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Mauser Shotgun

frykasjfrykasj Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
edited March 2008 in Ask the Experts
I picked up 5 guns today that I bought at auction this week. One of them is a 12 ga bolt action shotgun built on a Mauser action. It has a 1 rnd box magazine.

Anyone know who built these? It is very well made and has a Poly adjustable choke. I can post pics if needed.
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Comments

  • frykasjfrykasj Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello again!

    I bought a Mauser 12GA. from a buddy of mine a little while back. After doing a little research on the gun I have heard a lot of horror stories about these, and I have been too chicken to shoot it. It's not a hard hit heart version, but all I have to go on is the "NITRO" and proofing stamp on the barrel (just a pass logo, no pressure given).

    My question is this; are these things really as dangerous as they are made out to be (and therefore a waste of $200), or are there exceptions to these rules (and I can take this to a gunsmith without feeling like a complete idiot)?
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  • m.j.ryanm.j.ryan Member Posts: 91 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Take it to a qualified gunsmith. Better to be an presumed an idiot in one piece than a known genius with holes in your hide.
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    there is a good discusion on this over at mausercentral.com right now. there should be a disc in the stock that says either 'REMO' or 'GEHA'. these were remanufactured from left over ww1 rifles in the 1920's. they have a separate bolt head held in by the extractor, if the bolt head is there they are safe to shoot. if the bolt head is missing and you try to shoot it they rapidly dissasemble. they are generaly choked full++ and are used by 'caard' and 'turkey' shooters.
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  • waxmanwaxman Member Posts: 18 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have one in 16 ga that has a broken stock. Does any one know if a mauser rifle stock could be made to work on it?
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  • mongrel1776mongrel1776 Member Posts: 894 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by waxman
    I have one in 16 ga that has a broken stock. Does any one know if a mauser rifle stock could be made to work on it?

    Should -- the modifications to the action were all internal. The exterior dimensions didn't change. The barrel channel might not mate up, but you'd likely want to chop the forend back anyhow -- wouldn't leave much barrel channel to have to enlarge.

    For the price of a well-used stock, it'd be worth getting one and giving it a try.
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  • frykasjfrykasj Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mike, there is no disc in the stock, and no evidence that there was one either. it may have had the stock replaced though...

    as for the bolt head, the "doughnut" that accepts the 12ga shell is still there. so theoretically it's safe to fire, but I agree with m.j.ryan, I was going to take it to a gunsmith anyway. even if it can't fire, it's still an interesting curio.
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  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My gunsmith neighbor just bought one at a local gun show saterday, it has the disc on both sides of the rear of the stock. It has the doenut on the front of the bolt, the stock has been repaired with leather at the wrist, but it is beatiful fiddleback maple under all the dings and oil. We shot it and the firing pin pierced the primer, don't know if the pin is too long or the head space is bad. Haven't had time to figure that out yet, any ideas are welcome. This is the only one of these we've ever come across.
    W.D.
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "I have one in 16 ga that has a broken stock. Does any one know if a mauser rifle stock could be made to work on it?"... yes but with some modification, there is a large spring (magazine cut-off) mounted to the bottom of the action, wood and metal (stock re-enforcing bolt)has to be removed to accomodate this.

    "We shot it and the firing pin pierced the primer, don't know if the pin is too long or the head space is bad."... all I've seen realy 'whack' the primer so the f.p. may need shortning.
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  • Laredo LeftyLaredo Lefty Member Posts: 13,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I picked up this 12Ga Mauser at an auction a few months ago. Took it out to shoot and it works fine but is very slow. It holds one round in the magazine.

    [img][/img]IMG_1661.jpg

    [img][/img]IMG_1662.jpg

    [img][/img]IMG_1664.jpg
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  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    update;
    We shortened the firing pin and everything is fine, no more holes in the primers, still hits em hard though. I'll post pictures when we get the stock done. To answer the question about useing regular 98 stocks. I don't think it will work, recoil lug is differant,so is mag well and several other internal pieces. It would require alot more inletting and bedding work than an altered gun would be worth IMHO.
    W.D.
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  • frykasjfrykasj Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I took mine to a gunsmith. he says it is fine, as long as I don't go to anything too heavy. I tried a few target loads through, and guess what, the primers were pierced. maybe I'll see about getting the firing pin shortened.
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