What do we think about Spanish Mausers?
- Thread starter Savage12
- Start date
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Your rifle is a family heirloom. Not necessarily in the same category as a spinning wheel, an embroidered sampler or great grandma's three-handled family credenza. Treat it with respect.
As Riflechair suggests, give it a good cleaning. I prefer very very hot water and a stiff scrub brush, before resorting to chemicals. In that instance I use citrus engine degreaser and more hot water. And never use sandpaper on the metal! There is a patina under there that tells a story.
There are electrolysis cleaners that use positive and negative charges to remove heavy crud from barrels. Give yourself some google time to learn more.
The bore is going to be a disappointment if the outside is indicative of the quality of care. Don't try shooting the rifle until you know for certain what the chamber shape is and what the bore diameter is. I suspect the muzzle is badly worn from ignorant cleaning rod flailing, not a sign of its larger diameter.
As Riflechair suggests, give it a good cleaning. I prefer very very hot water and a stiff scrub brush, before resorting to chemicals. In that instance I use citrus engine degreaser and more hot water. And never use sandpaper on the metal! There is a patina under there that tells a story.
There are electrolysis cleaners that use positive and negative charges to remove heavy crud from barrels. Give yourself some google time to learn more.
The bore is going to be a disappointment if the outside is indicative of the quality of care. Don't try shooting the rifle until you know for certain what the chamber shape is and what the bore diameter is. I suspect the muzzle is badly worn from ignorant cleaning rod flailing, not a sign of its larger diameter.
5point9straight6
Regular
- Location
- Deep River
Spanish Mausers and .308 cartridges
I bought a rifle registered as a Mauser 98, chambered in 308 Win, a while ago and shot factory ammo as well as some of my own handloads (on the light side) through it. Works great. There was no stamp on the barrel or anywhere else on the gun as to what calibre it was. I recently posted it for sale in the EE section and people start telling me it's a "small ring" spanish Mauser "93", based on pictures. Doing some research I read the story about the weak action of these rifles. It feels like I bought a lemon now, although I was initially happy with it. Factory loads and even light handloads in 308 Win should exceed the pressures these guns were designed for by far, yet I have no indication that the action is about to fail. This is only one gun and I may be lucky so far. I am still wondering how much is true about the rumours that these actions are so weak.
I bought a rifle registered as a Mauser 98, chambered in 308 Win, a while ago and shot factory ammo as well as some of my own handloads (on the light side) through it. Works great. There was no stamp on the barrel or anywhere else on the gun as to what calibre it was. I recently posted it for sale in the EE section and people start telling me it's a "small ring" spanish Mauser "93", based on pictures. Doing some research I read the story about the weak action of these rifles. It feels like I bought a lemon now, although I was initially happy with it. Factory loads and even light handloads in 308 Win should exceed the pressures these guns were designed for by far, yet I have no indication that the action is about to fail. This is only one gun and I may be lucky so far. I am still wondering how much is true about the rumours that these actions are so weak.
The small ring mauser was made in Germany, Sweden and Spain. Probably some other places, too. I have a number of each and the German made ones, like the Chilean Mausers are works of art. Beautiful bluing.
The Spanish rifles lack the fit and finish of the others, but seem to work just as well. I have some Spaniards in 7.62 and don't hestitate to shoot them. I note that the Swedes made a target rifle in 7.62 based on the M96 (we called it a Carl Gustav) and we fired many thousands of rounds out of each rifle with nary a hic up.
I don't think the M95 v M98 difference is so much a strength issue but what happens if issue. The M98 has a much better gas handling system if a case lets go. Some small ring Mausers just have a small hole or two drilled in the bolt body. Others have a long section taken out to blow the gas down into the mag well.
The Spanish rifles lack the fit and finish of the others, but seem to work just as well. I have some Spaniards in 7.62 and don't hestitate to shoot them. I note that the Swedes made a target rifle in 7.62 based on the M96 (we called it a Carl Gustav) and we fired many thousands of rounds out of each rifle with nary a hic up.
I don't think the M95 v M98 difference is so much a strength issue but what happens if issue. The M98 has a much better gas handling system if a case lets go. Some small ring Mausers just have a small hole or two drilled in the bolt body. Others have a long section taken out to blow the gas down into the mag well.
