Mauser vs Enfield...Which Military Surplus Rifle

[lobowolf761]

Amen about the Swiss rifles. I also have the Model 1911 rifle and a K31. They are both very accurate and the 7.5 x 55 ammo can be reloaded with .30 cal bullets same as the .308 or 30-06. I also have a few MN 91/30s that I reload with the .311-.312 bullets the Enfield uses and I love them also. But to stay on subject I would still choose the Mauser over the Enfield.

 

[Antihero]

303 British is about as easy to find as 8mm Mauser around here

 

[Ash]

The US designation for the Mosin was the US Rifle M1916. They used that designation to avoid being confused with the M1917 Enfield. I once owned one, a US-marked Remington.

 

[Kaeto]

I have 3 turk mausers and they all shoot good enough for me to hunt with them out to 300yds. They are the 8x57. Given the choice I

would choose the 8mm m

auser over the Enfield for a couple prime reasons and not because I thinks one is better than the other. 1- 8x57 ammo is more available (I reload my own) 2- I'm not familiar with the Enfield at all. I go with what I know. The turk mausers I have have 27in barrels on them. Makes me feel a little more comfortable,but that's how I roll. They were also cheaper but in real good condition with real good rifling.

I have both an Enfield No 4 Mk 1 in .303, and a Turkish K Kale Mauser in 8 x 57 mm. I would happily take either hunting if I physically could get out there.

 

[Partizanai]

Mauser, Mauser and yes Mauser....

I have an Israeli Mauser (converted to 7.62 X 51/ nato) and I love it.
It is (as most Mausers) highly accurate, dependable and the .308 round
is as "flat-shooting" as they come.
While my rifle has seen a lot of tough combat use, it is still rock solid. I am
also a huge fan of the "Husky" 6.5 series of Mauser type rifles. These lack
the range of the .308 but, not the reliability or great construction overall....
P

 

[lobowolf761]

The US designation for the Mosin was the US Rifle M1916. They used that designation to avoid being confused with the M1917 Enfield. I once owned one, a US-marked Remington.

Yes. I stand corrected.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

American soldiers carried US made contract M-N on that 1918 expedition to Russia so as to be able to use locally available ammo if needed. I believe they were called the model 1917.

That was 1919, and yes, US troops carried the MN -- but it was never officially adopted. The M1917 was the .30-06 version of the British P14, which was the .303 version of the P13. The P13 was a modified Mauser chambered for a .280 cartridge modeled on the .280 Ross.

 

[Ash]

It was indeed adopted by the US and it was used extensively in the states for cadet and recruit training. The DCM daddy to the CMP sold a ton of them. Remington UMC continued manufacturing 7.62x54r for years after WWI because of the volume of Mosins on the US market.

Of course, truth be told, the main reason the US bought them was to prevent Remington and Westinghouse from going under.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It was indeed adopted by the US and it was used extensively in the states for cadet and recruit training. The DCM daddy to the CMP sold a ton of them. Remington UMC continued manufacturing 7.62x54r for years after WWI because of the volume of Mosins on the US market.

We did indeed take over the MNs produced in the US, used them for training, and equipped the Archangel expedition with them. But they were never given a US designation. There was no M1916.

 

[Ash]

NRA Museum like the M1916 designation:

http://nramuseum.org/the-museum/the...osin-nagant-model-1891-bolt-action-rifle.aspx

As do a great many sites.

Though other sources state it was adopted as "Russian Three Line Rifle, Caliber 7.62 mm (0.30 inches)"

In any case, it was most certainly adopted.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It was used and issued, but not adopted.

 

[Ash]

That's splitting hairs. It was issued to US combat troops, used to train recruits and cadets, and was used by the various National Guards during WWI to ensure the availability of standard service rifles. You can encounter Mosins with US acceptance marks. They were proofed at US arsenals such as the Benicia Arsenal in California.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have a Canadian Ross rifle with US acceptance marks on it -- but that doesn't make the Ross a standard US rifle with a US model number.

Let me point out also that the "M1916" claim cannot be historically correct. The rifles made in the US were ordered by the Czarist government, and the Czarist government didn't fall until 1917.

 

[Ash]

The description is that the M1916 date was to differentiate between M1917's and Mosins. The most direct method of designation in US arsenals was to refer the them as "Russian Three Line Rifle, Caliber 7.62 mm (0.30 inches)."

However, the Mosin was indeed issue to US combat troops, under US command. It was also issued through US training commands during WWI. Those that were ordnance marked did indeed see use by US regular, reservist, and national guard troops as well as recruits.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

But it was never officially adopted, or assigned a model number, anymore than my Ross rifle.

 

[Ash]

Again, splitting hairs.

 

[Gun Master]

Yadah, yadah, yadah.

Remember the OP?

 

[Capybara]

I own most of the rifles named here and my recommendation, if you want to do some hunting would be the Swedish Mauser. Enfields are great but a PITA, heavy and long for hunting. If you think outside the box, get an Enfield No5 MKI, the "Jungle Carbine". Very interesting history, shoots the same sweet .303 Brit round but in a shorter size, lighter too. Might need to replace the hard rubber butt pad or just use a slip on Limbsaver but they are fun little rifles to shoot.

This is mine.

 

[lysanderxiii]

NRA Museum like the M1916 designation:

http://nramuseum.org/the-museum/the...osin-nagant-model-1891-bolt-action-rifle.aspx

As do a great many sites.

Though other sources state it was adopted as "Russian Three Line Rifle, Caliber 7.62 mm (0.30 inches)"

In any case, it was most certainly adopted.

Yes.

The U.S. Rifle, 7.62 mm, Model of 1916 was adopted as "limited standard", this is the same designation given to the M1917.

And, they were issued to deployed U.S. troops.

 

[Bama Drifter]

I own most of the rifles named here and my recommendation, if you want to do some hunting would be the Swedish Mauser. Enfields are great but a PITA, heavy and long for hunting. If you think outside the box, get an Enfield No5 MKI, the "Jungle Carbine". Very interesting history, shoots the same sweet .303 Brit round but in a shorter size, lighter too. Might need to replace the hard rubber butt pad or just use a slip on Limbsaver but they are fun little rifles to shoot.

This is mine.

While I own and enjoy my Lithgow produced SMLE, I cast another vote for Mauser. Specifically, K98 German 8mm. I HAVE taken my SMLE up a tree stand deer hunting and it is a HUGE PITA. While plenty accurate, I'd give Mauser the nod for being less bulky (unless of course you find a No.5 MK1 Jungle Carbine). Just my $0.02 and YMMV

 

[lobowolf761]

This coming deer season I'll using my Swiss K31,Swiss M1911,one of my 91/30s,jap type99 7.7 or my Turk 8mm mauser. Mind you not all at the same time though.

 

[Gun Master]

Tip : Use the 8mm first.

 

[lobowolf761]

Tip : Use the 8mm first.

Last season I used one of my 91/30s on opening day to get the first deer. Loaded with .311 180grn semispitzer softpoint and set up with a scout scope. I will be working on different loads for the 8mm. I managed to get .323 Hornady 180grn GMX that I believe will work just fine.

 

[boom boom]

It is a bit interesting for me to read what others think of the various milsurps and their various strengths and weaknesses. Many excellent points have been made.

I reread the OP and thought what would be imho a) historical b) useful to hunt c) right at $500 or less.

Unfortunately some worthy contenders dropped out--one of my favorites is the Swedish 94 Mauser Carbine which is simply too high now with stubby sights (but diopters fix that), the 1917 US Enfield and its P14 cousin--too heavy in the field, the 1903a3 again over the budget, the k98 too high and sights aren't great as issued, Swiss rifles such as the K31 and the like are priced right but for hunting ammo you would have to reload for good performance. Mosins, whether Finnish or Russian, long and heavy in the rifle for hunting on the move and not pleasant firing in various carbine models,

Finally the Mk 1, No. 3 or the Mk 4, No. 1. For me, I would recommend based on what the poster said would be the Mk 4, No. 1--good quality priced right, with micrometer aperature sights, .303 is readily available, relatively low recoil, can handle most anything on the American continent, and pretty decent hunting ammunition is made for it. The rifle is not too heavy, the magazine is also a nice feature if you want to unload or if you want to buy a restricted magazine just for hunting. Last, but not least, Savage made some Lend Lease US Property marked Mk 4's that are pretty good as well as the Canadian Long Branch ones.

A runnerup would be a sporterized Krag carbine but it is getting difficult to get hunting ammo now unlike the .303. My personal favorite as far as slick action and good accuracy is the 1903 barrel and front sight retrofitted on a Krag receiver.

BTW, I owned many of the fine rifles mentioned and handled/fired most of the rest above before losing mine in a tragic boating accident which sent them to a watery grave. I was saddened to see no love above for Arisakas nor the French MAS/Lebels or Norwegian Krags.

Good luck OP--hope your first purchase is not addictive.

 

[Ash]

A Finnish M39 is only marginally longer and just as heavy as a #4 Enfield while a Mosin M38, M44, or M91/59 are all carbine length and are as handy as a #5. However, a #5 Jungle carbine is a sweet carbine.