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A little info on Mausers

FarmerboybillFarmerboybill Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
edited October 2001 in Ask the Experts
The local gun shop has a 1944 Mauser for 80 bucks. He's been pretty fairly priced on guns I know about - I got my Ruger P95 SS 9mm for 290 bucks - and I have a decent level of trust that he isn't gonna rip me off, but I'm leary of buying such an old gun anyhow. What should I look for before I buy this gun?
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Comments

  • chemengchemeng Member Posts: 85 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Okay, down and dirty.Remove the bolt by pulling the trip lever at the left side rear of the receiver. Shine a light down the barrel and check the bore and rifling. Now, the hard part. You didn't say what caliber it was. Swedes are 6mm, most of the rest are 8mm. It is best to find a headspace gauge, preferably no-go, and see if the bolt will close on it. If it does, the rifle is worn out. You can order the gauges at Lock, Stock, and Barrel or borrow one from your friend the gunsmith. Aim Surplus in Ohio sells Mausers in excellent condition (Yugo 24/47's) for 89 bucks, and they are in great shape.One word of warning, the things will multiply. I have 5 now, looking at another one also.Mike
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Condition and orgin are everything here. Even if the rifling is a bit rough, the gun may still be a good shooter; checking the headspace is a good idea, but not necessary in my experience with most Mausers, as I haven't seen one really bad yet. I am gonna guess it is a Turk Mauser at this price retail, given how many have recently come in, and at that price it is a tad steep, but still in the ballpark. Find out what it is; ask us again. If in doubt, what are the markings? Measurements? The Mauser is one of the strongest actions going, so it is almost surely safe.
    Wenn alles richtig ist, dann stimmt 'was nicht. -Nena (When everything is going right, something is bound to be wrong.)
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  • LanceLance Member Posts: 128 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    1944 was not a great year for Mauser rifles made in Germany or German-occupied territory. The quality-control, tolerances, and heat treat tend to be less desirable, less safe on a significant number of rifles.
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