Question on M48 value

[mj1]

I can only find one fault with them. The hood on the front is short and presents a poor picture. I recommend using the G43 sight hood. The six I bought all came with bayonets, leather ammo pouches and cleaning kits. This Monday I will finally get to shoot one.

[Emdawg]

Solid Mausers. I do like mine. Rear of the handguard is a little tall, but shoots really well.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I can only find one fault with them. The hood on the front is short and presents a poor picture. I recommend using the G43 sight hood. The six I bought all came with bayonets, leather ammo pouches and cleaning kits. This Monday I will finally get to shoot one.

Player!!

[mj1]

It was a boom year for Big5 and the deals just didn't stop.





I hope the OP finds a good one.

[Syntax Error]

I bought an almost new/barely fired M48A from a Calgunner last year for $250.00. Shot it a few times and it shoots great but would always have problems with extracting cases, they would stay locked up to the bolt claw. Took it to a gunsmith, we took it apart and discovered that the extractor was too short?!?!

I had this problem with another Mauser I once had, turns out it had an 1893/1895 length ejector in it for some reason, so it wouldn't eject cases at all. Replacing the ejector with a proper 98 length ejector fixed the problem.

[81turbota]

I had this problem with another Mauser I once had, turns out it had an 1893/1895 length extractor in it for some reason, so it wouldn't eject cases at all. Replacing the ejector with a proper 98 length ejector fixed the problem.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, my Mauser knowledge is lacking.
It is my understanding the M24 and M48 Yugoslavian Mausers are an "intermediate" length action whereas the Gew 98/K98 is a "long" action. The bolt parts will not interchange (Maybe the cocking piece?). Since you mentioned 98 length extractor, I'm fairly certain the Mauser you were working on had a 98 action. I just wanted to differentiate from the yugos.

My K98 bolt is ~1/2" longer than my M24/47 bolt.

[Syntax Error]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, my Mauser knowledge is lacking.
It is my understanding the M24 and M48 Yugoslavian Mausers are an "intermediate" length action whereas the Gew 98/K98 is a "long" action. The bolt parts will not interchange (Maybe the cocking piece?). Since you mentioned 98 length extractor, I'm fairly certain the Mauser you were working on had a 98 action. I just wanted to differentiate from the yugos.

My K98 bolt is ~1/2" longer than my M24/47 bolt.

Sorry, typo in my original post, meant to say ejector, not extractor.

It would be this piece (the metal piece sticking out from the bolt cutout on the right side of the bolt face):


A Mauser 93/95 ejector is too short and would not stick out with the bolt in the fully rearward position, but a 98 ejector is slightly longer and is the part to use for a 98 Mauser rifle. Regardless of a German normal-length action or a Belgian/Yugo M1924 intermediate-length action, the ejector part should be interchangeable between the two variants of Mauser 98 length actions.

[noozeyeguy]

Ok, so I'm torn between two: an all-matching M48 missing the cleaning rod, and an M48BO (also all-matching, but complete). Thoughts? Both are in equal condition overall.

[81turbota]

I'd personally take the M48 vs BO. If they we truly equal condition, cleaning rods are cheap.

[Hinnerk]

I agree with James. You are not going to use that cleaning rod, in any case. but you can get one readily if desired.

[Capybara]

Sorry, I always get ejector and extractor mixed up. I still don't know how it made it's way into the rifle, the rifle looked like it had barely ever been fired when I bought it. So why would it already have a replacement part (incorrect one at that) if it had barely ever been fired?

[noozeyeguy]

Update: Picked up the missing-cleaning-rod M48 today.

I spent much of Monday frustrating hapless Big-5 employees all over LA County who had to go get thoroughly cosmolined while telling me if the M48s they had were all-matching, an A-, B- or BO- series, blah blah blah. Suffice to say that most of the ones I either saw or had described to me are BO-series rifles... in case anyone is curious.

Also, they're back up to the regular $299.99 *but* there's a Father's Day sale on thru Thursday, with 10% off all firearms (if you print or download the coupon). That puts the cost back to $269.99.

Anyway, here's the Cosmoline Queen:







Thanks to everyone for their help and suggestions! I want to add a note of thanks to Jonathan and the gang at Big-5 in El Monte for their enthusiasm and professionalism in doing their first-ever FFL03/COE cash-and-carry transfer.

[81turbota]

Pics don't work, congratulations!!

Liberty tree collectors (and many others) have cleaning rods for ~$20.

SGammo has excellent Yugo M75 8mm surplus which is non magnetic and range safe.

[Hinnerk]

SGammo has excellent Yugo M75 8mm surplus

Agree with that. It is supposed to be corrosive, however. When I use that stuff I pour a cup or two of boiling water down the barrel (using a funnel) before proceeding with regular cleaning.

I don't think that the M75 ammo is anywhere near a max load, though. Hornady makes a "Vintage Match™ ammunition is built to replicate the original military performance specifications unique to wartime rifles". Sellier & Bellot 8x57 JS is even more impressive (to one's shoulder). Beware! when searching for Sellier & Bellot 8mm ammo, note that they also make a rimmed version of that cartridge and you do not want that for this rifle.

[NOTABIKER]

i almost bought a M-48 BO. nobody likes the yugo crest anyway. The export M-48 has a clean receiver ring with no markings from the factory. The one i saw had a machined trigger guard , not stamped.