Marstar M48BO, and Trade-Ex Mosin M91/30's and BRNO VZ-24's... anyone have one?
- Thread starter CanuckShooter
- Start date
I own or have owned an M48, a VZ-24, K98, K98RC, and several 91/30's. The M48 was my least favourite, even after firing over 200 rounds and working the action a few hundred times it still wasn't as smooth as the K98 or VZ-24. The stock was clubby, with the trigger way up in the wood. Still, it was accurate. The VZ-24 was nice and smooth, but the bore was rotten, so I never shot it. It was NOT a recent import, though. Both K98's were pretty nice, but that rough finish the Russians applied to the metal makes the RC rifles seem rougher in operation than the original German rifle. Polishing the bolt would fix that. The 91/30's have all been nice, but like Mig25 says, get a pre-war one.
CanuckShooter
CGN frequent flyer
I am starting to seriously despise these people who got crazy deals on milsurps back ten years ago or so (ie. $150 Longbranches still in the wrap, etc etc) when stores were selling them off lol. Not sure if I will ever find a good milsurp.... ie. a really nice prewar K98K, prewar 1891/30, mummified No.4, etc.... I have been looking non stop for years and years and still no luck 
I've owned two M48's one M48A and a M24/47. I've never examined a M48Bo but I did own a K98k 'Mystery Rifle' that came from Yugoslavia with no markings on it. I wrote an article on this rifle several years ago when I was getting interested in misurps for real.
Of my limited experience I will say that I think that the M48 platform is a good one. They are tough rifles and sufficiently accurate. I personally like the meaty stocks - they feel different.
The actions feel lighter - certainly the bolt feels lighter to me that the std length K98k large ring mausers. I will say however that my preference is for the std length military mauser when one can be found in excellent condition (not an easy thing to do anymore).
If you want something that looks good and performs good - sight unseen then you really should consider the M48Bo. The risk is low and for a first mauser you really cannot go wrong. They are a damn fine rifle and although i do not have one in my collection at the moment I do not hesitate to endorse them.
As for mosin nagants I know there is a very large following of us that adore this platform. I suppose for a first rifle into milsurps they are not expensive and shoot quite well. For me, I would encourage you into the world of mausers and enfields and leave the nagants alone. I've owned a half dozen or so (including snipers) and I really do not like the feeding system and quick reload for the internal magazine is quite finicky. The bolt is difficult to move quickly and reliably and they have horrible triggers. I would encourage you to avoid the frustration that I have had with these rifles. Having said that I don't think there is a milsurp out there i don't like. But for a first timer I council you to mausers and enfields to start.
At the moment I'm on the VZ-24 band wagon. i had one of these rifle many years ago and loved it. They feel great and are very slick. So long as you can trust you're getting a nice specimen you should seriously consider one for yourself as well.
To cap things off a reloader can make the 8X57JS into a high performing hunting round. Factory ammunition for the 8X57JS is aniemic for legal reasons (see the .318" to .323" projectile conversion) but in the hands of a hand loader this is an awesome cartridge almost capable of anything the .30-06 springfield can do.
Of my limited experience I will say that I think that the M48 platform is a good one. They are tough rifles and sufficiently accurate. I personally like the meaty stocks - they feel different.
The actions feel lighter - certainly the bolt feels lighter to me that the std length K98k large ring mausers. I will say however that my preference is for the std length military mauser when one can be found in excellent condition (not an easy thing to do anymore).
If you want something that looks good and performs good - sight unseen then you really should consider the M48Bo. The risk is low and for a first mauser you really cannot go wrong. They are a damn fine rifle and although i do not have one in my collection at the moment I do not hesitate to endorse them.
As for mosin nagants I know there is a very large following of us that adore this platform. I suppose for a first rifle into milsurps they are not expensive and shoot quite well. For me, I would encourage you into the world of mausers and enfields and leave the nagants alone. I've owned a half dozen or so (including snipers) and I really do not like the feeding system and quick reload for the internal magazine is quite finicky. The bolt is difficult to move quickly and reliably and they have horrible triggers. I would encourage you to avoid the frustration that I have had with these rifles. Having said that I don't think there is a milsurp out there i don't like. But for a first timer I council you to mausers and enfields to start.
At the moment I'm on the VZ-24 band wagon. i had one of these rifle many years ago and loved it. They feel great and are very slick. So long as you can trust you're getting a nice specimen you should seriously consider one for yourself as well.
To cap things off a reloader can make the 8X57JS into a high performing hunting round. Factory ammunition for the 8X57JS is aniemic for legal reasons (see the .318" to .323" projectile conversion) but in the hands of a hand loader this is an awesome cartridge almost capable of anything the .30-06 springfield can do.
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I bought one of the M48BO's from Marstar a few weeks ago - this was my first Mauser - and I was impressed. Once it was all cleaned up ( no small task ) I thought it was a beauty. At the range I found it smooth and I had no issues. Accuracy was about 3" at 100 but I am not an iron sights shooter and was using factory ammo ( incidentally factory ammo required some fiddling with rear sight - I suspect sights were calibrated for JS military ammo ) so I was happy with that and I'm quite sure a better shooter could do much better. Maybe I was lucky with this rifle but I have another on order so I will have to see what that one is like. My plan is to have one as a shooter with LER scope on it and the other to keep as a military iron sight rifle with a replica new manufacture sling etc.
8mm Mauser dies are on the way as factory ammo is pricey and relatively underpowered.
8mm Mauser dies are on the way as factory ammo is pricey and relatively underpowered.
TOMOCHAN;
I am certain you will NOT disapprove of your new rifle when you get it....
As a matter of interest, these rifles will consistantly shoot 1" to 1.5" with Yugo Military Ball.... With M-76 ball 1" is the rule....
I would think twice about drilling and tapping, the 48bo is highly collectable as well as a fine shooter.
JOHN
I am certain you will NOT disapprove of your new rifle when you get it....
As a matter of interest, these rifles will consistantly shoot 1" to 1.5" with Yugo Military Ball.... With M-76 ball 1" is the rule....
I would think twice about drilling and tapping, the 48bo is highly collectable as well as a fine shooter.
JOHN
CanuckShooter
CGN frequent flyer
I have never even held or seen a K98K in person, so I would have nothing to compare the M48BO to. I still think it sound promising, especially for someone like myself who hasn't had and probably won't get an opportunity to own a K98K in unissued condition like the BO.
John, just to verify... the M48BO rifles you are selling, they are brand new, have never been used/issued/refinished, and are still in the grease. Is this correct?
Thanks
John, just to verify... the M48BO rifles you are selling, they are brand new, have never been used/issued/refinished, and are still in the grease. Is this correct?
Thanks
Johnone - "Drilling and tapping" - oh no,never ! I don't even like typing those words. I found a place that shipped what appears to be a nice no gunsmith mount that replaces the rear sight leaf on the M48.
To answer the question posted by another, my M48BO was (once cleaned up ) brand new with no evidence suggesting that it was a refurb or anything like that.
To answer the question posted by another, my M48BO was (once cleaned up ) brand new with no evidence suggesting that it was a refurb or anything like that.
These are brand new rifles, made by Zastava Vojno-Tehnicki Zavod in Kragujevac in the former Yugoslavia, stored for decades in underground weapon depos throughout the country (mostly Bosnia). There was a huge stash near Konjic, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
At some point, between 350,000 and 400,000 M76 were sold to the new Iraqi army through American channels. There is still an enormous quantity of various weaponry and ammunition available.
They are of exceptional quality and condition.
At some point, between 350,000 and 400,000 M76 were sold to the new Iraqi army through American channels. There is still an enormous quantity of various weaponry and ammunition available.
They are of exceptional quality and condition.
Right on John!!!!!!!! That is why I sold mine at a premium price, unissued, matching numbers, slick action,great lockup and not forced. It was one of the early ones that you got in, probably the first batch into Canada. If I remember, KZ personaly chose a batch for his shop (TFA) when you got them.
Regards,
Henry
So much speculation...."Just the facts,miss, just the facts!"
Regards,
Henry
So much speculation...."Just the facts,miss, just the facts!"
TOT-TOTH;
"There was a huge stash near Konjic, Bosnia-Herzegovina."
I know the area well, been there many times....
I do have a problem with the quantity of M-76s you refer to, are we discussing the M-76 sniper rifle ??
"There is still an enormous quantity of various weaponry and ammunition available"
Unless you are aware of something we missed I would welcome, and pay well, for additional details.
look forward to your comments
John
"There was a huge stash near Konjic, Bosnia-Herzegovina."
I know the area well, been there many times....
I do have a problem with the quantity of M-76s you refer to, are we discussing the M-76 sniper rifle ??
"There is still an enormous quantity of various weaponry and ammunition available"
Unless you are aware of something we missed I would welcome, and pay well, for additional details.
look forward to your comments
John
I believe there was plenty left with more sitting near Han Pijesak but my info is not the latest. I will do my best to see if the interested parties are willing to establish contact with you.
Will PM you if there is anything worth repeating.
Have you checked with the Slovenians?
Will PM you if there is anything worth repeating.
Have you checked with the Slovenians?
Johnone,
Earlier this week, the Bosnian Presidency issued a statement that there will be a tender for the sale of the surplus weapons, military equipment and ammunition (around 25-35,000 tons) of the BiH armed forces.
On the heavy side, it appears that about 45-50 M84 tanks will be offered (Yugo version of the Soviet T-72) along with a few MiGs.
Some 100,000 rifles are said to be available, although the final list has not been issued. I see a nice pile of well preserved M59/66, M70, M61/M84, and some M76s and a good quantity of older stuff like M48.
Earlier this week, the Bosnian Presidency issued a statement that there will be a tender for the sale of the surplus weapons, military equipment and ammunition (around 25-35,000 tons) of the BiH armed forces.
On the heavy side, it appears that about 45-50 M84 tanks will be offered (Yugo version of the Soviet T-72) along with a few MiGs.
Some 100,000 rifles are said to be available, although the final list has not been issued. I see a nice pile of well preserved M59/66, M70, M61/M84, and some M76s and a good quantity of older stuff like M48.
