Kymasabe,
I'm not sure about the 24/47 other than what 'cracked' said.
I totally agree about the receiver being shorter. By how much? ??? I was never that interested in the 24/47, or other models of that type. One is the M48. Lots of them around. They just don't float my boat.
I guess my 'draw' to the K98k is that it is a beautiful rifle. Second is the history behind the rifle. Not that is was used by Germany, so much as the fact that they just simply have 'history' in their use. Just like my M1 Garand.
Both my 1st Mauser and my Garand were built in 1943, for example.
As for the quality of the latter year(s) K98k(s), that is true. The earlier ones will be of higher quality, but, they will (most all) be decent shooters.
There is sooooooooo much information about the K98k and Mauser(s) in general on the web and in print, that I won't even begin to profess being anywhere near an authority on them.
I highly suggest that you do a search on them. There are many forums, some of which are fabulous, others are good and others are, well. . .
A good friend got me interested in Mauser K98k rifles.
(He has over 20 of them!)
I now have two, and keep my eyes open for others.
Collecting Mauser(s) is a whole different world. Many actual manufacturers. Many years.
The Mauser action is without a doubt the most used/copied bolt action style in the world. The U.S. even licensed the action (design) from the Mauser brothers when Springfield designed the '03 Springfield!
The action designed by Mauser is arguably the strongest action in the world, too.
C'mon in. The water's fine!!!
The 8mm is a real nice round, too!