Price check on sporterized Mauser

[stickhunter]

My hunting rifles are stock factory rifles, so sporterized Mausers are new territory for me. I'm wondering what a fair price would be for the following type of sporterized Mauser:

- military Mauser 98 action
- new sporter profile barrel
- Winchester/Ruger-style swing safety conversion
- aftermarket adjustable trigger
- Weaver bases/rings
- B&C-class fiberglass stock

I imagine that if I bought a Mauser action and had a gunsmith perform the work that the costs would add up very quickly, but I'm also aware that you rarely recoup these costs when selling the rifle. So assuming this work was done by a competent gunsmith and the rifle was in VG condition, what would be a reasonable price to pay? The one I described is available at a local gunshop for $600, so I'd like your opinion on whether this is a good, so-so, or bad buy.

Thanks,
Stirling

 

[Huntin' Gun]

From my very limited experience I would say that $600 is not a bad price, assuming the work was done very well. I'd say if you can haggle it down to under $550, then go for it. I bought a Brazilian Mauser a couple years ago that the gunsmith built for himself and hunted with for a couple years. It had an aftermarket sporter barrel, original trigger that was well tuned, low profile safety, and was in a Parker-Hale stock... so a bit less work done to it than you're describing. I paid $500 for it, and I don't think it was a bad price. It was in 30-06, and since then I've had it rechambered to .308 Norma. It shoots 3/4" groups with my handloads, when I do my part... 1.2" when I rush. The rechambering cost $200 ish, so I'm in a bit over $700 on the rifle. I"ll never get that out of the gun, so I think it will be with me forever. I don't mind because it shoots well and I like it. If you pay $600 for the gun you're thinking about, will you walk out of the gunstore happy? Try to talk the guy down, but if he won't budge, will you be sad to see the next guy pay $600 and walk out with it? Really, the gun is worth what you're willing to pay for it. If you really want it then buy it and enjoy it. If you think it's overpriced, then you must not want it that bad, so leave it for the next guy.

 

[Anfoman76]

I would say pretty good