[vladimir998]

Here’s Alex Kincaid on FoxNews less than two weeks ago: http://video.foxnews.com/v/4800640873001/alleged-isis-supporter-stands-trial-in-arizona/?playlist_id=930909808001#sp=show-clips

[Gaffer]

I was lucky enough to obtain a WWII pickup of a K98K that is positively cherry and original made in the Mauser Oberndorf factory in 1934/35 that has no Nazi markings. Excellent specimen with the right wear and aging of a champion.

Every metal part on it is serialized and they match completely.

I even bought a compendium that details the weapon made in that factory completely.

It is one of my most prized battle rifles.

[ZOOKER]

Depends on the scenario, I suppose.

If you're a novice, have unlimited ammo, and only want your enemy to keep his head down, go full auto.

For precision and economy of valuable cartridges, bolt-action is better (assuming there's only one target, and you can hit it in one shot).

Semi-auto falls in between the two extremes

[Chainmail]

Personally, I'm thrilled that the Germans kept their Mausers almost throughout the war. The M-1 was far and away a better battle weapon.

Also happy that they never had the BAR or that workhorse of killing, the .50 caliber M2.

Made it easier to beat them.

[SampleMan]

I have a lot of Mausers, from the GEW 1871 through the myriad contract rifles and the K98. I like them. They are sound, solid shooters. That said, I’d take a Garand over the K98 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I would also take a Garand over my G43.

The K98s primary role was to support the MG42.

The Germans also fielded a good sub-machine gun in the MP38/40, so there were better alternatives to the K98 in house to house fighting. On the Eastern front, Germans were fond of captured Russian PPSh-41s and SVTs.

[smokingfrog]

No doubt, the best mass produced bolt action rifle made during that time period, if you don’t count the K-31.

[RitchieAprile]

I own a 98k (Mauser/Oberndorf,Wa42,1940) captured by Norway and re-arsenaled to shoot .30-06.

It has more heft and a smoother action than my Remington 03A3, but is not quite as accurate with the Greek HXP I shoot.

The Norwegians used these as Home Guard rifles for some years before they hit the market.

Some are still in use as polar bear protection in Norway’s Arctic islands.

[43north]

I had a friend in Alaska whose grandfather brought home a straight-bolt M98 from WWI that was roll-marked 1915 on the forward receiver ring. It had been bastardized with the installation of a cheesy-looking gloss-finish Monte-Carlo stock. The barrel was 29” long and stepped in diameter to the muzzle. Barleycorn front sight and a machined tangent rear sight graduated to 2000 meters that was a work of art. I bet it took a machinist hours to cut the pieces for that rear sight. We used to plink at ponds on the Palmer Hay Flats behind my house at 1300 and 1500 meters respectively using surplus 8mm Mauser ammo. Amazing rifle!

[sparklite2]

The second helmet in the picture met the same
fate as the one below.  BTW, this is one of best
books I've ever read, sui generis.  If you haven't
read it yet, what are you waiting for?

[wardaddy]

German infantry had good luck with it for sure

[ganeemead]

George Patton described the M1 rifle as one of the super weapons of WW-II. He noted that a rifle was still the most basic instrument of warfare and that any sort of a major advantage in rifles was huge. German doctrine called for that fast machinegun of theirs to be the main squad-level weapon and for riflemen simply to support the MG but that meant being at a significant disadvantage everywhere they faced Americans with their M1s.

Going into WW-II with Mausers was basically stupid. The patent for the M1 is dated somewhere around 1898 or thereabouts.

[wardaddy]

Original 8mm Mauser was 220 grain I think

Ouch !

[niteowl77]

I had - and later stupidly sold - a 98K my uncle had brought back in 1946 with the intention to sporterize; IIRC, it was basically a mid-late 1930s rifle with a couple of minor non-matching items, and a completely mis-matched late-war bolt that had correct headspace. The laminated stock had a hairline crack in the comb, because - as my uncle told me - "a GI had just tried breaking it on a tree before I stopped him." Oh yes, the short section of cleaning rod was missing.

It was kind of a load for a skinny tweenager - though not as bad as a Garand - but I thought it was marvelous. When I finally got around to actually shooting it, it would hold its own with most of the "civilian" bolt-actions with iron sights. To this day I think a basic '98 Mauser with a turned-down bolt is the most foolproof and reliable tools a person can own.

Mr. niteowl77

[Hugin]

I remember as a kid the local hardware store had "sporterized" K98s for 37.50. Ah, the good ol' days.