"Like New" Yugo M48 Mausers?

[st1264]

Wow. So 750$ all in for an M48? Pretty sure my lgs sells them for 499. Even that is high in my opinion.

$500-550 is the norm for a shooter grade M48 at a store. The ones that Weimajack and TradeEx had recently have been mostly excellent condition, #'s matching rifles with accessories intact for $595. It seems Weimajack upped his prices by $50, he has a couple in wrap - I'm assuming they're mint.

I know everyone is stuck in 2012 when Marstar sold #'s matching excellent condition M48's for $349, but things have gone up. Haven't seen any more like that until now and the batch is almost sold out.

Try to get a Chinese SKS for under $300 now. Supply and Demand. If you bought yours for $350 back then, I'm sure you can make some money after this batch is all sold out.

Mine is #'s matching, even factory writing on the stock matches, near perfect bluing, brand new bore... just a few marks on the stock.

 

[Hitzy]

For $700 I'll take one of these Zastava Mausers over the M48 Zastavas....and it won't be in 8x57 lol.

 

[Eaglelord17]

Just because supply has gone down doesn't necessarily mean that price should go up. There isn't a extremely high amount of demand for Yugoslavian Mausers. Most people who want a M48 want one because it is 'close' to a K98k but cheaper not because of the history behind it (which is still interesting, just most people don't collect that).

The reality is there is tons of M48s in Canada, and unless for whatever reason there is a sharp surge in interest in Yugoslavian culture (maybe a show like Band of Brothers about the Partizans fighting there, actually thinking about it, the concept would look more like Game of Thrones) the prices shouldn't be going up much.

 

[Claven2]

Two points I will make:

1) I like 8x57 more than most comparable caliber a when loaded to euro pressures, not the anemic US loads the lawyers imposed fearing people will shoot them in a gew88.

2) I don't know anyone who bought an m48 as a cost effective k98 lookalike, apart from Mitchell's Mauser customers. I bought mine as it is a cost effective way to get an as-new matching 8mm military Mauser with a prefect bore, large ring 98 action, that is rugged and fun to shoot with irons. I often carry mine around the property and shoot pests with it because it's fun and eccentric to use this gun over a .22lr or whatever. And I can shoot milsurps matches with it. It's built like a tank as well.

If I wanted a matching nazi k98, that is what I would buy. And then it would sit there looking pretty as its too valuable to shoot much.

Also noteworthy. At $595, tradex sold out in less than a week, so clearly there is market support at that price. Some people collect yugo stuff also, it's a viable collector field in Canada.

 

[st1264]

Just because supply has gone down doesn't necessarily mean that price should go up. There isn't a extremely high amount of demand for Yugoslavian Mausers. Most people who want a M48 want one because it is 'close' to a K98k but cheaper not because of the history behind it (which is still interesting, just most people don't collect that).

Russian Capture K98's are $779 at my CT, the same ones were still there a month later. There were a few Yugo M48's there (all in better shape), they sold out in a few days at $525, according to the CT dude, when I bought the last one.

Draw your own conclusion. Near new, well made Mauser rifle for less than a beat up K98 is an easy choice.

For $700 I'll take one of these Zastava Mausers over the M48 Zastavas....and it won't be in 8x57 lol.

I remember reading a thread on these newly made Zastava Mausers and it seemed that not all the comments were positive. Lets just say that your opinion isn't shared by all.

Even the 'best bang for your buck' $350 VZ24 Mausers are sold out at Lever Arms.

 

[Hitzy]

Russian Capture K98's are $779 at my CT, the same ones were still there a month later. There were a few Yugo M48's there (all in better shape), they sold out in a few days at $525, according to the CT dude, when I bought the last one.

Draw your own conclusion. Near new, well made Mauser rifle for less than a beat up K98 is an easy choice.



I remember reading a thread on these newly made Zastava Mausers and it seemed that not all the comments were positive. Lets just say that your opinion isn't shared by all.

Even the 'best bang for your buck' $350 VZ24 Mausers are sold out at Lever Arms.

Well they are about as smooth as a military M48 which isn't exactly Swede or German quality, but passable for a $700 newly made all steel and wood '98 Mauser. Hammer forged barrels, fully adjustable triggers, walnut stocks with rough inletting like an M48 (you would almost think they were made at the same factory lol), very well done high polish blue finish on all metal.... I was a little skeptical at first, but handled several at SAIL and couldn't find anything wrong with them, ended up ordering a 7x57 from Tradex which turned out to be a tack driver. I'd probably add a 6.5 and a 9.3 if they ever get more in, they are surprisingly decent guns.

 

[Claven2]

Well they are about as smooth as a military M48 which isn't exactly Swede or German quality, but passable for a $700 newly made all steel and wood '98 Mauser. Hammer forged barrels, fully adjustable triggers, walnut stocks with rough inletting like an M48 (you would almost think they were made at the same factory lol), very well done high polish blue finish on all metal.... I was a little skeptical at first, but handled several at SAIL and couldn't find anything wrong with them, ended up ordering a 7x57 from Tradex which turned out to be a tack driver. I'd probably add a 6.5 and a 9.3 if they ever get more in, they are surprisingly decent guns.

Not a fan of that stock profile, but yes, they are a good buy for $700. The buyer of that rifle is probably not the same buyer an an M48. Most owners have no intention of sporterizing their M48 or drilling and tapping for a scope.

I find it strange you decry the 8x57JS but opted for a 7x57. Both calibers are not considered "mainstream" in north america and the 8mm JS was thought, at the time it came out in 1905, to improve upon the 7x57 which dates back to 1892.

 

[Hitzy]

Not a fan of that stock profile, but yes, they are a good buy for $700. The buyer of that rifle is probably not the same buyer an an M48. Most owners have no intention of sporterizing their M48 or drilling and tapping for a scope.

I find it strange you decry the 8x57JS but opted for a 7x57. Both calibers are not considered "mainstream" in north america and the 8mm JS was thought, at the time it came out in 1905, to improve upon the 7x57 which dates back to 1892.

I love the 8x57, it was more of a jab that it's all you can get in an M48, and $700 buys you many more options. Oddly enough all my 8x57 rifles are on military '96 actions and my 6.5's are German '98's...
I tried liking military mausers, i just found i couldn't shoot them nearly as well as my 1917's, P14's, Garands, M1's AR15's, even my K31 has diopters. I've sold off every notch/post sighted milsurp I've ever owned with the exception of a few SKS rifles.
So since i hate post/notch sights, and i refuse to bubba one up to make it more user friendly, i just don't buy em anymore lol. Great hunting action though.

PS there is a thread a few posts down where buddy is asking what options there are for his VZ24 sights because they kinda suck....so im not the only one!

 

[Claven2]

Biggest issue with VZ sights is that they are set to min 300 meters. Makes for a high shooting gun at 100 yards. The yugo guns also shoot a little high with 200m sights, but it's much more manageable.

Also, the VZ's have a notoriously small sight notch, much smaller than an M48 V.

 

[Eaglelord17]

2) I don't know anyone who bought an m48 as a cost effective k98 lookalike, apart from Mitchell's Mauser customers. I bought mine as it is a cost effective way to get an as-new matching 8mm military Mauser with a prefect bore, large ring 98 action, that is rugged and fun to shoot with irons. I often carry mine around the property and shoot pests with it because it's fun and eccentric to use this gun over a .22lr or whatever. And I can shoot milsurps matches with it. It's built like a tank as well.
If I wanted a matching nazi k98, that is what I would buy. And then it would sit there looking pretty as its too valuable to shoot much.
Also noteworthy. At $595, tradex sold out in less than a week, so clearly there is market support at that price. Some people collect yugo stuff also, it's a viable collector field in Canada.

You obviously don't spend much time with people that don't collect guns. I know what it is, and you know what it is, however most people aren't really aware or if they are aren't willing to pay for it. I actually recommend M48s (and VZ-24s) to people who are looking to start on a Mauser action for collecting and are looking to do it on the cheap (some people just want the action type). More or less it is the same product at a fraction of the price (I know there are differences, but they are slight in the grand scheme of things).

I am also aware people collect Yugoslavian firearms (I collect all sorts of firearms most don't have interest in, Carcanos, M95s, Portuguese M1904 and M1904/39s, French Rifles, etc.), that being said most people don't start out collecting going 'hey I want to collect Yugoslavian firearms'. Most start out with a goal of something like WWII firearms or American firearms, or German firearms. Obviously this is also were a fair bit of people stay because the number of books written on the subjects show where the interest is (not saying any type of collecting is less interesting, just that the majority of people aren't interested in it).

Russian Capture K98's are $779 at my CT, the same ones were still there a month later. There were a few Yugo M48's there (all in better shape), they sold out in a few days at $525, according to the CT dude, when I bought the last one.
Draw your own conclusion. Near new, well made Mauser rifle for less than a beat up K98 is an easy choice.

Exactly what I said. They are cheaper than a K98k and are in much better shape. Pretty close to the same experience at a fraction of the price.

 

[BeaverMeat]

Most owners have no intention of sporterizing their M48 or drilling and tapping for a scope.

That's why I bought one. I really dig the look of a M48 with a Zrak ON-M76 sniper scope mounted on it. I bought a second one from this batch to compare with my other one. The most accurate gun gets the scope and the accurizing treatment.

Yes they are both M48s, not the A or bo.

 

[st1264]

Also, the VZ's have a notoriously small sight notch, much smaller than an M48 V.

My only complaint with an otherwise, flawless rifle. I must fault my eyes as well, because I have a hard time seeing a rear notch anyway, but that one is TINY - therefore even more difficult.

I'd love to pop a rear peep sight on there and I'd be in hog heaven.

 

[Claven2]

That's why I bought one. I really dig the look of a M48 with a Zrak ON-M76 sniper scope mounted on it. I bought a second one from this batch to compare with my other one. The most accurate gun gets the scope and the accurizing treatment.

Yes they are both M48s, not the A or bo.

That's almost not like altering a milsurp as it was an issue configuration. I built one once, sold it to a fellow in BC, but should have kept it.

 

[BeaverMeat]

That's almost not like altering a milsurp as it was an issue configuration. I built one once, sold it to a fellow in BC, but should have kept it.

I have one built on a Yugo captured k98. The damn thing shoots like a laser.

 

[knotking]

This is the final unveiling of the Weimajack M48 I purchased. I cant take a good picture of the barrel rifling but it looks ok to me. It has character dings after all and isnt a brand-new, fresh off the factory line but it looks good to me. I think the days of $300 M48s are gone for now.

Im curious about the underside of the barrel, all the numbers mixed up like the guy was just making them to show he was working, no real order, or is it? What do the markings mean?

 

[Claven2]

I think it turned out nice. I can't really make out your assembly number in the photos. I can see there is one on the underside of the bolt handle. Are there similar (or the same?) numbers on the receiver underneath the serial number and on the barrel ahead of the serial number?

 

[st1264]

I can't read those #'s either... but you have a really nice rifle there. Bluing looks perfect, stock has a few marks but I wouldn't be unhappy about that.

 

[knotking]

Old camera. They're different numbers but no dot to indicate rebarelling. I will take another look at the numbers and reply today. What kind of jumble of numbers is it? Like the marker didn't gaf.
62552 on top of bolt handle, same as on the side. Looks like 830 under the bolt handle. Under the barrel I can't tell either, 8 3 0 in there somewhere as well as something else but I can't make it out.


Usual dings as I said, happy. Spent a lot of time getting the cosmo out. Pretty happy.

 

[gordonlbyrne]

Jean at P&S still have some for 595,nice rifle by the way.I was tempted to buy one but i have an m48 BO and a m48A already so i think im going to pass this time.I scoped my m48 bo with the zark scope and mount ,it turned out real nice .The m48 Bo rifles were new in greese.I think i paid 600 for that rifle 6 years ago from Frontier firearms so 595 is not a bad price for these i dont think

 

[Claven2]

Jean at P&S still have some for 595,nice rifle by the way.I was tempted to buy one but i have an m48 BO and a m48A already so i think im going to pass this time.I scoped my m48 bo with the zark scope and mount ,it turned out real nice .The m48 Bo rifles were new in greese.I think i paid 600 for that rifle 6 years ago from Frontier firearms so 595 is not a bad price for these i dont think

Lol you need an m48 milled to round out your variant collection, and maybe an M48 B also.