Looking to buy a German Karabiner 98K?

Question

I would like to buy, maybe authentic, WWII German Karabiner 98K. The gun is sweet, and I just want a good rifle for hunting which is different from all my buddies.
Anyone out there with one and are willing to give it up? E-mail me at [e-mail].
Or anyone know where (sites would help) I could buy the rifle or a working replica?

Answer 1

First, do some research. Go to surplusrifle.com and read the sections on the 98k, then join the forums and ask in the right section who has them for sale. You will find lots of friendly folks like me who love collecting and shooting these old rifles and know just about everything there is to know about them.

You will need a dealer to order and transfer the rifle to you....if you live in the US of course....and expect to pay him $15 to $25 for this service. Most independent Pawn shops are also dealers and will often order from a catalog for you.

Expect a German k98k to be $200 to $500 and this depends on factory codes and condition. Accuracy is sort of a crap shoot in dealing with old used rifles, so be prepared that it maybe won't shoot as well as you like.

Also, the Czech model 24 Mauser is one of the best Mausers ever made and used by the Czech and German armies during WWII. Yes, the Czechs fought with the Nazis. Slightly cheaper.

A great deal is the Yugo M48 (also called Bosnian, Serb, etc.). After WWII the allies gave General Tito of Yugoslavia an entire Mauser factory and moved it to Zastava. The Yugoslavians started making an almost exact model and this rifle was used extensively in the wars there in the 1980s on. You can find these sometimes almost new for $125 and less.

Also, the Mausers made rifles for the Turks in 8mm. The Turk mausers are plentiful and look beat up, but let me tell you I have one that will shoot better than any of the other six dozen rifles I own, with cheap surplus ammo no less.

Avoid a company called Mitchell's Mausers. They refinish old rifles and put new stocks on them and then charge way to much IMHO.

You also want to look at a Swiss K31. Beautiful rifles that represent the very best of European manufacturing and craftsmanship in available 7.5mm Swiss caliber. To buy a rifle of this quality new would cost three to four thousand dollars and you can get them for $150. Excellent deer rifle, one of the very best ever made. The Swiss take shooting seriously.

You need to think long and hard about scoping one of these.....to drill and tap one would ruin their collector value. If you are a good rifleman, you don't need no stinking scope anyway. But if you must have a scope, get the Swiss. They make a clamp on scope mount that's rock solid. Or use a Scout style scope setup.

Answer 2

I just bought one from Mitchells mausers at WWW.mauser.org
I bought a scope mount and a scope. The weapons isnt heavy at all, not to me anyway. I havent taken it hunting yet, I will next weekend. This rifle isnt expensive at all, $400, the mount will cost you $60, then any scope of your choice, scope mount uses weaver rings. 8mm ammo can be found at any gun shop or buy some from mitchells site as well. The best thing about the 98K is that it is the real weapon from WWII and has the german swastika stamping on them. So they are a good collector item that can be used for hunting. They arent the greatest rifle for hunting but a cool collectors item and conversation peice. Im going to take mine deer hunting and hopefully get me a big fat.....slow..... buck... LOL!

Answer 3

The question as to where to get it has been answered, so I'm going to suggest what to get. For surplus ammo, try to find the '70s era Romanian stuff. While it is still steel cased and corrosive, its the most accurate and reliable I've found. Stay away from the Chinese, Indian and Malaysian ammo. The Hungarian ammo seems to be the second best. German and Turkish 7.92 ammo is usually somewhat collectible and is best traded for shootable stuff. For new ammo, Norma makes the best although its both expensive and hard to find. Their 190 grain Oryx tip is a real sledgehammer. US made 7.92 ammo is lower powered but good quality.

Answer 4

I think that you would be unhappy with the results from your hunting trip if you selected an issued K98k. The issue sights are very poor. The rifle is very heavy. The issues stocks do nothing to dampen the recoil. I did not say don't use a '98, as I use one in .308 quite often. But, mine has a featherweight barrel with a fiber stock. I have mine topped with a Leupold 3x10. Loaded the weight is only 7 lbs. Most K98k's with a laminated stock run over 9 lbs. Don't get me wrong I like the gun. But I would not choose it over a light sporter (or my Winchester '94 with a Burris scout scope).

My buds all say "you should use the rifle your father gave you", but my dad gave me a Jap Arisaka. I know he meant well........

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Karabiner 98k

Answer 7

Issued ones are harder to come by, but the Mauser is very common at gun shows, and most gun shops.

Answer 8

Try Mitchells Mausers at www.Mauser.org