Where to get a Swedish Mauser?

[Dave R]

I'm getting interested in acquiring a Swedish Mauser in 6.5X55. I think I would prefer an M/38 over an M/96--why have the longer barrel?

Anyone know who's selling them these days? A google search turned up lots of info, but no sellers.

Any tips appreciated.

 

[ocabj]

A few of the shooters at the club/range I'm in use the M96 for silhouette. I never asked why they preferred the M96 over the M38. I'd prefer the 96 myself. Longer sight radius.

Samco supposedly has Swedish Mausers. Empire Arms had a few, but they sold them all fairly quickly.

 

[cracked butt]

Sarco inc might have some- they were supposed to get a shipment of them in recently.

M38's- good luck finding one at a decent price.

On a funny note- I was at a Dunham's this last weekend in the U.P. and found a beat up M96 for sale there for $399.

 

[Gewehr98]

Why have the longer barrel?

1. Longer sight radius.

2. More powder burn time and extra bullet velocity.

 

[M40A1]

There have been some on Gunbroker, Auction Arms and Gunsamerica lately, but it will be tough to find one that is at a good price. The M38s have really gone up lately. I lucked onto a nice one in a pawn shop a few years ago for $130. Ken

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Longer barrel, bigger sight radius. Plus, having the front post so far out there makes it easier for my old eyes to focus on it and still see the target.

If you find one that's drilled for the rear aperture sight, Soderin or Pramm, that makes the sight radius even longer.

Regards.

 

[Trebor]

The Swedes have pretty much dried up. The distributers have been out for awhile and I don't expect to see any more come in in any significant numbers.

You'll have to check the secondary markets. Your best bet is to hang out on mil surp oriented boards and hunt the classifieds. You can also post a WTB ad. Expect to pay a lot more than just a few years ago.

Good luck. Btw, M-38s seem to be especially hard to find.

 

[Dave R]

Yup. Looks like I'm late. SARCO has only some Karl Gustav 1898's for $225. Nothing newer.

 

[rust collector]

Sarco just brought in a bunch of them, but it was going to take awhile to sort them out. They may only by selling small lots as they get them classified, but I suspect they will have others to sell as they get enough to catalog in a specific configuration.

Yes, the mid 80s was the right time to buy em -- I got 3 then. It's like planting a tree, however: the next best time is now. Good luck in your search. There are still some nice $200 specimens out there.

 

[Nanook]

I just got lucky; bought a M96 Carl Gustav 1906 in excellent condition for $240 the other day. It was from a friend who was cutting down on the number of calibers he owns. It was for the price he paid, I can't complain.

I don't know if it's a re-conditioned rifle; neither does he. But it looks almost new. Good shooter too, as are most of them.

Like everyone else, sure wish I bought a couple of them back in the '80s.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Yup. Looks like I'm late. SARCO has only some Karl Gustav 1898's for $225. Nothing newer.

So, what's the problem? That sounds like an ok deal, and the 1898's should shoot as good as any other.

Buy now, or kick yourself (again) later.

Regards.

 

[ShootAndHunt]

Yup. Looks like I'm late. SARCO has only some Karl Gustav 1898's for $225. Nothing newer

I just visited Sarco, they have some Carl Gustav mfg. M1896. I am also interested in a Swedish Mauser M38, but since I am unfamiliar with Swedish rifle, I got a question:

Is Carl Gustav the only one manufacture of Swed Mauser? or there are different manufacuters? If the latter case, which has better quality?

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Is Carl Gustav the only one manufacture of Swed Mauser?

They were the only source of the '96 model, except for a couple of years (1899, 1900?) when some were made in Oberndorf, and stamped Oberndorf a/N.

I have one made in Oberndorf and some from C-G. I can't tell any difference in quality, finish, or accuracy.

Regards.

 

[rust collector]

Husqvarna made many, if not all, of the model 38s. And a darn fine job they did, too. Mine is a joy to shoot, but of course so are the CG m96s. The m-38 stock is beech, however, and the m96 stocks were walnut.

 

[Selfdfenz]

One of my 96s is beech the other I can't tell. Sure is stained dark.
For WW1 era rifles they sure do shoot.

Considering a Yugo SKS sells for $179, a 96 Swed in good shape for $200-225 doesn't seem too crazy to me.


S-

 

[Dave R]

So, what's the problem? That sounds like an ok deal, and the 1898's should shoot as good as any other.

I just had my heart set an M-38. Looks handier, and I may do some field hunting with it.

But that target you posted sure makes the longer barrel look good...

Considering a Yugo SKS sells for $179, a 96 Swed in good shape for $200-225 doesn't seem too crazy to me.

But I'm a cheap guy, and the Swiss K-31's are $79 and Enfields are $89 at Aim...

 

[JNewell]

You will also find rifles that were originally 1896s that were modified, mostly by CG, to have the same barrel length as the 1938 pattern. Most, however, have the original straight bolt of the 1896 rifle rather than the bent bolt of the 1938 rifles.

I have never been able to tell any difference in quality between any of the three sources, Carl Gustaf, Mauser, and Husqvarna. Even at today's prices, they're exceptional values in terms of quality versus purchase price.

 

[monsternav]

But I'm a cheap guy, and the Swiss K-31's are $79 and Enfields are $89 at Aim...

A man after my own heart!

 

[Selfdfenz]

Swiss K-31's and Enfields

Also fine rifles!

S-

 

[jefnvk]

On a funny note- I was at a Dunham's this last weekend in the U.P. and found a beat up M96 for sale there for $399

What one?

I just bought one today at a gunshow for $200. A smidgin of rust where Century import stamped it, but otherwise beautiful. Carl Gustav 1915.

Then again, all the other ones I seen were $300+

 

[cracked butt]

Iron Mountain.

 

[jefnvk]

Ah, too far out of my way. Too bad.

At least that would partly explain the Swedish ammo that has been popping up at Dunham's recently.

 

[cracked butt]

I've been seeing swedish M96s at a few dunhams over the last 5 years or so. There was a rifle at a store about 50 miles from me that had been there for about 2 years priced at around$279- but this one has disappeared about a year ago.

 

[jefnvk]

Probably just get whatever is dug up in the Dunham's warehouse. Kinda makes you wonder what might be sitting around in retailers warehouses, that someone forgot about.

 

[Richard.Howe]

Sarco is fresh out of M96's. Just talked to the owner this morning.

Rich