Mauser Showdown: Swedish m/96 VS Chilean 1895

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In this video, I compare the Chilean 1895 to the Swedish m/96 rifle.

[@copperhead6132]

i have an Chilean 1895, its missing some wood parts but it still shoots. But it does have all matching serial numbers so thats a plus.

[@acester86]

What I find really fascinating about the Swedish Mauser is when they rearsenaled them, that little brass coin on the stock (and sometimes a little plaque looking thing), its a dope card for that rifle when it was reworked.

[@thetexan1011]

I am happy to know i have a 125 year old bayonet from an 1895 Chelan mauser sitting on my shelf right now.

[@TheAngler2210]

the binding is why they put that center rib on the bolt. also, well-used guns dont bind because the "touching" surfaces that cause friction are slowly being polished down a bit to a point where they stop having contact. So it kinda fixes itself, but its not optimal. EDIT: the germans removed that center rib on certain manufacturers late war K98 bolts, and these bolts have the same binding "issue".

[@bigtrev761]

Love the Mausers and love the 6.5 x55 calibres 🇦🇺👍

[@MrJento]

Interesting video. I have owned every mauser from 1891 to M98. In my generation they were dirt cheap and many were sporterized or cut up for the action. The only ones I still own are three M98 Brazilian’s made to custom rifles, and two Swedish M96/38’s one stock one fully sporterized. Ok. That said here is some info. Your M95 most probably came from a Chilean contract. It is basically the M93 with a round bottom bolt, slightly modified left locking lug and a slightly improved stock. Bolt binding. When DWM made them every bolt was “interchangeable”, but every bolt got fit to the gun it was in. Same for the M93, 94, 95, and 96, and so on up to WW1. Chile had a long history of political unrest. To prevent military junta’s they stored those M95 in one arsenal and the bolts in another. Fast forward to the mid-60’s. Importers bought surplus M95. What they got were bolt-less rifles. Then the had to buy the bolts. The guns were cheap. I paid $15 for mine. But Interarms did not dig through piles of bolts to match numbers. So. IF you have an “all matching” M95 you have a rarity. All the bolts interchange. But only one bolt was fitted perfectly to your receiver. The little bumps and binds are indicative. Ian of Forgotten Weapons did a good piece on the M95 and the bolt mismatch issue. In the end I kept the old M96.

[@copperhead6132]

I picked up an 1895 so cheap it was free. Lovely gun.

[@loyaljones8814]

Just traded straight across for a 1893 oberndorf chilean,traded a hex receiver 1927 mosin for it at a gun show today,had to give the guy 50 bucks for the bayonet. Its in awesome condition feels and looks like my m96 swede. I also love my m38 swede.

[@oneofmanyte3321]

It might just be the gun because my 1895 Chilean bolt action is smooth

[@copperhead6132]

yeah same

[@dieterrahm4044]

My Chilean 1895 bolt action also is smooth like my Swede 96/38.

[@dangerousfreedom4965]

Not quite as smooth as the sweed

[@Ben_not_10]

It always depends on how you work the action. I had an 1891 Argentine that when I was working the bolt gently and smoothly there was no binding. But if I was in a hurry (like someone would be in an actual gun fight) it tends to bind a bit when you put the wrong pressure in the wrong place. The guide ribbon the Swede and the German Mausers address this issue

[@donewing2536]

Good to see a young guy that has extensive knowledge of these old guns and can actually make a great video - unlike most youtube videos.

[@ere828]

In my opinion they are the best Mauser! And definitely one of the most accurate

[@megustaelmate5499]

I think Argentine Mauser 1909 and the Kar98 are better, the Argentine Mauser 1909 because of the quality of materials used and the Kar98 because of the effective and mass produced unities. But the Mauser on the video looks good too

[@reddevilparatrooper]

You also have to remember the Mauser 1895 has seen combat with the South African Boers. They gave the British Army a spanking with their fine rifle marksmanship. The 1895 is almost the same system as the Spanish 1893. The Spanish Army was a colonial army like the British. The Spanish had colonial holdings like the Philippines, Guam, Cuba, Spanish Morocco, and Puerto Rico. Their soldiers did fight in combat like dangerous postings like Moro country in Mindanao which is the Southern Philippines and has mountainous jungles. Spanish Morocco is another place of harsh combat conditions, Spanish troops fought the Muslim Riffs. The Spanish knew what kind of rifle they wanted for combat. The Chileans saw this and wanted the same features thus it became their 1895. The Swedish Army is a defensive army. The M1896 was well suited for Europe.

[@OEFvet0311]

I'd give a redundant organ for a prefix-A or B 1895 OFS/ZAR Mauser.

[@MrJento]

Well. There were two Boer wars. 1880-1881, and 1899-1903. The Kommando used a lot of different rifles in both conflicts with England. But the second war was relevent to this discussion. The Boers were a farmer militia. As such each man bought his own equipment. The bulk of the 7mm rifles so obtained were the M93 pattern. Some “used” Spanish and most were tail end runs from other contracts. In late 1899 early 1900 the Orange Free State picked up a few hundred M95’s off a Chilean contract and about 500 M97’s off another contract. Cant recall who they piggy backed on. Turkey? Maybe. They had the ZAR marking but were sold to individual Boer Kommando. Over all the Boers used everything they could beg, borrow or steal. Martinis, Swiss and Italian Vetterli, Mausers and Manlichers of every strip to name a few. The British did not defeat the Boer, the Boer supply logistics did. But the Brits sure remembered those 7X57 M93,95 and 97 mausers. Ian on Forgotten Weapons covers part of this. A better source is Frank DeHass, Bolt action rifles. The book is long out of print and sells for $2-300 per copy if you can find one. I gave my copy away a few years ago. DeHass was a gun smith who specialized in converting military to sporting guns in the 1950-60’s. But his book has the detailed history and every mechanical detail on every model and variant. If that helps you at all. Keep shooting them, amigo!

[@grits_taste_good415]

Two of my favorite military bolt guns, both chambered in my top favorite historic cartridges. I am always arguing with myself on 6.5mm vs 7mm, be it older or current cartridges!

[@3rdgr2t11]

My 1895 has always been smooth for me

[@petermarkurth2818]

Just love m96, ive got my granpas mauser, that was the first weapon in sweden, when you want to shoot as young.

[@brianlee6849]

Excellent 👍. My favorite is the Swedish Mauser for the beauty/style/accuracy and ergonomics. I think a lot of people miss how ergonomic they are notice how easily your eye meets the site when you bring it up to your shoulder. The Chilean is definitely a very high quality and beauty almost as good. I've heard shooters say that the swedish steel is a very high-quality an the stock fitment is very high which makes it the favorite of shooters also not just collectors. I think when The recoil of the 6 5 x55 vs the 7x57 is probably virtually the same with comprable weight bullets because the powder capacity is about the same. You didn't say what weight bullets you were shooting I know common back then I think was 140 to 160 for the 6.5 the 7 you can get a much heavier bullet 175/180 which would translate into a heavier recoil. do you feel like the quality of steel is as high in the Chilean? What's the ballpark value of these two rifles with matching numbers in this condition? For hunting I would rather have the 7 mm it's a little bit more versatile for going after heavier game. The 6-5 is excellent for accuracy and deer hunting. if I had one I would keep it 100% factory except for I would add the swedish diopter Target sights. I've heard these are amazing shooters with the diopter sights. Just like the diopter sights that Carl Gustaf himself put on his target rifles. Thanks for sharing a great video.

[@AJLarso258]

This is unholy. These are my favorite milsurps. Can’t pick one. So...must vote for both!

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks for your post. I have a Carl Gustaf M96 Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55mm. It saw service in the Finnish Winter War.

[@schutztruppe]

I also felt that bind in my 93 spanish compaired to my mexican model 1910. Also felt less recoil in the mexican because it had a thicker heavier stock.

[@treyriver5676]

The "K98kZ" post war K98k made at Brno dropped the guide rib from the bolt. I think some of the kriegsmodell also lacked the rib.

[@AuH2O]

m/96 all the way baby. Still got my great-great-grampaw's original one from 1900 with the original barrel and all matching numbers.

[@nickcyeah]

It must be your specific bolt/rifle combo. The chilean 1895 ive shot has the smoothest action by far out of any rifle ive ever shot, and thats a big variety of rifles.

[@philippevanderborcht1075]

Chilean mauser... O used one of these in the army... good old days.

[@tunnelrabbit4293]

My Swede is not as smooth because as my low mileage 1895 Chileano, probably because it is worn. There is little difference when all said and done, but I would take a Swede made in Sweden using Swedish steel, however, those are not antiques. The 1895 made by Lowe are of fantastic quality despite the older steel. Mine has not seen much use, and therefore I would take it over my Swede. The difference in recoil could be the ammunition and the weight of the individual rifles. Also, the 7mm Mauser is a better game game cartridge. The 6.5 is a slightly better long range cartridge.

[@MrJento]

Typically these rifles get smoother with use. If you have a rough one clean and inspect it closely. One fellow brought me one that still had cosmoline in the locking lug raceway and inside the bolt. Plus all the dirt from 4-5 owners use. Strip your rifle down to a barrelled action. Strip your bolt. In a big pot boil water. Just tap water. Boil the action and the bolt body for 20-40 minutes. This will remove any grease and dirt, and convert any rust to black oxide. You’ll be amazed at the crap that boils out of your “clean” gun. Lay your metal out to dry on a towel. When it’s cool enough to touch but still hot give it a liberal coat of kerosene. Then when cold lightly rub down with oooo steel wool. Inside and out. Don’t worry. This will not hurt your finish. This is essentially what they did in the arsenals back in the day. Wipe everything down dry with a rag. Then oil as you normally do. You will find that your “worn” gritty gun runs smooth as ice. Now steel. There is little difference between Swedish and German steel. Sweden was blessed with iron ore. Germany with coal. The two countries have been interdependent in this regard for centuries. Sweden remained neutral in both world wars, but still traded iron ore and coal with Germany. Hitler invaded both Norway and Denmark in WW2 but not Sweden. Why? Sweden was politically leaning to the allies but sold iron ore to Germany. They let Hitler know that they were prepared to blow the iron mine tunnels if invaded. Those mines are deep and would take years to reopen. So steel is generally not the big difference that people think today. Fox out.

[@davegeisler7802]

The tool steel used in both the Ludwig Loewes and Gustafs are both from Krupps 👍

[@dobypilgrim6160]

My favorite Pre-1898.Mauser is the Model 1891 by Leowe. I even really enjoy the 7.65 ammo that it shoots. Fabrique Nationale made some great surplus ammunition.

[@MrJento]

Doby, great gun. I had an Argentine first contract I bought for $50 in 70 or 71 at a range with 100 rounds of Norma ammo and a set of dies. I bought an RCBS forming die and made 7.65x53 out of 30-06 brass. Ammo being scarce otherwise. I hunted that gun 3 years. It dumped a moose and two caribou. I loaned it to a guy once in Alaska. He just had to take the box magazine out. Did not trust that safety. Dropped the magazine out in knee deep water on a beach. So then I had a single shot. Never could find a magazine. Sold it for $150. Still have all the dies. Im old. But not dead. Never know. I might come across another and need those dies. It was one of the top ten guns of my life.

[@TheGuitarRoom]

I couldn’t agree more. I have about 20 pre 98 unfired small ring Mauser’s. The 1891 Argentine is hands down the most accurate. It was Paul Mauser‘s favorite cartridge. We almost adopted it in the US. Recently I asked the head technician at Vihtavouri powders if he had any loads for the 7.65 Argentine round. When he didn’t, he got a hold of an 1891 Argentine Mauser that was owned by a friend of mine. He went out to the range and he was so impressed, that he took the whole Vivori powder tech staff to the range. They were all shocked that a cartridge from this Vintage was so ballistically superior. Goes to show you how amazing this cartridge was and still is

[@3rdgr2t11]

Your M95 when you shot it the first round it seemed to extract rough compared to the one I have.

[@juanbascunan8618]

The chilean mouser sounds great.

[@wolfpack2723]

Where are you finding surplus ammo now if at all ?

[@jmac5009]

Are you ever going to shoot a WZ29? I have one with a Gew98 receiver but I never see videos talking about them

[@MilsurpWorld]

If you send me one I'll shoot it.

[@mnpd3]

I'm in my 70's and can clearly remember the days before the Gun Control Act of 1968. Every gun magazine had ads for these rifles - and others, for $12 or $15. No paperwork other than sending payment through the mail and getting the rifle a week later. Thank God for decades of gun laws!... we no longer have gun crime at all thanks to the laws. On your binding M95 bolt, just work it a few hundred times while watching TV. No need to close the action... just back and forth.

[@hawssie1]

I know this is obviously a laid back comparison but it must be said that when your competition involves one over 100 year old used gun to another 100 year old gun many perceived negatives could easily be traced to that one particular gun and not the gun design as a whole. And as said by others, my 1895, which I purchased 40 years ago always seemed smooth to me. It does have a heavy cocking effort. Then again I am left handed so I would be putting force on the slide/bolt surfaces in the opposing direction and other then my left handed action bolt action rifles(all 2 of them!) when it comes to working the bolt all the standard bolt actions are cocked very differently then designed when in left hands.

[@johnmac3410]

Is there a difference in the weight? Could make a difference.

[@bigandlittlefirearms8395]

93/95 action mausers are underrated.

[@Petterstrojka]

Does the chilean mauser have the same protrusion blocking the trigger from being pulled on a not fully closed bolt as the swede?

[@MrJento]

Excellent question! And I dont remember the exact answer. Worse I gave away my copy of DeHass which has the answer. The older mausers...pre 1896 could be fired with the bolt ever so slightly out-of-battery. Just a touch. Hardly able to notice. But occasionally the lugs would let go and some poor fella ate the bolt. Probably in conjunction with a bore obstruction. Mauser noticed this and fixed it in the M96. Two ways. The sear on an M96 has a ridge down the side. Most people thinks its a machine mark or from wear. But it keeps the trigger from tripping the sear unless the bolt is down hard. Not sure when Mauser came up with that. 1894,5, or 6? The other fix is the “third locking lug” that appeared on the 96 and later models. Even the 1903 springfield. That lug is not actually a functional lug. Its a “safety” lug. In normal function the bolt handle stub does not actually contact the lug. Unlike the two forward locking lugs. Its close. But no contact. It idea was and is, that when the two forward lugs fail for some reason...over pressure.. then the bolt will set back the 10/1000 or so into the safety lug and catching it as the excess pressure is vented from a ruptured case. That way you dont eat the bolt. On your older models. Clean the damn action so there is no dirt and slap that bolt handle down. Youll be fine.

[@Petterstrojka]

@@MrJento Actually, I was referring to the small protrusion on the trigger assembly that pokes up out through the bottom of the action that has to line up with a corresponding hole in the bolt.

[@MrJento]

@@Petterstrojka that is the primary mauser out of battery sear block. The hump on the trigger cant trip the sear and drop the striker until the bolt is closed....or almost closed. There is a bit of wiggle in that system. Thus the mods we see on the M96. I know they had a certain number of blown M93. Mauser was not just just “what-if ing it” with all the minor safety updates that led to the M98. But there were few records kept in those times and places. Was it poor ammo? Design defects? Obstructed bores? Or use by troops who had not mastered the concept of wearing shoes and socks, much less the highly technical complexity of a bolt rifle? All we know is that there was a constant effort to deal with over pressure events. To fool-proof what was an almost fool-proof gun from the beginning. But, fools are very clever people and usually find the work-arounds.

[@jeffreyreardon7487]

You can put the safety on in a 91 mauser while its decocked

[@dobypilgrim6160]

And it's the best made one anyway, lol.

[@H.R.6688]

I have both, a 95 and a swedish mauser, I'd really like to know where to get some of that surplus ammo. I reload for both and love to have some to duplicate. Both have extremely long throats.

[@MilsurpWorld]

I've picked it up from gunshows over the last 3 years. Not really one great source for it that I know of.

[@H.R.6688]

@@MilsurpWorld yeah ive tried looking but never could find anything.

[@MrJento]

@@H.R.6688 they both have long throats because originally they shot big long old round nose FMJ bullets. Not short little spritzers. Remember any surplus mil ammo prior to 1950 is probably corrosive. Clean that gun the GI way. Id hand load if I were you. I do.

[@fordraven5884]

Great awesome video 👏👏

[@HandOfJokers]

I just purchased an 1895 model Chilean Mauser. What ammunition would you recommend for it and where would I find it? Thanks in advance.

[@TheGuitarRoom]

Sellier & Bellot 173 grain. It is fantastic camo and it is absolutely the closest to the military spec ammo for this rifle.

[@TheGuitarRoom]

Sorry, meant to say ammo

[@gunrunner8117]

I have the same ammo for my swedish mauser, is that stuff corrosive?

[@MrJento]

Yes

[@merlemorrison482]

I was always told to "work the bolt like you hate it" for good reliability..... why not put a few rounds on paper - off the bench - to see how they compare?

[@hithereon]

Young guys like this seem to only shoot at "gongs". Any sort of traditional rounds-on-paper shooting for accuracy (group size) seems to be a foreign concept to the millennials.

[@MrSurrealKarma]

@@hithereon That isn't a new nor "millenial" thing, lol.

[@marcogram1216]

Damn. If I ever get to Florida, I need to get in contact. It would be nice to meet up with other milsurp fans.

[@MilsurpWorld]

I actually don't live in Florida anymore, I moved to KC.

[@marcogram1216]

@@MilsurpWorld Even better. I'm down here in South Louisiana and the humidity is killing us. On the original subject, I think that all of the dependability and safety features did "slow" the actions down considerably. I have only sporters with the exception of one M1917 .30-06 and a K31. All of the 98s have tons of slop in them but they will "run" super dirty. They were sporterized very well. No "Bubbas". The commercial models such as the FN, Parker-Hale, Flaigs and Husqvarna rifles are noticeably smoother but still not as smooth as the 1891s, 93s or the 96s. Keep up the great videos and the podcasts my friend. Thanks.

[@jaredkennedy2555]

Are you guys still doing podcasts? No pressure just asking

[@MilsurpWorld]

We are, our newest one is out on all the podcast apps just not on youtube yet.

[@AMX-30B]

Milsurp World thanks we really like the podcasts i have been checking Spotify

[@jaredkennedy2555]

Oh ok. I just looked on the buzzsprout and there it is. I guess I should have looked before speaking Haha. Thank you. And I agree we really like them.

[@arifcso6633]

Sweden:I don't need guns for wars they're useless World:Well you're not completely wrong

[@morisetconstructionelectri7932]

Stop! Shooting at things so close with those Mausers. You need to be reaching out to 300 M. Come on now?

[@hithereon]

Was he actually shooting at anything, or just wasting ammo and making noise?

[@dennishein2812]

Maybe he’s afraid he’ll stretch the barrel out if he shoots too far.

[@marckcarbonelloifveteran410]

These are the new 21st Century shooters.

[@mnicrashSoren]

M96 is amazing

[@phillipriggs3375]

Well those old bolt guns make a box of ammo last.

[@jsalaska2854]

OIL! Frog lube is the best! I have the M95 Mausers

[@MilsurpWorld]

I have used 3 in 1 oil for years and I'm happy with it.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Swede wins....but that 7mm gets a close secound. Hello M38

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

You're trying to force the action! Lighten up and just move the bolt. In the military, we sleep with our rifles, they deserve caresses.

[@pijnto]

You guys need to go and do a range safety course

[@MilsurpWorld]

Please tell me the firearm safety rules that were broken.

[@pijnto]

@@MilsurpWorld You don't leave closed bolt rifles laying on a table, you don't point closed bolt rifles in any direction but down range.

[@MilsurpWorld]

This isn't a public range.

[@pijnto]

@@MilsurpWorld So you don't need to worry about being safe. Glad i won't be anyware near you when you have a firearm

[@pijnto]

@Ill lLlLl Thank you for your informed and constructive criticism

[@patrickcortez4471]

Are you very weak.i can pull the cocking piece on my 1896 Swedish when forward. I have a 1895 Chilean mauser and a 1896 Swedish mauser.i like them both.

[@MrJento]

Normal people cant cock that 96 with the thumb. It was designed on the 94 to de-cock the action and apply the safety. They “fixed” that issue on the 96 by making the safety so it can be applied with the striker cocked or down. So. There are two possibilities. You, like me, have a hand like a bunch of bananas and we CAN cock the thing with a thumb. Or. The other option is you got one that some previous owner clipped a few coils from the striker spring so they could cock it. If so now you have a weak striker spring. Hard to notice. But there it is.

[@hedge7743]

Has anyone ever seen a sporterized M1912? I've got a perfect candidate with perfect metal and really un-good original wood. Let me know if you have any pointers. Shoot straight and stay safe!!!

[@MrJento]

Hedge. The M1912 was made by Styer pre WW1 for export. It is for all intents an M98. My dad and I got two cases of Brazilian M1908 in the early 80’s. All but a couple “donated” their actions to become bench rest guns. I still have three, 243, 7-08, and 308. There are other M98’s you can sport. Fifty years ago that made sense. Today it does not. Sadly stock milsurps are drying up. If your metal is good and the bore is clean consider tracking down the correct stock and putting it back as it was in 1912. Alternately, if you just want to shoot it but dont trust the wood, get an old Ramline drop in stock for an M98. I got one for an M96 for $50 on sale years ago. Its ugly, unless you like black plastic. But shoots good and does not damage the original metal. Even has the barrel steps molded in. That way you can have your cake and eat it too. Just remember to toss all the barrel bands and stuff in your keep box incase you want to toss the wood.

[@countlurpak]

Unprepared makes for uninteresting video...

[@murielsmith8922]

Your friend not using eye protection is stupid with these old guns.

[@MilsurpWorld]

He just doesn't use protection in general...