Going rate for non-RC K98s

[kingmoochr]

I was hunting on gunbroker, and it seems all the non-RC guns in any shape are >500 dollars at this point. Is that life now or are there other sources for non-commi-ized K98s? Am I really going to have to pay more than I paid for my Garand...

[Milsurp Collector]

Yes.

Partially-matching $600-900
All-matching $1000-2000

[kingmoochr]

Ugh...well better pull the trigger now i suppose

[mosinnagantm9130]

Well, Yugo capture and Israeli K98's are usually sub-$300 if one of those works for you.

[Markus]

So if you wanted a cheap shooter Mauser what would you guys suggest? Yugo M-48?

[mosinnagantm9130]

So if you wanted a cheap shooter Mauser what would you guys suggest? Yugo M-48?

Even cheaper still: Yugo m24/47.

[paul0660]

Even cheaper still: Yugo m24/47.

Yes, maybe five dollars cheaper. The 24/47's I have seen have nicer stocks than the M48's, the M48's, the bent bolt and the more authentic sling cut out. All good shooters.

[IEShooter]

Mauser to shoot

So if you wanted a cheap shooter Mauser what would you guys suggest? Yugo M-48?

I also wanted a period Mauser, but after looking at "correct" German ones that were available on the market, I opted for a Yugo M-48BO from Empire Arms.

Nearly all of the German ones, all matching, in excellent condition are priced up in the stratosphere.

This one is in pristine condition, all matching of course. He described it as 99%+ condition. He didn't exaggerate....

Took it out and shot it last weekend. Excellent rifle!!!

[Dr. Pepper]

There is nothing wrong with Russian Captures. The parts just have been jumbled, and I don't know what to tell you if you are going to miss some swastikas.

[rojocorsa]

There is nothing wrong with Russian Captures. The parts just have been jumbled, and I don't know what to tell you if you are going to miss some swastikas.

People want markings such as those for the collecting aspect. It's the truth.

[NaughtyMonkey]

Mines a RC and none of the swastikas were removed. Maybe I just got lucky, or my K98 got lucky.

[brianm767]

Now of course if you are a collector and only a true numbers matching rifle is what your looking form, then I can understand, not wanting a RC.

But what I find funny is, there are lots of folks who don't like RC's in fact many, maybe not on this sight, but many out there just totally trash RC's and talk about how they are a waist of money, but many of those same folks rave about CMP Garands??

To me a RC is no different than a CMP Garnad, it's a rifle made up of various parts from different manufactures, to make a good rifle, works for me, I wish I had more RC's and a CMP Garand too.

And another thing, If I had a true numbers matching K98, I think I'd put it up in a case and never shoot it.

[Milsurp Collector]

To me a RC is no different than a CMP Garand, it's a rifle made up of various parts from different manufactures, to make a good rifle, works for me, I wish I had more RC's and a CMP Garand too.

I understand your point, but they are different. First, not all CMP Garands are made up of various parts from different manufacturers. Especially with the HRAs, many guys on the CMP forum reported getting Garands that were only one or two parts away from "Correct Grade".

Next, one of the distinctive characteristics of original K98k's is almost every part is serial-numbered and the numbers match. With Garands only the receiver is serial-numbered, so it is an apples and oranges comparison. Garands don't have "matching (serial) numbers", so the fact that many are mixmasters is not an issue.

Third, when Garand parts were refinished during rebuilding the same types of finishes were used (Parkerization, oil finish). From 3 feet away a rebuilt Garand and a totally original Garand can be indistinguishable. When the Soviets rearsenaled K98k's they used different finishes, so it is easy to tell a K98k is a RC from 10 feet away, unless the owner has "restored" it to make it look less Russian and more German.

As far as shooting, you are right, both can be good shooters.

[mauser98k]

RC's are often battle scarred veterans of fierce fighting on the Eastern Front. there is no reason to think of them as not worth your time or money.

they are also, as was said above, the best option 98k to shoot. if you have an all matching, veteran bring back it is something to be looked at and not used. if even one thing is damaged or broken on it, it's worth much less than it would be otherwise and it is then no longer all matching

[Dr. Pepper]

Sometimes you can even get lucky with RCs, depending on what you get.