1891 Argentine Mauser

[jamie5070]

Next question. Do you have a bayonet for it yet? There's the real sticker shock. The last ones I saw on e-pay were going for $175-$250 for the converted rolling block bayonets. People were asking for twice that for the argentine made ones.
john

[Treeman]

I can live without the bayo, just didn't like looking at the two empty holes in the stock.

[Patrick Chadwick]

OK Treeman, now get it to shoot! (They can be tricky)

[Treeman]

I know it's 7.65x53 Arg, but is the 7.65x54 pretty much the same round? Have some of the 7.65x54 and was told it's fine for this rifle. What is the difference (besides 1 mm), if any?

[Patrick Chadwick]

These caliber/chambering designations are regrettably confusing. Sometimes names that sound almost the same must be distinguished (for instance, feeding an 8x57IS cartridge into a rifle chambered for the earlier 8x57I is not a good idea). However I am relieved to be able to say that, as far as I know, 7.65x53 and 7.65x54 are alternative names for the same cartridge - the Mauser cartridge originally developed for the Belgian rifles, which is more popularly known as the 7.65x53 Argentine. The actual CIP max. cartridge length is 53.6 mm, so some round it up, and some round it down! But check that the case length on the ammo you purchase really is no longer than 53.6mm, just in case someone took the 54 mm too literally!

However, the 1891 action is several development generations earlier than the splendid 1909 Argentine Mauser rifles (with a '98 action). Compare your "baby Mauser" with any later model you can find - Gew.98, Kar98, K98k, 1908 Brazilean, 1909 Argentine etc. It is built on a small ring action and is much more delicate. You will therefore understand that it is probably not a good idea to continually feed it with modern ammo. Not that I think it is going to blow up, but it is an unnecessary strain on a rather old design. Rather reload with loads well down in the range you will find in the reloading manuals. You will also find it easier on the shoulder with this very short rifle.

[jmoore]

Recoil is mighty unpleasant w/ the Norma 1909 spec loads! Definitely two different power levels for this cartridge.

[jamie5070]

At one pint I was able to pick up a bunch of surplus ammo and some new stuff cheap. I broke it down and reduced the charges by 10%. The hardest thing I found in shooting my carbine is that the rear sight has almost NO notch for my 48yr old eyes to see.
john