mini mauser left hand 223, good?bad? ugly?

29 September 2009, 06:44

700varmint

Kinda looking at one to possibly rebarrel, how are they? is it worth $500 bucks? looks nice in the pictures but havent heard much about them. I think a mini-mauser action would be neat.

any feedback would be nice before I make a mistake or pass one up I should have bought

TIA

29 September 2009, 06:48

Cliff Lyle

I don't own one so all I have to offer is what I've read in the forums. Is this the receiver that is made in Europe? I am sure there are some who have good knowledge of these. I just don't know much about them.
What caliber are you considering building?

29 September 2009, 07:06

ROSCOE

I had one and did not keep it. It was not a Mauser CRF action. A push feed and kind of sloppy. I expect they could me made into a nice little rifle with some work. I think a better choice would be a kimber. They are great rifles if you can find one.

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29 September 2009, 16:13

max(hm2)

i have and have had several, in both left handed and right handed. as been mentioned, they are not true mauser actions. they are made in europe and are decent actions and can be made nice if that is your purpose. they aren't bad the way they came from the factory except for the real glossy stock. if you want to rebarrel, the barrel tenion is a size to itself and is threaded with metric threads, not a whole lot of used factory barrels out there that will screw up to the action. a real plus is that they are a true 223 sized action that was available to left handers.

"An individual with experience is never at the mercies of an individual with an argument"

30 September 2009, 17:56

ChopperGuy

Don't overlook the CZ 527 lefties.

I have 2, one redone into 6.8SPC (originally a .223) and another now in 20 Vartarg (originally a 221 Fireball).

Both are very accurate and great shooters in a compact package.

Now if I could just find a decent left handed syn stock for them.

______________________
Guns are like parachutes. If you need one and don't have one, you'll likely never need one again Author Unknown, But obviously brilliant.

If you are in trouble anywhere in the world, an airplane can fly over and drop flowers, but a helicopter can land and save your life. - Igor Sikorski, 1947

30 September 2009, 19:34

Ian (VA)

Here's the one I decided to do my current Mini project on: a LH Sako L-461. I don't think there are many more like this one floating around out there though.

30 September 2009, 23:29

Snowwolfe

quote:
Originally posted by ChopperGuy:
Don't overlook the CZ 527 lefties.

I have 2, one redone into 6.8SPC (originally a .223) and another now in 20 Vartarg (originally a 221 Fireball).

Both are very accurate and great shooters in a compact package.

Now if I could just find a decent left handed syn stock for them.

Nice rifles for sure, just wished they could design it so the magazine fit flush against the bottom of the stock. It looks hideous the way it hangs down.

My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.

01 October 2009, 00:12

ChopperGuy

I agree with the magazine comment. It's nice to have a detachable mag, but it is butt ugly hanging down.

There is a place that will modify your mags so they fit flush with the bottom of rifle. I just can't remember where I saw that.

I'll have to check around and see if I can't find that information again.....

02 October 2009, 20:34

Stu C

quote:
Originally posted by Ian (VA):
Here's the one I decided to do my current Mini project on: a LH Sako L-461. I don't think there are many more like this one floating around out there though.

Ian,

That's interesting and new to me. Who did the conversion?

- stu

03 October 2009, 18:34

Ian (VA)

Stu, I wish I knew who converted it, but I bought it as a complete rifle. All the work, including the custom stock looks top notch, if not 30 years old or so. The custom featherweight barrel was chambered in .17 rem though which doesn't interest me very much, hense the disassembly. I'll chamber the new barrel in 6x45.

Best,
Ian

09 October 2009, 07:56

Deakin

well don't give up on the Mini's. Not sure about a $500 price tag. I have two that I gave $250 for.

I made one into a 221 Fireball and the other is a 6.5 Grendel.

The 221 is a shooter and the Grendel is still in the works. I think that it will be a shooter also. Nice actions with no issues in feeding with the 221 but the Grendel is going to have some welding done on the feeding rails and then we will see.

11 October 2009, 06:57

Kiwishooter2

I've owned a couple of these, here in NZ they came with an oil finished stock and looked a lot better than the glossy ones you had in the US.

Both of the ones I have had shot quite well and when I compare them to the CZ, for strength I would probably pick the Mini Mauser as the locking lugs are a bit bigger than the CZ but for finish I would pick the CZ.......the finish can be altered.

If you look in the Gunsmithing forum you will find two or three that have had some work done to them and look real nice.
Take a look at these threads

http://forums.accuratereloadin...161059301#8161059301

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/...3/page/1#Post2160683

I have a near new 223 that I bought for under US$100 but the seller lost the bolt, if anyone knows where I can find a bolt please let me know....Kiwi

22 October 2009, 05:03

JFE

If you go to the CZ site they are making certain models available with 3 shot mags at the factory. Still not quite flush with the bottom of the stock but much better looking. So if you dont like the way the mag sticks out then in theory at least it should be possible to order a shorter mag.