New Mauser, Worth It?

TallGrassHunter

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Greetings Gents, I have been looking at rifles and really would appreciate opinions on new Mausers. No need to have one, or have had one, I will value all opinions - except those saying I don't need a new gun. As a lefty, I was looking at the M 03. It is a modular design, so of course I considered the need for multiple barrels/calibers, and two stocks - one of wood one of plastic. I have never had a modular design. I think it would be an advantage for traveling; 2 or 3 barrels and lots of ammo.
So enough about me, the real punch in the gut was the price I was quoted, $6,000.00. Extra barrels at additional cost (forget price but do remember thinking it was significantly more than a screwed on Douglas Premium). Being the cheap bastard I am, I though who needs a left hand model and surely the M 98, a hundred year old plus design must be less; wrong - listed at $12 grand. I like a nice wood, but have little need for extensive engraving.
Are these guns worth it? There are plenty of fine USA gunsmiths that will hand over an accuracy guaranteed custom rifle for $2500 - 3,500.00 It makes it very hard for me to consider a production gun that seems vastly over priced.

Any thoughts on the matter? Will enjoy and appreciate all comments

.Cheers,
Richard
 
It will be great to hear from Mauser owners. I have never owned one. But as an experienced window shopper it would seem to me that the price you mention is on par with a new Rigby and Dakota, but less than a Kilimanjaro, and much more than what you could get done semi-custom.

It seems like there is a premium to be paid for the name. I guess whether it is worth it or not depends upon whether there is pride in ownership and resale. I do think that Kilimanjaro and Dakota bring a proprietary development to the table maybe justifying the price a bit more?

Great dilemma to have to ponder!
 
My rule on rifles (and good shotguns), is to never allow their acquisition to interfere with the ability to make a hunt. I think a bespoke Holland & Holland Royal would be a fabulous thing to own, but a $120K price tag would affect my ability to actually hunt. But understand there are folks who would never consider dusting partridge without a matched pair of them. If necessary, I can have wonderful hunting experiences with a Savage or Mossberg of appropriate caliber or gauge. Those experiences are more important (to me) than owning best quality arms. I have been blessed to do a bit of both, but if I am struggling with the cost of a new rifle, then I have no problem walking away to invest in the next adventure. That is a long way around to say that if you can afford the tariff for a new Mauser and a couple of sets of barrels, then I think you will find them exceptional, but probably not "exceptionally" better than a Kimber Caprivi, which would not be "exceptionally" better than a Remington. I just acquired my first Blaser R8 with .375 and .300 WM barrels and am stunned by their accuracy and ease of use. (The repeatability of that accuracy following take-down, is one of the major things you are investing in with either the Blaser or new Mauser system.) But truth in lending, my Blaser is not "exceptionally" better than my Mauser '98 based .375. My next meaningful rifle purchase (who knows - maybe my last) will be a Rigby Highlander when they are released this spring (in .275). It won't do anything one of my other 7mms won't do, but it is a Rigby.

So, you can have very satisfying hunts with the Savage, the Mauser, the Blaser or a host of other weapons at varying price points. It is simply a function of what gives you the most affordable pleasure in making that hunt. So, they are all "worth it" and "not worth it." Simply a function of cost and desire.
 
Red Leg gave an exceptional reason to buy or not buy a new Mauser 98 or its equivalent. The last five words of his first paragraph was enough of an explanation of why many of us buy these types of rifles and shotguns, "but it is a Rigby". And that's just the way it is, and there is no logical explanation IMO. I love my Winchesters and Rugers, but they will never be Mausers and Rigbys!
 
Gentlemen thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I have to confess my disappointment that Mauser made no mention of accuracy (that I found), and frankly accuracy is a major portion of a gun's value to my way of thinking. I'll look forward to receiving all the thoughts on the matter I can get.
 
The nearest that I have come to modular guns have been multi-barrel sets for break-action shotguns. when rifles were involved I've always had fixed barrels. My preferred method was to obtain a used Win M70 with the appropriate boltface and magazine length, then send it off to my favorite barrel maker. He would remove the existing barrel, go over the action, true-up, etc; then fit an agreed on barrel. If stockwork was needed there was a fellow nearby that got the sub-contract. Unfortunately he passed away from cancer a few years back so additional firearms involve searching. But in either case, I find that the completed firearm would run significantly less than the several thousand dollar prices you are discussing- but then I have a significant advantage of being right handed. Best wishes for your success in whichever route you choose.
 
The M03 is well worth the price, accuracy is excellent. Ive got one in 308 & 243 and both are exceptional. Have also used one in 404j which was very accurate
 
I have a Mauser M03 and I really love this rifle! It is deadly accurate with all ammo I have tested, both factory and handloaded. I haven't noticed any difference in impact of the bullet after taking it a part ans assembled it again. Depending on the calibers you want to have barrels for you might have to buy a new bolthead and magazine as well. Mine is in 308win amd I'm planing to get more barrels of the coming years, maybe 8x68S, 375H&H or 404 Jeffery. The biggest downside for me is the price of the scope mount. You don't have any other option then Mausers own mount and that this is expensive, it works like a charm but it's expensive.
 
I have a couple of Mauser's. From M98 to M03.

I love my M03! they are very accurate if you leave it as one barrel scope setup.

If you change barrels it is usually about 1 inch out either way. Takes a couple of shots to get it back to zero but when its zeroed its 100% on target. No big issue for me I check my rifles before hunting anyway.

Like Davidm said the only down side is the stupidly expensive scope mounts.

I would buy another M03 in a heart beat! If however you are only going to use a one caliber setup I would bite the bullet and go for a M98. They are fantastic rifles!!

As for the custom rifle route you can get a very nice rifle for less or the same money for sure! but it not going to be a Mauser with all the history and exceptional reliability and handling that comes with it.

There are guys out there that might disagree but there is no better action than a M98 period. IMO.
 
Have you considered the Mauser M12?
I am thinking of a 6.5 or 7mm in the M12 to take out instead of my 300wm as it is often "overkill" ( and its time for a new addition... :sneaky::whistle:).

The M03 was on the list for a long time, but i decided i would prefer to have 3 or 4 rifles rather than for the price of 2 interchangeable sets for the M03.
For the price of the M12, i dont think anyone can go wrong.
@spike.t has an M12 in 30-06 for Takeri and it is pretty nice and handy.

I doubt there will be any accuracy issues when you buy a Mauser.
 
M12 is a fine rifle! For me it handles and points like a dream.

Not of exactly the same quality as the other 2 obviously but still a very good rifle.
 
only thing is they dont make the m12 left handed , but @bluey used my one when he hunted with us and he is left handed and really liked it. mine has the synthetic stock and irons as well and comes perfectly for me. its scoped also with qd mounts.
 
Greetings Gents, I have been looking at rifles and really would appreciate opinions on new Mausers. No need to have one, or have had one, I will value all opinions - except those saying I don't need a new gun. As a lefty, I was looking at the M 03. It is a modular design, so of course I considered the need for multiple barrels/calibers, and two stocks - one of wood one of plastic. I have never had a modular design. I think it would be an advantage for traveling; 2 or 3 barrels and lots of ammo.
So enough about me, the real punch in the gut was the price I was quoted, $6,000.00. Extra barrels at additional cost (forget price but do remember thinking it was significantly more than a screwed on Douglas Premium). Being the cheap bastard I am, I though who needs a left hand model and surely the M 98, a hundred year old plus design must be less; wrong - listed at $12 grand. I like a nice wood, but have little need for extensive engraving.
Are these guns worth it? There are plenty of fine USA gunsmiths that will hand over an accuracy guaranteed custom rifle for $2500 - 3,500.00 It makes it very hard for me to consider a production gun that seems vastly over priced.

Any thoughts on the matter? Will enjoy and appreciate all comments

.Cheers,
Richard

TGH,
you hit my point,which one I go pregnant since a few weeks.
This MO3 left hand system in 375 H+H,would be my next baby.
Perfect for travelings.Only a violin case @the airports.
Not necesarry,but the damned " must have" passion.....:P Elmer Fudd:of a hunter
Foxi
M03 links.png
 
Last edited:
@Foxi you in Germany. Can't you mail a couple of scope mounts to RSA??;)
 
now foxi i know english isnt your first language but you got me confused with this one......:E Head Scratch::E Big Grin:
is it so terrible ,my english :S Oops:,:S Sorry:

@ Roan ,
give me a little time and you have it.
Foxi
 
I have a Mauser M12 in 30-06.
I have dreamed of a Mauser since I first saw one in a German catalogue in my teens.
I would have bought the M03 in a heart beat but the reason why I went with the M12 was purely down to the price.
I bought an M12 and a trip to Namibia to use it for the price of an M03 and that to me was worth it.
I could have bought an M03 and had a very pretty rifle to look at but I want to use it and saw little point blowing my budget on something that wouldn't get used for a year.
I am more than happy with my decision and the M12 as a rifle overall.
Sure, for the purists, coming out of the Blaser/Sauer/Mauser conglomerate it might not be the 'real thing' but each to their own and all that.
I paid a little extra for the upgraded stock because I wasn't happy with the off the shelf look of the basic wood.
I love my rifle and I would love to have an M03 at some point but I'm more than happy to stick with what I have and be able to walk the African bush with it over my shoulder.
IMG_20160929_184353.jpeg
 

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