In a month or so I will be receiving a M-48 Mauser that will be in ‘Military New’ unissued condition. I was wondering what other dopers thought about the ‘ethics’ of altering a historic firearm such as the M-48. Ideally I would love to have two: one to keep in it’s as-issued condition, and a second to ‘sporterize’ or turn into a ‘work gun’ but the question assumes only having one gun. Should I keep this rifle in pristine condition or perform several modifications? Suggested modifications include adding a scope, trigger job, new stock, new sling, eliminating the cleaning rod, and possible removing the bayonet lug (to reduce weight). I have no plans to ever sell the gun, it will be considered a keeper.
Is it wrong to do this to a historic firearm such as the M-48 or would this be a great idea? FTR – I have no real need for a new M-48, I just want one :)!
As a regular shooter and a cranky anarcho-capitalist libertarian, my stance is: it’s your gun and by purchasing it you have the right to do whatever you want to it.
It’s an important rifle MODEL, historically speaking, but it’s not so rare that there aren’t other pristine examples of it out there, and I assume - given its condition - that this PARTICULAR rifle has no historical significance. It’s not like it’s the BAR John Browning used to demostrate the model to the amry command staff or anything.
If it were me, I’d get a second one in “good” condition (barrel and action in great shape, less than perfect stock, etc.) and make your modifications to that one. That’s just because I’m a fan of historic weapons and new-in-box examples are hard to stumble on, though. No ethical problem either way.
Just to reinforce my postiion, I currently have a beloved .303 Enfield that was designated for training purposes but never issued. I’m buying a second one and converting it to a .375 H&H. I know Enfields are more common, but hte issue itself is the same.
Happy shooting.
Ditto to what Fallen Angel says:A good condition 48 isn’t worth a lot of cash. A perfect one may not be either, but it’s probably worth keeping it intact; get a used, cheaper weapon to change. I’ve seen large ring turkish mausers for under 20 bucks.
If you must confine yourself to one firearm then consider the least invasive procedures first: Smooth out the trigger pull. (anyone with steady hands can do this with a small whetstone in about two hours) Next, add a tie-on recoil pad from Brownewll’s. Buy a Williams peep sight and install it- they are made to be mounted in the original mounting holes of the M48. If you really want to conserve weight, consider carefully removing the stock, setting it aside for safekeping, and installing a synthetic stock. Quite a few of them are made for the 48 by several manufacturers. it won’t be a showcase firearm, but it will shoot well. Check brownell’s for all the parts you need.
Still, nice to get an old large ring action and have it barrelled, make your own rifle from stock. Mine’s my pride and joy.
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While the M48 certainly isn’t a particulary important rifle (as such things go), I still hate to see any military weapon sporterized if it’s in decent shape. Consider this…for less money than it would take to buy the M48 and sporterize it, you could go to your local gun show and find a Mauser that’s already been mangled (ahem)I mean sporterized.
Hey, I got one of those at Big 5 Sporting Goods in L.A.! Came with all of the stuff shown. New and unissued for $159.00.
I just checked the link. $295.00? :eek: I saw a Big 5 ad yesterday and they still have them for $159.99! These are Yugoslavian surplus in new, unissued condition and they have the accessories listed.
Getting it for $116 and that includes taxes and shipping, but it does not include the bayonet. Normally $106 but I went the extra $10 for the hand picked ‘select’ grade.
At that price, buy a second one and leave one in pristine condition. There are scads of Mauser aftermarket kits and pieces, so you can make your “working” example as fancy or goofy as you want, and still have a nice military collectable in the safe.