Waiting for a 1912 Chilean Contract Mauser to arrive. Changed to 7.62 Nato in 1961 so have been reloading 308 for it's homecoming. Made in Austria, it's the long rifle, large ring 98 action. Hopefully a good shooter.
Chilian Mauser
- Thread starter lyman54
- Start date
I handled a 1912 once and I will say they are extremely well made. I have always wondered about the .308 conversions. There are plenty of posts on U.S. forums saying they are dangerous but I think if you hand load for them, you should be fine.
Let us know how she shoots
.
Let us know how she shoots
.Are the posts refering to the small ring 1895 conversions or the 1912 conversions? I think the small ring conversions used a chamber insert/barrel sleeve (can't remember now) where as the large ring 1912 conversions used a new barrel assy. I would think the 1912 conversions should be perfectly safe if this is the case.
That 1912, will shoot just fine. I've got one that has a minty bore and will shoot better than I can hold it.
I haven't seen any of them, other than one of the 7x57's with a less than perfect bore.
Mine has a definite preferrence for milsurp 7.62x51 over commercial hunting ammo.
I haven't seen any of them, other than one of the 7x57's with a less than perfect bore.
Mine has a definite preferrence for milsurp 7.62x51 over commercial hunting ammo.
The Chilean Model 1912s manufactured by Steyr are of excellent quality some of the best Mausers built.
I have one short model and two of the long Chilean Model 1912s, one in 308 and the other in 7X57. The long rifles in 308 have new barrels, and my short rifle I believe has a Springfield barrel and are two groove. The two groove barrels are really rough on the exterior and don't look as good as the long guns.
I think you will be pleased with your 1912.
I have one short model and two of the long Chilean Model 1912s, one in 308 and the other in 7X57. The long rifles in 308 have new barrels, and my short rifle I believe has a Springfield barrel and are two groove. The two groove barrels are really rough on the exterior and don't look as good as the long guns.
I think you will be pleased with your 1912.
Thanks guys. From what I have read about them, they were converted in 1961 with M1903 30.06 barrels from the U.S. 1/2 inch was removed from the breech end for the shorter 7.62 rd and milled. That's why they have a 29 1/2 " barrel instead of the original 30". But yeah, looking forward to trying it out. Virgin .308 brass is very hard to find around here right now. I loaded 20 with once fired and the only new stuff was Hornady Match at x2 the price. Being a sap I bought a box. Should last though for awhile.
I believe jbmauser is correct. 1895's were small ring and the change to Nato was haphazard at best. Course if you can find one that's original cal. that would be nice to have.
Your right, apparently there are many posts on the differences between the 7.62 Nato and .308 Winchester and shooting it in the 1895 conversions.
There is also one website where someone cut open a converted action and took some pictures. It gives you a good idea on exactly what the Chileans did to modernize them.
There is also one website where someone cut open a converted action and took some pictures. It gives you a good idea on exactly what the Chileans did to modernize them.
Beat you!
Mine arrived last week. Steyr, re-barreled (not re-chambered) to .308.
Shoots well. This trigger is a bit heavier than any of the other Mausers that have passed through here. The bore looks like it's new. It also came with 15 chargers/strippers. These have been used enough that loading is silky.
My first South American Mauser. I've no doubt you'll love yours'.
Picture from vendor...looks better in real-life.
Mine arrived last week. Steyr, re-barreled (not re-chambered) to .308.
Shoots well. This trigger is a bit heavier than any of the other Mausers that have passed through here. The bore looks like it's new. It also came with 15 chargers/strippers. These have been used enough that loading is silky.
My first South American Mauser. I've no doubt you'll love yours'.
Picture from vendor...looks better in real-life.
I saw that website. The one where solder was used? Kinda scary, no?
I wonder...
If everything is tight to begin with, and the bolt locks up nice n' snug...where can it go?
I've toyed with notions of "locktite" retained chamber adapters...the worst case scenario is the adapter comes out with a spent shell. Not noticing that would certainly affect the follow-up shot...
WooHoo
Now that's a fine lookin' Mauser. Honestly, even the crest is mighty fancy!
Now the OP will be even itchier to get the mail!
Missed this one...
I'm not certain they are more accurate...by design (not so cool) they were for knockin' down fellas with other rifles pointed back! Effort put into accuracy is only one cool thing about 'surps for me.
I'm not really a "collector"...I'm old enough to know that a 'surp was cheaper than a new, commercial equivalent. They were abundant (never marketed as military "collectible", always "surplus") and, built right. The fellas carrying them weren't going to take a couple of shots at a deer. They were going to shoot 'em until the opposition fell. They were not going into hands of "collectors", but people that may have been pulled from any career to squeeze those triggers through trenches, mud, and usually opposition (in the case of South American rifles jungle too!). Arming your team with something not designed quite right would end the gruesome game pretty quickly...
It is something to think about but I would still be interested in trying an 1895 conversion with some hand loads. I bet they could be wonderful shooters in very common caliber.
One would have to think that the Chilean military wouldn't be arming their soldiers with a gun that was going to blow up or that a company as famous as Steyr would perform a conversion that was dangerous. I myself wouldn't be firing commercial .308 ammo through the 1895's, but I would feel confident that some light handloads would work just fine.
Last edited:
