1891 Argentine Mauser Carbine?

Question

Does anyone know if there is an inexpensive method to change this rifle to a more commonly available caliber? Or should I just take it apart, grease it, and store it in the closet? I am currently shooting ammo that costs $1.00 - $1.20 per round. Caliber is 7.65 x 53

Answer 1

The "Mauser Modelo Argentino 1891" was one of the most beautiful of the early Mauser rifles to come out of Germany in the late 19th century. As such, many collectors (such as myself!) would be gladly willing to trade you a rifle in a more common "shooting" caliber for it.

These were sold as surplus and distrubuted throughout the US (if I'm not mistaken, Sears sold them in their catalog for years for like $49).

Many were subjected to the exact type of conversion you are talking about, having the barrel changed, scope mounts drilled and tapped and stocks replaced. As a result, original versions have become much more hard to find and desirable in recent years to Mauser collectors. I routinely scour the pawnshops and gun shows for old Mausers and many more have been butchered....excuse me, "Sporterized" than those that were not.

To answer your question, the barrel can be changed and headspaced by a qualified gunsmith. This may or may not fit nicely into your stock, so a stock change would be in order.

If your rifle is original in barrel and caliber then I'm optimistic that you may have an original or close to it, as any American hunter would have changed calibers from the hard-to-find 7.65x53mm Mauser.

Please let me persuade you to consider keeping an historic relic intact.

My advice: Either (1) keep it as is or (2) trade for a rifle in a more shooter-friendly caliber or (3) start reloading the 7.65x53mm Mauser.

Of course, you can have a professional change the barrel and have it headspaced, which is going to cost you $200+ on a good day.

Or you could keep it intact and get a nice Mauser in 7mm, a British .303 Enfield, a German K98 or many other Mausers in 8mm, or a Russian Mosin Nagant....all with readily available and some even cheap ammo. I really think this is the best option......hey, I just gave you an excuse to get a new gun!!!!

Answer 2

1891 Argentine Mauser Carbine

Answer 3

I would not alter this fine weapon. If original without modification this is a beautiful specimen of engineering and craftsmanship. I would suggest getting some dies in this caliber and reload the rounds to make it much less expensive to fire if possible.

If this is not in the offing, I would suggest a trade with someone or selling it and buying a rifle in a more available caliber. If you want an inexpensive similar firing military rifle that is cheap, fun to shoot and ammo is cheap and available, I would recommend the Russian Moi sin Nag ant in 7.62x54. These can still be bought for under $100 including the ammo and it is a very effective good shooting rifle and round.

Lot better choice to hang on to this rifle and use the expensive ammo occasionally and go buy the above for less than half of what a gunsmith would charge to re-barrel or re-chamber. Let's see........twice as many guns, half the cost.......you do the math.

Answer 4

It would be a shame to rechamber it, and there's nothing wrong with the cartridge except the problem you're dealing with. There aren't as many .311" bullets as .308, but there are enough, and this would be a good excuse to start handloading.
It took the US military another 60 years to come up with the nearly identical 7.62x51, and the Belgian (Argentine) Mauser has history.

Answer 5

I would just get some reloading gear and for what it would cost you for 100 rds. of ammo you could be all set up to reload it. There are lots of companies that sell brass for it and there are plenty of .310 or .311 bullets available. I reload mine and if you have to you can use cast bullets to make it even cheaper to shoot.

Answer 6

Cheaper to just buy another rifle in a more common caliber.

Answer 7

I will buy it from you and then you can go purchase a rifle in a caliber more affordable to shoot.

Answer 8

Begin Reloading.*

Answer 9

The gun may have been rebored to fit another caliber. You should have it checked by a competent gunsmith before using it. Many Muasers were rebored to shoot more popular or easier to find cartridges.