Mitchellsmausers.com

rugermarksman · 10-20-2005, 04:20 PM

These guys have been offering "restored" WWII mausers for a long time. Has anyone heard about them? (Quality, accuracy, etc.)

BattleRifleG3 · 10-20-2005, 10:46 PM

Not sure if I'm confusing two different items, but I believe Mitchells was the importer for a M48 I bought last summer for $135. They are in great shape because they weren't used in war, mostly never even fired. They were replaced by semi-autos practically as soon as they were made, then stored in cosmoline for decades.

I believe they are excellent shooters. Be picky, they often come in great shape.

Thrawn · 10-20-2005, 10:49 PM

Yep they import Marshal Tito's m48s, they are built on german machinery not german manufacture. Still great rifles.

Big Dog · 10-21-2005, 12:32 PM

Many of these 'classics' were assembled just before the 90's Balkans War from unissued spare parts, put into newly produced stocks. A bunch were sent over here by the Yugoslavian entrepenaurs, then the war started and we bombed their factories into rubble.

'K98' Mausers they are not. WWII collectibles they are NOT.
A good price from Mitchells, you will NOT get. Go elsewhere to get the same rifle for half the price.
A good rugged and accurate rifle, they ARE!! :nod:

iflylow74 · 10-21-2005, 01:51 PM

Are they 8mm caliber like the German ones? How hard is it to find ammo?

BattleRifleG3 · 10-21-2005, 07:02 PM

They are indeed 8x57mm. Ammo availability varies. The non-corrosive stuff is pretty dried up or expensive.

Big Dog · 10-21-2005, 08:03 PM

The stores (Wally's, K-Mart) used to sell commercial 8mm Mauser, but don't nowadays. It can still be orderd.
I read that the cheapo Turk ammo is getting scarcer. The Yugo ammo is so-so, I bought 300 rounds once and half wouldn't fire.
The Mauser no longer is factered into my SHTF plans at all - with the exception of my 7.62X51 Spanish FR8.
As the surplus ammo dries up, Wolf and others will begin to produce it, as they can then make a profit.

BattleRifleG3 · 10-22-2005, 12:13 AM

I've always thought Wolf was nuts not to make 8x57mm ammo.

lefty o · 10-22-2005, 03:49 AM

two words come to mind when mithcells mausers is mentioned- RIP OFF.

vagent1957 · 05-12-2007, 09:51 AM

Far from being a "rip off", Mitchells delivers an excellent product for the money. You get exactly what you order, and exactly as described in their advertisements. I own a collector-grade M48, and couldn't be more pleased. It was delivered in "as new" condition, and aside from minimal bore cleaning, (which I would do anyway with any new firearm), she's ready to go.

I found this site by googling Mitchell's to find out how to order one of their collector '98Ks. Getting one in excellent condition restored or no, is a bargain at $399. That beats the CMP sale of tired M1903s for the same price!

ArkansasHunter · 05-12-2007, 11:37 AM

Hey vagent1957 WELCOME to Gun and Game and thank you for your post.
I hope we can here more from you, so hang around awhile and get involved. Thank you for joining. A.H

.22guy · 05-12-2007, 01:01 PM

Yeah, welcome to the site vagent. Tell us more about your Mauser.

And is wolf making 8MM now? If not, why not?

Big Dog · 05-12-2007, 02:48 PM

I stand by my earlier statements. A 'Mitchell's Mauser' is a good serviceable rifle, and if you want to pay extra for an example in absolutely new pristine condition, then it's a good deal perhaps. If you want a rifle with true historical provenance for collector value - it IS NOT.
And the ads I have seen running in American Rifleman are nothing short of dishonest. The clearly state these M48 rifles are the same as Kar98k - they ARE NOT! They have a different receiver length, use different bolt and other parts, and have quite different stocks and fittings. Like saying a Ford Mustang and a Chevy Camaro are the SAME car.
Mitchell's is portraying these rifles as something they ARE NOT. Period.
Mitchell's also sells the shortened 'Tanker Mauser' - a variant NEVER used by any military in the world. They even advertise it in other than 8mm Mauser caliber. These are New production rifles. Just be sure what it is exactly you are buying.
At best, you are paying a fairly decent price for a NEW rifle that is SIMILAR to the WWII rifles, and paying less than you would if they were built by Remington or another US maker.
At worst, you are paying a premium price for a newer rifle being sold as a pristine old collectible. You make your own choice.

That's the last I'll say about Mitchell's. Caveat Emptor.

lefty o · 05-12-2007, 06:57 PM

have to agree, mitchells advertising is outright fraudulent!!!

JoeLee · 05-12-2007, 08:23 PM

Well in my thinking it borders on criminal to restore a battle rifle.Every scar on the original is a volume in some Brave Poor Son of a .......life,every picture tells a story.

Joe B Lee.,

toolman · 05-12-2007, 08:57 PM

The Mitchell's Mausers are great but, as BD said, they are NOT K-98's but rather M-48's with a shorter receiver. That doesn't make them bad, only different than advertised. BTW, Wolf does make 8x57 ammo in its' "Gold" line and it is boxer-primed and brass-cased. All of the major manufacturers produce 8mm ammo but it is usually pricey. I prefer S&B when I shoot factory stuff, otherwise I load my own.

BFRANKlin · 05-18-2007, 10:05 PM

So Mitchell's is selling Yugo Mausers with SS & Waffenampt stamps? That would for sure be a rip-off and false advertising.However, if the quality of the Yugo Mausers are as good as the Yugo SKSs & AKs, then they should be of superior quality, just not worth Mitchell's prices, right?

Mooseman684 · 05-18-2007, 10:29 PM

Somebody is blowing smoke...Mitchells Has K98 Mausers GERMAN MADE with all the markings they are not M48 rifles.
Here is the link...German K98 WWII Infantry Rifle with Nazi Markings

I have a friend with a Mitchells Mauser and it is Pristine for the model he ordered some years ago...
Rich

Big Dog · 05-19-2007, 10:59 AM

Yes, they do indeed sell true Kar98k rifles, for a rather high price. Might be good collector pieces, IF they weren't 'restored' after the war.

BUT . . . the ads they run in many magazines still claim the M48 IS A Kar98k. THAT is my gripe. False advertising on one of their products - makes me distrust their overall integrity.

JoeLee · 05-19-2007, 02:43 PM

I don't think Mitchells would ever do it,but counterfeit stampings is big business with guns or C&Rs today.

10-20-2005, 04:20 PM	#1
rugermarksman Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southeastern CT Posts: 57 Trader Rating: (0)	Mitchellsmausers.com These guys have been offering "restored" WWII mausers for a long time. Has anyone heard about them? (Quality, accuracy, etc.)

10-20-2005, 10:46 PM	#2
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Trader Rating: (0)	Not sure if I'm confusing two different items, but I believe Mitchells was the importer for a M48 I bought last summer for $135. They are in great shape because they weren't used in war, mostly never even fired. They were replaced by semi-autos practically as soon as they were made, then stored in cosmoline for decades. I believe they are excellent shooters. Be picky, they often come in great shape. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-21-2005, 12:32 PM	#4
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,069 Trader Rating: (0)	Many of these 'classics' were assembled just before the 90's Balkans War from unissued spare parts, put into newly produced stocks. A bunch were sent over here by the Yugoslavian entrepenaurs, then the war started and we bombed their factories into rubble. 'K98' Mausers they are not. WWII collectibles they are NOT. A good price from Mitchells, you will NOT get. Go elsewhere to get the same rifle for half the price. A good rugged and accurate rifle, they ARE!! :nod: __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-21-2005, 01:51 PM	#5
iflylow74 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arkansaw Posts: 1,002 Trader Rating: (0)	Are they 8mm caliber like the German ones? How hard is it to find ammo? __________________ Most things aren't a matter of can or can't, but a matter of want to or don't want to. -me

10-21-2005, 07:02 PM	#6
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Trader Rating: (0)	They are indeed 8x57mm. Ammo availability varies. The non-corrosive stuff is pretty dried up or expensive. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-20-2005, 10:49 PM	#3
Thrawn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Okeefenokee Posts: 1,618 Trader Rating: (0)	Yep they import Marshal Tito's m48s, they are built on german machinery not german manufacture. Still great rifles.

10-21-2005, 08:03 PM	#7
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,069 Trader Rating: (0)	The stores (Wally's, K-Mart) used to sell commercial 8mm Mauser, but don't nowadays. It can still be orderd. I read that the cheapo Turk ammo is getting scarcer. The Yugo ammo is so-so, I bought 300 rounds once and half wouldn't fire. The Mauser no longer is factered into my SHTF plans at all - with the exception of my 7.62X51 Spanish FR8. As the surplus ammo dries up, Wolf and others will begin to produce it, as they can then make a profit. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-22-2005, 12:13 AM	#8
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Trader Rating: (0)	I've always thought Wolf was nuts not to make 8x57mm ammo. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-22-2005, 03:49 AM	#9
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,693 Trader Rating: (0)	two words come to mind when mithcells mausers is mentioned- RIP OFF.

05-12-2007, 09:51 AM	#10
vagent1957 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0)	Mitchells Mausers Far from being a "rip off", Mitchells delivers an excellent product for the money. You get exactly what you order, and exactly as described in their advertisements. I own a collector-grade M48, and couldn't be more pleased. It was delivered in "as new" condition, and aside from minimal bore cleaning, (which I would do anyway with any new firearm), she's ready to go. I found this site by googling Mitchell's to find out how to order one of their collector '98Ks. Getting one in excellent condition restored or no, is a bargain at $399. That beats the CMP sale of tired M1903s for the same price!

05-12-2007, 11:37 AM	#11
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,525 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey vagent1957 WELCOME to Gun and Game and thank you for your post. I hope we can here more from you, so hang around awhile and get involved. Thank you for joining. A.H

05-12-2007, 01:01 PM	#12
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,070 Trader Rating: (0)	Yeah, welcome to the site vagent. Tell us more about your Mauser. And is wolf making 8MM now? If not, why not?

05-12-2007, 02:48 PM	#13
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,069 Trader Rating: (0)	I stand by my earlier statements. A 'Mitchell's Mauser' is a good serviceable rifle, and if you want to pay extra for an example in absolutely new pristine condition, then it's a good deal perhaps. If you want a rifle with true historical provenance for collector value - it IS NOT. And the ads I have seen running in American Rifleman are nothing short of dishonest. The clearly state these M48 rifles are the same as Kar98k - they ARE NOT! They have a different receiver length, use different bolt and other parts, and have quite different stocks and fittings. Like saying a Ford Mustang and a Chevy Camaro are the SAME car. Mitchell's is portraying these rifles as something they ARE NOT. Period. Mitchell's also sells the shortened 'Tanker Mauser' - a variant NEVER used by any military in the world. They even advertise it in other than 8mm Mauser caliber. These are New production rifles. Just be sure what it is exactly you are buying. At best, you are paying a fairly decent price for a NEW rifle that is SIMILAR to the WWII rifles, and paying less than you would if they were built by Remington or another US maker. At worst, you are paying a premium price for a newer rifle being sold as a pristine old collectible. You make your own choice. That's the last I'll say about Mitchell's. Caveat Emptor. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

05-12-2007, 06:57 PM	#14
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,693 Trader Rating: (0)	have to agree, mitchells advertising is outright fraudulent!!!

05-12-2007, 08:23 PM	#15
JoeLee Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North New York State. Posts: 1,241 Trader Rating: (0)	Well in my thinking it borders on criminal to restore a battle rifle.Every scar on the original is a volume in some Brave Poor Son of a .......life,every picture tells a story. Joe B Lee.,

05-12-2007, 08:57 PM	#16
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,361 Trader Rating: (0)	The Mitchell's Mausers are great but, as BD said, they are NOT K-98's but rather M-48's with a shorter receiver. That doesn't make them bad, only different than advertised. BTW, Wolf does make 8x57 ammo in its' "Gold" line and it is boxer-primed and brass-cased. All of the major manufacturers produce 8mm ammo but it is usually pricey. I prefer S&B when I shoot factory stuff, otherwise I load my own. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

05-18-2007, 10:05 PM	#17
BFRANKlin Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 258 Trader Rating: (0)	So Mitchell's is selling Yugo Mausers with SS & Waffenampt stamps? That would for sure be a rip-off and false advertising.However, if the quality of the Yugo Mausers are as good as the Yugo SKSs & AKs, then they should be of superior quality, just not worth Mitchell's prices, right? Last edited by BFRANKlin; 05-18-2007 at 10:08 PM.

05-18-2007, 10:29 PM	#18
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,272 Trader Rating: (0)	Somebody is blowing smoke...Mitchells Has K98 Mausers GERMAN MADE with all the markings they are not M48 rifles. Here is the link...German K98 WWII Infantry Rifle with Nazi Markings I have a friend with a Mitchells Mauser and it is Pristine for the model he ordered some years ago... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

05-19-2007, 10:59 AM	#19
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,069 Trader Rating: (0)	Yes, they do indeed sell true Kar98k rifles, for a rather high price. Might be good collector pieces, IF they weren't 'restored' after the war. BUT . . . the ads they run in many magazines still claim the M48 IS A Kar98k. THAT is my gripe. False advertising on one of their products - makes me distrust their overall integrity. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

05-19-2007, 02:43 PM	#20
JoeLee Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North New York State. Posts: 1,241 Trader Rating: (0)	I don't think Mitchells would ever do it,but counterfeit stampings is big business with guns or C&Rs today.