Yugo 24/47 or RC K98?

[rambutan316]

I currently have a Yugo 24/47 that's in great shape, almost brand new. I love the rifle but have been interested in getting a K98, mainly for the history. How are the RC K98s (I obviously can't afford an original one)? I am thinking of picking one up but they are pretty expensive and not sure if they will be any better than my Yugo.

[Caribouriver]

"Better" is a subjective adjective. Getting a K98k will be "different". If I'm not mistaken, the Yugo has a straight bolt and the K98k a turned down bolt. The RC's may be a hodge podge of parts but interesting historically. May also have some interesting nazi markings.

From a distance they look identical except like hrc mentioned the yugo 24/47 has an intermediate lenght action compared to the standard 98 action. If I remember correctly it is about .25 inch shorter. Also the handguards are different between the models. The Yugo surrounds the rear sight and goes to the front of the receiver. The K98 has a shorter handguard that starts at the front of the rear sight. Typically the 24/47 has a straight bolt and the K98 is bent. The 24/47 has a so called "safety ring" at the breech of the barrel that the typical 98 action does not have. The purpose of the saftey ring is to help support the rear of the cartridge in case of a ruptured case. The 98 action is plenty strong and the addition safety ring is just icing on the cake. The 24/47 yugos are actuallly refurbed prewar Serbian model 24's. The old royal markings were removed and the new communist marks added as well as any parts that needed replaced. I have both German K98's and various models of Yugo mausers ( 24/47, m48 , yugo capture K98, and 24/52c) All are good in my book, but I consider the yugos shooters and the german k98 as collectors.

The above not mine but from another site. Good luck.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Yugo 24/47 's may have straight or bent bolts. They are excellent rifles, and Yugo Mausers in general are probably the best value in milsurp Mausers.

Cosmetically, the Yugo's have a different handguard than the K98, making a noticeable hump in the profile, quite different from the sleek lines of the K98.

Don't be put off by RC K98's or even Yugo or Czech reworks. They will perform well as shooters. My K48 bolt can get a little sticky during shooting, but my mixmaster RC K98 is slick and smooth regardless of fouling or the ammo used.

Also, the K98 will have a bolt hold open on the last round while the Yugos do not.

I'd say look for a decent RCK98 in the sub $500 range. Bringbacks and numbers matching k98's can be triple of that.

Watch out for faked K98's. There is a lot of discussion on different boards about K98's with forged SS markings or other shenanigans.

If you look at Mitchell's mausers, they are pretty and probably good shooters, but they are not authentic and are generally despised by collectors.

[rambutan316]

Thanks guys, I think I will keep my 24/47 and also save up for a RC capture. It looks like a lot of RC captures have just as much history, if not more, than original K98s for a fraction of the price.