Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Mauser M96 straight pull

I have been looking at a Mauser that has an unusual bolt design that is operated by pulling the bolt handle straight back. This is not the military M96, this one was made by Oberndorf Mauser within the last 10 years and has also been called the "Lightning Hunter." The bolt has 16 locking lugs, but seems a little finicky in its operation. Does anyone know anything about these and how much they might be worth?

It sort of strikes me as an answer to a question no one was asking.

But I think they're fairly high-dollar, and in-demand by those who like them.

But then I prefer my Mausers pre-war...pre-WWI <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

I belive that it's a model 66 and they are pretty pricy. I've seen a few but never been tempted enough to buy one.

Nope, it's a M96.

I saw them first about 6 years ago. I don't know if that's when they first came out, but a local dealer had a bunch for $400 at that time. I was tempted by the price, but I didn't get one.

Thanks mcarr, I knew this was an odd duck. The price of the one I'm looking at is around $375.00 on the rack. The bolt works just like a charging handle on an M60 machine gun and you know how much those Germans love machine guns. I can't find anything on whether the design is reliable or how accurate the rifle might be.

I had one of these in .30/06 a few years back. It shot well (1.25 w/factory ammo) and functioned quickly and efficiently. I just could never get used to the "feel" of the straight pull action so I traded it off.

HBB

I stand corrected. I always associated a Mauser 96 with the Swede.

Bolt handle too far forwards, you have to take the rifle from your shoulder to manipulate it unless you have [bleep] arms.

I'm left-handed and what attracted me to this rifle is that all I had to do was raise my head from the stock and pull the bolt back with my right hand to reload it. Think about how that works holding it left-handed. The stock remains tucked in on the shoulder, the left hand never leaves the pistol grip, the trigger finger remains in the trigger guard, and the right hand moves back from the forearm to operate the bolt in one fluid motion. It's a lefty's dream.

I fish with right-handed baitcasting reels. I cast with my left arm and crank with my right hand. A right-hander has to switch hands to do that. Same thing with this rifle.

I have a friend who had five of them in 308. He claimed to love them but sold them all. So much for true love. The one he shot he claimed was accurate, but there must have ben something about them that made him sell them and buy other stuff.

Maybe it was $375 when I saw it. I remember they were a little cheaper than a Ruger at the time. That's when you could get a Ruger for under $400.

Anyway, I remember looking them up and they had a nice website with lots of info, but I can't seem to find anything now. For the price, I would say "get it", if for no other reason than it's an interesting piece.

Did'nt Browning come out with somthing similar to this Mauser 96 a few years ago?
The only straight pull I liked was the old T-Bolt .22. I shot a friend's extensively and was very impressed...

Browning Acera, or something.

A lot more than $375