carcano clip is not a "stripper" clip as commonly used and defined. A loaded clip is inserted into the magazine and stays there until the last round is loaded into the chamber. At that time, the clip falls out of the bottom of the magazine. Without a clip in place, you have a single-shot rifle.
I have a question for you. I recently picked up a Model 98 Mauser that was made in Checklosovakia at the BRNO plant but it has Libertad 15 Desert De1821 on the Crest which looks like a Spanish type Crest. Can you tell me what this means.
The spanish 7mm (imports) were both 93s and 95s. The 91 has the protruding single stack magazine (early argentine mauser as an example). The local spanish production was 95s i believe, and later 98s (both import and home grown).
I’ve been looking around for a Spanish cavalry carbine Mauser like yours in the video. I found one in great shape for $675 cdn. Has been refurbed and is in nice presentable condition. You think that’s an alright price or too high? Thanks for the videos
I wouldn't want to shoot anything but a light load in that shotgun. It is a genius design. Just like the Mannlicher on the wall behind you. Mannlicher was a genius too.
There are two main differences with the Spanish and Swedish Mauser bolts. The Swedish bolt is longer and has the extra safety lug. Also the Swedish round has a larger diameter head.
I have questions about that Carcano I have two and so does a friend when I cleaned his up I found names and dates from the late 1920-1930 that the owners had put under the butt plates. I talked to another guy with one and he said the carcano ammunition would fire but not extract due to the bottle neck of the brass blowing out. My friends grandfather owned one of the ones he now has and he always fired and said it was chambered for 6.5 MS. This is what he fires in his when he can find any and has never had any problems with over pressure, flowing brass or problems with opening the bolt and case extraction. Is the 6.5 carcano and 6.5 MS close enough that this could be a possibility.
Hi Dale - It is quite possible that the rifle is chambered in 6.5 MS. I tried 6.5 MS and it won't chamber in any of my 6.5 Carcanos. I don't think the cartridges interchange. They look close - but they are not really close. The notes under the butt plates I've found on various rifles - especially military rifles. Once I found an old dollar bill. Years ago a friend found a War Bond in a hole bored into the butt stock under the butt plate of a Springfield. As for cases expanding etc... on firing - this means it is the wrong cartridge for that chamber - dangerous. Hope this helps. Thanks for the note!
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I have 6.5 MS and it chambers fine in mine. Same added pistol grip although both have different front sights and checkering patterns. My friend has fired 6.5MS in both of his one of which was as I said his grandfathers. The reason I ask as I’ve seen these for sale and I had seen yours before and would think all being sporterized by one manufacturer you would think they would all share the same chambering.
Hello, love your channel. I have a guestion about mauser extractors I have a Spanish m43 and after searching the internet I have still not found out if I can use another large ring mauser extractor. Help please!! Thanks in advance for your reply
Hello - I can probably help. Plenty of people have asked over the years. Please send a few pics to usogbyemail@gmail.com and I'll get back to you. Look forward to seeing your rifle.
Ya the Danielle Smith win in Alberta is a good thing, however gun laws in Canada are federal jurisdiction & they are hell bent on taking more of them away from us. Nevertheless, Danielle is fighting the good fight not only with respect to firearm ownership but also for the oil & gas sector which has been under relentless attack by the Feds. Going green is all well and good, but do it sensibly over time rather than destroying thousands of jobs in the short term. We could be exporting LNG to countries burning coal but our Federal Government continues to hog tie the industry.
I was surprised to learn that the 1903 Springfield is basically a Mauser action made in the USA. I have heard that Mauser sued the Springfield Armory for copyright violation and won a award in USA courts.😊
Hi James - Not easy to make a bolt action of just about any kind that isn't like a Mauser one way or another. The Sauer 80/90 and other rear locking lug designs still have turning bolts. I guess the Lee Navy is different and there are others - but mostly bolts are modified Mausers IMHO
To my understanding, Mauser won the suit forcing Springfield Armory to pay copyright, or, patent infringement. Springfield refused to pay with the onset of WW 1.
How on earth do you find those sporter carcanos? Here in the States we only find "Kitchen" spotters hacked up or surplus. If I was to get a carcano it would definitely be one of those beautiful Austrian done hunting rifles. I think it would e great for my son when he gets old enough or my wife if she feels like she wants to go hunting
Hello - That's interesting - I thought they were everywhere - maybe they only made it to Canada. Usually what gets to Canada is soon in the US and vice versa - I'll bet they are around; maybe gun shows. I'll make a shooting video with one soon. Thanks for the note.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns we see carcano's a lot. Even more affordable than a mosin these days. But professional sporters are few. Even for mosins a professional sporter is rare. I have seen some beautiful mosin and carcano spotters on nitro express forum but not much at shows or for sale
I have an 08/34 .30 fabrica itajuba Brazil action i used for a custom. I have heard different info about origin can anyone help. It was sized for 30 06 it is 243 feeds fine very smooth and 1 moa
Fantastic that you own this rare action/rifle. Here is more info : www.rockislandauction.com/detail/41/3676/itajuba-98-mauser-accuracy-rifle-3006 I'm being told the steel is exceptional; or the heat treating - or both. Great that you found it somehow!
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns as usual i lost value by modifying this..i did the same with a guitar that i refinished hind sight is always 20-20..this action is pitted and original bottom metal was very bad...the cool thing is that it was 30-06 i got s 243 brl for 30$ just so i could make a custom fiberglass stock. I always thought i would change cal. i now have really bad neck issues so 243 recoil is great...and it did .8 inch group so.243 it will stay.
Zastava factory is not closed! They have however put a hold on exporting firearms as the Serbian president is afraid of conflict with Kosova! As such he has started with a month ban on exporting firearms and ammo and zastava being the military producers of firearms it may go farther. Guess we will have to wait and see!
Swede way better than that Spanish one.I own 1909 all matching numbers 96.Tack driver with any load.Have shot 98s. There good but Ill take the Swede over them anyday also.The book Crown Jewels by Dana Jones if you like Mausers.And Oswald Did Not shoot JFK
Thank you Joel! For sure the Swede is amazing - and still a great buy; and 6.5x55 is ideal for most purposes. I'll look for the book. I went to Dealey Plaza years ago - I had such a sad feeling being there; most people do I think.
I have a Japanese contact carcano that takes Mauser style clips and has a chrome lined bore. Zastava make the next modern Mauser rifles using good steel with chrome lined barrels and they are made in my 3 favorate traditional calubersnof 7mm Mauser, 6.5 swede and 8mm Mauser but also many others like .270 .30 08 and .308 and related cartridges even 9mm Mauser. I really wish they would make some with good traditional sights and not just a stamped rear sight also a stripper clip guide, I would love for them to make millitary stocks hardwood or laminate, that has the traditional sling cut , sight protector and end cap and even a bayonette mount. They also make great sub calibers in .223, 7.62x39 6.5 Grendel and I think they make a Mauser style in .22LR .22win mag .17 Mach 2 and .17.HMR Some of the best Mauser deals in recent memory have been rifles like Yugo M48 as you could get them cheap and most looked brand new with a great bore, small ring but apart from that a well made and blued K98 Just like how the Finnish mosins like the M39s where do cheap you have to get a few when they come out. Some think that Turkish are bad but they are great. I have a rare example of a Chiang Kai Shiek Chinese Mauser that's just a standard export model in 8mm so a K98 just 1 or 2cm longer. Made on DWM tooling in China but the steel is great quality. I got it for such a good deal and was worried the bore would be awfull but it looked perfect just the cosmoline. No idea if it was a 80s or 90s export or a Korean war bring back. Steel was high quality do was the blueing everything was chest apart from the beat up stock as it had to be made from Chu wood so it would not warp. The 7mm Mauser that was mostly exported to South Africa, spain, Mexico and south America is just my favorate cartridge. Way ahead of its time that during the Boer war they knew they needed to replace the lee Endfeild with.... A mausered action rifle with a 7ishmm cartridge. After before WW1 7mm Mauser was popular in the UK but after WW1 they just called it .,279 or .277 rigby (just so it did not have that German name) many high end British Mauser hunting rifles where made In this caliber with crazy engraving. Mauser Germany us now a shell if itself and is not trying to sell cheap rifles but they still make some over priced rifles. The perfect round size is between 6.5 and 7mm for a assult rifle or medium range hunting or target rifle. Since the STG44 that used 8mm Kurtz the round was just cut down steel case 8mm reformed with a 8mm projectile so they could use bsreke ammreadg made but it would have been so much better. If NATO adopted .280 British (7mm British) as NATOs battle/ assult / light mg cartridge I think modernised, s steel case or steel bottom to handle more pressurex modern primers and powders and a bullet with better BC , terminal effects and an AP version. It would still be in service..... The Japanese HOWA arms company used to make Arisaka rifles before and during the war. I really love the Japanese HOWA barreled actions as they are a great price, slick action, good steel, very accurate CHF barrel, tight chamber and amazing adjustable trigger that's stock it's easy to mount an optic in comes with a 5 round. Internal mag with steel floor plate and a great finish plus very reliable and the bolt is feet but you can buy a 10 round conversion kit and the mags are good and low cost plus it's easy to attach a stock system (they used it in the Vanguard) I wish they had, quality steel k more calibers but they habe enough. They have a mini action a short action and a king action depending on caliber but they have different barrel lengths and profiles. I managed to get 2 blued .308 (they use the EU system so it can also shoot hot 7.62NATO) barreled actions both bull barrels with one being longer The shorter one was the exact length and type for the Japanese armed police /JSF marksman rifle, they moved to it due to the fact the 700 was harder to gett QC was spotty and you had to change most parts to get it to shoot right. I found the closest stock with aluminium bedding, got the 10 round mag conversion and a few mags, similar bipod but the same optic and rings. Did not cost much and is one of my cheapist modern bolt guns and it's just amazing, after adjusting the trigger and zeroing it l, a smooth tac driver. I'm tryinng to get some open sights that look right then an old refishished Arisaka T38 stock that I can bed or get someone to make a new repro stock. What's insane is that ok Pakistan 7mm Mauser is not a prohibited cartidge unlike 8mm, .303 7.62 NATO or 54r so nearly all full bore rifles from strange bolt action AK looking rifles to normal bolt actions to PSL / SVD or AR110 styles. The ammo ranges from cheap but ok accuracy to match grade but all are very cheap so I just wish they could be exported. Apart from Zastava I Suppose you have CZ for new but the norinco Mauser in .308 even though the steel and CHF barrel is good the chu wood fitting is bad, the finish in the outside of the metal is bad but since you can get them at a very low cost if you can debut the inside, smooth up the sction, sqare off m the bolt, make it smooth maybe use a lathe to put steps on the reciverx refinish the steel and rebuke then find another stick it could be worth it. I have quite a few WW2 mausersbandbanni and yesbu have quite a few with nazi marks but I find the best ones are pre 1939 with whatever marks Also pre 39 polish and CZ mausersbare amazing Same with pre 41 arisakas Almaden in Japan Also a an Endfeild P1917 is a Mauser action with great sights and ergenomics that can fit 6 30 06 rounds in WW2 America had 2 or 3 1917 for every 1903 (also Mauser action) A shame the UK could never get the P13 off the ground but the SNKE was fine for WW1 but very outdated for WW2
Thank you for your very interesting and comprehensive post. Your collection is really something! I didn't know the Turkish rifles are excellent. Thanks again.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns people think they are Turkish so must be bad but many where made by maussr / DWM and other contractors and the ones made in Turkey where made with good tooling, steel but the wood can be iffy but nothing can't redo. Aslong as the numbers match and the bore is good it will be a good shooter. But the surp ammo can be choppy as any ammo stored in hot conditions..... It's why Russian and germsn ammo from ww2 is still fine. Even hotter nations if stored in a dark coolish room and sealed properly will last a very long time, especially if it's a corrosive primer, the primer and bullet have sealent and in hermetically sealed spam cans. Yugoslavia and Romania kept and still mKes 8mm, zastava only stopped making well pretty much exact clones of the MG42 in 8mm a few years ago. Now they just make mato and comblock, I love my 8mm m76 zastava AK, I fitted some MG15 rounds that will take 27 rounds and it's a great DMR. The M48s I have (I cherry picked them) almost sure never used, accidentally shot 3 boxes of proof loads though one and it was fine, came in cheap and people made a huge deal about it being a post war maussr and small ring... Now pricy same with pretty much all millsurp. I came to the US as a young teen from the UK, my great uncle had an FFL and would even import some rifles and ammo his father set up the store not long after WW2 so alot of rifles and ammo he said even hardware store would sell mausers, carcanos and ariskas for a low price same with the ammo. But he had some hihsight to stock up on interesting stuff (ww2 vet and was a aprentice gunsmith in Birmingham before the war for mostly hunting rifles. He really loved mausers especially the Swedish and have quite a few variants even post ww2 ones but my favorate is a m41B with a nice german optic, it's been sent off a few times to have the seals changed and such but the wood, the finish, it was made during the war but maybe was not issued or issued to a soldier that mostly just carried it and did not shoot it much. Most old optics are bad but this one is very good for it's time. I do worry about shooting the bores out but you can get NOS barrels or new production as its a very popular round in Sweden so is the rifle and it was used as a sniper/DMR into the 80s /90s As I'm from the UK I have some nice examples of SMLE and martini endfeilds but I found a cheap SMLE that had awful wood, dinged up finish, barrel had no rust but heads pace was out the rifling was good but the lead was pretty badly corroded probably from cordite and the muzzle was not in the best shape. Was thinking of buying to convert to 7.62x39 as same bore and had a bore insert in a type99 arisaka. But my uncle removed the barrel cut some off and added some threads, cut off a little of the muzzle and recrowned, got a 7.62x53R from Finland for a good price rechambered it and did the extractor cut and headspace, very tight chamber. Played with the mag and it feeds off stripper clips just fine 10 rounds and is very accurate, plus all that 54r surplus that was crazy cheap. Did the same to a battered Martini Henry, I was on vacation but said he had to get a new barrel made, but so fun to shoot. I don't mind handloading even if it olvolves casting, home made gas checks powder coating and patching with paper or something stronger. But I mostly just love to shoot cheap ammo and the cheapist rifle round was 7N6 and pistol was 7.62x25 Uncle managed to get a lever action converted to the tok ammo and he manged to get a savage converted to 5.45x39 we really wanted the east German police rifle but crazy expensive and rare. I just hope piton goes so cna get cheap ammo back, I have alot stockpiled but I feel like it's such a waste to shoot what is now very valuable surplus ammo I can't replace. I feel after WW2 since their was alot of nations making mausers rifles and 8mm mausers ammo even steel case and for the MG42 you had to use steel case as if the bolt bounced on brass it ruined the MG, on steel no issue. I feel they should have made 8mm the GPMG and DMR cartridge for Nato and just rename it 8mm NATO For assault rifles they should have stuck with .280 British and as powders and bullets modernised in sure both would still be in service. With 9mm for pistols and .50bmg for bigger MGs and rifles.
When I was 11 yrs old in 1963, a friend collected (he was 13 yrs old) military surplus guns. The cheapest one he had was a Carcano. I believe it cost $6.95 delivered to his door. It was so bad he bored it out and made a 410 out of it.
C’mon, but it wasn’t the Carcano’s fault, but rather lack of upkeep/storage that caused it to not “hold up!” A lot of those milsurps (especially non-Mausers) were stored for decades, if not almost a complete century in various different conditions.
That's 75$ in today's money. And that's the price for a carcano part kit...
But you can get carcanos with shot out barrels from the old Tripolitania colonies for something like 140€/$. A friend of mine rebored one from 6,5 carcano to "308 carcano" ( ie 7,35 carcano with .308 bullets for easier reloading)
Hey it's me again Mike, Another fine educational and entertaining video. There are many myths parroted by internet know-nothing pundits and others about the alleged weakness of the early Mausers, particularly the M93, M95 and M96 actions.
The average pressure of the original military loading of the 7x57 in the M93 was 50,370 Copper Units of Pressure. While there is really no totally accurate formula for converting CUP to PSI, probably the closest converts the 50,370 CUP to 58,458 PSI. The problems with the conversion formulas is that none of them can account for the pressure spikes that can be detected with the modern piezo transducer measuring methods. I have not read of any M93's coming apart from high pressures during the Spanish-American war and while the 50,370 CUP is significantly higher than the SAAMI standards of 46,000 CUP or 51,000 PSI, that does not give one license to turn any M93 or M95 7x57 into a 7mm Rem Mag.
The early small ring M98's, such as my KAR. 98, which is actually a medium length action, is a great action for getting the most out of a 7x57 because the bullet can be seated out far enough to take full advantage of the 7x57's case capacity. As such it can equal and exceed the 7mm-08 without exceeding the small ring 98 pressure limits. For an example of the 7x57's capabilities, look at the Nosler reloading data for the high BC 175 grain Long Range Accubond and Partition bullets. Those loads are all within SAAMI pressure specs. Just run the numbers through a ballistic calculator to see what is possible.
The prejudice against the M96 action is just as bad. My Husqvarna 9.3x62 is was built in 1944 on an M96 action. The SAAMI standard MAP for the 9.3x62 Mauser is 57,500 PSI using the modern piezo transducer measuring method. That's the same action used in my "Sporterized by Kimber" 1914 Carl Gustaf 6.5x55. Although we don't usually think about it the Husqvarna 9.3x62 as being a "Swedish Mauser" it very much is. The quality of the steel in the Swedish Mausers, whether from the Carl Gustaf or Husqvarna factories was higher than from any German steel because of its alloy specifications. The M96 actions were subject to a single proof load of over 65,000 PSI. The best, IMHO, source I have found about the history of the Swedish Mausers, is "The Swedish Mauser Rifles" by Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer from North Cape Publications. I found it as a free downloadable PDF. 375 pages of details including the information about the steel alloy specifications which was exact same from the M94 action all the way to the last M38 in WWII. Probably the best technical book about Mauser actions in general M91-98 is the shop manual by Jerry Kuhnhausen. I hope this information will lead your young viewers to learn more about the rifle action that is really the father of all modern bolt action rifles. Happy hunting boys and girls.
Thanks..i accidentally got a Remington brl that i thought was from a 798...i was wrong and it would need to be rethreaded...im thinking small ring..i am considering 300 savage. re chamber...might just keep 308 use nato load.
You Sir, are credit to society, most informative and composed on UA-cam
Thank you! Great video, great rifles!
In the 60s when we made our "rifle builds" from surplus Mausers or Springfields, I acquired a Model 94 Swedish carbine, with the full length stock. My intent was to make a "light rifle" of it chambered for .243 or .250 Savage.
After some investigation, I was hesitant to re-barrel and rechamber it for either of those cartridges as the rumor (probably incorrect) was that the action wasn't strong enough. 🤷♂
The Mauser 98 or Springfield action kind of defeated the idea of a "light rifle" IMO. (though my opinion may be biased)
I any case, I ended up not modifying the carbine and found that it was a really handy and useful rifle just as is. It served as a truck gun and I killed several whitetails with it. I lived on our family's ranch in Texas and during the deer season it wasn't unusual to come across deer while working in the pastures, so a suitable "deer rifle" in the truck was good to have, but I didn't want to beat up a "good rifle" so the military surplus, low cost (at that time) Swedish carbine was just the ticket! It was a pretty good "light rifle" just as it came!
I still have the unmodified Swedish carbine. The cartridge is great! It is one of the best looking military rifles ever made, IMO.
My "light rifle" project got put on hold until the early 80s when I ended up buying 3 Model 77RSI Mannlicher stocked carbines. One for me, one each for my 2 sons at the time. Mine was a .250 Savage, the other 2 were .243s. They were my two oldest 2 son's first centerfire rifles. Later, the .250 got passed to my 3rd son (he got the best of the 3, IMO).
Both the 6.5x55mm and the 7x57mm Mauser are such great cartridges, I wouldn't recommend anyone acquiring one of these rifles to change a thing. The recent interest in other 6.5mm cartridges has produced an even better array of bullets for handloaders to choose from, making the 6.5 Swedish better than ever.
Hi Gary - Great post. Your sons are so fortunate to have you! I agree - the .250 is the cat's pajamas. I had one from Lipsey's in stainless walnut...and sold for no good reason. Thanks for the stories around your Swede - they're the same today - buy and hunt and shoot well - there is no better rifle and cartridge. For all the noise about other 6.5s -- the 6.5x55 Swede still does everything well. God Bless
There is certainly nothing wrong with the swede
Imagine being the tard that was gonna ruin a valuable piece of history for whitetail lmaooo
Another good video. I much prefer the controlled round feed of the mausers to the push bolt styles prevalent today.
This is a great video. It's been awhile since I've had time to view your content. It is excellent, as usual. Can't thank you enough for providing such informative and thorough material without all of the bluster and nonsense. This is my favorite gun channel by far.
Thank you Gregg!
Glad to see you Mike !!! Love Mauser s thank you for your videos!!!
Hi Jensen - You're most welcome - we'll get out shooting these soon : )
Thanks Mike. I just bought two ATA Turqua generation 2 rifles. 243 and 6.5 Creedmoor. They are made in Turkey. Magnificent rifle for the money. Cloverleaf MOA and under 600cdn. Beautiful Turkish walnut. Savage will sell them as the Model 334. Just a fabulous rifle for anyone looking for quality on a budget. Just hitting North America now.
You are correct ,I have 2 . Great rifles .
Thank you mentioning the struggles we canadian gun owners are faced, I appreciate the mention and support!
Hi Simon - Great country, great people - Canadians are an incredible people and I doubt they will let freedom lose; they died for it at Vimy, Hong Kong, Normandy/Juno, Ypres, Passchendale, Amiens and Gallipoli to name a few. I didn't know that a Newfoundland Regiment fought and died at Gallipoli until a fellow wrote me about it on the channel. Anyway, all these people who are trying to destroy freedom might not be here had others before them not fought and died - so they - or their parents/grandparents...could live in freedom. Surely not so much time has passed that we can't remember how we got here?
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns well said, I couldn't agree more. It's not even that long ago those sacrifices were made.
Thank You very much for your commentary. I have several German Mausers converted for hunting. Favor the 8mm for larger game. Was not aware of the large variety out there. Thanks again.
Thanks Paul - those converted sporters are some of the best buys out there - excellent rifles.
I bought one for 100 bucks off a guy. I don't think he knew what he had. I really didn't know much either but for a hundred I couldn't pass it up. Sooooooo glad I bought it. Love it. Stupid accurate. German with swastikas@UnitedStatesOfGuns
I really enjoy your humor 😄. Great video. Great information,I appreciate it. Thank you 🙏
The Sweed is a light year ahead of the spanish. I have both
They're better/more advanced for sure.
thanks Mike for an interesting rundown.
Thanks for watching and commenting
Great show 👍👍👍👍👍
I remember growing up, in the late 80's and early 90's, we used go shooting CG63s (the competition version of the Swedish Mauser M/96) in Secondary School during field days. These days I guess there would be nothing short of an outcry. We've gotten to the point where the national school board wanted to abolish firearms handling at the forestry eduction in High School - as if that has any relevance to our gang crime epidemic..
Excellent, I've seen the single shot shotgun magazine system on the C&R arsenal channel. It's neat to see a new production version. God bless you my friend.
Hi Rick - Thank you and keep up the videos! All the best to you and yours 🙏
I also saw that video. I was trying to remember where, when I saw the above post.
There was a very similar single barrel feed mechanism produced about one hundred years ago.
Another about 45 years ago.
Love the mausers❤ my favorite models to collect and shoot!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Love the 7x57 also ! 👍
Hi Stephen - I was chatting with a couple of collector friends and we decided that the 7x57 is better than just about all of the current "frenzy" cartridges. Of course, wine was involved. 😂
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns ,it’s an old one but, a good one I often hunt with one. 👍
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns 'Of course, wine was involved'..."In vino Veritas."
2 minutes in...that is the strangest semi-semi automatic shotgun I have ever seen!! :)
Yup - very strange Tom 😂
I always appreciate your Mauser lessons. Thanks.
Thank you for being here.
That system for the shotgun is a copy of the Alofs for the Iver Johnson single shot.
Thanks Abe!
You know I love my Swede…..though I may have to figure out a way to steal that rear sight from you!
I've mentioned my old Spanish mauser, which is the ugliest sporterized gun you’ve ever seen. Right down to the huge rust pits on the barrel, but it’s easily a sub MOA gun. At 50yrs they go through the same hole, but only with the right bullets and load. Mine, though it’s Spanish, is a 98 clone in 8x57. There were a few made for Spain.
The bolts are pretty different. The 98 is more complicated to reassemble than the Swede.
I’d like to see that freakish shotgun in action one day. Had to be a drunken Friday end of day idea. 😀
Hi Jim - Good to hear from you - hope to see that fabulous Spanish Mauser sporter one day 😂
The Spanish Model 98s were made for the Air Force. I have a single shot target rifle built on a Spanish Air Force action and fitted with a Kongsberg barrel.
You do a good job on these Videos!..... Very informative my friend!... I remember when I was a young fella, Dad used to take me to the Gun Shop just about every Saturday Morning..... It was in New Cumberland Penna then moved to Grantville Penna... It was called Shelly's Sporting Goods... It was located in what used to be an old Hay Barn.... They literally had a half dozen old wooden whiskey or wine Oak Barrels FILLED with Old Milsurp Rifles... Everything from various Mausers, Jap Rifles, Enfields, Krags, Etc..... I think anything in the barrels was $50, if I'm not mistaken... Man, if I knew then what I know now.... Thinking back about that kind of stuff just makes me crazy!!... Haha!.....
That sporterised Carcano is a nice little rifle. I was not aware of those Austrian conversions. Thank you.
Another excellent presentation. I have one of the Yugo Mausers marketed as the Mark X. It is well made, but IMO it falls a bit below my K98, a WWII "bringback" made by Steyr arms in 1943. The Swedish M96 is excellent but a little less "modern" design with the straight bolt handle. You are correct that very few modern rifles are made to comparable standards. Good luck to Canadians with their firearm legislation!
Bought a spanish carbine for 400$. Sold it 2 weeks later for my money back. I had too many encounters with spirits in my house with that old rifle in my closet. My dogs would freak out when they hear the footsteps with boots down the hallway, and popcans getting thrown off the table, my clothes basket flew off the stand in front of my eyes!!!! Hearing a person walk up behind me when im downstairs watering my plants. Too much shit happening so its gone and i dont think id like to buy those spanish mausers anymore, i never had that occur with the 303 british or any other old shotguns. this is true and im glad its gone. The 7*57 is a solid round and i was going to use the gun as my brush gun since it was sportered and it was light. You got to press the side button and push the sights all the way forward to lock to sights down, theres a little lug it pushes under. There is almost no kick to the 7*57 too, what a cool old rifle but owell. There always 303 brits out there I can get.
Hi Dalan - Thanks for the post. I must have ended up with that carbine; interesting going on around here. Maybe try another one - they're really fine to own and shoot; not in the league of the Brazilian Mauser but still excellent. Thanks for the sight locking tip. Cheers.
Had both of them the Spanish in .308 carbine . Swedish 6.5 it was a great rifle as shown here .
Good good and good.
Thanks Robert!
great vid mike. was hoping youd pull out a yugo 48 and compare as that is a shorter action as well. i missed one this summer for 400$ was a little late
The Carcano clip is not a "stripper" clip as commonly used and defined. A loaded clip is inserted into the magazine and stays there until the last round is loaded into the chamber. At that time, the clip falls out of the bottom of the magazine. Without a clip in place, you have a single-shot rifle.
Hi Jim - Thanks so much. Good to hear from you.
I have a question for you. I recently picked up a Model 98 Mauser that was made in Checklosovakia at the BRNO plant but it has Libertad 15 Desert De1821 on the Crest which looks like a Spanish type Crest. Can you tell me what this means.
I have a 1913 Spanish Mauser , converted to 7.62 x 51, its a small handy carbine
Maybe an Israeli conversion? No matter what a very fine rifle.
The spanish 7mm (imports) were both 93s and 95s. The 91 has the protruding single stack magazine (early argentine mauser as an example). The local spanish production was 95s i believe, and later 98s (both import and home grown).
Star also made M98 's ,spotters untill friendly and sold the actions to many manufacturers. Excellent .
I’ve been looking around for a Spanish cavalry carbine Mauser like yours in the video. I found one in great shape for $675 cdn. Has been refurbed and is in nice presentable condition. You think that’s an alright price or too high? Thanks for the videos
Hello - Good buy - so hard to find; my friend bought one similar for $900. with a decent bore. Best of luck.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns thanks I got it. Can’t wait to shoot it. All my other Mausers are 8mm, this is my first 7mm
Hi what is the rifle to your right with the ebony for grip thanks colin
Nice video.
What company makes the Alof loading sotgun?
I wouldn't want to shoot anything but a light load in that shotgun. It is a genius design. Just like the Mannlicher on the wall behind you. Mannlicher was a genius too.
There are two main differences with the Spanish and Swedish Mauser bolts. The Swedish bolt is longer and has the extra safety lug. Also the Swedish round has a larger diameter head.
Thank you!
There's never a time I don't learn something from this channel. Another great video, thank you for the content.
Thanks for being here Warren - I'm glad there is something that one can learn : )
I have questions about that Carcano I have two and so does a friend when I cleaned his up I found names and dates from the late 1920-1930 that the owners had put under the butt plates. I talked to another guy with one and he said the carcano ammunition would fire but not extract due to the bottle neck of the brass blowing out. My friends grandfather owned one of the ones he now has and he always fired and said it was chambered for 6.5 MS. This is what he fires in his when he can find any and has never had any problems with over pressure, flowing brass or problems with opening the bolt and case extraction. Is the 6.5 carcano and 6.5 MS close enough that this could be a possibility.
Hi Dale - It is quite possible that the rifle is chambered in 6.5 MS. I tried 6.5 MS and it won't chamber in any of my 6.5 Carcanos. I don't think the cartridges interchange. They look close - but they are not really close. The notes under the butt plates I've found on various rifles - especially military rifles. Once I found an old dollar bill. Years ago a friend found a War Bond in a hole bored into the butt stock under the butt plate of a Springfield. As for cases expanding etc... on firing - this means it is the wrong cartridge for that chamber - dangerous. Hope this helps. Thanks for the note!
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I have 6.5 MS and it chambers fine in mine. Same added pistol grip although both have different front sights and checkering patterns. My friend has fired 6.5MS in both of his one of which was as I said his grandfathers. The reason I ask as I’ve seen these for sale and I had seen yours before and would think all being sporterized by one manufacturer you would think they would all share the same chambering.
Hello, love your channel. I have a guestion about mauser extractors I have a Spanish m43 and after searching the internet I have still not found out if I can use another large ring mauser extractor. Help please!! Thanks in advance for your reply
Hello, Yes, any large ring extractor should work.
Thanks for the info!!!!
Great video. Uncle Jim had an old 6.5mm Swede Mauser. He could shoot a flea off a dogs ear with it. Ha ha. Great display of guns behind you as well.
Ahhhhhh the doctor of rifles is still at it, glad to see that
Thank you
Hello sir, how would you say a Brno (Persian) mauser compares to the Swede?
Hello - The BRNO is the better rifle.
@UnitedStatesOfGuns Thank you. I'm very happy with mine. Great channel!
So is that reproduction Aloph Device? Good overview of Mauser’s! Thanks for sharing
Hi William - Yes - and the gun and Alof Device are sold together as one new unit.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Very cool device I am glad to see someone’s picked it back up and is making them again!
How can i get my mauser properly appraised?
Hello - I can probably help. Plenty of people have asked over the years. Please send a few pics to usogbyemail@gmail.com and I'll get back to you. Look forward to seeing your rifle.
Ya the Danielle Smith win in Alberta is a good thing, however gun laws in Canada are federal jurisdiction & they are hell bent on taking more of them away from us. Nevertheless, Danielle is fighting the good fight not only with respect to firearm ownership but also for the oil & gas sector which has been under relentless attack by the Feds. Going green is all well and good, but do it sensibly over time rather than destroying thousands of jobs in the short term. We could be exporting LNG to countries burning coal but our Federal Government continues to hog tie the industry.
I was surprised to learn that the 1903 Springfield is basically a Mauser action made in the USA. I have heard that Mauser sued the Springfield Armory for copyright violation and won a award in USA courts.😊
Hi James - Not easy to make a bolt action of just about any kind that isn't like a Mauser one way or another. The Sauer 80/90 and other rear locking lug designs still have turning bolts. I guess the Lee Navy is different and there are others - but mostly bolts are modified Mausers IMHO
To my understanding, Mauser won the suit forcing Springfield Armory to pay copyright, or, patent infringement.
Springfield refused to pay with the onset of
WW 1.
Please explain the 1909 Argentine mauser in 30-06
Here is an excellent video from Forgotten Weapons
ua-cam.com/video/PRQITDI1GRM/v-deo.html&ab_channel=ForgottenWeapons
How on earth do you find those sporter carcanos? Here in the States we only find "Kitchen" spotters hacked up or surplus. If I was to get a carcano it would definitely be one of those beautiful Austrian done hunting rifles. I think it would e great for my son when he gets old enough or my wife if she feels like she wants to go hunting
Hello - That's interesting - I thought they were everywhere - maybe they only made it to Canada. Usually what gets to Canada is soon in the US and vice versa - I'll bet they are around; maybe gun shows. I'll make a shooting video with one soon. Thanks for the note.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns we see carcano's a lot. Even more affordable than a mosin these days. But professional sporters are few. Even for mosins a professional sporter is rare. I have seen some beautiful mosin and carcano spotters on nitro express forum but not much at shows or for sale
Cooey had a contract with Sears to sporterize surplus Carcanos way back. They were very low priced, accurate rifles.
Mike….I have a good friend who works often in Serbia. Would you care for me to ask him to inquire regarding Zestava?
7:00 That is a walnut stock
Thank you
That shotgun is a copy of a very old repeating shotgun
6.5 Swiss, what are some good hunting rifles in that? Swiss not Swedish. Thanks
Swiss is normally GP11 7.5x55
@@toddjohnson271 there is a 6.5 swiss
@@matthewdeepblue neat
wow a modernized alofs cool
Hello HircineH - We'll be filming the alofs shortly - I can't wait!
I have an 08/34 .30 fabrica itajuba Brazil action i used for a custom. I have heard different info about origin can anyone help. It was sized for 30 06 it is 243 feeds fine very smooth and 1 moa
Fantastic that you own this rare action/rifle. Here is more info :
www.rockislandauction.com/detail/41/3676/itajuba-98-mauser-accuracy-rifle-3006
I'm being told the steel is exceptional; or the heat treating - or both. Great that you found it somehow!
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns as usual i lost value by modifying this..i did the same with a guitar that i refinished hind sight is always 20-20..this action is pitted and original bottom metal was very bad...the cool thing is that it was 30-06 i got s 243 brl for 30$ just so i could make a custom fiberglass stock. I always thought i would change cal. i now have really bad neck issues so 243 recoil is great...and it did .8 inch group so.243 it will stay.
Calibers ?
What's the difference between Swedish and Spanish Mauser? Similar to difference between Rolls Royce and YUGO
Yet... both Mausers
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Isn't Mauser as a Mauser
Zastava factory is not closed! They have however put a hold on exporting firearms as the Serbian president is afraid of conflict with Kosova! As such he has started with a month ban on exporting firearms and ammo and zastava being the military producers of firearms it may go farther. Guess we will have to wait and see!
I got 6.5x52 for Carcano
Not so easy to do! Bravo
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I got them online a while back
Great video, I know you a 7X57 fan, I lean to the 6.5X55.
Hi Gregory - Can't go wrong with the 6.5x55 - a legendary cartridge - good choice
PizzA
My Mauser is Mexican
Those are excellent - I have one left - ideal Mauser
🇺🇸👍🏼
Swede way better than that Spanish one.I own 1909 all matching numbers 96.Tack driver with any load.Have shot 98s. There good but Ill take the Swede over them anyday also.The book Crown Jewels by Dana Jones if you like Mausers.And Oswald Did Not shoot JFK
Thank you Joel! For sure the Swede is amazing - and still a great buy; and 6.5x55 is ideal for most purposes. I'll look for the book. I went to Dealey Plaza years ago - I had such a sad feeling being there; most people do I think.
Oswald shot JFK. It was a close, easy shot for a Marine Corp trained sniper.
I have a Japanese contact carcano that takes Mauser style clips and has a chrome lined bore.
Zastava make the next modern Mauser rifles using good steel with chrome lined barrels and they are made in my 3 favorate traditional calubersnof 7mm Mauser, 6.5 swede and 8mm Mauser but also many others like .270 .30 08 and .308 and related cartridges even 9mm Mauser.
I really wish they would make some with good traditional sights and not just a stamped rear sight also a stripper clip guide, I would love for them to make millitary stocks hardwood or laminate, that has the traditional sling cut , sight protector and end cap and even a bayonette mount.
They also make great sub calibers in .223, 7.62x39 6.5 Grendel and I think they make a Mauser style in .22LR .22win mag .17 Mach 2 and .17.HMR
Some of the best Mauser deals in recent memory have been rifles like Yugo M48 as you could get them cheap and most looked brand new with a great bore, small ring but apart from that a well made and blued K98
Just like how the Finnish mosins like the M39s where do cheap you have to get a few when they come out.
Some think that Turkish are bad but they are great.
I have a rare example of a Chiang Kai Shiek Chinese Mauser that's just a standard export model in 8mm so a K98 just 1 or 2cm longer.
Made on DWM tooling in China but the steel is great quality.
I got it for such a good deal and was worried the bore would be awfull but it looked perfect just the cosmoline.
No idea if it was a 80s or 90s export or a Korean war bring back.
Steel was high quality do was the blueing everything was chest apart from the beat up stock as it had to be made from Chu wood so it would not warp.
The 7mm Mauser that was mostly exported to South Africa, spain, Mexico and south America is just my favorate cartridge.
Way ahead of its time that during the Boer war they knew they needed to replace the lee Endfeild with.... A mausered action rifle with a 7ishmm cartridge.
After before WW1 7mm Mauser was popular in the UK but after WW1 they just called it .,279 or .277 rigby (just so it did not have that German name) many high end British Mauser hunting rifles where made In this caliber with crazy engraving.
Mauser Germany us now a shell if itself and is not trying to sell cheap rifles but they still make some over priced rifles.
The perfect round size is between 6.5 and 7mm for a assult rifle or medium range hunting or target rifle.
Since the STG44 that used 8mm Kurtz the round was just cut down steel case 8mm reformed with a 8mm projectile so they could use bsreke ammreadg made but it would have been so much better.
If NATO adopted .280 British (7mm British) as NATOs battle/ assult / light mg cartridge I think modernised, s steel case or steel bottom to handle more pressurex modern primers and powders and a bullet with better BC , terminal effects and an AP version. It would still be in service.....
The Japanese HOWA arms company used to make Arisaka rifles before and during the war.
I really love the Japanese HOWA barreled actions as they are a great price, slick action, good steel, very accurate CHF barrel, tight chamber and amazing adjustable trigger that's stock it's easy to mount an optic in comes with a 5 round. Internal mag with steel floor plate and a great finish plus very reliable and the bolt is feet but you can buy a 10 round conversion kit and the mags are good and low cost plus it's easy to attach a stock system (they used it in the Vanguard) I wish they had, quality steel k more calibers but they habe enough.
They have a mini action a short action and a king action depending on caliber but they have different barrel lengths and profiles.
I managed to get 2 blued .308 (they use the EU system so it can also shoot hot 7.62NATO) barreled actions both bull barrels with one being longer
The shorter one was the exact length and type for the Japanese armed police /JSF marksman rifle, they moved to it due to the fact the 700 was harder to gett QC was spotty and you had to change most parts to get it to shoot right.
I found the closest stock with aluminium bedding, got the 10 round mag conversion and a few mags, similar bipod but the same optic and rings. Did not cost much and is one of my cheapist modern bolt guns and it's just amazing, after adjusting the trigger and zeroing it l, a smooth tac driver.
I'm tryinng to get some open sights that look right then an old refishished Arisaka T38 stock that I can bed or get someone to make a new repro stock.
What's insane is that ok Pakistan 7mm Mauser is not a prohibited cartidge unlike 8mm, .303 7.62 NATO or 54r so nearly all full bore rifles from strange bolt action AK looking rifles to normal bolt actions to PSL / SVD or AR110 styles.
The ammo ranges from cheap but ok accuracy to match grade but all are very cheap so I just wish they could be exported.
Apart from Zastava I Suppose you have CZ for new but the norinco Mauser in .308 even though the steel and CHF barrel is good the chu wood fitting is bad, the finish in the outside of the metal is bad but since you can get them at a very low cost if you can debut the inside, smooth up the sction, sqare off m the bolt, make it smooth maybe use a lathe to put steps on the reciverx refinish the steel and rebuke then find another stick it could be worth it.
I have quite a few WW2 mausersbandbanni and yesbu have quite a few with nazi marks but I find the best ones are pre 1939 with whatever marks
Also pre 39 polish and CZ mausersbare amazing
Same with pre 41 arisakas Almaden in Japan
Also a an Endfeild P1917 is a Mauser action with great sights and ergenomics that can fit 6 30 06 rounds in WW2 America had 2 or 3 1917 for every 1903 (also Mauser action)
A shame the UK could never get the P13 off the ground but the SNKE was fine for WW1 but very outdated for WW2
Thank you for your very interesting and comprehensive post. Your collection is really something! I didn't know the Turkish rifles are excellent. Thanks again.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns people think they are Turkish so must be bad but many where made by maussr / DWM and other contractors and the ones made in Turkey where made with good tooling, steel but the wood can be iffy but nothing can't redo.
Aslong as the numbers match and the bore is good it will be a good shooter.
But the surp ammo can be choppy as any ammo stored in hot conditions..... It's why Russian and germsn ammo from ww2 is still fine.
Even hotter nations if stored in a dark coolish room and sealed properly will last a very long time, especially if it's a corrosive primer, the primer and bullet have sealent and in hermetically sealed spam cans.
Yugoslavia and Romania kept and still mKes 8mm, zastava only stopped making well pretty much exact clones of the MG42 in 8mm a few years ago.
Now they just make mato and comblock, I love my 8mm m76 zastava AK, I fitted some MG15 rounds that will take 27 rounds and it's a great DMR.
The M48s I have (I cherry picked them) almost sure never used, accidentally shot 3 boxes of proof loads though one and it was fine, came in cheap and people made a huge deal about it being a post war maussr and small ring... Now pricy same with pretty much all millsurp.
I came to the US as a young teen from the UK, my great uncle had an FFL and would even import some rifles and ammo his father set up the store not long after WW2 so alot of rifles and ammo he said even hardware store would sell mausers, carcanos and ariskas for a low price same with the ammo.
But he had some hihsight to stock up on interesting stuff (ww2 vet and was a aprentice gunsmith in Birmingham before the war for mostly hunting rifles.
He really loved mausers especially the Swedish and have quite a few variants even post ww2 ones but my favorate is a m41B with a nice german optic, it's been sent off a few times to have the seals changed and such but the wood, the finish, it was made during the war but maybe was not issued or issued to a soldier that mostly just carried it and did not shoot it much.
Most old optics are bad but this one is very good for it's time.
I do worry about shooting the bores out but you can get NOS barrels or new production as its a very popular round in Sweden so is the rifle and it was used as a sniper/DMR into the 80s /90s
As I'm from the UK I have some nice examples of SMLE and martini endfeilds but I found a cheap SMLE that had awful wood, dinged up finish, barrel had no rust but heads pace was out the rifling was good but the lead was pretty badly corroded probably from cordite and the muzzle was not in the best shape.
Was thinking of buying to convert to 7.62x39 as same bore and had a bore insert in a type99 arisaka.
But my uncle removed the barrel cut some off and added some threads, cut off a little of the muzzle and recrowned, got a 7.62x53R from Finland for a good price rechambered it and did the extractor cut and headspace, very tight chamber.
Played with the mag and it feeds off stripper clips just fine 10 rounds and is very accurate, plus all that 54r surplus that was crazy cheap.
Did the same to a battered Martini Henry, I was on vacation but said he had to get a new barrel made, but so fun to shoot.
I don't mind handloading even if it olvolves casting, home made gas checks powder coating and patching with paper or something stronger.
But I mostly just love to shoot cheap ammo and the cheapist rifle round was 7N6 and pistol was 7.62x25
Uncle managed to get a lever action converted to the tok ammo and he manged to get a savage converted to 5.45x39 we really wanted the east German police rifle but crazy expensive and rare.
I just hope piton goes so cna get cheap ammo back, I have alot stockpiled but I feel like it's such a waste to shoot what is now very valuable surplus ammo I can't replace.
I feel after WW2 since their was alot of nations making mausers rifles and 8mm mausers ammo even steel case and for the MG42 you had to use steel case as if the bolt bounced on brass it ruined the MG, on steel no issue.
I feel they should have made 8mm the GPMG and DMR cartridge for Nato and just rename it 8mm NATO
For assault rifles they should have stuck with .280 British and as powders and bullets modernised in sure both would still be in service.
With 9mm for pistols and .50bmg for bigger MGs and rifles.