Mauser 45-70

[njcioffi]

About 6 months ago I was at a local gun shop and found a Mauser 45-70, with 2.5x scope on a 'flip off' (?!?!) mount. The mount was hinged, and you could literally flip it over to the side to use iron sights....never seen one before. Anyway, I don't know what kind of Mauser it was, as I didn't inspect it real closely, but I'm pretty sure the reciever was stamped "Gewher 98", so I'm assuming German...I don't know if the Siamese/Yugos/etc were stamped "Gewher".

SO anyway, it's big and heavy and weird and beautiful, but they wanted $900 for it, so forget it. It disappeared shortly after, and I assumed it had been sold. I talked to a salesman there while buying another gun about 2 months ago (which incidentally was abot $900 lol), and he said he thought they still had it, but couldn't find it in the back. Yesterday I stopped by and there it was again...and low and behold, the price tag said $650. Well now I'm interested.

Here's what I know..It is a Mauser action (not sure of country of origin), looks like custom stock (length fits me well), 2.5x fixed (can't remember make, but it was a name brand, Burris maybe?..older model) mounted on weird weaver flippy mount. Action is smooth, and both wood and metal look to be well cared for. Haven't pulled the trigger yet, so dunno how it feels. It is heavy as all get out, and has what looks to be a 26" or 28" barrel, and Williams iron sights.

I know that Siamese Mauser conversions are said to be as strong as the Ruger single shots, and can be loaded to insane levels. Does this go for all Mauser actions? Is the appeal of using Siamese mausers strictly due to the canted magazine well (making wide rimmed cartridges feed more reliably) or is there a strength issue as well?

Anyone have any experience with either mauser 45-70 conversions or these weird flippy mounts? Like? Dislike? Anecdotes?

[njcioffi]

Also: I dunno what I need this gun for...I have a Rolling Block and an 1895 that I am particularly enamoured with. But it is a weird piece, which appeals to me, and I guess if when the Mayan Zombies come back they happen to be riding dinosaurs, it might come in handy. Otherwise, it would be for mostly academic load development.

[FRJ]

Those flip off Weaver mounts were kinda popular 30 or more years ago. I haven't seen one in years. Probably due to scopes having proven their worth and reliability. They did work and did return to zero but just are not needed any more. FRJ

[Barenjager]

Can't speak to the Mauser questions (other than to agree there is something to be said for the unusual), but this may give you more insight into the Weaver Pivot Mounts...

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/33...odel-30-a.html

Roe

EDIT: I see now you've "been there, read that".

[njcioffi]

Can't speak to the Mauser questions (other than to agree there is something to be said for the unusual), but this may give you more insight into the Weaver Pivot Mounts...

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/33...odel-30-a.html

Roe

EDIT: I see now you've "been there, read that".

LOL yeah. My reply on that thread was after I had found that rifle the first time! I think I might pass it up, after reading about feeding problems on manyof the conversions (Siamese included). Also...I dunno...I can spend the money on guns that will see probably more playtime at the range.

[336ER]

I had a similar set of bases/rings on a Rem M660 many years ago. As already stated, they work fine, but we do not see the same failure rate today on scopes, so perhaps not needed. If I was wanting an ultra-strong repeating action for heavy 45-70 loads, I'd simply get a BLR in .450M and be done with it. Did sound like an interesting rifle, however.

[njcioffi]

I guess I should say the plan is to pass on it for now, and if the price drops again in 6 months...well...at that point it becomes divine intervention, and I can't be held responsible

[ShootingPirate]

Can you sneak a picture of it? I am intrigued.

[Jonny V]

As you said, Mauser 98 actions are immensley strong. All the parts are machined, no stampings or sheetymetal to be found (other than the magazine spring). Not sure of the markings on a Siamese Mauser, but you can check into MauserCentral.com, and they can fill you in on all the variants of the most important/best bolt action ever designed. Look out, it's another addiction, and like all addictions it starts out with just one or two.....

Mauser Central • View forum - Tech Talk : Ask The Gun Guys

[coalgeo]

25 years ago a friend gave me a Siamese barreled action - with the bore essentially rusted out. I built it into a 45-70 with a Fajen stock, Douglas barrel, and a set of express sights. Siamese Mausers had a slanted magazine because they used a rimmed cartridge (which I cannot remember at the moment). That made them the ticket for a 45-70 without having to do a lot of work - Think Lee-enfields built into 45-70 carbines (I think by Gibbs) a few years ago. Fun rifle to shoot, although heavy loads made it a real thumper. Eventually it went down the road to pay for something else. If it "gets" to you, make sure you run a bunch of cartridges through the thing before it is yours. It took the guy who built mine a while to get it to feed well.