I would like to buy a Mauser 98 or a Mosin Nagant. Which is more accurate and has greater range? I would like to mount a simple 4x scope on it without drilling or gunsmithing, if possible. If not possible, then I'd like to buy the rifle and just use the iron sights. This will be used for target plinking with the cheapest surplus ammo.
Where would be the best place to buy such a rifle? Cabela's? Dallas Gun show? Aim Surplus? Gunsamerica? This forum? Local pawn shops? Does Cabela's even sell the Mauser 98? I've seen Mosin Nagants before at Cabela's and they'll probably sell them again this year at the annual NRA member's 10% off sale at the beginning of February. However, do any of you guys remember if they sold Mauser 98s at last year's NRA sale?
Both have a huge range if you know how to shoot that far out. For accuracy, the Mauser will probably be better out of the box, but a Mosin can shoot well if you have a clean one and dial it in.
J&G usually has plenty of both available. They also have K31s.
Any of the big C&R distributors will have one ore the other. The 91/30 is going to be cheaper and easier to find.
Do yourself a favor, and get your C&R FFL if you don't have it. I just got mine. $30, 2 pages of paperwork, and about a 30 day wait, and I get discounts from a lot of the online vendors and get C&R weapons delivered to my doorstep. I'm trying to pick out my first C&R purchase right now, and it will probably be a 91/30.
Here is a link to a list of the big C&R vendors, as well as people who give discounts to C&R holders.
My Dad just got a Mauser from them, but he's in Kuwait (MG, USAR) so it was shipped to Targetmaster in Garland so I can...safeguard...it until he returns. It is *very* nice and there is one on special now according to an e-mail I got this morning. If you call Mitchell's (in OldGringo's link) to inquire about their Mausers, ask for Mike in sales. He's very helpful.
*edited because I misplaced an apostrophe...sorry 'bout that.
Dallas Gun Show: Any vendors? What country of origin and price?
Cabela's: Will they have a sale on Feb 4 NRA sale that includes Mausers? What did they sell last year at the NRA sale and what was the price? I called Cabela's and the guy said that he wasn't sure, but he thinks that he may have sold some Swedish Mausers last year, but there's no guarantee that's what they'll sell this year.
Any other suggestions where I can get a good Mauser? I know nothing about Mausers. I don't care about the collector values of certain markings on the gun. I just want a Mauser that shoots cheap mil surp ammo accurately and has a clean bore free of pitting plus an action that is solid and free of rust.
BTW, guns and ammo magazine this month had an article that tested the 1903 springfield, the smle lee enfield, the k98k mauser, and the mosin nagant. They shot all these guns using period scopes and old ammo from WWII. The conclusion was that the Mauser only had an effective range of about 500 yards while the Mosin Nagant had a range of 1000 yards (article writer shot a 16 inch group at 1000 yards). Does that mean that the Mosin Nagant is a superior rifle? Why does everyone say that the Mauser is superior? The Mauser is on everyone's "Top 10 Rifles of All Time" lists while the Mosin is not. Why?
Range and accuracy differences between single examples of the two are probably much more ammunition and condition dependent.
The Mausers were sold commercially almost from day 1, and that helped their popularity and aided their development. There were so many available here on the surplus market during the 50's and 60's that they became very popular. Their bolt location - closer to the trigger - is much better for rapid bolt work. Also, new Mauser barrels are available in many different calibers, and it's not that hard to fit one or to find a gunsmith who can. Replacement parts are readily available as are a variety of accessories, mounts, adjustable triggers, reshaped bolts, speed locks, any kind/material of stock you want, etc. It's also easier to find quality ammunition in the common military M98 calibers - 7X57 and 8X57.
Mosin Nagants were always military production, with few if any target or sporting pretensions. When the USSR did use them in sniping and competition, they did very well, so the accuracy potential is there. The MN is a bit more difficult to sporterize, having a split bridge that complicates scope and receiver sight mounting. Then there's that bolt handle itself - short and awkwardly placed ... MN ccessories are limited. Some scope/mount combinations, a trigger or two, a couple of different stocks, etc. I'm not big on Commblock milsurp ammunition - it varies a LOT in quality. I'm not afraid of the MN nor do I particularly dislike it - my son has one and likes it just fine. The MN is handicapped by a couple of features and its relative lack of popularity.
If I were building an across-the-course NRA match rifle based on a WWI or WWII era service rifle (which I've done a couple of times), MN's would be way down on the list. I'd shoot a stock MN in a match for fun, and plan to this summer, but wouldn't bet much on winning.
BTW, I prefer the M96 Swedish Mauser in 6.5X55 over the typical M98. But that's just me.
The sooner I get behind, the more time I have to catch up.
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