6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser

[Singleshotsam]

Ok, finally located one at my local gun shop.  I had given up any hope of trying to find one in decent condition. 

Carl Gustav model M38 I believe... or 36... Wood looks good, bbl had solid rifling w/ no pitting.  Blueing is good and no rust/ corrosion.  Price tag says 250.00 but it is negotiable...  Since I'm fairly new to the world of surplus i'll be bugging you a bunch i'm sure. 

Anyone think I'm getting stuck on this deal?  I'm hoping to pick it up for about 225.00 or so...

They are holding it for me until tommorrow.  Thanks in advance

-Sam-

[mjbgalt]

that's a very fair price. i have seen them go for over $400 if in good shape and the numbers on bolt and other parts match.

-Matt

[cbxboy]

Check for matching numbers as mentioned and start negotiating but don't get TOO mean.  Your right in line.  If your buying FTF you will save $20 in shipping and a possible FFL cost as well.  If it is in nice shape and the crown is good, #s match I'd take it home.  If I were looking at $225 I'd do it.

You will enjoy the 6.5 Swede.  You may wish to mumble about ammo and hard to find stuff which is all BS but its good to mumble about such things and see if the "shop" is familiar with said rifle as well.  I stole my second Swede by mumbling about what caliber and such.....apparently the owner was not familiar with the caliber and couldn't tell me for sure what it was.....""an old mauser you know.....ummmmm not sure if its 6.5 or 7.65 ""......I stole it of course as he dwindled to not knowing anything about it and wasn't sure what to do.  I actually told him I'd help out and buy it and take it to a 'smith and he didn't need to worry about someone blowing themselves up....I'm bad!!!

Whoops, should add that if your STUCK, your only stuck until you sell it for $225 again.  I can't see how you go wrong....sporterized stock would be a decrease as well.

[Mikey]

Sam:  I believe that would be the Carl Gustav Model 1896 - a smooth action.  The M38 is the Husquavarna made update (Model 1938) with a shortened barrel (that's all).

$250 is a very good price; even better if it can be negotiated down some.  As cbxboy mentioned, matching numbers are a plus and that is what you normally find on the Gustav productions.

I think the only way you would get stuck on this deal is by not taking it.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[Singleshotsam]

Thanks for the input guys.  I'll be picking it up on my lunchbreak!

[cbxboy]

My payment for input is pictures PLEASE....you made me look at mine last night.  Get a good pic of the Stock disc as well.

Smooth as silk and very little recoil.  The 6.5 Swede is a fabulous cartridge in itself.  Wolf Gold......shoot em and reload em.......cheap enough even if you don't reload.

[Singleshotsam]

Oh!  That brings up another Q&A I forgot to ask about.  What should the reading on the stock disk say for one that is in good condition?

[cbxboy]

Theres some posting that will show it somewhere.....I have never figured mine out

Its a Gustaf Swede....does it matter?  In my humble opinion it is not a factor in your lunch hour trip.  I may be all wet here but the stock disk is marked with designations....erosion, number in the x ring etc.  The amount of ammo and condition TODAY could be 10,000 rounds later or 71 rounds later...who knows??   I have never heard of a Swede that shoots like a shotgun



Ok, a quick steal from Surplusrifle.com: 

Brass disks were installed on the right side of the rifle's stock after the adoption of the m/94/41, 6.5x55mm cartridge in 1941. The disk is divided into three sections. The largest wedge represents the level of bore erosion. The second largest wedge, with words, told the shooter how much to adjust hold over for the new m/94/41 cartridge. The rifles were originally sighted for the m/94 cartridge. Notice the smallest wedge on the disk with a number 1 in the narrowest part of the wedge and the numbers 2 and 3 in the widest part of the wedge.

The number in the smallest part of the wedge is the condition of the bore:
0 means the bore is almost new;
1 means the bore is only slightly worn (this rifle);
2 means the bore is moderately worn;
3 means the rifle bore is serviceable;
4 means the barrel should be replaced.
 
This Swedish Mauser is in my belief to be one of the finest examples of the Mauser rifle.  The level of craftsmanship and detail is incredible. If you have ever have an opportunity to purchase one - DO!

[Mikey]

For some indication of how fabulously the Swedish Mausers shoot, my #3 bore  Husquarvarna made M38, now sporterized, gives me a 1 hole 3 shot group at 150m.  I also have two AG42b rifles, one with a #3 barrel and one with a #2 barrel and I consider their accuracy phenomenal.  Mikey.

[Singleshotsam]

Man... I can't wait to pick it up!  Got hung up in a noon meeting at work yesterday...Which is good because it turned out to be an evaluation that got me a raise to finance my gun habit lol!  Going to pick it up today for a fact!

Soon as I get it i'll post pics!

[Singleshotsam]

Upon closer inspection last night when I went to pick it up I noticed that it had been drilled, tapped and the rear part of the reciever had been ground off to accomodate scope bases. I passed on the deal

I suppose in my excitement at first seeing a matching numbered swede, My brain overlooked that major concern... Oh well, I'll have to keep eyeing the gunshows...

[Troyboy]

Bummer!!!!!!! Really sucks when you have your mind made up and it doesn't work out. Samco has some still, then there are the shows of course. Good luck


                                                      Troy

[hillbill]

if yu are a hard core original equipment collector i understand yur reticence. however the naked eye cannot in any way fully harness the accuracy of the swede.for that price id buy it, scope it and shoot the crap out of it.

[Troyboy]

I agree

                       Troy

[rockbilly]

Over the years I have bought and sold hundreds of Sweds.  I have salvaged actions and built other calibers on them, convertered many to sporters.  That said, I have seen very few that wern't fine shooters out of the box, but lately I have ran into several (yes several) that had headspace problems......these could only be salvaged by rebarreling, or converting to a sporter.

Based on my recent findings, I strongly recommend you either check the headspace , or have a gunsmith check it for you.  I think the problem here is that we are reaching the bottom of the barrel and the supply is about to dry up.............at least thats the only reason I can think of for so many guns with problems.

[Doe Dumper]

I have a M96. Its been sporterized but it was a nice job. Barrle was shortened to 24 inches, drilled and tapped, and the bolt conversion with a Timney trigger. The wood on it looks like brand new....well brand new considering it was built in 1903..lol. The thing is an absolute tack driver at the range. Its a 1 hole gun with the plain ol federal 140's as well as Hornady 140 handloads. These guns are a joy... I know mine may not have much as far as collector value....but as a shooter...wow! Damn shame we cant buy guns made this well now.

Just checked the disc on mine and the bore number is a 1....that doesnt surprise me the way this jewel shoots..lol. I love the little crowns all over the metal pieces. I noticed the numbers match as well. This thing woulda been worth a fortune had it not been sporterized...but Im definitely not complaining.

[mannyrock]

Dear Guys,

    Well, for goodness sakes!

     Good Swedes are not hard to find.  Go to a major gunshow, in a major city, and you will find one.  If one isn't on the table, talk to the guys who have a nice collection of mausers sitting out, and ask them.  Most of them will have a couple of nice Swede's sitting in their gunsafes at home.

    BUT,  you may want to ask yourself what you are really looking for.   An all-correct surplus rifle to hang on the wall?  (which is OK of course).  Or a great shooting Swede, for hunting, plinking and fun.  If you are looking for a great shooting rifle, then go buy the one that has been sporterised, and enjoy the heck out of it!  The $250 price is a fair deal.  And, as others have mentioned, if you go back and complain to the shop that your disappointed, POd, that it turned out to be a modified rifle, then you can probably get an extra $25 to $50 knocked off of it really easily.

     If you buy a prisine surplus Swede, then you may not be able to shoot it much in its original condition anyway (unless you like shooting over the top of your target at 100 yards.).  You are going to have to replace the front sight, and you may have to make some other adjustments as well.

     In short, if you are a collector, then that is wonderful.  Find another collector, and buy a good Swede, and put it in your collection.  If, however, you enjoy hunting and shooting, then don't hesitate to buy the modified one.  Shoot it, and love it!

     
    Best Regards,

    Mannyrock