What is the proper or typical barrel length for a carbine-style rifle stocked in the Manlincher style?

This has gotten under my skin, along with the desire to build my own stock from scratch. I will do it cheap (the black walnut stock blank was free), and use an 8x57 barrel from a 98/22. This particular barrel is like new, with bright shiny rifling and threads. I'm thinking 19.5 - 20 inches. I plan to have my gunsmith cut and re-crown it, also remove the first half-step from the breech end (so that the whole breech end is the same diameter as the sight sleeve section). I have to do that to get rid of the pipe wrench marks

As an interesting aside, I'm also thinking of re-shaping the buttplate from the same donor rifle, maybe even skeletonizing it, for the new rifle. That there is a serious chunk of metal, no cheap stamping.

Thanks,
Todd

Todd,
Most European manufacturers offer their full stock "stutzen" models with a 52 cm barrel. That is 20.47 inches.

Mannlicher-Schoenauer and Brno both offered their rifles with full stocks, which had long 60 cm (23.6") barrels.

I think 19.5" - 20" is a good length.

The Oberndorf type S and M factory carbines were 20".

I did this 1909 Argentine using a new 19.5" Mauser stepped tube in 7x57.

GV

that's a nice looking rifle, Grandview. - Dan

Some factory full-stock rifles have barrels as short as 17.5". Sako used 20" when they used to build one, and I think that the Ruger RSI was about 18".

Anything shorter than 17" would seem pretty stubby and anything longer than about 21" would be kind of long for a Mannlicher.

My Dumoulin mannlicher stocked 338 is 20.5", I think the Ruger RSI is 19-20, can't recall offhand on that one.

Where are you guys finding good 7 and 8 mm barrels?

The barrel on my Ruger RSI is 18 inches.The barrel on the Sako I had was 20 inches.

Thanks gv, got one on order now. I see Gun Parts Corp has finally gotten a little modern. I don't even have a recent catalog. Maybe won't have to now.

My gunsmith builds Mannlicher style stockes from Mauser military stocks. Depending upon where he "breaks" the stock, it will run between 20 to 23 inches. This truly makes a beautiful stock and some of the wood in those old Mausers is really beautiful. Ku-dude

Thanks to all who responded. 19.5" it will be, that Numrich deal is too good to pass up. The 8x57 barrel will wait for something else.

Grandview, beautiful work. I think I remember that rifle, namely that you did all the stock work and maybe the metal too? Fine job.

Ku-Dude, the Manlincher Mauser stocks some like a neat idea. Would you by chance have any pics? I've seen some very nice take-off stocks, just not sure how you handle the hole from the stock disc, or sling passthrough.

Todd

I'm curious too, anyone know what that barrel might have been made for? I don't think I've ever seen a military Mauser with one that short.

?
Todd

Grandview,

Beautiful work!

Is that done from a blank or is it someones pattern? Nice grip and cheekpiece, is it Eng. walnut.
Thanks, Bob.

Todd,

The original Mannlichers were all 520mm carbines as Curt informs you. I have heard that some were made with 500mm barrels but have never seen one. What caliber is your rifle going to be?

Grandview,

Beautiful rifle.

BTW,

does anyone here shoot Mannlichers?

Good shooting everyone.

Mehul,

The 6.5x54mm carbines usually had the 50cm barrels. I have had several carbines and rifles in 9.5x57 and currently have two M-S rifles in 9.3x62 (1950 and 1952).

I also have a Brno 7x64 with a 23.5" barrel and a beautiful sleek full length stock. I have also seen several Mannlichers with full stocks on 23.5" barrels. They were beautiful.

Thanks all for the kind words.

This was an enjoyable and relatively inexpensive project. I had the "makings" on hand for a few years.

Action is a very nice 1909 Argentine. I profiled the trigger guard and soldered on the release "bump". A local smith welded the butterknife bolt handle, profiled the rear bridge, and drilled & tapped the Leupold bases. Safety is Beuhler and trigger is Timney.

The wood was a nice English mannlicher blank from Don Cantwell (courtesy of my brother who made the deal for it after buying Don dinner), which I had machined by Great American Gunstocks. There was ample wood to reshape to the shotgun grip, a bit more drop at the heel, and the oval cheekpiece that I desired.

I decided to depart from the norm a bit, and did the stock sans "furniture". No metal grip cap, butt, or muzzle cap. I gave it a bit of schnabble at the tip for interest as there are no open sights. I think a mannlicher needs something to "terminate" the long run to the end of the barrel. It looks a bit "unfinished" otherwise. Typically there's a front sight.

It's likely checkered a bit course at 20 lpi, but that's about all my eyes can handle at this time.

Thanks again for the interest.

GV

Kurt,

Thank you for the information. You are a very lucky man to have two Mannlichers to hunt with! Wish some gunmaker would make them again - sometimes I feel there is too much of an emphasis on Mausers. Are your post war rifles the same as the pre war ones? There are a number of the old ones still in use in India in 7x57 (275 if you like) and in half stock in 30-06 etc. They are beautiful old guns that still work as they did when they were made.

Is any gunmaker listening?

Mehul,
The Mannlichers are broken down into 3 periods.

Pre 1924 has the short action (models 1903-1910).
1924-1950 Has the long action (models High Velocity, Seqouia, etc.)
1952-MCA have a long action, swept handle.

I prefer the styling of the 1924-1950 rifles. In fact, I just picked up a 1950 carbine in .257 Roberts.

That Numrich barrel I ordered on the 14th was at the post office today. Not too bad service, I'd say. Now where did that Mannlicher stock blank go to?

Mehul,

I ordered one of the 7x57 barrels that Grandview mentioned -- original Mauser manufacture, 19.5", stepped. I already have one 7x57, but what the hell, two can't hurt.

I'm still planning my assault on the chunk of walnut; perhaps the best step would be sending it to someone to duplicate a Mannlincher blank, in light of my recent misfortunes with [attempted] drilling and tapping of a receiver...

Todd

Kurt C,

Thank you very much for the information. One more Mannlicher - you are lucky. Some pictures, please, when you find time.

Todd,

Please share the joy of your new rifle with us by posting pictures on AR when it is completed.


Good shooting everybody!

man, i would LOVE to see/have a mini mauser in either 7br or 7"ppc" with an 18.5" barrel, nice partridge front sight, 2 set triggers, peep rear sight, high grade ang-lish walnut, and weigh 6#...

light, zero recoil, accurate as hell, and a real pig/deer/sheep gun....

okay.. AFTER the 500 jeffery and AFTER the 470 double project... oh, did I mention the 470??!??!?

jeffe

16.5 to 23.5 inches seems to work well...I have had several older Brnos M-22F that have had 20.5 to 23" as I recall...They all looked and handled well...

I lean towards 20" barrels in carbines and Manlichers....A good balance of velocity and handiness....

Those Numrich barrels are pretty nice despite being > 2x my age (or so -- estimating them at ~70 yrs)! As advertised, it is new, never installed. I have cleaned off the outside, and discovered a tiny area of shallow pits where some moisture must have gotten under the cosmoline. Buffed right out with some fine emery cloth, looks great now.

I haven't tackled the bore yet -- that looks like a big job, as it is packed with cosmoline. I'm very curious to see if it is long, short, or exactly chambered. One interesting thing I noticed -- the rounded / oval crown, which I always assumed was from getting beat up on battlefields (on my old military Mausers), was the way it came from the factory! I'm glad to know that, as I was on the verge of having american-style crowns cut on two old Mausers I'm refinishing.

I have it screwed on my 1909 action, and it looks nice. I think it will stay there.

Final impression: great deal for $50.

Todd

[ 01-21-2003, 07:23: Message edited by: Todd Getzen ]

Todd
Mannlicher Schoenauer carbines have had different lengths depending on model/caliber. M1903/6,5x54MS had 17,5" barrel, the others 20"(1905,1908, 1910 etc). I saw a test a few years ago when one cutted the barrel of an old Mauser 96 6,5x55SE in steps of 1" and tested the V0 after each cut. The performance was OK until the barrel was shorter than 45 cm, then the speed of the bullet was dramaticaly reduced.
Martin