mauser condition

liloldhobit · September 12, 2010, 10:04 AM

Hey everybody new to the forum so if question has been asked before bare with me please. I am entertaing the idea of building a custom useing a mauser action what are the tell tell signs of a bad action / reciever, and where might i find a mauser for sale other than gun broker. sarco is out ,jg has yugo;not sure about the yugo.any help would be great

PetahW · September 12, 2010, 11:10 AM

If I was building a Mauser-based custom rifle today, ILO doing all the expensive alteration work, I would look around for an entire commercial rifle with a Mauser action which already has an altered bolt handle, aftermarket trigger/safety, and is D/T'd.
You'd also be secure in the knowledge that most (not all) of them have been made of decent quality steel, and shouldn't have any blood rust below the stock line.

Just be sure that it's in a chambering that uses a bolt face compatible with whatever cartridge you're planning for, so no bolt work/swap would be necessary.

.

HankC1 · September 12, 2010, 12:38 PM

When you buy a mauser action, check to make sure the receiver is straight. Mauser receiver can be twisted easily if not careful when removing the barrel. Seat it on a flat surface. Should be solid. Not the end of world if twisted a bit. Can be twisted back. I did one. Also, there are different mauser action types, small ring, large ring, and large ring with small shank, also Yugo mid length action. Standard large ring mauser is better.

Scorch · September 12, 2010, 02:45 PM

You can buy new commercial Mauser actions for about $350 (Zastava actions), less than you would pay to sporterize a military Mauser action, and probably better than any millitary Mauser action you could find. Get a hold of WildAlaska and ask him, I am sure he would be glad to help you out.

If you are stuck on using a military Mauser action, you can buy actions from Shotgun News for about $100.

10-96 · September 12, 2010, 08:33 PM

And for not a whole lot more, you might find a 1903A3 action that has already been bubba'd.

James K · September 13, 2010, 01:13 PM

Maybe I will get in trouble here, but are you set up with a good shop and all the tools and equipment you will need, and do you know how to do the work?

If not, and you will be paying for the work, be aware that if you want a sporting rifle, you can buy a good used or even a new commercial model for a whole lot less than you will spend buying an action and having your own built.

Project for fun? Sure. Economical sporting rifle? Nope.

Jim

liloldhobit · September 13, 2010, 03:00 PM

No trouble at all you bring up a good point. I am machanically enclined and have alot of the hand tools .I would probably have to outsorce some work. but am ok with a lot of the work. this would be a prodject rifle.I do light smithing to my collection as is . I have built 2 ars. and found it to be enjoyable.

Clark · September 23, 2010, 12:28 AM

I have been sporterizing Mausers for 45 years.
It is not worth the time and money.
But it is a really entertaining hobby.

I have built up many different Mausers, but I can't see anything wrong with a VZ24
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=120

By the time I am done with them, few of the parts are in original condition.

September 12, 2010, 10:04 AM	#1
liloldhobit Junior Member Join Date: September 11, 2010 Posts: 6	mauser condition Hey everybody new to the forum so if question has been asked before bare with me please. I am entertaing the idea of building a custom useing a mauser action what are the tell tell signs of a bad action / reciever, and where might i find a mauser for sale other than gun broker. sarco is out ,jg has yugo;not sure about the yugo.any help would be great

September 12, 2010, 02:45 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	You can buy new commercial Mauser actions for about $350 (Zastava actions), less than you would pay to sporterize a military Mauser action, and probably better than any millitary Mauser action you could find. Get a hold of WildAlaska and ask him, I am sure he would be glad to help you out. If you are stuck on using a military Mauser action, you can buy actions from Shotgun News for about $100. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 12, 2010, 08:33 PM	#5
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	And for not a whole lot more, you might find a 1903A3 action that has already been bubba'd. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

September 12, 2010, 11:10 AM	#2
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	If I was building a Mauser-based custom rifle today, ILO doing all the expensive alteration work, I would look around for an entire commercial rifle with a Mauser action which already has an altered bolt handle, aftermarket trigger/safety, and is D/T'd. You'd also be secure in the knowledge that most (not all) of them have been made of decent quality steel, and shouldn't have any blood rust below the stock line. Just be sure that it's in a chambering that uses a bolt face compatible with whatever cartridge you're planning for, so no bolt work/swap would be necessary. .

September 12, 2010, 12:38 PM	#3
HankC1 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 531	When you buy a mauser action, check to make sure the receiver is straight. Mauser receiver can be twisted easily if not careful when removing the barrel. Seat it on a flat surface. Should be solid. Not the end of world if twisted a bit. Can be twisted back. I did one. Also, there are different mauser action types, small ring, large ring, and large ring with small shank, also Yugo mid length action. Standard large ring mauser is better.

September 13, 2010, 01:13 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Maybe I will get in trouble here, but are you set up with a good shop and all the tools and equipment you will need, and do you know how to do the work? If not, and you will be paying for the work, be aware that if you want a sporting rifle, you can buy a good used or even a new commercial model for a whole lot less than you will spend buying an action and having your own built. Project for fun? Sure. Economical sporting rifle? Nope. Jim

September 13, 2010, 03:00 PM	#7
liloldhobit Junior Member Join Date: September 11, 2010 Posts: 6	No trouble at all you bring up a good point. I am machanically enclined and have alot of the hand tools .I would probably have to outsorce some work. but am ok with a lot of the work. this would be a prodject rifle.I do light smithing to my collection as is . I have built 2 ars. and found it to be enjoyable.

September 23, 2010, 12:28 AM	#8
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I have been sporterizing Mausers for 45 years. It is not worth the time and money. But it is a really entertaining hobby. I have built up many different Mausers, but I can't see anything wrong with a VZ24 http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=120 By the time I am done with them, few of the parts are in original condition.