Sent it back...Now what....

[DennisCA]

The M1916 Spanish Mauser (3rd one SAMCO sent to me) that I bought from SAMCO was sent back this weekend. I hated to do but I didn't want to put any more money into it, I figured I all ready spent enough time and effort trying to get this thing to shoot. The 7.62 Nato stuff (all kinds) stuck so bad that I had to use a cleaning rod down barrel to loosen it. Commerical .308 ammo only work slightly better and I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on 7.62 CEMTE ammo (someone suggested I try that ammo). Maybe it just wasn't meant to be or just bad batch of guns.

Sooooo the millon-dollar question is: What should I get to replace it?
My budget is rather limited so I can not spend a bunch of money on it.
This is what I have so far:

(2) 91-30's
(1) M39
(1) Mk4 No.1
(1) Yugo 24/47

Or should I just save up for something like a 1903 or a M1 Garand?

[hylander]

Or should I just save up for something like a 1903 or a M1 Garand?

This ^
I would opt for a 1903A3

[littlejake]

This ^
I would opt for a 1903A3

03A3 is a good choice; but getting expensive to buy.

How about an Enfield No5 MkI Jungle Carbine. Everyone should experience firing a .303 from a shortened, lightened Enfield. It's a real kick.

[Paulie Lugnuts]

How much are you looking to spend? What do you want to do with it, shoot or just collect? I think you need one of these.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Mosin carbines are fun, and I see you probably already have a 7.62x54r stash.

Get an M44 before the price goes up anymore.

[someR1]

garand !

[BruinGuy]

Hah, your C&R collection looks kind of like mine Dennis. A hodgepodge. I want one (or more) of each!

That said, my next two C&R rifles will be a Swiss (1911 or K31, haven't decided yet) and a CMP Garand. Unfortunately, both will have to wait until the conclusion of my impending nuptials and all of the expense that entails.

I think you can pick up a Swiss rifle for only about $100 more than you spent on the Spanish dog, and ammo isn't prohibitively expensive for it either...

[DennisCA]

Thanks to all for the advise; prob go with a Swiss or a M44.

I was thinking about a Steyr M95, just the scarcity of the ammo is what's stopping me.

[Hardwarejunkie]

I've been thinking about a Chinese Type 53 or one of those untouched Nepalese Matini-Henry rifles from IMA myself.

[SKSer45]

Thought about a semi-automatic like a SKS, SVT, or Hakim? Fun rifles to shoot as well.

[Beetle Bailey]

I recommend a Swiss K31 and start handloading.

[Flyin Brian]

I second the Mosin Carbine, since you already have the ammo.

If you're ready to venture into something different, get a Swedish Mauser. You'll be shocked by the accuracy.

[durandal]

Can you elaborate on the spanish mauser problem?

[DennisCA]

Can you elaborate on the spanish mauser problem?

To may a long story short (I hope) this was third M1916 from them;
1st one - was crap (beat up ect) sent back
2nd one - was ok, took it out/shot it; spent cartridge stuck in chamber
(had use a cleaning rod to lossen it up)
3rd one - was a beautiful rifle, took it out/shot it same problem

After some thought and research, I sent it back. Just didn't want to deal with it anymore and I didn't to spend the $50 it would take for a gunsmith just to look at it. It was time to cut my losses and move on.

[Powerkraut]

I'm confused, last I checked CETME ammo was much cheaper than 7.62 NATO/ .308

To answer your question, 1903 imo. AIM has some receivers for ~$120 and SARCO has the parts kits for ~$120 plus whatever a stock would cost. You could build yourself a decent one for around $250 + shipping and transfer fees and getting a gunsmith to install the barrel/check headspace. If you're in the Bay Area Krausswerks had some 1903s for pretty cheap, may have been sporterized though if that matters to you.