Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles G33/40 Mountain Mauser rifle help

I have a nice G33/40 that was sporterized 30+ years ago in 6mm Rem. I don’t believe the stock or barrel are anything special. Has a nice Jard trigger. I am trying to decide what to do with it. If I were to keep it, I would like to put it in a new stock and re-barrel it for a bigger bore, maybe 7x57, 30-06, 9.3x62 etc.

Does anyone make nice pre-inletted walnut stocks for these? I don’t mind finishing the stock and installing a new barrel myself, but am looking for a classic hunting stock similar to the Griffin & Howe styles.

The other option would be to send it to a gunsmith and have them do the whole thing. This is likely more than I want to spend, but I’m open to suggestions.

Third option would be to sell it. What is a something like this worth these days?

I sure like the G 33/40’s. Have one, a 30-06

Check with Richard's Micro Fit for a stock.

Option "3: or "C" or whatever postulating "Sell it!" There are some pretty durn nice rifles for what you'd have invested in the rifle as the sum of it's present value and cost of components and especially if you will pay pro conversion services! At the end of the "custom rifle" trail, you'll have the heart of a G33/40 which most folks like me will gaze and lament another Bubba of a nice milsurp. I'd be looking at a Winchester 70 Classic CRF series from the nineties era or a more plain jane pre '64 Model 70. Even if it cost a bit more, a much better investment.

You're due some 'points' for not coming here proposing to "restore it"... For sure. But even rebuild into an equivalent nice factory sporter you're most likely to have more into it and far less valuable. A "relic G333/40" is simply a relic with overtones of what it once was.

Good luck & just my take!
Best!
John

As one of the occasional "restorers" of old rifles, my 2 cents: or he could hang onto an action that he likes (because it's cool), turn it into something he finds useful, and not worry about how random collectors might lament its previous value or the investment factor...

I would love a nice Mauser 6mm Rem if it is a shooter.
What is the twist rate on your current 6mm barrel? And its condition? How does it shoot?
Got any pics of the rifle to share?

Thanks,
Rex

Rex, PM sent.

G33/40 Mausers are considered some of the best, always sought after they make up into wonderful sporters.

Prep work for a super nice .270 Win build.

Every time I see a Mauser that has been ground on I get a little sick. There were fewer of the G33/40s than the other 98 versions. So that’s one less G33/40 that hasn’t had a grinder put to it for a scope of all things. A good peep site is just as good

To each his own. Some of the custom Mausers I’ve seen were not only works of art, but more accurate and more functional in the field. Mass produced battle rifles have their place but I’d rather see the ingenious design of that receiver sitting in some beautiful walnut, with a match quality barrel capable of 1/2 MOA and a top quality trigger and scope to round it out.

What would Elmer Kieth do? I can’t picture him hunting with a mil-surp rifle. I think he’d turn it into a beautiful custom rifle and ring all the accuracy and field balance he could get out of it.

You don’t have to grind the receiver to make an accurate custom rifle. Griffey and Howe Rigby and alot of other people used to customize mausers without completely defacing them. My point is there’s already several hundred thousand ground down receivers, turned bolts drilled and taped etc. why disfigure another? It’s the same thing with the Model 70 or 54. There should be more than enough chopped stocks with recoil pads for the recoil sensitive yet probably once a week someone completely ruins a pre64 stock to make another chop job.

All the grinding bolt changing etc. to basically make a cheap savage or jap made Winchester look alike lol. Yes 60 years ago it was cheaper to chop a Mauser than buy a new rifle, labor was cheap and so was the parts them days is over. Spend $3000 to deface a Mauser to look like a $500 store bought rifle?

The G33/40 that I started this thread to discuss was sporterized before I bought it decades ago, so nothing I can do about that. This topic was started to ask people if they could recommend a good gunsmith or an alternate plan for my G33/40. I can’t go back in time and return it to WW2 configuration.

There’s a difference in a Mauser sporter and a ground up mauser. Rigby took the Mauser actions and made fine sporters without grinding them down to a savage receiver. You said it had been sporterized 30+ years ago that doesn’t necessarily mean it had a grinder to it. The pic the other guy showed is a sure nuff new savage from Academy lol with a plastic stock and Tasco 3x9 x40 I’m betting. If your G33/40 has been turned into a savage remake nothing you can do about that and I’m disinterested in the whole subject at that point. You hadn’t made it clear what level of sporterization you was talking bout. So you either have a really nice hard to come by action or a piece of crap?

Every time I read a post where someone gets sick because they've seen a desecrated milsurp, I throw up a little.

Most that get altered are far from original whether ground on or not. Note, that action was previously D&T'd for a receiver sight, which you advocate. Is not drilling and tapping defacing? What pains me is seeing any good action butchered by some ham fisted sod who thinks they can improve what they have in hand.

But what sickens me most are self righteous asses that think just cuz they're satisfied with one model, everyone should be. Worse though, is when they make a pronouncement about the end product when they haven't a fuggin clue. Get a life.

Lol. Enjoy your savage academy sells a bunch of em

Lol. Pound sand.

Well put.

Absolutely! Two thumbs up.

You clods are missing the point.

Grind down the receiver, cut off the bolt handle, get new bottom metal, change the barrel, get a plastic or big chunky after market stock drill it for your tasco 3x9. What is the point of calling it a Mauser lol. You just spent $3000 dollars to build a $450 academy special. Let me guess you did all the work yourself, well now you have a $175 dollar pawn shop special lol.

Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.

Their property, their decision.

And dumbasses spend 3 grand to make a 400$ rifle and don’t know why they do it lol

You should learn a little more about z1r before suggesting that he capable only of creating pawn shop specials.

I think this clown is trying to rack up enough posts quickly so that they can start scamming people in the classifieds. Clearly they have nothing of worth to contribute here.

Just found this pawn shop special at a gun show. Had I known that it is only worth $175.00, I would've passed on it.

I built a pawn shop special on a G33/40.... I even ground down the receiver bridge.... the horror... I had no idea I was breaking the rules... damn

Which one is this?

Yep someone spent a lot of time and money to re-make a model 70. Other than the stripper clip slot it’s a M70 clone lol. I just prefer the actual Mauser sporters like the Rigbys and such. If I wanted a M70 I wouldn’t have sold mine. You old farts can cry and post all the academy specials you want I still think there garbage. By a savage or make a real Mauser sporter period

Every post you make reinforces your ignorance on the subject.

Yep, you're a maverick. Gorgeous rifle!

Ok Einstein you tell me how that’s any different than a M70? And I don’t want to hear about the gas shield and safer design blah blah. When’s the last time you blew up a M70? And besides most of the academy specials are carried by people that wouldn’t know the difference anyway. What your making is a clone of a rifle that costs 1/3 of the one you butchered? And you still don’t get it lol. That’s ignorance

Why do you care what others do?

So as not to appear so sanctimonious, perhaps you could channel your energy and resources into a Mauser rescue enterprise. You might then save us from ourselves.

The op asked a question and I made my comment about what I think is a waste of a good rifle action. The DIY grinder was the ones that got butt hurt lol. I don’t really care about your grinded academy specials because there ain’t no way to make them useful to me again after you fired up the dewalt in them. I have my opinion which happens to be the only one that matters to me.
If you get butt hurt about my opinion of your grinder special probably don’t quote my post just ignore it and feel the satisfaction of knowing you took something that will never be made again and grinded it into something you can buy for a few thousand dollars cheaper at academy lol. It be about like taking a rare car model and chopping and Bondo it into a F150. Carry on

Wow! Nice addition to the campfire. He certainly knows how to make an impression.

z1r, the butt hurt "DIY grinder". I needed a good laugh today. A safe bet that he's forgotten more about Mausers than you'll ever know.

Perhaps you could show us your Rigbys. Then we can transition to a more cordial discussion about the superior attributes that would justify altering a Mauser.

Brother Fubar;
Good afternoon my cyber friend, I trust life on your side of the medicine line and slightly to the east of us is going well.

There are a few rifles that get posted here which just "do it" for me somehow and that's one of them.

Funny how rifles, horses, cars and I suppose even what we consider "it" in the opposite sex is different for us all, you know?

That one is "it" for me anyways and any old time you want to share a photo of it, please go right ahead.

The one and only G33/40 I owned didn't have the original bolt and the stock had been really worked over before it was painted flat black, but I bought it and passed it along to another fellow looking for just that.

If I read Ludwig Olson's book correctly, nobody is truly certain how many military 98 rifles were made under German occupation and in their factories, but safe to say it was millions.

Anyways likely enough or hopefully enough that we're all able to do what we believe is best - well or the most fun project.

Best to you folks and thanks again.

Dwayne

Any clown that can't see the difference between this and an Academy special or Model 70, well, not sure anything needs to be said.

Nice build.

The clown doesn't even know what a M.70 is. Time for him to join the other two in the box labeled ignore.

A model 70 looks exactly like what you gun choppers are trying to make lol. Dumbasses spending 300$ for a 3 position saftey so they can chop a Mauser to look like a m70? Just so the ol 3x9 tasco will mount? If you don’t see your chopping and bindo-ing to make a lookalike m70 your probably too stupid to know how to use the ignore function.

Ima label you as stupid

I sure like this one. 30-06


upload photos

Cain't get that at Academy!

Ignore you ? Why ? Morons are always good for a laugh.

My Clayton Nelson 7x57 disagrees with you.

Some people like to get their post count up by just being themselves - [bleep].

hanco;
Good afternoon to you sir, I hope you're seeing the sun down in your section of Texas too and you're well.

Thanks for sharing the photos of that fine looking firearm.

If you're inclined, I'd be interested in knowing any history you'd care to share?

The cheek piece looks sort of Teutonic or possibly British but the rest of the stock is definitely what I'd call American Classic.

Then they put the barrel band swivel on it and put the rear swivel a wee bit further forward than some Classics - which I personally really think makes the whole thing look quite stylish.

Lastly the work around the bolt release shows the stock maker enjoyed showing off just a tad.

Anyways like I said to Brother Fubar some things tick some folks' boxes and his rifle and yours I quite like.

All the best and thanks again.

Dwayne

I bought it from Mule Deer, think the builder is unknown. It puts 150 partitions damn near through the same hole with 59 grains of IMR 4350. I was fortunate to buy it.

Here are photos of the G33/40 I started this thread to ask about. The safety was removed for a more modern style. Has a Jard trigger. Looks to still have the original bolt handle. Barrel is not marked other than “6mm Rem.” Stock looks to be either a Fajen or Richards Microfit, but definitely not made by a gunsmith.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iubxWYGXMchF5Mms6

hanco;
Good evening almost here and I see it is down south.

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.

It's a mystery rifle then! Very cool, perhaps even more so.

We bought a gorgeous hand built saddle for the girls that was unmarked. Not Mexican leather or tree either, but all very fine materials and construction. Our best guess was some apprentice put it together in the '50's likely by the style.

That's what your rifle reminds me of sir, a solid build with a bit of a mysterious past.

Thanks again.

Dwayne

Nice looking rifle.

Bay1985 = Larry or something similar. My obvious guess she is an OG troll/puppet incarnation.

Please Bay, regale us with your opinions of commercial BRNO actions as well…

I went through 3 Dewalt batteries grinding down this academy special so it would look like a M70......

This was just a block of wood and a chunk of steel.... before I Dewalted it......

Brother Dwayne,
Thank you for not tiring of the pic's I post....
That particular build is very unique and I believe special. It has a blind magazine and was built as light as possible, as it sits it weighs 7lbs.
In that pic it was a 30-06 with a featherweight Douglas barrel cut to 21".... could never get it to shoot, so pulled that barrel and installed a McGowen featherweight in 7X57.
It is a much better shoooter now and the recoil is more old fart friendly....
With the blind mag, I rounded the bottom of the stock so it rides nice in the hand and at 7 lbs it is a pleasure to carry in the mountains all day. It is my version of the ultimate mountain rifle.
Front side...

Maybe our esteemed new Mauser critic will approve of this one and not turn me into the Mauser police?

No M70 safety and rear bridge was sparred the Dewalt grinder....

Ooop's another ruined Mauser.... this one was ruined with a Dremel tool, back before I could afford a Dewalt.....

This Mauser doesn't have a M70 safety and never had a stripper clip hump, so I guess it will not land me in Mauser jail?

Brother Shrap,
That appears to be built on a commercial Mauser... so I think you are safe from landing in the Mauser hoosgow......

I wonder if esteemed rifle critic, Bay1975 realizes the M70 is a copy of the Mauser? not the other way around....

I have a question for our new Mauser expert/critic.... Bay1975

I understand grinding on the action and installing M70 safeties is against the rules.

Now in the example pictured below is built on an FN commercial action therefor no grinding, welding , cutting , drilling etc... was imposed on this Mauser.

So my question concerns the bottom metal, it is military. And many hours were spent molesting it.... grinding, welding etc.... so does this constitute a crime against Mauser?

Or do the rules just involve the receiver? I need to know these things to avoid future violation's, fines , incarceration etc....

Another Canuck that never tires of nice mauser sporters. Irfubar has some excellent ones, to my tastes anyways!

Such a svelte hunting tool...I would say the ultimate rifle, period!

Idear Irfunar,

This Mauser with side safety has a nice bolt handle. Is that an after market bolt or one of the FN Mauser bolt actions? The gas shroud looks like a FN Mauser of some type too?

I like the proportions.

Brother Fubar;
Good afternoon once more, I trust the Thursday in your area of Hollywood is progressing nicely and you're all well down there.

Thanks for the second photo and further info.

My goodness a 7x57 with a blind magazine that's 7lbs.... I'd opine that is indeed both a hard target to achieve and "about right" to carry all day and to shoot with. For me at least for sure.

As you know my "walking around" rifle is built on a 98 and is 7lb 3oz all dressed with 5 in the magazine, but that meant resorting to a painted, though well built Wildcat Composites stock to make that weight.

There absolutely is something to be said about a blind mag in cold weather when one is carrying the thing for long. That much I can attest to.

Although it's now going to border on coveting my brother's walking around rifle now that I know it's a 7x57, I still appreciate you putting up the "operating" side.

All the best.

Dwayne

rob,
I think you are refering to my 375 H&H, that is built on a factory FN action, the bolt is factory.

With all these beautiful mausers shown, I’d love to know how they were built, especially the stocks. Did you select a blank and then did the work yourself? Was it done by a specific gunsmith?

I selected all the blanks and had them turned. The G33/40 was my own pattern blank, finding a blind magazine Mauser blank is impossible.
I did all the work myself, the inletting, finishing etc... The checkering I farmed out.
The blank on the G33/40 was selected by weight and grain. The blank on the FN 375 was from Roger Vardy in Australia, he is one of a few that separates blanks by weight.
Most of my builds I try for lightweight.
The 458 is in a very dense heavy Bastogne blank.


On the G33/40 I had McGowen thread and short chamber the barrel, I rented a reamer and finished cutting the chamber myself.
Some of my Mausers are rust blued by me and some Cerakoted by me.
A few had the barrels fitted and chambered by gunsmiths.
Most of the bolt handles I welded myself. Drilling and tapping was done by a smith as I don't have a jig.

To the OP-

It's YOUR rifle! Whatever YOU decide to do with it, is the right choice IMO.

The VZ-33's, & G33/40's are excellent actions. I will caution you about
making a "fabulous" rifle... If you send the work out, it gets quite expensive
and the wait times for good metalsmiths is always long.

If you're handy (and I mean patient, and pay attention to detail), I think
you'll find it very satisfying to do as much work to it as you have the guts
to try.

If you sell, you'll make enough to buy a nice using rifle (used, even better)

My 2 cents

If you haven't already done so go the bolt action forum at the CMP. They are always looking for guys who like original bolt action military rifles and can add to the conversation.

kwg