This gentleman's attitude towards the hobby of collecting in general as well as his well-observed and truthful viewpoints on the firearms in hand are a refreshing change from the nonsense that goes on at many KZfaq channels. This channel is gold.

This video is proof that this gentleman truly loves rifles and is a connoisseur of firearms. He appreciates the history of firearms, even the post-war period when a lot of folks self-sporterized military rifles.

My father was from Peru. He trained in a military school. Then he immigrated to the US. I was born in the US and he taught me to shoot when I was 8 years old. I still remember him talking about the Mauser he shot when he was in school. I have now been collecting and shooting since 1984. Thanks for invoking the memories.

I’ve never seen a ugly Mauser and even after watching this I can still say I haven’t. Best part is there already sporterized so no harm done if refinished. Would take very little, mostly time and love to put these rifles back to there former beauty.

I haven't been keeping up with the channel lately but love this format and love the seamless teaching and no rush approach. Absolutely love seeing these old rifles in action. This gentleman is a class act, loves and enjoys his craft and wish he was my neighbor! Thanks for the video

They are a heck of a lot prettier in my eyes than many of the AR clones I see on KZfaq.

I recently picked up a Winchester lever 1887 12 gauge. Metal was good but somebody had hacksawed the barrel down from a 30 inch to probably 24 inches. It was botched so I took a precise pipe cutter and cut it down to 18 1/2 inches buffed out the sharp edges and cold blued the end of the barrel. Then I re-finished the wood. Wow big difference. Now I’ve got the Terminator’s shot gun.

That aperture-sighted mauser was fine. I wouldn't hesitate taking something like that hunting.

Sir, you produce great videos full of information delivered very clearly. You should be proud of your shooting accomplishments with those vintage scopes and peep sights. You are not a 'large human error', you are a treasured member of the shooting community. Thank you for these productions and warmest regards from Scotland.

I do appreciate you featuring the more affordable "diamond in the rough" for us bottom feeders. Not sure where you are located but here in southern Maine deals like that have not been seen in twenty years. These days they are getting 400U$ for worn out Mosins. Closest you'll come to the 200$ mark are the Carcanos, and ammo for those is rather scarce at present.

I've never seen an ugly rifle just some prettier than others.

Great video as always! Just to let you know that the advantage of these old wood stocks is that you can make them fit to your personal body physic rather than saving weight. We used to say: " The barrel shoots but the stock hits". Especially at fast running game like wild boars in a driven hunt it is essential that the stock fits your body. Anybody can hit non-moving game even with the most awkward fitting stock from a blind rest but it is a totally different story if you wish to hit a boar, running 45 miles/hour across a small opening. The latter takes a well fitted stock and lots and lots of practice.

I've got a Husqvarna Mauser blot action in 30:06, with a schnabel fore ended stock. Nice gun @ 6.5lbs. Swedish made.

I love taking old guns like those and putting them back in service. A lot of satisfaction in cleaning, bedding, refinishing, load development and then putting meat on the table.

When I was a teenager I had an old WW2 veteran as a neighbor. He called these type of guns "Fugitives" he had a pile of them. I became the beneficiary of many of them through yard work, barn painting, car washing good times.

Thanks for your Mauser reviews. I recently picked up a Chilean Mauser in 7x57 made by Oberndorf. It's finished out nicely and I happen to be a fan of 7x57.

You are such a wealth of knowledge. Thank you kind sir for all you do for our community. Your videos are by far, my favorite on KZfaq.

I absolutely love that video. It was different it had some great stories huge fan the Mauser action , long live the k98

Like the haircut 👍

If a gun is ugly but allows someone to get into the sport then its a good gun. The "ugly" guns are good for hunting with because you don't have to worry about banging them up. I knew some people that bought a bunch of these and even had ads on armslist because they needed projects for class while attending gunsmith school.

Perfect title for the video. That 7x57 actually had me laughing when I first saw it. Turns out to be a hidden gem. Thanks Mike.

About 18 years or so I came across a Swedish 1894 carbine that had been badly sporterized. The stock inletting was such that rounds would not feed. It was a full-length stock (Mannlicher type) and the fore end had warped. The scope mount was cheap and the mounting screws stripped out so it was loose. I bought it and it became a project gun for me. I was actually able to fix everything and it is now a really nice lightweight deer rifle - perfect for Texas. I really like it because of the extensive work I did on it and how well it turned out. Great vid and thanks for sharing!!

its a shame that so many of the guns ended up sporterized a long time ago but even that way as sad as it is they are still useable

I have a soft spot in my heart for these kind of guns. I can enjoy them for their intrinsic value. I can let inexperienced shooters fire them without fear of scratching a pristine collectable.

I love to see the old Mausers. The sound they make is unlike the commercial bolts of today. Even after untold number of rounds through them they are slick.

In my experience, the first round flyer is attributed to a cold bore.

My first deer rifle was a sporterized Mauser (Chilean 95). It was likely converted in the 1950's. I later got sentimental, replaced the corroded and shot out barrel with a Lothar Walther in 6.5x55. It is one of my most accurate guns today. I also have a high condition original Chilean Mauser I would have likely never purchased had it not been for the old sporter. I would never alter an original, but would not hesitate to pick up another one similar to your fine examples. Great video!

Oh I'll gladly pay you $60 + Shipping...lol Finding good old rifles below $200 is almost a thing of the past.. I have a ruger M77 in 7x57 that I picked up many years ago for $175.00 and it's one of my favorite hunting rifles, nice and gentle on the old shoulder.. great video as always..

The 7x57 looks like a solid hunting, no frills rifle. I've always wanted an original, unaltered Israeli 7.62 Mauser 98. Still my favorite military rifle is my Remington 1903A3 unaltered.

The second one looks actually quite pretty, and the combination of the timney (or whatever) trigger and the diopter sight would make for a very fun informal target rifle in my opinion.

It’s the stories these guns could tell that really capture the imagination.

Very good observation. It’s in the same category as you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. One never knows when a 100.00 dollar rifle will outperform a premium high end rifle. As usual another fact brought to light by your knowledge of firearms.

Always a pleasure to see you at the range. Great passing on of the knowledge. Take care and God bless.

It’s always refreshing to watch videos like this. I’m a little tired of all the tacticool guys out there now days 👏

Another great video. And I love that you went straight to the range with these rifles. My favorite has to be the 7×57 as that is what I have. I think that you could remove the wire and possibly the top wooden shroud and re-engineer a front sling swivel and it would be a sweet little rifle to carry in the field.

I have a fully original fully functional 7x57 Mauser that at some point was set up and designated as a sniper rifle,I paid$75 for it at a pawn shop about 20 years ago with Norma ammo it prints 1 inch groups at 200 not bad for a rifle built late 1800's

That 8x57 looks a lot better than my old battle scarred Lee Enfield number 1 mark lll * BSA made in 1941. (Bought 2019 for the equivalent of 175 USD) But my old ugly shoots fine, I love it.

"Adventures happening here with the wood" classic deadpan positive spin ... that is why I like your videos. Keep up the fine work. Kudos !

I liked this video, Mike! It's great to see you out in the field of course, and I also appreciated your evaluation and diagnostic process of the guns. It was almost like watching a Doctor go on rounds with a bunch of interns (like me!). Keep up the great work! Those deer don't stand a CHANCE!!!

Great video as always. Your demonstrations and explanations of the firearms are always so clear and to the point. Can’t say I’ve ever seen an ugly rifle but have loved guns since I saw the first one. If a person is pleased with a rifle it matters not what someone else may think of it. I would never buy a gun to try and impress or please someone else. If I’m happy with it that’s all that matters. Keep making these wonderful and informed videos. 👍👍

Any wood stock bolt action gun can never be ugly to me

When I was a young man, one of my hunting companions was from a family that was not very financially well off. His family's only "hunting rifle" was a surplus 1903A3 Springfield rifle, which were quite inexpensive at that time. (mid 60s) It was 100% peep-sight-OMG-heavy-original. But that rifle was incredibly accurate just as it was and he killed a lot of deer, wild hogs with it. I don't think he would have traded it for anything "better" or more expensive. When he got a little older and a little better off financially, he managed to afford a Remington Model 788...another ugly, heavy, cheap rifle...and another one that was incredibly accurate! He was still using that rifle until we both got too old and arthritic to hunt anymore.

That 7x57mm is the sweetest shooting, caliber goes back to the Boers (farmers) taking on the mightiest Empire with those.

Thanks. Surprisingly how well these rifles still operate and accurately place rounds on the target. Thanks ounce again.😊

Those rifles are too ugly to stay in Canada. I suggest you send them to Florida. Great video, great groups. :-)

This is the best "gun guy" on KZfaq in my opinion. I always enjoy his work. Big thumbs up!

Hi Thanks for the video, I love old guns with alot of history and we have a lot of old 303brit here in New Zealand, and I found most of them still shoot just fine. I also love the 7x57. Thanks again

another great video, excellent low-key delivery, the enthusiasm & affection for these old guns really comes across 👍

Hello Mike. You are over 18 and it is your rifle, but --- per the first one with the wire holding the stock to the barrel,,,, I am a follower of the concept of: "If it ain't broke, DO NOT fix it" idea. It shot the best, so leave the wire alone! Better to turn it over and put some glue or rubber cement on the wire point and let it dry, or affix some "Duct" or electrical tape to the ends of the wire, or use a shooting glove on your left hand! What I would do is add a front sight, a rear sight such as a "Lyman" attached to the rear of the action, then get rid of the glass tube. That would be a really good "deer in the trees" rifle. You got a great deal for $40. As another gent in Maine posted: military surplus weapons here in the States have gone crazy high, price wise. My 1944 .303 Lee-Enfield made at Long Branch, Canada cost me about $110. back in about 1995. Now they are at least $500, and sadly almost all have been gutted ( aka: "sporterized" boo-hiss 🥵). I got an 1891 Argentine Mauser 7.65 x 54mm, made in Berlin by Loewe, from the G - B site. Very well-made firearm. (The bullet is a .312 or .313 caliber.)

Mauser actions were surface hardened and most are super smooth. Most don't compare. Tikka are close for bolt slickness . Excellent video.

Great tip about the masking tape. Thanks for sharing the video with us.

I think that I would be happy with any of those rifles , that first rifle needs a bit of TLC but it appears to shoot pretty well and a couple of them with a little attention to details such as wonky pic rail could potentially be not just an accurate rifles but Very accurate rifles . Your shooting at 200 yards with open sights is excellent ! . To echo the comments of the Patriot 777 , I really like this format , but I think in inclement weather conditions nobody would complain if You stayed indoors . Thanks for another excellent video . Shoot Straight Stay Safe & Stay Well .

Great video thank you. Don’t judge a rifle by its looks!

Mike as always great video and as far as the rifles are concerned I’ve had a lot of them and would still buy them. Each one has a story to tell if they could only talk. Keep up the great work and thank you.

God bless you brother ! been watching your videos for years since I was a early teenager now (23) mike your a truly generous teacher you gifted me one of the hagn faling block receivers a few years back it’s more work to complete than I thought it would be but I’m determined to finish it in the next years I have a walnut blank for the stock and been looking for a 375 H&H barrel I will most definitely keep you updated and send some pictures when it’s done I still have your email just wanted to thank you again for your lessons and generosity! God bless and happy New Years mike !!!

Awesome video and content, keep up the great work!!!

What a great video concept! Well done.

One of my favorite videos of yours so far and I would probably keep the wire, it lends character.

Not only was it a walk in past but those who made them work for their present needs. Thank you for making this video.

Great video. When I teach Hunters Education Classes I have brought in some old Mauser and Enfield’s as an example of a low cost hunting rifle. I remind them they have to use expanding bullets when hunting. I remember in the 1960’s and 70’s sporting goods stores would sell war surplus rifles for less than $20. I still have a 1939 8X57 that shoots extremely well.

Love this. It has plenty of wear but someone loved and relied on that mauser and did whatever they could to keep it running. Take care of it and keep it running.

As much as I like to buy and enjoy new rifles, I enjoyed this video too. Makes me feel a little better now, that I've bought an old Mauser that has been re-barreled for 308. I had it checked out by 'my' Gunsmith, he gave it a thumbs up, even though it's not a 'pretty' looking rifle. I do enjoy watching the shooting and seeing the results on the target . Nothing wrong with those groups, in my opinion. Cheers Mike.

I absolutely love old Mausers, even the sporterized ones. Great video, I love your channel and your delivery!

Such a cool video! Love your content! i prefer 2 stage triggers also. i love the Swiss Schmidt Rubin triggers.

Loved that they were all Mauser’s,something about them that I never loose interest because I own one made in 1943…

The second rifle is the best one. Like the target sight that was added and the custom stock job is nice as well.

Thanks for these videos and it brings back memories of my Dad and uncle’s they would go and buy surplus guns for deer hunting and seemed to always have deer on the deer pole at camp . And few of these gun looked pretty bad but always performed

I actually really love my beater guns, I tend to use them more than anything and don't mind making any Bubba-esque changes or repairs, like my 16" barrel Mosin lol. Like you showed to test for in the video, a bullet would loosely fit in the muzzle, _plus_ the neck of the case, the first foot of the muzzle was solid rust when I got the gun, so the hacksaw came out. After a new stock, muzzle crown and 1.5 pound timney trigger it shoots surprisingly tight groups for a 106 year old rifle and has zero mechanical problems, the bolt is slick and doesn't stick or grind (unless I use Czech ammo, the rims are a few thou thicker on those and throws the headspacing off). All in all I enjoy my Mosin over any other bolt gun I own and despite it being the cheapest firearm I own it is one of my favorites, there's just something about a crap old gun that works great lol.

I am a big fan of historical firearms. I love the wood stocks and the challenge of a bolt action.

Truely enjoyed the video its neat to see what people do to the old military rifles then go hunt with them. Thanks agin I enjoy your videos keep them coming.

I would be happy to own that peep-sighted 8 mm! Interesting how the iron sighted 308 had the best grouping.I rest my case!

Just subbed. Thanks for the great presentation! The fastest 22 minute gun video so far. BC it was engaging...

I like and appreciate all of your rifles, thanks for sharing

Forty Dollars, that's a bargain. You could play games with it and not lose much. It makes me smile.

I guarantee you that $40 rifle has taken plenty of deer in it's time and it should continue to do so, absolutely no reason why it shouldn't, sometimes the best things in life are "almost" free.

Another entertaining and informative video to watch. Like you said these old war relics do indeed have a story to tell and from the grouping results you got all would easily be worthy big game hunting rigs. First and foremost I like rifles that are reliable and reasonably accurate shooters. Only very recently have I gotten into cosmetically pleasing rifles like my Weatherby Mark V Deluxe and Beretta 686. My rifles are functional and accurate first. I also prefer them to be as original as possible but lets face it, after 75 to 100 years or more things happen.

That 7x57 was a sweet shooter. You can tell just by watching your confidence after the first shot. Honestly I have never found an 8 mm that I truly wanted to keep to shoot. They have a nasty recoil for the performance. My dad bought one that had been modified abit and sent it to a guy for a full sporterizing to be given to to my son when he turned 13. He spent another 300 dollars on it and it looked great. But was still a nasty recoil shooter. He sold it and promised to buy him a Marlin .336 in .35 Remington but died before he got it. If only he had found the 7x57 instead of the 8mm. Lol

i just bought a Mannlicher schonauer M71 chambered in 7x57 with a zeiss scope last month. Didnt have to touch the sights or the scope. It is shooting dead nuts. Its only money I guess but thanks USOG for turning me on to a whole new way of looking at guns and ammo. Great vid as usual. Ill just keep looking in the racks at the local gun shops for diamonds in the rough. A bit pricey perhaps, but not compared to the crap being sold today.i

Scope ''flying'' off! That was a good one but true......you just never know, do you? I will say for me personally I wouldn't hesitate taking either of those to the ''deer'' woods but you're a better shot than me, lol. I did however take a decent 8 pt. several yrs. ago offhand with a Rem.700 Mnt. Rifle in 280 cal. about 160 yds. I was impressed with myself! Your videos are truly a joy to watch especially in these times we're in! God bless you and yours my friend in this New Year! Bobby from N.C. P.S. - I have one of these Mausers in 8mm that belonged to my dad.

A buddy had a Franken-gun built on an M96 Mauser chambered in 6.5 x 55 mm with a half round half octagon barrel set into a Remington stock (I think) a poorly welded on bolt handle, and the stock was painted some hideous shade of green. He called it The Ugly Duck but it shot like a house on fire.

Thank you. Great vidio. Good to see you on the range with some very beautiful rifles doing what they were made for. Much appreciated.cheers

Spain also coverted thousands of mouser rifles to 308 as did most of Europe after the war when the US went to the 308 instead of the 30 06. The one the weaver scope was originally at a 90 degree angle and the bolt would have been straight up. They did not rebarrel for the 308. They took the barrel off the receiver and removed enough off of the chamber end to make a 308 chamber.

Great video, like those old rifles, have several old rifles that still can shoot with new rifles. Good videos 👍

At the first part of the video, I was saying DUDE, DON'T FORGET YOUR SAFETY GLASSES! Then half way through you put them on. I made that mistake once with a Chinese JW-15 .22 lr bolt action rifle about 20 years ago. Something spit back into my right eye, and my right eye waters exessively now. Really annoying especially on cold days when my glasses fog on a cold day. Always protect you eyes!

Excellent video...... Think this is the first time I've seen you shoot at a range.... Thumbs Up.

Awesome Mike!

informatiMike has : great taste, style, is informative, relatable and produces great content, I am proud to be a patron of his channel

i gave 75 bucks for my 8 mm ghewer in 1989 the stock was beat basically to pulp so i sporterized what was left it was a 1917 fabriq national so it earned its way in life and it still shoots as good as it came out of the box.

Cool vid, I like going over any kind of old arm. Maybe you go show a little more detail on the old scopes, too?

Great video Mike!

I love these old ugly sporters. They show all of their use and experience and I have a feeling they will still be kicking long after many modern polymer budget rifles have withered away.

One of your best! Those rifles are still more handsome than 99% of what’s manufactured today. Sheesh, talk about falling out of the ugly tree and hitting every branch on the way down….

All of those rifles are shooting well. And you Sir do a fine job shooting the iron sights. I wouldn't hesitate to take game with any one of those. Very interesting video and thank you for sharing. God Bless.

You were right. If the bullet completely disapears in the muzzle this means that there is no or minimal rifling left. But there might be a second reason. The muzzle could be counterbored. In this case it could very well be that the rifle shots decent. So a close examination should be undertaken. A remark concerning the Israeli Mausers. Especially the .308 rebarreled pieces were literally assembled from a bin of parts in Israel and it is therefore some kind of a "trademark" of these rifles that they seldomly have matching parts. Oh and by the way... how ugly or incomplete each of the rifles may be, they all shot excellent - considering their military heritage!

Great video out on the rang seeing the shooting.

I enjoyed this quite a bit. Those are all great deer slayers yet in my eye. Great rainy-day gun or truck gun. This would be a great topic to continue, beater of the month, etc.

Just a great episode, enjoyed it very much.

good vid. did the 7x57 keyhole?

Your videos are always interesting and well worth watching.

What a gentleman there is hope not a no nothing load mouth keep it up