M95... Post your photos ! :)

I quite like my Bulgarian M03 (M95). Definitely some cool history there. I also just got some 235 round nose .323 dia bullets which I can't wait to try out in the rifle to see how it preforms (mine is still in the original 8x50r). Here is a write up with photos I did a bit ago if your interested.
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=459-Bulgarian-M03-Rifle

The only firearm I have ever regretted selling was a M95 carbine in 8x56r, dead on at 100m and tons of fun to shoot. Under appreciated firearms to say the least. The biggest difficulty in collecting them is the lack of good knowledge sources available. For example I have the one book on them (that I have found) called 'Mannlicher Military Rifles' and well it has some good information however, you can tell the author isn't a expert on the subject matter.
 
it might be the most under rated rifle in history. i think it was the best gun to come out of WW1.
they shoot good and are very simple and basic in parts and to maintain.
its a shame the price has gone up in the last few years.

also they are fun to collect. almost every gun is different and has mix match parts.

i used to have a collection of 8 of them but i got rid of them over the years. i would like to get another one and if i did i would get the full size gun or a true carbine for the price they go for now. if you can get one cheap pick it up!

upload gif from url
 
Eaglelord17 said:
I quite like my Bulgarian M03 (M95). Definitely some cool history there. I also just got some 235 round nose .323 dia bullets which I can't wait to try out in the rifle to see how it preforms (mine is still in the original 8x50r). Here is a write up with photos I did a bit ago if your interested.
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=459-Bulgarian-M03-Rifle

The only firearm I have ever regretted selling was a M95 carbine in 8x56r, dead on at 100m and tons of fun to shoot. Under appreciated firearms to say the least. The biggest difficulty in collecting them is the lack of good knowledge sources available. For example I have the one book on them (that I have found) called 'Mannlicher Military Rifles' and well it has some good information however, you can tell the author isn't a expert on the subject matter.
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Great write-up.
I found a few Bulgarian Police carbines in mint refurb condition, but both over $500. Tempted.
 
Another thing to mention there is actually quite a few variants, the toughest part is getting a 'correct' one. Most were reused and rebuilt several times and this resulted in mismatched parts from the original configuration, though I suppose it would be correct for the rebuild.

A rough list of the original variants starting with the Austrian-Hungarian variants:
M90 Repeatier-Carabiner
M90 Extra-Corps Gewehr (M90 used by Gendarmerie and military police, a short carbine)
M90 Repeater-Stutzen
M95 Repeater-Gewehr (long rifle)
M95 Repetier-Carabiner
M95 Repetier-Stutzen

Bulgaria also more or less adopted all these versions as well just some very slight differences. I will also mention that most of the these carbines are all basically the same size just utilizing different sling swivels and bayonet mounting variations.

Swiss Variants:
M1893 Carbine

Post War reworks:
Yugoslavian:
M95M (I believe there is two main versions of these)
Austrian and Hungarian:
M95/30 conversions both long rifle to carbines and just converting the original configuration to 8x56r.

You could likely keep going, breaking it down by manufacturer (such as Czech produced M95s etc.), but I think this gets a rough idea. Original configuration M95s are fairly rare simply due to the vast majority being converted to other calibers. Tons of different variants to look for, and I am sure it would take a while to get a fairly inclusive collection going.
 
I would recommend to have this book

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Picked up an M-95 Carbine on a lark from Epps for $175.

The stock was split from the rear sight to the rear tang, but epoxy and some brass thread stock took care of that. Bedded it while I was at it.

Took it out to the range, and the thing is dead on at 100m. Groups about 1.5 to 2 inches with Prvi ammo. I'll be doing up some reloads in the coming months to see if that can be improved upon. The biggest downside to mine was the heavy trigger pull, but that is easy enough to fix.

Clips are easy enough to find on E-Bay or Numrich, about $5 a piece. Got 5 for $20 from a guy in Hungary. Not bad. Replacement stocks can be had from the US for about $150. Dies can be had from our site sponsors, check Trade Ex. The next challenge will be finding ample supplies of bullets.

I think I may even get an LER scope mount and scope for it. A true Steyr carbine.

The best part: the muzzle flash and report. There is almost no way to shoot this thing from the prone without it jumping up from your support hand, no matter how tight you hold it. I hope you have a slip-on recoil pad.
 
Neat rifles with a ton of history to them. They're a bit of a pain to strip (the bolt head snaps closed when pulled out and can be hard to pull open for reassembly with oily fingers) and they kick - HARD. Ammo is much easier to find than it used to be with the PRVI stuff being readily obtainable and is about comparable to American-made hunting ammo in price. Reloading for the 8 x 56s is a bit trickier since use a .329 bullet instead of the standard .323. The action on the 8 x 56s tends to be pretty stiff since the parts were originally quite carefully fitted and then mixed up without regard for fit when they rebuilt them. If you find an original 8 x 50 they can be pretty smooth. That said they tend to be good shooters and are quite a bit different from your Mosin or Mauser.

You won't find many original WW1 configuration 8 x 50s since the rebuild program was pretty all-encompassing, but that doesn't mean the 8 x 56s aren't collectible. After the Anschluss the Germans passed most of the formerly Austrian guns to Bulgaria, who used them as front-line rifles in WW2 alongside their original Bulgarian contract guns. Hungary also used them as second line rifles in WW2, although Hungarian rebuilds (identifiable by saving H instead of S stamped over the chamber, and often with a front sight hood and serial number stamped into the buttplate) are quite rare themselves. There's quite a lot of variation on the rebuilds though, you'll find rechambered long rifles, long rifles converted to short rifles, rechambered original carbines and short rifles (the barrel band is in a slightly different position between the two) and if you do the research can find out whether they were rebuilt in Austria or Bulgaria, and if in Bulgaria whether out of Bulgarian contract guns or Austrian service guns. More than enough to put together an interesting collection.

When you do find 8 x 50s they're usually AOI marked, as the only ones that escaped the rebuilding program were the ones give to Italy as war reparations and used by their forces in Africa - again legitimate WW2 second-line rifles. I have an M90 (not M95) carbine in 8 x 50 that's so marked. I'd love to find an original WW1 M95 rifle and carbine for my collection, but haven't managed to score one yet!

You will occasionally find the Yugoslavian 8 x 57 M95M or M95/24 conversions, which are also legitimate WW2-era second line rifles that likely also saw a lot of partisan use. You do have to be careful that they're intact though, the clip insert in the magazine and extractor tend to go missing / broken. I'm in the market for one myself.
 
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I've had a m95 long rifle for several years. It's a nice rifle and what makes it extra neat is its the basis for the ross 1905 action..

I find it kicks pretty good wit full house loads but it's more pleasant to shoot then any of my Mosins or
My 1903 springfield.

I just picked up a m95m and a m95/24 both in 8x57.

What's neat I'd the m95/24 is complete and not sportered like every one I've seen to date.

Once I get it cleaned up and firin I'll have to post a thread on it.

M95s are neat rifles but I will say they aren't my favorite rifle I have. BUT I've yet to part with my original example meaning I do like them.
 
Nyles said:
You won't find many original WW1 configuration 8 x 50s since the rebuild program was pretty all-encompassing, but that doesn't mean the 8 x 56s aren't collectible. After the Anschluss the Germans passed most of the formerly Austrian guns to Bulgaria, who used them as front-line rifles in WW2 alongside their original Bulgarian contract guns. Hungary also used them as second line rifles in WW2, although Hungarian rebuilds (identifiable by saving H instead of S stamped over the chamber, and often with a front sight hood and serial number stamped into the buttplate) are quite rare themselves. There's quite a lot of variation on the rebuilds though, you'll find rechambered long rifles, long rifles converted to short rifles, rechambered original carbines and short rifles (the barrel band is in a slightly different position between the two) and if you do the research can find out whether they were rebuilt in Austria or Bulgaria, and if in Bulgaria whether out of Bulgarian contract guns or Austrian service guns. More than enough to put together an interesting collection.

When you do find 8 x 50s they're usually AOI marked, as the only ones that escaped the rebuilding program were the ones give to Italy as war reparations and used by their forces in Africa - again legitimate WW2 second-line rifles. I have an M90 (not M95) carbine in 8 x 50 that's so marked. I'd love to find an original WW1 M95 rifle and carbine for my collection, but haven't managed to score one yet!
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Horilka said:
I actually don't find it so, out of six or seven 8x50s I handled none had AOI.
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To add to this Italian used doesn't always have the AOI stamping. I had a M95 Karabiner-Stutzen (or a rebuild of one of the short rifle/carbines) that went to Italy which the only way to identify it as Italian used was by the refurbishment stamping on the front barrel band (a small star). As mentioned there is tons of little variations and differences and unfortunately not enough quality data out there.

The book mentioned earlier is a good reference book (i.e. the only reference book), that being said there are some mistakes and things that show that the author isn't a expert on the rifles, he just wrote a book on them.
 
I never found out that the star was a Italian refurbishment mark until I read my book on Carcanos. Suffice to say I was a bit surprised when I found that out. When I first posted it looking for information someone told me it was just a average manufacturing mark and to basically ignore it, now I know better. Knowledge is power. Here is the photo I have of that marking.

 
Well I stand corrected on the AOI rifles - that was based on my personal experience but interesting to hear others have been different.
 
From what I understand there were only about 5000 Brno marked M95s made.... never actually seen one for sale so no idea on the value but I'd go for it.

Edit: John from Marstar has one listed at $525... I wouldn't pay anywhere near that for your average Steyr or Budapest but given the rarity I could see it. YMMV.
 
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I shoot long M95 from time to time.Great rifle.I'm sure it was far better when it was made.After 2 wars it doesn't quite works the way it should.

I agree-very underrated rifle.
 
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