M1895 Mannlicher questions... with pics

rci2950

rci2950

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I bought these two Mannlicher M95 last night for a really good price. Bores are dark but strong and very shootable. I believe both have been refinished at one point and the Austrian one was improperly stored and has developed a light surface rust which i will fix later. Both have matching bolts etc. The darker one is Steyr marked and the lighter color one is marked Budapest. They came with a grocery bag of Nazi marked ammo on clips in cardboard packets of 10 rounds in each box. (two clips in each box) I dont plan on shooting the Nazi ammo. I am keeping it because i find it very interesting and it is probably super corrosive anyway.

My questions and reason for the thread

1. What is the correct way to shoot this? Do i leave it shouldered and work the bolt or do i bring it down. Any advice on using the sights?

2. how do i know if these were purpose built carbines or cut down?

3. What accessories should i have to make this setup complete?

4. reloading tips? I have a source for new Prvi ammo but i plan on rolling my own once i have enough brass accumulated.

5. history? What exactly did the germans use this rifle for? I was told the german police and some non essential positions were issued these near the end of the war.. is this correct?

I really appreciate the help.

Would also like to see pics of you guys M95 setups.


Here are some pics of my carbines. (the pics can be clicked to make larger)









 
The top rifle was cut down and put into a carbine stock. The give away is the LONG rear sight leaf.

Shoulder the rifle when working the action. Your shoulder will brace against the rearward extraction. This is a #### on closing type action.

You should find a bayonet, sling and if you want to load/shoot it properly you will need several chargers to hold the ammo in the magwell.

You will have to find a source for .329 diameter bullets if you're going to reload

The Germans and other nations issued them for 2nd line alternatives. Many were issued to Volksturm. Tje list is long, some were converted to 8x57, NOT YOURS.

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To use the sights for close range shooting you will want to flip up your rear sight and slide the adjustment all the way to the top this will reveal the 300 schritt or meter, depending on up grades, notch to use. They generally shoot a little high so a good 6 o’clock hold is needed.
Bullets can be found at many reloading sites, I use tradex, but weight options are very limited I use 208gr FMJ BT from ppu with 44gr of IMR 4895 (Take that as you will I am no expert and wouldn’t ever suggest anyone use a recipe from a stranger)
 
The band mounted front sight and long rifle rear sight are dead give away of a cut down rifle as mentioned on top
Most we’re used by Bulgaria in WW2. Germany did use some for police force or rear echelon unit but in very limited number. These rifle have no marking or nothing linking them to nazi germany. Id say the one with the most chance to have been used are the one with 1930s Austrian acceptance mark, as those we’re in service in the Austrian army at the time of the Anschluss

Edit: also as mentioned up, some we’re converted to 8x57js but these are stamped as M95m or M95/24 and are given away by the internal clip, closed bottom magazine and mauser style rear and front sight. Those we’re made and used by Yugoslavia

The one in the clear stock was reworked by the Bulgarian as is indicated by the blonde replacement stock and serial stamped on the right side of the buttstock. Serialized bolt are also give away of bulgarian use.
Here is my M95 i own. Add a few and remove some since this was taken months ago but that sums it much
C6-E4-FCDF-8-E30-4134-A732-0-E0663-AF098-B.jpg
 
If you are planning on getting Lee mold made for this caliber you should slug your bore first,or rather check size of the throat just before rifling starts.

Lee mold while it is excellent design is also undersize for great majority of M95 rifles since throats are often worn and measure more than .329.

No matter how hard alloy you use bullet will be undersized for purpose.FMJ is your better bet.

PS-don't shoot it single shot.Get an enbloc since without one you will eventually brake extractor.
 
For accessories there really isnt much, commonly the metal cleaning rod, leather sling, ammo pouches, bayonet. There are some scarcer items out there, night sites, muzzle covers etc, but usually just the bayo and bits is what you will find. When these were imported the bayos came in too, iirc, but not much else. Try ebay though.
I had SP bullets from German years ago, there are still some small shops making a variety of weights over there, rather than lead or just yugo stuff.
 
great rifles the carbines have quite the kick with military loading but the long one are quite pleasant to shoot. for reloading I am using 48 grains of 4064 with a privy .329 fmj bullet
 
donor said:
If you are planning on getting Lee mold made for this caliber you should slug your bore first,or rather check size of the throat just before rifling starts.

Lee mold while it is excellent design is also undersize for great majority of M95 rifles since throats are often worn and measure more than .329.

No matter how hard alloy you use bullet will be undersized for purpose.FMJ is your better bet.

PS-don't shoot it single shot.Get an enbloc since without one you will eventually brake extractor.
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Yes, the Lee Mold remains undersized for many M95's, even for those molds and alloys that might drop bullets from it at 0.330".

There are other options however. I have a custom mold made by Mountain Molds that drops at 0.333", and a Custom Lee Sizer at 0.332". I have also sized down both cast (from the Lee 338 Mold) and jacketed (Speer) 0.338" bullets.
 
Neat little carbines. The old ammo is quite lively. I have two or three sporters with 8x57 Mauser barrels. Fun to shoot!
 
I remember about 20 years ago I fired 400 rds through a carbine version in one day. It was winter and I had a parka on. My shoulder still turned purple and green lol
 
kjohn said:
Neat little carbines. The old ammo is quite lively. I have two or three sporters with 8x57 Mauser barrels. Fun to shoot!
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I've always wanted to try one of those out . I've seen a few very nice sporters built on the M 95's over the years . One in 8X57 would be very useful . If you ever want to sell one , shoot me a PM .
 
I love M95's!

The carbines are the handiest of rifles with some awesome history to them, and the long rifles are elegant as hell, my partner says they are a "true gentleman's rifle".

I would carefully review a video of bolt disassembly and reassembly as they have a few quirks to them. Any M95's enthusiast will tell you about it, but have a dime handy and you can get around it!

You see the bolt head will snap closed as the bolt is being removed/when jostled out of the firearm say being set down on the table etc and can be a pain to get to stay open - this is caused by some worn (but safe) components. Best tip I ever got on the M95 was when removing the bolt, place a dime between the bolt body and the bolt head - it fits perfectly and will stop it from snapping into the bolt body on you.

Shoot them enough and the recoil wont bother you much : )

The PPU ammo shoots well and burns fairly clean.

You may find the bolts a little stiff, this is sometimes grease used for preservation still present in the receiver, but is also a nature of the M95 being rechambered. It seems to have made the action a little stickier when compared to it's original 8x50r bretheren.

Run that bolt like you mean it and you wont have any problems.
 
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