Hi all. Sorry to create a new account and get right to posting.... but I need some advice....
I have previously owned several rifles as a teenager. A 30-06 Remington 700, a Winchester .270 and various shotguns/handguns amongst other things. I have always been a Rifle fan, and I am feeling the urge to celebrate my new Airman First Class rank in the USAF with some vintage rifles.
I am currently interested in a....
Mauser, preferably an 8mm. I'm currently looking at this
The price on the 91/30 is good (and you can get ok mil surp ammo for a reasonable price). Since I just got my first Mauser last week I can't be much help there.
I don't know if the one you would get from AIM will look as nice as the one pictured. But - that is a good price for a Mauser these days. I'm also a BIG fan of Czech workmanship, I think they made some really fine rifles, I own two old ones. I would say go with an 8mm Mauser, there is surplus and new ammo out there and easy to get. A VZ24 is an excellent choice for a first Mauser. In the price range you mention there are also Russian capture K98's - WWII German Mausers captured by Russia and salted away. Either one should be a good shooter. The K98's can go up in price from there depending on rarity - not something a first time buyer should go for.
The price on the Mosin Nagant is the going rate - but that is slowly going up.
I own both Mauser and Mosin Nagant rifles. I enjoy them both so I can't say which one would please you most.
I have never bought from AIM but they generally have a good reputation - I'll let anyone who has bought from them tell their tale.
My best advice to a new buyer - jump into the pool. We have fun here! Next advice - if you are buying from AIM (or any other on-line source) you are buying sight unseen. You can expect a serviceable gun. Local vendors may not be able to match the price but at least you get to look at it first - and beware of any tall tales.
mosins are cheap, inexpensive to fire with mil surp or commercial ammo and lots of parts, in case you want to alter it or fix it. I just bought a mauser as well, 7mm , but it has a smoother action and ammo isnt as plentiful, or cheap as the mosins, at least around here. Sorry i can't be of much help
Both are good prices. You get the complete set with the Mosin.
The pics are showing better rifles than you will get so dont go by them.
The Mosin is a strong rifle. Ammo is probably one of the cheepest you will find for heavy duty battle rifles. It is all corrosive so you will have to clean the rifle every time you use it. Ammonia or windex or hot soapy water. Whatever you decide to use to flush out the corrosive salts that come from the berdan primers.
The action on a Mosin is not nearly as smooth as the action on the Mauser.
The 8mm Mauser is a more expensive round. But really you can still find it in case or bulk lots if you look. The Mauser in my estimation is a really fine rifle. The action is really smooth. The parts are machined very well. The rifle is just more fun to shoot.
Also the Mauser may be worth more in the future.
The Mauser I bot in VZ24 was covered in cosmoline. You will have to clean either rifle very well before you shoot them. Any questions about that just ask on here.
Both rifles are great to own. If I had enough money Id buy both to start. Basicly that is how I started collecting rifles was a Mauser in 7x57 and a Mosin.
Either way you wont be dissapointed.
Any other questions just ask.
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It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
First off, welcome to the forums and congratulations on making Airman First. Like the others said, both are priced right. The only problem with the MN's is they have a high reproductive rate. You put one away and the next time you open your safe, OMG there's three! Both are great rifles so I don't think you can make a bad choice. BTW I'm figuring you're leaning towards the Mauser, since you posted here rather than the MN forum...
__________________ "Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."-- Thomas Jefferson
Thanks for the welcome. To clarify, I am going to purchase both. The Mosin Nagants are a no brainer in picking one out. But I am very confused and bewildered on a good first mauser due to the dazzling aray of selection....that is why I am seeking info here ;p
8mm surplus ammo is still 30 cents a round so get all you can while you can because its only going to get more and more expensive. those m24/47s are great guns, mine required a good deal of cleaning, it still had alot of cosmoline on it. i lucked out and found one that had a bent bolt on gunbroker for 157$ and i love it. the ones on classic arms look really good. i spent forever choosing my first mosin because there was alot of little stuff i was looking for like mirror bore and screw in sling slots.
Do you have a C&R License, so they can ship it directly to your door and you do not have to pay a transfer fee to an FFL holder? The 30 buck cost can be recouped in your very first purchase.
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People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?
Unfortunately I do not. I am not yet 21, however I have located a gunsmith close to where I am currently stationed that will do a transfer for 10 bucks.
Unfortunately I do not. I am not yet 21, however I have located a gunsmith close to where I am currently stationed that will do a transfer for 10 bucks.
10 bucks! The crooks around here all charge $75 buck per transfer. After learning this I quicly found out how easy it was to get a C&R licence and sent away for the paper work. I should have mine by the begining of January I hope.
I am KICKING myself for not getting a C&R... but then again, I didn't know it was an option until after I had bought a couple guns. that right there should be the #1 piece of advice on every gun enthusiast site
I have dealt with Classic before, and they were very professional and shipping was pretty quick, despite the fact I live on the west coast and it shipped all the way across the country. I bought a crate of 880 ammo from them, and one of their Steyr M95 straight pull carbines when they were on sale for $75.
I bought my Yugo 24/47 from J&G Sales though. It turned out to be a pretty good gun. Its in pretty good shape, and it was just slathered in cosmo. I spent quite a bit of time getting it all cleaned up. You have quite a few options for Mausers. If you have the chance to go to a gun show, read up on a few different types, like the VZ24, Yugo 24/47 and the K98. Any of these Mausers will be a good choice. If I had to pick from the three, I'd go for a K98 German Mauser first. Russian capture K98s will be your cheapest bet if you want a German one.
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Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!
i own both a k98 and a mosin 91/30. the mosin is a great shooter for the price, the 91/30 is the most accurate of the mosins. look for a bright bore with strong rifling, i got my 91/30 for $110 and it has agreat bore and rifling, but the wood is in ok shape. the mauser is a better quality rifle and fits most people better. it has a great bolt and a pistol grip. they shoot about the same size bullet. i always prefer to buy in person so i know what i am getting but its up to u.
First Mauser Questions and Advice. 
but I need some advice....
, but it has a smoother action and ammo isnt as plentiful, or cheap as the mosins, at least around here. Sorry i can't be of much help 
