want to add a few mausers question...

hello all, joined here because coming from a modern firearm platform I am somewhat un educated on mausers.
I currently have a 1909 Carl Gustav model 96 all matching except magazine floor plate...
and a Yugo model 24 in excellent cond. I bought both these years ago and just threw them in the safe. being retired now I want to start buying maybe a few more and learn more about them.
what models are inexpensive and readily avail I can add to my beginning collection? I am more of a shooter type collector so pristine condition is not important, but I do like matching number guns..or at least pretty close.
thanks for the help.

You've got a great start going, two of the best shooters to have. Also the Yugo M24/47 and M48 / M48A are very good shooters, can be had for reasonable sum, and are plentiful right now.
There are lots of variations out there, and some fakes, so your greatest ally is going to be lots of research. Two which are considered to be some of the very best are Persians and Argentines, some rare ones are the 1935 Brazilian Banner rifles which have the Mauser banner on the receiver ring and/or stock, in good shape they will fetch a high price. Robert Ball's "Military Mausers of the World" is a great reference source.
Hope that helps! Good Luck !! :thup:

There aren't many that are inexpensive anymore, the Yugo's as mentioned are reasonable. Only other one that I can think of that is inexpensive are the Turkish Mausers. Condition on these is all over the place but you can still get a nice shooter for under $200 fairly easily and probably get some ammo thrown in with it.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

There aren't many that are inexpensive anymore, the Yugo's as mentioned are reasonable. Only other one that I can think of that is inexpensive are the Turkish Mausers. Condition on these is all over the place but you can still get a nice shooter for under $200 fairly easily and probably get some ammo thrown in with it.

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yes, the Turks are the cheapest now.

thanks for the replies guys... what I meant by inexpensive is anything I can buy for $300-$400 I know I paid $125 for my Yugo years back and $100 for the Swedish mauser, I really would like to get a VZ24, I saw one at the last show for $375..but didn't buy it. I'll post more as I add to my collection, thanks for the help...

Decent Mausers are out there in your & (my ) price range in the south east US as I have been fortunate enough to find a few. I think SAMCO has the Spanish 1916 7.62x51 Mausers in stock.

I would not recommend a Spanish Mauser that has been rechambered. While it is true that NATO pressures were designed around these old rifles, it remains debatable if they are really able to handle those pressures for any extended period. Depends somewhat on large ring vs small ring, etc.

VZ24's may be in your price range. I've seen them there anyway but not always in the best of shape. I'm looking for one myself that has the original crest on it and have not been able to locate on in my price range that is in decent shape.

Good point on the 1916 Spanish Mausers. I should have mentioned the debate. While Samco has published data indicating even commercial .308 is safe.However the concesus seems to be 7.62x51 is safe but .308 not so much. This begs the question why have a rifle which Samco stamps .308 and not 7.62x51 is there is any question of saftey? I have mine marked 7.62x51 only. But probably better safe than sorry for the next owner even if the current owner is aware and comfortable with the issue.

oh, save your money and STAY AWAY from Mitchell's Mausers.

308 is over pressure. They are not the same cartridge. NATO is designed with the Spanish Mauser's in mind. 308 has no such concerns and seeks maximum performance. You can fire NATO in 308 rifles and can probably get away with firing 308 in most NATO rifles but not recommended for the Spanish Mausers.

Mitchell's Mausers are in the $500 range. Real nice if you can get one for $300 or less like I did.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

308 is over pressure. They are not the same cartridge. NATO is designed with the Spanish Mauser's in mind. 308 has no such concerns and seeks maximum performance. You can fire NATO in 308 rifles and can probably get away with firing 308 in most NATO rifles but not recommended for the Spanish Mausers

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Quite right. If memory serves me correctly the 1916 conversions were actually ment to fire the CETME specific 7.62x51 which has lower pressures than the NATO spec round & more suitable for the small ring action. I would love to find on in the original caliber as they are handy little rifles.