Mauser k98?

[Clickjack]

Every now and then I get to thinking I’d like a ww2 k98. But I’m told it’s kinda complicated with the Russian captures and fakes and such. How do you find a good one? I don’t need a museum piece, My uneducated opinion is that a Russian Capture with mixed parts is fine. I don’t really want to spend a 1000. Just kinda want a nice shooter. That has real stamps and isn’t crap.

Non-corrosive ammo available, or do you pretty much have to reload?

[Springfield45]

Russian Capture Mausers make good shooters. They don't cost as much as a non-import marked WWII bring back or the old surplused K98's. And they are still a real peace of history and the price will only go higher on them.

[Unsilenced]

8mm ammo is available at some stores, but it's usually expensive. I highly recommend an FFL03+CoE so you can order cheaper ammo online.

Alternatively, you can of course reload.

[Donkeypunch0420]

Nothing wrong with Russian captures. Collectors thumb their nose at them, but they've probably been through hell and back. They've surely seen more action than a pristine all matching example, and I think that's pretty cool.

[Clickjack]

Nothing wrong with Russian captures. Collectors thumb their nose at them, but they've probably been through hell and back. They've surely seen more action than a pristine all matching example, and I think that's pretty cool.

Russian Capture Mausers make good shooters. They don't cost as much as a non-import marked WWII bring back or the old surplused K98's. And they are still a real peace of history and the price will only go higher on them.

Where do you find them? What do you look for? Good price?

[Donkeypunch0420]

Keep an eye on the classifieds here on Calguns, they come up from time to time. Prices have gone up over the last several years, but you should still be able to find one for around $500, give or take. Look for regular things you'd look for in C&R's: bore/muzzle condition, rust, cracks in the stock etc. Captures that have nice clear markings and non-peened waffenamnts are cool too, and add a bit of value. On the flip side, you can also keep an eye out for Yugo captures. These will be mostly scrubbed of markings, but are also great shooters with their own history.

Edit: Check out Martin B. Retting since you're in L.A. They have one of the better selections of C&R's I've seen in most storefronts. Prices are a tiny bit high, but they have a business to run, and we need to continue to patronize our brick and mortar stores.

[Mustang]

Keep an eye on the classifieds here on Calguns, they come up from time to time. Prices have gone up over the last several years, but you should still be able to find one for around $500, give or take. Look for regular things you'd look for in C&R's: bore/muzzle condition, rust, cracks in the stock etc. Captures that have nice clear markings and non-peened waffenamnts are cool too, and add a bit of value. On the flip side, you can also keep an eye out for Yugo captures. These will be mostly scrubbed of markings, but are also great shooters with their own history.

You give up the markings on the Yugo captures, but frequently the Yugos have been rebarrelled, which can make them better shooters.

[Spaffo]

Milsurp ammo is still reasonable. Corrosive doesn't matter, just clean well after shooting.

[Discogodfather]

I'd consider South American Mausers. Nothing really available in 8mm, but in 7mm and a few others. These rifles are generally made in the exact same factories as the K98, depending on era some were made a little better than most German military contract rifles, and they were never in any wars, at least large scale ones. They also cost a fraction of the price of a K98.

Consider this: an Imperial 98 Mauser might cost you $3000+ for a decent example that frankly has thousands of rounds down the pipe but at least isn't rusted over or reworked 5 ways from Sunday. To get 98& of the experience of a a German Imperial Mauser, find a Peruvian model of 1909. It has the roller-coaster sights, similar length and weight and feel, and is in 7.65mm. Cost is around $1000 for a great example.

If you want to experience a K98 for a fraction of the price, consider a Chilean model of 1935, also in 7mm. Same weight and feel, turned down bolt, and length. A decent numbers matching example can also be had for $1000. It's made in Oberndorf right next to a Nazi K98 by the same people at the same time, yet the Swastika marked version is going to set you back $3000+ in similar condition.

The other reality of the German WW2 era swastika marked K98's is their insane level of dupes, forgeries, and force-matched shenanigans. Tons of examples of supposed matching examples get town apart on k98k.com daily. It's really hard to be expert enough to tell a slightly messed with example that's had a few parts replaced or a non-original stock fitted. It's the wild west of C&R. The most frustrating thing is paying the $3000+ and finding a firing pin was replaced, etc.

Russian capture means a sloppy mismatch that's lost it's connection to any verifiable story. Unfortunately it dosen't even mean the Russian's captured it.........

In the meantime a South American Mauser is untouched and unmessed with because there isn't some kind of cutthroat market that pays way too much money for anything with a Death's Head Rune Hitler signed example. It's far easier to verify and you can shoot it because it didn't cost you an arm and a leg.

[Spartan301]

Go Yugo!

I gave up trying to find a WW2 k98. So I settled on a like new Yugo M48 in 8mm.

Also it came with all the accessories. (Bayonet, Sling, Cleaning Kit, etc.)



It has the feel and looks (very close) of a k98.

Save yourself the money and go yugo OP.

[Munky]

J &G Sales has some Yugo's in stock https://www.jgsales.com/-p-102098.html . They also have a few Czech VZ24's in as well.

[Marcus von W.]

I have a genuine Yugo Balkan Wars/Bosnian M48 Mauser sniper for sale for $900 if anyone is interested:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1481465

[arrowshooter]

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1500748&highlight=mauser

[sbo80]

I've been perusing K98s on gunbroker for a bit since I do want one (eventually) and if you aren't looking for a specific thing, certain year/marks, or a museum piece, some German ones go for less than $1000. Sure they are mixers and import marked etc. but I want shooters so those things matter less to me. I also see lots of $1200+ range ones end with zero bids so demand isn't quite that high. It does seem the "other" 98s are always cheaper, Brazil, Yugo, Czech etc.

[Discogodfather]

An important distinction between Yugo, Czech, etc. Mausers and South American Mausers is that the SA's are built in Germany. If you want the German experience of a matching Mauser made in Oberndorf or one of the other historical factories then the choice is clear.

I think a lot of newer collectors forget that most Brazilian, Argentine, Peruvian, Columbian, Chilean, etc. Mausers were made alongside K98's during the same period by the same people.

Yugo isn't really comparable to quality to German stuff. The Czech and Belgian (FN) stuff is but it still isn't the same.