Need tips on Yugo M48 Mauser

[tgriffin]

Hello all!

Decided to jump into the collectible/war_rifle/C&R arena in a modest and sensible way on Friday.

I purchased a Yugo M48 Mauser in pretty nice condition. Bright shiny bore, all matching numbers (stock, bolt, reciever, am I missing one...?) no pitting or rust, furniture in good shape, yugo crest on top of reciever pristine, for $250.

What should I know and look for about this rifle? Did I get a good price? Whats the best source for ammunition? Is the condition and matching numbers worth keeping / would ity sacriligous to sporterize it?

New to the game, but hoping to get more of these great rifles. I might do some wood work on this one and find an older one to sporterize. I'd love to make one into a 16" scout rifle with long eye relief scope.

Hints, tips, pointers, random 2 week's remarks welcome. Thanks for your time!

[smeg]

hi,
nice purchase. sounds like a matching, original condition m48 with a excellent bore. $250 is not cheap but it likely won't go down in value and if you keep it original it may well appreciate quite a bit.
the magazine floorplate may be number stamped as well. if you don't already have one, get a m m48 front sight hood and m48 sling. these are available on ebay regularly and pretty inexpensive.
unless you already have a stockpile of 8mm surplus ammo, this is one part that you are a bit late getting into. there is not that much left and the $.08/rd surplus 8mm is long gone. there are a couple places that still have 8mm surplus. i would buy now and keep an eye for more.

i have a mint condition, unfired M48A that's a keeper. oh ya, don't sporterize it

[Gunsrruss]

They rebarrel nice into .308

I have three. One has all matching numbers and was in unissued condition when I bought it $279.00 at Turners 8 years ago. I also have two that were used and in great shape. Had one of those rebarreled into .308. The other I put adjustable Mojo sights on and left it 8MM. I reload 8MM, .308, 30.06, .223, And 6.5X55 swede.

[maxicon]

You didn't mention if it's got any cosmoline in the nooks and crannies. If it does, it's a good idea to strip the whole thing down and clean it, or it'll ooze out when you shoot it and things heat up. Still, as long as your bolt, chamber, and barrel are clean, you can shoot away, no problems.

I put a Mojo sight on mine, and it made a huge difference. It's easy enough to switch back to the original, but the Mojo makes it a better shooter if that's what you want it for.

[tgriffin]

hi,
the magazine floorplate may be number stamped as well. if you don't already have one, get a m m48 front sight hood and m48 sling. these are available on ebay regularly and pretty inexpensive.

Ah yes! I knew I was forgeting something! Yes the magazine floorplate was matching as well, and was one of the machined floorplates, not the stamped one. The front sight hood was still attached. Ill have to find a sling.

Im going to clean this one up and refinish the wood. Ill get another one and sporterize it.

[Cato]

Where'd you find it?

I've been looking for one of those. Where did you find yours?

[tgriffin]

Diablo Valley Gun Works in Pleasant Hill, CA. Norcal, Contra Costa County. East SF Bay Area.

[JHC]

If you feel the need to make a sporter scout version don't sacrifice a nice rifle, pick up one from Century with a cracked stock and go crazy. I bought one tonight for $79 (it's a Bosnian), depending on how it looks in a couple days when the brown truck drops it off it may get mildly sporterized.

[fastsvt1998]

A few months ago, Century was selling "Bosnian" M48a's for 69.00 listed on good condition with dark bore. I ordered two figuring the bent bolt was worth almost that much. One had what looked like an un-issued stock. The other had usual dings and dents but both had great metal. Bores cleaned up very well, and both were excellent shooters. Can't beat the price either.