M38 Swede?

[mmattockx]

I am finding myself very partial to the 6.5x55 caliber and Swede Mausers. I have been doing a bit of reading on them and would like to add an M38 to my safe. Trade Ex doesn't list any that I can find, so what would be my next choice for one? Nothing in the EE that I can find, either.

I would like one with the bent bolt handle if possible (I like the look of it better and find a straight handle awkward with the 90 degree rotation), but it is not critical. I searched through this forum and found a number of references saying that the M38's were easy to find in very good to excellent condition and there were many imported in years past. So far, I cannot attest to that.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[theoneofthechuck]

Could be that they WERE easy to find, until everyone gobbled them up and doesn't want to get rid of them @.@ I picked up an M96(/38 I thinks @.@) off the EE a while ago. I'm pretty sure it's the size of an M38 but with the straight bolt of an M96. Been on the prowl for a bent handle bolt body, but no one wants to part with one T_T *sigh* Ah well. Having a machinist at work help me make a scope mount to go in the rear sight base Saw pictures of someone else doing it on the interwebs and thought it would be pretty cool to do. Can still use my 90 degree bolt, and don't have to drill and tap anything on me piece of history ^.^b Anywho, I've hijacked I'm sorry

 

[snowhunter]

Swede M38 rifles are among the better choices for a hunting rifles. You can pay a whole lot more any rifle. M38 rifles are well build with pride, and constructed from the finest materials available.

Most M38 comes with a well tuned military trigger, which are as good as many, expensive after marked trigger, and with some microbedding and scope, they can deliver fine accuracy, and in my opnion, at par with rifles that may cost as much as $ 2000.- or more.

One of my scoped, sporter stocked, microbedded, timney triggered and free floated barrel, can often shoot tree shoot at hundred meter, which touched each other, using handloads.

I have bagged many deer with this M38 rifle, and this year, I installed a peep sight on another M38, to supplement my scoped M38, while hunting

 

[tbrwlf]

I just got an m38 from the EE. It is a very nice gun. Big problem with copper fouling but I am working on it. Haven't shot it yet by am looking forward to it.

Good luck getting one. Aside from Tradex and the EE I can't think were you could look.

 

[theoneofthechuck]

Well, if you know someone who would be able and willing to do the paperwork, you can purchase them from, samcoglobal down in the states @.@ little pricey though if memory serves

 

[mmattockx]

Thanks for the replies, I have had a couple of offers of M38's and will be looking into them. What would be a going rate for a good condition, all matching M38?

One option I have is to buy an M38 with a rough bore and a new replacement barrel. If I went for this, does headspacing need to be checked after installation?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Calum]

Well we have been talking here so much about these fine rifles and wonderful cartridge for the past several weeks so some folks might be hanging onto them in the safe for a while longer because of it, so give it a little while for things to die down.

Also if you manage to find one in full wood, please leave it as such.

 

[mmattockx]

Also if you manage to find one in full wood, please leave it as such.

Absolutely. I would only scope and/or do other bubba work to an already mangled unit. I want a complete, original M38 to use and enjoy in it's original state. The biggest change I would do is to put a set of Mojo aperture sights on if I was to go hunting with it, which is totally reversible. That is assuming Mojo start shipping north again...

Mark

 

[John Sukey]

Swedes is boring. If you does your part, dey always shoots da centre out uf da target.
have 5
M96
M96 with Soderin target sight
M96/38
M38
AG-42B.

You heard of the Swedish fighter pilot in the RAF?
After the war he was interviewed by the BBC
Did you have any interesting experiences during the war?

"Ya, I vas coming back over da channel und tree fokkers yumped me. I vas lucky to get back"

Of couse ladies and gentlemen a Fokker is a type of german aircraft

"Ya, dot is so, but dose tree FOKKERS vas flying Messerschmidts!"

If you are really into these rifles, there is a book, by Collector Grade Publicatrions
Crown Jewels
The Mauser in Sweden
A Century of Accuracy and Precision
by David jones
It lists EVERYTHING from the rolling blocka to the last mousers and ALL the accessories plus the history.
The Swedish version of Ian Skennertons Lee-Enfield bible

 

[(((Echo)))]

I too read about these great Mausers and decided I wanted one.
I found my first Swede, a M96/38, on the EE many years ago for a decent price. At the time, there were quite a few of them popping up.
A year or two later, I walked into a gun shop "just to look around". There on the rack was a beautiful M96. Numbers matching.... great condition.... oh yeah, she's mine .
The last Swede I've seen for a bit around here was about three years ago at a local gun show. My M38 joined the family five minutes after I saw her.

Good luck on your search. They truly are great rifles.

(E)

 

[Calum]

I'm hunting with my full wood M38 this season as soon as I can figure out the right reloading recipe for the original iron sights, Barnes tsx 130's and RL-22 powder.

 

[NAA]

Swede Mausers...

Full wood or sporter....

Usually well worth the price of admission....

NAA.