Gaurdia mauser in 308.

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Does anyone own one?How do they shoot,was the conversion done well?
Where do they sell them in canada?
The advertisment is at Samco global arms.
I have heard good things from some americans about there selection and prices.
A good cheap surplus mauser that eats cheap modern ammo is my holy grail.
Other than this one there is the Springfield(to pricey) or the Mosin (best bet but not as elegant as a the swiss 31 or the 8mm mauser).
 
Are you refering to the Spanish FR7 (m1916 conversion) or the FR8 version (M1943 conversion)? These are sometimes refered to as "Guardia" or "Guardia Civil" rifles.

The FR7 is based on the M93 type Mauser action wereas the the FR8 is based on the stronger M98 action.


Both rifles are conversions from their original calibers (7mm Mauser for the FR7, and 8mm Mauser for the FR8)

Conventional thought weighs against using the FR7 with anything but the original Spanish "reduced load" 7.62x51. FR8 should be fine with NATO standard 7.62x51

The FR7 conversion has provided much fodder for debate regarding it's strength with full house NATO loads. There is even some debate to be found regarding the suitability of the FR8.

Do little web research on both rifles and you will find plenty of information regarding them.
 
The FR7 and the FR8 are quite a bit different.

First of all one is a small ring model 1916 mauser (FR7) originally chambered in 7mm mauser and the latter a large ring mauser (FR8) made by LA CORUNA originally chambered in 8mm mauser.

A Pic of the LA CORUNA LR - M98 FR8 - rechambered to 7.62 NATO
range6130528ga.jpg


The Gaurdia label really specifically refers to Spanish Mausers.

Many Mausers were rechambered to 7.62 NATO that ion my mind are vastly superior to Spanish mausers.

I would personally prefer Brazilian model 1908 conversions like the M968 (7.62 NATO) or M1954 Brazilian Mauser (.30-06). If that dosen't do it for you then try the Israeli K98k in 7.62 NATO. You can still find them in good shooting condition.

I would love to find a Norweigan K98k in .30-06.

Good Luck
 
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I own a M1916 Spanish Mauser (Sm. ring) that was converted from 7x57 to 7.62 NATO.

I have shot some NATO spec ammo in it and it shows no signs of lug setback or stress.

However ........ when I start reloading I will be making some reduced pressure loads for it (45,000cup max) . Why take a chance ?

An interesting article for the Spanish Mauser fans :

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/spanishinquisition/index.asp

Craig
 
They are at the bottom of the page.I don't think that a #### on open 3 lug mauser with the fit and finish of an argentine or brazilian safe for 308 winchester for 150$ canadian is to much to ask.Are the Israelie 308/K98's hard to find and how much is a serviceable one worth nowadays? Thanks for all the help and I really like the site Craig suggested.
 
When Samco first brought the Spanish 7.62s into the US, they submitted samples to an independent lab. for testing, the possibility of litigation being what it is in the US. It was only after the specimens had passed rigorous testing that they started selling them. Having said that, there are a lot of folks who have a lot of concerns about the converted M1916 rifles.
 
The Guardia Civil Mausers were based on 1917 small ring actions and refer to the name of Spain's National Police, much like our RCMP. They are distinguished by crossed fasces and sword on the reciever and were converisons form either 7 or 8x57mm. Some regular 1917 Mausers were also converted to .308.

I had one several years ago that I sold off after firing a few times and getting worried about the rings forming near the base of fired brass, and the difficulty in extracting them. I heard about the alleged problems with these rifles and decided that it was not worth the risk, though years later I found out that the cartridges in question were unusually hot and were difficult to extract from a friends new Rem 700.

There are some very detailed articles about these rifles and the potential problems of excessive wear on the action by using full power loads at www.surplusrifle.com. There's also articles about recently developed commercial loads designed with such rifles in mind, and one on converting a Guardia Civil carbine into a single shot 7.62x39. I wish I hadn't sold the carbine that I had, at least not without checking its headspace, though I feel more confident with the FR-8 that I now have.....

The Israeli .308 conversions were well executed and mine shoots quite nicely. If you keep your eyes out for one, you might get one for under $200, though most I've seen on this board and elsewhere are going for more.

Best of luck finding one of these toys.

Frank
 
My friend Colin made this page to publish the results of his independant research. As you can see he has several new sources of material that slam the lid on the unfounded worry-warts that have muddied the waters over the Spanish conversions.

Some shooters buy them as handy little carbines to be hacked and slashed to make half-fast bush rifles. They grind off the best Mauser backsight of them all and make a clever gun into an ordinary one.

ca.geocities.com/snidey@rogers.com/fr-8.html
 
The Spanish Mauser "controversy" is as good an example there is as to how myths will not die regardless of quality evidence to the contrary. The fact that we have not one documented and analyzed case of failure of a Spanish Mauser, much less scores of them, does not discourage the worry-warts from warning that they are not to be fired. Shows how easily a reputation can be damaged and never restored. Many cling to the belief that the Carcano is a hand grenade, and there are certainly other similar unfair reputations.

I have several Spanish Mausers and confidently shoot them with accurate SAAMI spec or lower 308 loads. I have no intention of converting any of them to 300 RUM, neither do I care to load the 308 up "until pressure signs appear". Of course all the usual safety and gun maintenance cautions apply, e.g. don't shoot with an obstructed bore, be careful with your handloads, occasionally check for lug set-back, etc.

Or - just avoid it and sell it to me cheap!
 
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I will keep an eye out for a israelie 308 conversion. A #### on open 3 lug in 308
would be a great rifle and would be worth more to me than 200$.An FR8 would be nice that one in the photo looks great with the bayonet.
 
Craig67 said:
maple leaf eh ,

Your link doesn't work, could you repost it, I'd really like to read it.

Thanks,

Craig
Click to expand...

copy the link as is < ca.geocities.com/snidey@rogers.com/fr-8.html > and drop it into the browser command line. I tried it with a www in front and it failed. When I pasted it right over the http://www.canadiangunnutz.com....etc URL, it worked.

This interweb thing is sure addictive.
 
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