Sportered Argentine Mauser

[Mustang51]

I have a thing for Argentine Mausers (and most other South American Mausers), even sportertized Argentine Mausers . I recently glommed a sported Argentine Mauser. This one has a heavy profile .308 target barrel and a nice blue job. I'm hoping it will be a tack driver.

There are a few spots of surface rust on the rifle and a few scratches on the scope base, but overall it is in pretty good shape.

 

[critter]

I bought (for cheap!) a 1909 Argentine at a pawn shop. It had been sporterized, customized with somebody with a chopping axe it appeared. PITIFUL.

It did have the bolt handle turned down and drilled and tapped for a scope mount though.

A Midway walnut stock, a Shilin barrel and a little TLC and it became a wonderfully accurate 25-06. I love the thing!

 

[bannockburn]

Mustang51

The stock looks good without any major dings or dents and the wood to metal fit appears to be in nice condition too. Overall it appears to be fairly decent shape. Let us know how it does at the range.

 

[sage5907]

That looks like a really great rifle. If your normal cup & core bullets don't shoot very well try the Berger 168 grain Classic Hunter because they are really accurate in my rifles and they aren't critical to seating depth. Also, I can't tell what kind of trigger the rifle has but Timney makes a good Mauser trigger. The fun of acquiring a different rifle is setting it up and getting it tuned. Good luck with your new project.

 

[morcey2]

Looks like a nice rifle. I've got a 1909 that I picked up a couple of years ago that's going to be a 6mm Rem. It was one of the hundreds, if not thousands, that were sporterized by cutting the barrel to 24", chopping the stock, and reaming out with a 30-06 reamer, creating a 31-06. It shoots ok with bullets having a large bearing surface, but boat-tails or short bullets are all over the place. It is far-and-away the smoothest bolt action I've ever operated except for a Mannlicher-Schoenauer. Nothing else is even close. Feels like the bolt is riding on roller bearings.

Matt

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, guys.

I'm not sure what kind of barrel this one has, but it 26", has 6-grooves and measures .765" at the muzzle. It is free floating in the stock from about 1 1/2" past the receiver forward. Can't tell if the action has been bedded.



It has some kind of a commercial trigger, but I haven't taken it down yet to see what kind.

It also came with two rounds of fired brass in a plastic bag tied to the trigger guard. Don't know what that is all about.

 

[Mustang51]

Looks like a nice rifle. I've got a 1909 that I picked up a couple of years ago that's going to be a 6mm Rem. It was one of the hundreds, if not thousands, that were sporterized by cutting the barrel to 24", chopping the stock, and reaming out with a 30-06 reamer, creating a 31-06. It shoots ok with bullets having a large bearing surface, but boat-tails or short bullets are all over the place. It is far-and-away the smoothest bolt action I've ever operated except for a Mannlicher-Schoenauer. Nothing else is even close. Feels like the bolt is riding on roller bearings.

Matt

Thanks, Matt. I've got one of those 31.06's also. Mine shoots about like yours.



These used to be highly sought after for custom rifles because they were one of the most finely crafted Mausers (IMO), had an action , as you say, that worked like it was on roller bearings, was the only military Mauser that had a hinged floorplate, and of course, had the solid 98 action.

I bought mine dirt cheap at an auction and someday intend to restore it as a faux Argentine 1909 military sniper. I have a replacement 7.65 barrel, stock and furniture. Main thing I need is a set of turret mounts and an appropriate scope. If it happens, I would use it in the CMP vintage sniper matches.

 

[Offfhand]

Here is an example of what can be done with Argentine Mauser: Receiver ring has been "crested" for trimmer profile, M-70 style safety installed and bolt handle gracefully reshaped and checkered, plus adding a custom stock and rebarreling to .257 Roberts. It shoots pretty well too.

 

[johnnydollar]

Very nice custom Mauser, Offhand.

 

[Mustang51]

That is a very nice custom gun.

What diameter was the receiver ring turned down to?

 

[johnnydollar]

Mustang51, I could be wrong, but it appears that your Argy has different bottom metal, as it lacks the characteristic trigger guard mag release mechanism. The 1909 bottom metal is/was in high demand (being the only military Mauser with that type of mag release) and may have been removed at some point far in the past. It looks like a fine project gun!

 

[Mustang51]

Mustang51, I could be wrong, but it appears that your Argy has different bottom metal, as it lacks the characteristic trigger guard mag release mechanism. The 1909 bottom metal is/was in high demand (being the only military Mauser with that type of mag release) and may have been removed at some point far in the past. It looks like a fine project gun!

You aren't wrong, Johnny. I noticed the same thing when it arrived (the auction pics weren't clear enough to tell) . The "31.06" Argentine Mauser that I posted a picture of above still has its hinged floorplate. Actually, I paid not much more than the floorplate would sell for for the entire rifle.

I'm anxious to get this rifle to the range and try it out.

BTW, is your moniker "johnnydollar" in honor of the famous radio insurance investigator?

 

[X-Rap]

Picked up one years ago that I believe was done by one of the masters. Has all the bells and whistles and shoots like a dream. It's 25-06, wish i knew the smiths name.

 

[Mustang51]

Picked up one years ago that I believe was done by one of the masters. Has all the bells and whistles and shoots like a dream. It's 25-06, wish i knew the smiths name.

No markings indicating who the craftsman is? That would be interesting.

Is yours an Argentine? Pictures would be interesting.

 

[Nature Boy]

Mustang, that looks like a great rifle. Shoot it and report back. I'm jealous!

 

[johnnydollar]

BTW, is your moniker "johnnydollar" in honor of the famous radio insurance investigator?

Indirectly, yes. It's a long story, though.

 

[Mustang51]

Mustang, that looks like a great rifle. Shoot it and report back. I'm jealous!

I definitely will. Circumstances have interfered, but I will get to the range soon.

Indirectly, yes. It's a long story, though.

I used to listen to Johnny Dollar itemize his expenses incurred during insurance investigations on the Armed forces Network (AFN) in Germany during the '60's

 

[Mustang51]

I finally got a scope mounted on the Argy. Good weather and free time happen to coincide today and I was able to get this to the range along with a FN SPR that I glommed a few months ago.



I didn't have a lot of time or ammo, but did manage to get the scope sighted in and fired at 100 yards.

175 gr FGMM @ 100 yards. I'm encouraged and think the rifle is capably of better...

 

[Zeke/PA]

I.M.H.O. , the 1909 Argentine Mauser is a superb action.
At one time, an outfit called Flaigs, in Millvale PA sold these actions , brand new, in the white for $25.00.
We, at Trinidad at the time, jumped on it and purchased several.
I myself built six rifles on this action including belted magnum calibers.

 

[horsemen61]

I believe you got a shooter there

 

[Mustang51]

I'm trying to shoot some of the safe queens and took the .308W Argentine out this week.

Fired a couple of 5-shot groups at one of those 3" reactive targets.

100 yards with 175 gr FGMM. Four good shots, and then a flyer to the left. The targets come two together, this was the bottom one.



I made a scope adjustment, then shot the top target.



I need to see what reloading can do.

 

[Nature Boy]

Dang, it's shoots as good as it looks!

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Nice shooting!

 

[boom boom]

Very nice rifle and very good shooting btw. Like you, I like old mausers.

Learned something about the .31-06 wildcat from this thread.

Mustang, what is your take on Chilean Steyr 1912's if any?

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, guys!

My sons and I shoot in a monthly vintage military rifle silhouette match. I'm using a Swiss rifle. They do have a "vintage sporter" class that I might try this one in.

Mustang, what is your take on Chilean Steyr 1912's if any?

Boom boom, IMO the 1912 Steyr Mauser is a great rifle in a great caliber. I've got both a rifle (29" barrel) and two carbine (21.5" barrel) versions of that Mauser. One of the carbines has a fantastic bore--one of the best I've seen on a milsurp--Swede's and Swiss included.







The 7x57 cartridge is a great military cartridge...one of the best.