View Full Version : New M38 Swedish Mauser.
I had some luck at an on-line auction yesterday and scored several new rifles. One was this CG M38. Looks like it is in decent condition. Hard to tell how matching the parts are. Looks like the barrel bands may not be matching, but I understand that is normal for the CG M38's
Pictures aren't the greatest, description was worse. Price was good.
You snagged a good one. Hard to find in that condition anymore. Bore scores good, too.
Ed
Finally picked up my rifles from the FFL, including this Swedish M38
Metal is in really good shape, wood is a little faded. Bore is what you would expect from a Swede Mauser.
The receiver, bolt and parts, and butt plate all match. The floor plate is unmarked, except for the crown proof. Barrel bands and bolt release do not match. I'm glad that the bolt matches the receiver.
I'll post a range report when I can.
I love those "sported" Mausers. Almost every one of my favorite hunting rifles is what collectors call Bubbaized but I call them classic custom rifles. Back in my working days I traveled the highways and byways of several states and every pawn shop or independent gun shop I ran across I visited. I was looking for those Bubbaed rifles and I bought some of them really cheap. My thing was that as a poor working stiff with family obligations I couldn't afford to by a new Rem. 700 or etc but I could spend $100 on a Mauser that had been drilled and tapped. I would slowly obtain the pieces... a barrel here, a trigger, or a sight there and over time and without spending more than $100 I would come up with a custom sporter that was reliable and often very inexpensive. Over a 30 year period I had a .257 Rob'ts, a 25-06, 7MM08, a 220 Swift, 300WM, .264 WM, a 12 ga. shotgun, and of course all the standard military calibers.
My all time favorite is a 1903A3 with a 20" barrel and full Mannlicher Claro Walnut stock. The rifle was "Bubbaed" by the Fajen custom shop in 1973. I found it at a gun show in 1994. The guy that owned it was the son of the long deceased Dr. that ordered the rifle. He told me that it was a really beautiful gun but it wouldn't shoot "right."
I found that the rifle had been made with a longer leade than normal and required handloads with a greater OAL than factory rounds. A proper handload with 165gr. SRA Pro Hunters seated to just touch the rifling and it is a MOA rifle. Just my $.02
I made a quick trip to the range last week and fired a few rounds through the new M38. The orange targets aren't ideal for my eyes, but here are 4 rounds of Prvi 120 gr "match" ammo (all I had left) at 100 yards.
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/400117e9-b9c8-4e6c-8ce8-e5b9a9f76cc6_zps26d084b7.jpg
I think I could do better with a different target and handloaded ammo.
I love those "sported" Mausers. Almost every one of my favorite hunting rifles is what collectors call Bubbaized but I call them classic custom rifles. Back in my working days I traveled the highways and byways of several states and every pawn shop or independent gun shop I ran across I visited. I was looking for those Bubbaed rifles and I bought some of them really cheap. My thing was that as a poor working stiff with family obligations I couldn't afford to by a new Rem. 700 or etc but I could spend $100 on a Mauser that had been drilled and tapped. I would slowly obtain the pieces... a barrel here, a trigger, or a sight there and over time and without spending more than $100 I would come up with a custom sporter that was reliable and often very inexpensive. Over a 30 year period I had a .257 Rob'ts, a 25-06, 7MM08, a 220 Swift, 300WM, .264 WM, a 12 ga. shotgun, and of course all the standard military calibers.
My all time favorite is a 1903A3 with a 20" barrel and full Mannlicher Claro Walnut stock. The rifle was "Bubbaed" by the Fajen custom shop in 1973. I found it at a gun show in 1994. The guy that owned it was the son of the long deceased Dr. that ordered the rifle. He told me that it was a really beautiful gun but it wouldn't shoot "right."
I found that the rifle had been made with a longer leade than normal and required handloads with a greater OAL than factory rounds. A proper handload with 165gr. SRA Pro Hunters seated to just touch the rifling and it is a MOA rifle. Just my $.02
I got a Swede M38 similar to this one a few years ago that came drilled and tapped with the bolt handled turned down and the stock cut down. Paid $125 for it.
I stuck a $100 scope on it and it shoots well.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s194/Calfed/South%20American%20Mausers/e97628c5-d60b-48a3-876c-f52afd039f1e_zps660662b5.jpg
100 yards with Prvi Partizan "match" ammo.
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/a3bd2cc8-837f-4c19-883f-242e6421f63e_zps24fc3e38.jpg
I need to get out with some reloads...I think they would be better.
To me it seems just fine the way it is.
To me it seems just fine the way it is.
If you mean the original condition rifle, I agree and have no plans to sport it.
If you mean the one that I got several years ago that has already been sported, I have a plan. My sons and I shoot in a monthly vintage military silhouette match . Until recently we competed in the "as issued" class, although the "open" class (scoped) has always intrigued me. Last year I bought a Persian and this year an Argentine '09 Mauser that had already been drilled and tapped for scopes. I mounted Bushnell 10x40 scopes on them and set them up for the "open" class...
I've shot both of them in the match and they do quite well. My plan is to put the sported m38 back into a military stock and set it up for the match. That way, my sons and I will each have our own "open" class rifle.
Actually I ment how the sported one was shooting with the ammo you used it looks good to me.
Actually I ment how the sported one was shooting with the ammo you used it looks good to me.
Thanks, Bud. It does shoot pretty well, but to use it in the "OPEN" category it needs to be in a military stock
What got you hooked on Swedes Calfed. I always find it interesting how guys get into different rifles. I got hooked on 03A3's based on stories from G-PA who was WWII vet in 2nd Marines.
I became interested in surplus rifles when I was introduced to the vintage military silhouette matches at my club. These matches are shot at metal silhouettes at 200 to 500 meters...chickens @ 200, pigs @ 300, turkeys @ 385 and rams at 500. My sons and I quickly became interested in shooting that match.
I immediately noticed that the Swiss K31 and the Swedish M96 were the two most successful rifles being shot at the match.
Here is a picture of the silhouette range at my club.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s194/Calfed/Targets/workpics013-1.jpg
Swiss K31's were still available for $99 at a local sporting goods store at that time and that was my first surplus rifle. However, my mother's side of the family comes from Karlstadt, Sweden, so I have an affinity for things Swedish and as time went on, I gradually acquired Swedish Mausers and eventually became interested in all vintage military rifles.
We also shoot these same rifles in a " long range" vintage military match. This is a match shot at paper bullseye targets at 300, 500, 600, and 800 yards.
This match is shot at the 1000 yard range at the top of this satellite picture. You can see the silhouette range, with its staggered berms, in the center of the range complex.
http://binged.it/LRzsfF
Longest range we have officially is 500 45 minutes away. 200 15 away. The 500 acre beanfield across from moms works very well in fall. We found we could walk rounds in at 1200. Tried 1500 once and wasted a lot of ammo. 4 x 4 plywood backer was totally covered by front sight.
The Swiss rifles are top notch and they shoot an accurate round. Good choice still not cheap to shoot but what is these days.
I reload most of my ammo now, so that cuts down on some of the cost.
The Swede is plenty accurate, but suffers from the light bullets. Sometimes the rams just do not want to fall over. The Swiss shoots .30 caliber bullets that are heavy enough to reliably knock over the rams.
Just this morning I was at a fellows house to pick up a stock. He kind of wanted to show off his stuff and he showed a M38 that was the best example I have ever seen. Not a 96/38. The rifle was perfect in every way. Not only that he had a completely intact and original IHC (5.1) that he got as luck of the draw from the DCM.
Everyone that loves Swedes's has a story or two. The first rifle I bought out here was a Swede I picked up at an estate sale. After ten rounds I was smitten and have been ever since. Kind of taken with the Swiss also in the last few years. But,if I see a nice Persian Mauser for less than $400 I'm all over that too!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.