Hey, just wondering about "new" arsenal 1948 8mm bolt actions at a gun show I went to today. All the numbers match, still covered in thick grease. Are they any good? Accurate? Reliable?
And is the ammo corrosive?
I don't remember where the dealer said they were made, just that when the Germans left that country after WW2, the rifles were built in an abandoned arsenal to fend off the Germans should they reinvade.
Seems like a decent deal. $150 for the rifle and $100 for 1400 rounds. May have to go back tomorrow and pick one or two up, if I get enough positive feedback. Thanks in advance for any input.

You probably saw Yugoslav M48 rifles in 8mm. They were manufactured from 1948 to 1956 and are 'intermediate' actions being about a quater inch shorter than German wartime actions. Overall, they are a great value and shoot well too.

That's it! They were marked M48 or M48A. Is there any difference and why is the action shorter? Also, what about the ammo? Is there any new ammo made or is it all surplus? I'm sorry for all the questions but I don't know anything about these (obviously) and I need a new toy!

I couldn't tell you about the difference in actions.

But, 8mm ammo is still being manufactured, however none of it (that I know of) is cheap enough to be considered a plinking round.

Most, if not all of the surplus 8mm is corrosive.  This means that after you shoot, you need to clean your rifle immediately.  Many people I know first pour soapy water down the barrel to neutralize the corrosive effects, while others simply clean as usual.  I even know guys that bring soapy water with them to the range so that they can stop the corrosive effects before they go home.

The only surplus 8mm that I have experience with is the Turkish stuff, and it seems pretty decent.  I've had two cases (out of hundreds) split from the mouth to the shoulder, but nothing major.  Definitely some recoil to this round, especially when coupled with the steel buttplate.  Get used to some bruising, or buy a slip on recoil pad for it.

Have fun shooting!

Locobob,
Pickup 2 if you can, one to shoot as is, and one for a later project gun,they are very reliable,and pretty accurate,(remember these are unissued, so, they saw NO use, so, they are new, unfired, 50year old rifles Headspace will no doubt be excellent) They were made after the war was over,the commies did'nt have the resourses or money to equipt the Yugoslavian (now under commie control) army with Mosin's or SKS's and they (the Yugoslavian govt) has this mauser factory set up buy the germans during the war, So they kept on producing Mausers for the Yugoslavian Govt, and for export to other countries (one way to raise badly needed cash) one can find m-48's with No markings except serial # these were eygptian contract rifles, interesting side note, they later produced sporting rifles at the very same factory, the MarkX Mauser and Mini-Mark X Mauser look at the flat on the bolt handle on the m-48, you'll see it on the MarkX mauser as well, being a "intermediate action" very few, m-98 parts will interchange, bolts, extractors firing pins, will not, but on the bright side, these parts rarely break, so I wouldn't worry about it,When properly loaded, the 8mm is in the same class as a 30-06, and will do anything a '06 will, commericaly loaded ammo from Win, Rem, will be loaded rather wimpy (They're afraid of someone getting a badly headspaced rifle and blowing themselves up with it, and sueing them) But the cases will do nicely for reloading which is where these rifles will come alive, Buy one, Hell, buy two if you can, you won't be dissapointed, these are probably one of the better bargins on the surplus market today.    

Pick them up most definately.

My M48 is quite accurate and one of my favorite weapons to shoot.

Where was the gun show at? (Asked because I am in Indy right now)

Quoted: I couldn't tell you about the difference in actions. But, 8mm ammo is still being manufactured, however none of it (that I know of) is cheap enough to be considered a plinking round. Most, if not all of the surplus 8mm is corrosive.  This means that after you shoot, you need to clean your rifle immediately.  Many people I know first pour soapy water down the barrel to neutralize the corrosive effects, while others simply clean as usual.  I even know guys that bring soapy water with them to the range so that they can stop the corrosive effects before they go home. The only surplus 8mm that I have experience with is the Turkish stuff, and it seems pretty decent.  I've had two cases (out of hundreds) split from the mouth to the shoulder, but nothing major.  Definitely some recoil to this round, especially when coupled with the steel buttplate.  Get used to some bruising, or buy a slip on recoil pad for it. Have fun shooting!

I have found that recoil in rifles is dependant on what you have had experience with in the past.  After shooting 30-40 rounds of 7.62X54 trough an M44, it suddenly becomes clear why the Mauser butt is so large!  I can still only handle about 100 rounds of 8mm though before I either flinch big time, or close my eyes and whimper.  I look at it this way though, if it hurts, you know you are shooting a real rifle!!

Thanks for all the info! On my way to pick up one (or two). Matt_S, the gunshow is in Linton, down in Greene County. 9am to 3pm today.
The dealer that has them is from Indy. Pretty cool guy, spent 24 years in the Argentine Army.
His info is:
Carlos Ursino Gun Shop
General Gunsmith Services
FN-FAL Specialist
Professional Blueing and Parkerizing
4414 W.30th St. Indianapolis, IN 46222
Phone/ Fax 317-299-5853

It'll be a week before I can shoot one and report back. Busy day-Gun show, fish fry, work. Again thanks for everyones input!
Bob  

Quoted: They were marked M48 or M48A. Is there any difference

The M48 has milled parts and the M48A has stamped.

Bought one for my dad.   Great shooter.  Hungarian & Turkish ammo on strippers in bandoliers  is dirt cheap (corrosive)  It works with the sights though.  We shot a military bolt gun match at the club. 200,300,500 and 600 yards prone. Did very well.  The recoil is a bit abbusive.  We went out and bought a past recoil pad that you wear over your shirt. The magnum model.  Laupa makes new ammo for it.  Very expensive, but premium quality.  For the money it's hard to beat.  The Schmidt Reuben is another one that seems to shoot very well.  I have a Moisen.  Ugly as they get, cheap and very accurate.
If you stay with the surplus ammo you can shoot for very little cost.  Just clean with ammonia based cleaner.  The old GI stuff works well.  A lot of guys use windex. Happy shooting.