Third Rail Of Military Surplus Firearms

ajagcapt

ajagcapt

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I am going to touch the third rail of military surplus firearms here, and I hope it doesn't turn into a pile-on party.

I was reading the 2014 editions of Guns Magazine and noticed in the January issue there was a positive review of the Mitchells Mausers Mosin Nagant sniper rifle. In the article the author discussed the different numberings on the rifle, including numbers added by Mitchells Mausers themselves.

In the March issue there was an ad by Mitchells Mausers for these same rifles that purportedly shows the matching numbers between scope and rifle.

My question is: is it possible based on the ad and article to determine whether these are authentic?

I'm very well aware from the voluminous posts available of the duplicitous, if not downright dishonest, business practices of MM and the hostility towards them by collectors.

Are these rifles more of the same?

I know many people will pile on just because they are MM (and maybe that is deserved), I just wonder if any of the people better informed than me can tell by the ad\article whether they might actually be peddling something authentic this time.

I also hope I don't get characterized as naive/ignorant for asking an MM question. Because I see their ads all the time, I just wonder if they changed their MO.

If anyone is interested, the Guns Magazines I referred to can be read for free at their website
 
You did mean Turd Rail and not Third Rail when you mention Mitchell's Mausers...;)

Avoid any Mitchell's Mauser rifle product as it is faked and humped.

ajagcapt said:
I am going to touch the third rail of military surplus firearms here, and I hope it doesn't turn into a pile-on party.

I was reading the 2014 editions of Guns Magazine and noticed in the January issue there was a positive review of the Mitchells Mausers Mosin Nagant sniper rifle. In the article the author discussed the different numberings on the rifle, including numbers added by Mitchells Mausers themselves.

In the March issue there was an ad by Mitchells Mausers for these same rifles that purportedly shows the matching numbers between scope and rifle.

My question is: is it possible based on the ad and article to determine whether these are authentic?

I'm very well aware from the voluminous posts available of the duplicitous, if not downright dishonest, business practices of MM and the hostility towards them by collectors.

Are these rifles more of the same?

I know many people will pile on just because they are MM (and maybe that is deserved), I just wonder if any of the people better informed than me can tell by the ad\article whether they might actually be peddling something authentic this time.

I also hope I don't get characterized as naive/ignorant for asking an MM question. Because I see their ads all the time, I just wonder if they changed their MO.

If anyone is interested, the Guns Magazines I referred to can be read for free at their website
Click to expand...
 
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OK, lets get real here.

You can spend almost as much or more for a refurbed and mismatched Russian Capture K98 just because it might have been used by them during WWII. The same goes for P08s and P38s. For some reason, a bring back, matching P38 in VG to EXC condition will bring less than a put together, mismatched RC model. The biggest problem I have with Russian Captures is that many of them never saw action and in a lot of cases were just badly stored and needed to be stripped down and to get rid of the rust and clean them up as well as possible. This certainly doesn't mean all of them were warehouse pick ups, rather than battlefield pick ups. I have no idea what the ratio would be, so it is a toss up.

The Mitchell's offerings make no bones about the fact that they are refurbs. Those refurbishments were likely done professionally from what I've seen and they are usually correct, though sometimes mismatched. If you're into an accurate, good looking, reasonably correct K98, the Mitchell's K98 is cheaper than buying up parts to put together the same thing but likely not so well done.

I've seen guys spend huge amounts of money putting together an M91/30 clone sniper. Do they look good?? Sometimes, very good and of course unless they've had someone else build it for them, there is also the experience gained. If you purchase an M91/30 ex sniper with welded over screws, they usually run close to $250 + tax and possibly shipping. Then, you have to buy a turned down bolt or operating sleeve with a turned down bolt fit it to your existing bolt assembly. Add another $50 to $100. Then there is the replica scope and base, add another $400+ dollars. Now, the original screw holes in the side of the receiver need to be cleaned out and likely re drilled and tapped. The stock needs to be modified to accept the scope mount and, if the bore is in excellent condition, it might even shoot well. Oh, did I mention time????

I went to the expense of purchasing a period MN sniper. Stock is dinged all to hell and there is absolutely no finish left on the visible metal. the scope and mount are period as well. The scope needed to be re sealed because the Soviets used cork for seals. Over the years these seals either harden or fall apart. By the time all was said and done, I had close to $1400 into a rifle that really looks like it had been there and done that. After the scope was repaired, the real saving grace of this rifle was that the bore was close to EXC and it shoots very well.

International Firearms, had a batch of certified M91/30 sniper rifles come in that varied from Good to EXC in condition. If memory serves, they started at $399 and that was close to 20 years ago.

It's up to the individual. A good looking, reasonably accurate shooter that is reasonably correct in appearance for $700 shipped to the door or a collector piece that can easily cost 3 times that much for a beater.

Even Mike Venturino likes his Mitchell's Mauser and like myself, recognizes them for what they are. There is a demand for firearms like this and a void to be filled. Mitchell's has seen the demand and reacted accordingly. If it weren't for such firearms, many individuals would never get the chance to utilize these firearms in any meaningful way.
 
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