Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Mauser model 96 straight bolt

Sorry.. I don't know squat about the old Mausers or the terminology used on them. By straight bolt I also presumed he meant straight pull..

And, yes, it was a STUPID model name. Ever try to google and find information on the 1996 version of the M96? Ha!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry Guys, I have been out on business and haven't had time to look at my post. I was looking for a straight pull bolt like the one in the picture up a few posts.

I seen two so far in a 25-06. One wasn't for sale and the other was bent because the guy forgot to put in the case and had it leaned up between the cab and box of his truck and drove off and wrecked it.

I was interested in buy one if anybody new where I could get one in a 25-06. Have a few dealers looking for me but no luck so far.

What's up, part-time? I thought for sure I was mistaken, and you were talkin' about the older '96. That 243 my bud has must be slightly rare, as all the ones I see for sale, and all the ones guys talk about are long actions---2MG

Sarco used to have a few and I think they still do.

Got mine at Shooter's in Columbus, GA


Mike

The straight pull M96 is going to be very hard to find in 25-06. The year following the introduction of the modern M96, Mauser offered it in stainless with a tupperware stock. I have yet to see one and have only read about it; it was designated the M96S.

Guys who have tried these rifles either seem to love them or hate them, with no middle ground. The bolt is very simple to operate - a single motion back - a single motion forward. A benefit of this action that's not obvious is that it's ideal for a left-handed shooter. I can work the bolt rapidly with my right hand without removing my left hand from the trigger guard while maintaining my cheek weld on the stock. You can return to your sight picture very quickly if you need a second shot.

.....I bought one of these straight pull modern Mausers in 30/06 a few years back now. The metal finish on the rifle was, I thought, a really sweet matt for a hunting rifle. Actually as pretty a finish to my eye as any i've ever seen. The rifle was very light in hand,with a fine balanced feel to it. It shot factory loads inside an inch(three shot sporting rifle groups),and it's favored loads a bit better (Winchester supreme,ballistic tips). Cleaning it was to problematic for my tastes though. Either clean from the muzzle ,or dis-assemble the bolt mechanism,which although not overly complicated, isn't alot of fun either. Finaly the bolt throw is awkward,an uncomfortable reach forward,and a long throw back! Anyway, I sold the rifle,just a bit to space age for me. Many potential customers seems felt that way,the model was short lived...

The model was short lived because Sig paid mauser for the patent rights. Maybe they thought that rifle in a deluxe version would be competition for the blaser. I have a m96 (1996) in .25-06 that I can't part with. It shoots almost every load into 1" or less. I have a 75gr v-max load that shoots .5" five shot groups routinely. This in a fairly light rifle.

I have to say, and aside from how well it may shoot, that THAT is one of the butt ugliest factory rifles I've ever seen.

YMMV, but DAAAMNN! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I assume you mean the straight pull bolt Mausers of relatively modern design, not the old 1896 Mauser with an unbent bolt handle. They were practically giving these straight pull Mauser 96 rifles away about ten years ago. I bought one NIB because it was too cheap not to buy. Nice rifle, but as I recall, the thing I didn't like about it was that you could not remove the bolt, or at least I couldn't figure out how, and the owner's manual didn't show you how, or even mention doing it. Sold it for that reason. I think I made a small profit, because by then they weren't available anymore.

From the owner's manual:

Oh yeah, I fogot you could do that. I guess my complaint was that it was too much trouble to remove the bolt for cleaning, not that you couldn't do it. It's been many years since I sold it, and I've been through lots of new rifles since then. I just forgot about being able to remove the bolt. A lot of trouble compared to an ordinary bolt action rifle, don't you think?

Depends on how you look at it. The bolt on the Mauser M96 is much easier to operate than a bolt on an ordinary bolt action rifle. Which do you do more often, work the bolt or remove the bolt and which is more important in a hunting situation?

Don't get me wrong. I think it was an innovative design, and it is faster and smoother to operate than a turn bolt rifle. If you are a new shooter, it would be great to start off with a straight pull. If you are not a new shooter, and wanted to sell all of your turn bolt rifles, you'd be advantaged by the straight pull rifle once you've used it enough. Not willing to switch completely to it, though, I think it just adds confusion in the hunting field. You are too likely to attempt to operate it as a turn bolt rifle when under stress. Looked at in a vacuum, its a great rifle though. Looked at by someone whose been shooting turn bolt rifles for thirty years, it's less than ideal, unless, as I said, one is willing to switch completely to it, and do lots and lots of drilling with it.