Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mauser M12

I reviewed the Mauser 12 and Sauer 101 (a related rifle) for AMERICAN RIFLEMAN a year or two ago.

The Sauer uses the same basic action, but has a cocking safety on the tang instead of the M70 style 3-position on the Mauser. There are also differences in the bedding system and some other minor stuff. Essentially the Sauer is built more for the European market than America, though it does take Remington 700 mount bases. Both are VERY accurate, but that's typical of German rifles.

Quick question about the M12. Does the extreme version have a metal bottom metal/trigger guard or is it plastic? How is the bolt handle attached to the bolt? Lastly, is the action and barrel treated in some way to make it "extreme" or is it just normal blueing?

Thank you.

I think they are all blued,but mine hasn't rusted in humid Alabama.The trigger guard is metal,the magazine is polymer with a metal floorplate. The bolt is attached by a weld(I think). The rifle is well balanced and weighs about the same as a model 70 featherweight,maybe a few ounces less.

The thing that is appealing about these rifles is they are not a project in a box. The trigger,bedding,feeding,ejection,and accuracy are already there. The safety is positive yet quiet three position Model 70 type.

It is not an ultra light rifle,but it is certainly no truck gun,and I have carried a heavier rifle on lots of mountain hunts.

The only thing for me to complain about is there is no short action,my 308 is the same size as a 30-06 or 270. So if that offends you,just buy a 30-06 in the same rifle. I actually went to buy a 270,but the 308 had the best wood,a nice straight grained blond french walnut.

BobinNH would like this rifle,and the point of impact on mine doesn't shift as the barrel heats. I have certainly spent a lot more for less.

I wouldn't mind another in 270,or maybe 9.3x62.

Actually, to a working professional in resource management, here in western/northern Canada, this rifle would make an ideal truck gun, but, would be better in that role if it were STS.

The easy loading from the top, the detachable mag. or what we call a "clip" to keep your ammo handy, but, gun unloaded as is mandatory here and they CHECK, even BCFS/AFS staff are so mandated plus the familiar safety and nice handling in a hurry make it about "perfect" for such use.

No question one CAN pay more, MUCH more and get considerably less, but, here where these are about $2400.00 retail, a knowledgable mountain hunter CAN get more for this price.

The POI issue is certainly crucial, but, hardly confined to only these rifles. Each to his own, but, much as I DO like these, there are better mountain rifles out there.