Mannlicher-Schoenauer Carbines?

manbearpig

manbearpig

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evening folks. i have a few questions i hope someone can help me answer:

-where can i find a Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine like this? are they difficult to find?

-roughly how much will it cost me (good bore)?

-they can also be found in different chamberings (like .308), but - what sort of performance does 6.5x54 MS give? is brass hard to come by?

-how would one of these compare to a Ruger M77 MKII International? obviously the MS is a nicer gun, but on the other hand the Ruger is a no-fuss, brand new factory gun that i wont have to worry about potential old gun headspace/scope mounting/bore/etc issues. any thoughts?

:cheers:

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manbearpig said:
evening folks. i have a few questions i hope someone can help me answer:

-where can i find a Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine like this? are they difficult to find?

-roughly how much will it cost me (good bore)?

-they can also be found in different chamberings (like .308), but - what sort of performance does 6.5x54 MS give? is brass hard to come by?

-how would one of these compare to a Ruger M77 MKII International? obviously the MS is a nicer gun, but on the other hand the Ruger is a no-fuss, brand new factory gun that i wont have to worry about potential old gun headspace/scope mounting/bore/etc issues. any thoughts?
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1. There are several models like the ones in the pictures - the pre-war versions are the Models 1903, 1905, 1908, 1910 and 1924. Post war models are the 1950, 1950 Improved, 1952, 1952 Improved, 1956, 1960 and MCA. There is also the m-72 which is a Mannlicher model - niether Steyr nor Schoenauer.

The pre-war models come only in 6.5x54MS, 9x56 MS, 8x56 MS and 9.5x56 MS, except the 1924 which is available in .30-06, 8x60s, 8x57 and some others.

To me the pre-war versions have much nicer and sleeker lines than the post war versions. Their actions are incredibly smooth - like greased butter! They also have very nice rotary magazines that are like works of art.

2. Cost - from $1000 up. I don't think you will have much luck at the lower end of the price range for a carbine. I'd be thinking that you should budget closer to $1500 for a nice pre-war version - especially one that hasn't been drilled and tapped. Half-stock versions can be had for less. They are not easy to find as most folks don't want to part with them - and there is a reason for that! You may have to get one out of the states.

3. 6.5x54 MS gives plenty of performance for all N.A. game except the big bears. I don't have my load data in front of me but both RWS and Norma are now selling factory ammo so check on their web site. Ammo and brass are hard to find.

4. Comparing it to an RSI is grounds for being beaten with a stick! There is no comparison other than saying a Toyota Yaris is a car and so is a 911 GT3! I've owned both (rifles) and please believe me thatan RSI is no substitute. It feels like and oversized piece of unbalanced driftwood in comparison to the M-S and I won't even speak of the action, trigger and magazine.

5. Scope mounting is a problem as they are a split reciever and most mounts you see on them are side mounts. On the other hand the pre-war versions have absolutely outstanding open sights (one standing and one folding for rear).

Buy one, you won't regret it and unlike most firearms it is a good investment, imo.
 
My first fullstock rifle was a tang safe RSI, nothing wrong with them, they're actually well balanced for what you pay. In my opinion, the medium length cartridge RSI's are better balnced than the long cartridge rifles.
I have been collecting fullstocks for some time now and just this past fall a fellow offered me a M-S 1903 in 6.5x54. Needless to say I jumped on it for the price it was offered at. Put a WTB out, someone may have one for you. Well worth it if it is original and unaltered.
Good luck and expect to wait.
 
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wow, thats a lot of info 1899. thank you very much.
when looking at a used one, are there any characteristic problems i should be looking for?

dont beat me with a stick :D -- when comparing it to the RSI i was speaking more in terms of convenience.
i am no gunsmith, nor milsurp collector: the prospect of buying a gun this old and this 'alien' to me - without parts available - is quite daunting. in contrast, buying a new gun is very low-risk.
 
manbearpig said:
wow, thats a lot of info 1899. thank you very much.
when looking at a used one, are there any characteristic problems i should be looking for?

dont beat me with a stick :D -- when comparing it to the RSI i was speaking more in terms of convenience.
i am no gunsmith, nor milsurp collector: the prospect of buying a gun this old and this 'alien' to me - without parts available - is quite daunting for me. in contrast, buying a new gun is zero risk.
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Well, convenience I guess is one thing, but they are so different. But true, it is more convenient to call up a dealer and buy a new RSI in whatever chambering you choose - and it will even come with rings!

The older versions had cleaning kits in the butt, those are usually missing. Watch out for cracks in the stock as they are not readily available. To my knowledge on Great American Gunstocks make them and some folks have had bad luck with that company, although I have not.

There is greater risk, but the reward is substantial. Rifles like the M-S tend to ruin a person. Working the action of another rifle will never be the same. Take a good look at the bore and headspace - just like you would on any used rifle. I'd pay up for a really nice one from south of the border - Cabella's usually have a few and so do some other high end dealers. Save up a bit and get Clay to bring one in. I sadly sold a bunch of mine before I even knew of CGN. I had an absolutely mint 1908 that went to california - I sold it for US$1000 - *gnashes teeth* I really regret selling those rifles.
 
Like the guys have stated once you cycle and action on an MS you will not even consider buying anything else, you will be on the hunt for an MS. The price for a pre-war MS carbine is around $1400 and up depending on condition, scope mounts, sights. I bought a 1903 6.5x54 MS this last year for just under $1400 but it also came with a Lyman model 36 peeps wich go for between $200-350 and the only thing I would trade it for is A best English Nitro double barrell rifle. Ammo is readily available from RWS and Norma, dies and brass can be ordered very easy ,and there is only 1 bullet grain these 6.5's need 160 gr round nose wich does the job well. Another rout you could go is find a Greek Mannlicher military rifle and build a custom carbine out of that, as long as you rebarrell it back to the same calibre. Good luck on your hunt for the perfect rifle. PS anyone who has a cleaning rod set for sale and a set of original sights for a 1903 please PM me, thanks Dale in T-Bay:dancingbanana:
 
I have an `03 in 6.5 and would like to know if anyone out there knows where to find ammunition for it. This gun has been in my family my whole life, so no it's not for sale. Just wondering about ammo.
 
While I agree that the pre-war models are the best, I have a Steyr Mannlicher Model 72 (1972) in a carbine- 30-06, that my friends keep wanting to take from me when we are hunting. Accurate, beautiful, handy, crisp and clean trigger, good metal rotary magazine, hammer forged bbl - I love it. It does not have the split receiver and is more of a Steyr type bolt (like a weatherby) - but it works clean and fast. It is an option to you for a very nice carbine. They tend to be around the $800-1200 area and can appear in a wide range of calibers.

I am a bit hesitant to bring out the pre-war guys for hunting. I should - but just cant do it. In my experience - a MS 1903 6.5 carbine with a very good+ bore, unaltered can push $2000+ these days as there are fewer available.

The newer models of Steyr Mannlichers started to use plastic in their trigger housings, magazines and bottom "metal". They are fine to use - but I have seen the plastic crack.
 
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The newer models of Steyr Mannlichers started to use plastic in their trigger housings, magazines and bottom "metal". They are fine to use - but I have seen the plastic crack.
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I have two Steyr Mannlichers, one an "L" Model in 308 and an early "SL" in 222 Rem Mag, both have the plastic trigger guards and mags. I have seen the cracking you mentioned, although mine are pristine thankfully. Great little rifles, with quality built in. Metal would have been nicer where the plastic is, but I'm sure the price would have been that much more.
 
farshot said:
The newer models of Steyr Mannlichers started to use plastic in their trigger housings, magazines and bottom "metal". They are fine to use - but I have seen the plastic crack.
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The Luxus models are all metal - including the magazine.
 
I should have specified "some" newer models used plastic.

BTW - I tried a thicker Hot Stuff (crazy glue) into the plastic (it is more like a nylon filled plastic) cracks, thin layer after thin layer. Then I lightly sanded it and it came out quite nice looking. The glue appears to be holding up well. You can hardly see the cracks.
 
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I know the models you are speaking of, they are the post M72 and came in SL, L, M, S and S/T.

I agree that for every day use a newer model Steyr-Mannlicher is more practical. I posted a picture in a different thread, but here are a few to give you an idea:

Model S -
Models1.jpg


view of magazine:
ModelS.jpg
 
gunrunner100 said:
My first fullstock rifle was a tang safe RSI, nothing wrong with them, they're actually well balanced for what you pay. In my opinion, the medium length cartridge RSI's are better balnced than the long cartridge rifles.
I have been collecting fullstocks for some time now and just this past fall a fellow offered me a M-S 1903 in 6.5x54. Needless to say I jumped on it for the price it was offered at. Put a WTB out, someone may have one for you. Well worth it if it is original and unaltered.
Good luck and expect to wait.
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I have a full stock 1903 I’d love to get some info on….
 
This 8X56 was a great little carbine , and in excellent shape as well.
But as has already been noted, trying to compare an RSI to it is redicuous! The weight, balance, magazine system, just for starters are a World apart from modern the modern Bolt action RSI which handle like a club compared to the Mannlicher- not that the RSI is bad, it's just tht the Mannlicher is so much more superior . That however, is only my opinion after owning several of each!
Cat
https://imgur.com/qYwiesc
 
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