New M38 Swede, with story of how I got it

[john_the_plinker]

This past Wednesday a guy from one of the other departments at work came to me about a rifle he had. We will call him Bob. Bob was sent to me because I've got the reputation for being "the guy who likes old guns". Bob tells me that he has this rifle that won't chamber a round. All he knows it is a Mauser and he got it from his dad. Bob is not a gun guy, but is a hunter and likes to shoot a like on occasion, and was very disappointed that his rifle wouldn't work. I felt bad for him so I told him I'd take a look at it.
Thursday Bob brings it in and over lunch I take a look out of it. He goes to pull it out of the case and I am impressed, a M38 Swede in very nice, close to immaculate condition. Looked it over, cycled it a few times, and dry fired it, everything seemed to be good. Thinking maybe the extractor was not letting the round slip under it, I asked if he had some ammo. He did, and pulled out the box. My eyes must have about bulged out of my head, and I got a "WTF?" look from Bob. It was 8mm ammo!
I explained that Mausers came in more than one chambering, and that his in particular was 6.5x55. Anyway, he was happy that there wasn't anything wrong with the rifle but was torqued because the ammo cost him $28! Told him to check around and see if he could find any 6.5, and if he couldn't, I'd hook him up with a box from my stash, at my cost.
This morning I'm sitting here just chilling, and my phone rings, it was Bob. Said he'd called every shop in the area, and couldn't find any 6.5. Said he did find some surplus 8mm at what he thought was a good price so he bought it. Anyway, during our conversation I mentioned that I had a 8mm Mauser I was looking to trade and if he was interested that maybe we could work something out. He was, so we agreed to meet in town. I took a ratty VZ24 that had been drilled for a Lyman receiver sight and a good bore. While I was waiting for Bob I called a shop across the river and found they had a Lyman sight. Bob showed up, and he really liked the Vz, thought it looked cool with the wear and tear, like a real war rifle. Told him if he wanted it I knew where to get the Lyman sight and told him I thought it would really make it a better shooter, those Mauser sight can be hell on older eyes. We agreed to terms, for my Vz and the Lyman sight, I'd get the Swede. Hauled tail over the river, got the sight installed and we made the trade. I also instructed him on how to clean for his surplus ammo, as he was unaware that it has corrosive primers.
The Swede is absolutely beautiful. If it has been fired since import, it was very little. The magazine follower is unmarred, and the boltface has no marks. Bluing is near 100% except for a few scratches near the muzzle. Stock is also near 100%, just a few handling marks and a small chip out of the thumb notch. After wiping out the bore, it is very bright and shiny. Other than a few rust flecks on the white metal, it looks almost brand new. All serials I could find match.
So, for the cost of the VZ that I had less than $200 in, and $90 for the sight this is what I got:


That's not a scratch in the wood, it is just a twig hanging down.





When I first saw it Thurs I was concerned that it was one of those parts guns that a certain importer was making up then I saw this...

Yes it looks nice, but does it shoot? From 100 yards, no bags, just leaning over the truck bed rail with my hand under the forend it did this with Privi ammo in 20 to 25 mph wind...



Yeah, I know, long read, but I'd rather read the whole story rather than "I traded a guy I work with for this rifle" or "got this today at the lgs" being the whole thing. Let's share some of the excitement!

[Ironnewt]

As long as your buddy is happy, it looks like a good deal was made. From what you describe as giving up, you made out fine

[Sonny]

That's a Purdy rifle..

[JoeR]

That is one slick piece ! Congrats !

[desdem12]

Nice but man what a robbery

[shoto2758]

I can tell you had a real tough time parting ways with the VZ24..

[Jbob]

I love my M38 and it's the best shooting military rifle I own including my like new M1 Garand. They were made right and not being beat around as most other rifles they're still like new. Mine's a 1913 and amazes me when shooting, your newer rifle should serve you even better....
Glad you found and bought the extra sight for your new friend, now he can go out and take the hard recoil of the 8mm while your enjoying the flat shooting round of the Swede.

[Bgrant]

Nice find and great deal.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[john_the_plinker]

I can tell you had a real tough time parting ways with the VZ24..

Oh yeah, it was tough! Actually The Boss was glad to see the VZ go, she got some really bad vibes from it.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Thought it had been used in some ethnic cleansing operations? Maybe, they have a bad habit of that sort of thing in that part of the world. She should like the Swed, all it's seen is likely an endless parade of shooting ranges and closets.

[john_the_plinker]

I love my M38 and it's the best shooting military rifle I own including my like new M1 Garand. They were made right and not being beat around as most other rifles they're still like new. Mine's a 1913 and amazes me when shooting, your newer rifle should serve you even better....
Glad you found and bought the extra sight for your new friend, now he can go out and take the hard recoil of the 8mm while your enjoying the flat shooting round of the Swede.

Yeah, I really like the Swedes. They run a close second behind the Finns in my list. I tell ya, as I've gotten older, I just can't take a beating from recoil like I use to. That's one of the big reasons why I've been getting out of a lot stuff that I don't enjoy shooting. Standard 8mm just flat hurts anymore, but give me a Swede and I can shoot all day!

[john_the_plinker]

Thought it had been used in some ethnic cleansing operations? Maybe, they have a bad habit of that sort of thing in that part of the world. She should like the Swed, all it's seen is likely an endless parade of shooting ranges and closets.

Could be. She has told me enough about some of my rifles that when she says something about one, I listen. A couple of examples. I got a Winter War capture 91/30. When it was delivered, she left it just inside the door. Said when she picked up the box she got a feeling of absolute terror, and men running for their lives in the snow. Also got a rather well worn M39. It was in the case after I got home from the shop. She said she got a feeling of deep sadness, of doing something you didn't want to do at all, but had to do. I questioned her the first time it happened, and she swore she had no idea where Finland is, or what happened there in 1938-1944. One last example. I bought a papered GI bringback K98 from a friend of mine for a really, really good price. Since money was a little tight at the time I didn't say anything about it. Had it out one day doing some cleaning. The Boss jumped dead in my s t, "where did you get that? How long have you had it? I don't care, I want it gone, and gone NOW!" It was a bnz single rune.

[Jbob]

I love my M38 and it's the best shooting military rifle I own including my like new M1 Garand. They were made right and not being beat around as most other rifles they're still like new. Mine's a 1913 and amazes me when shooting, your newer rifle should serve you even better....
Glad you found and bought the extra sight for your new friend, now he can go out and take the hard recoil of the 8mm while your enjoying the flat shooting round of the Swede.

Yeah, I really like the Swedes. They run a close second behind the Finns in my list. I tell ya, as I've gotten older, I just can't take a beating from recoil like I use to. That's one of the big reasons why I've been getting out of a lot stuff that I don't enjoy shooting. Standard 8mm just flat hurts anymore, but give me a Swede and I can shoot all day!

I'm the same way anymore due to a 4 wheeler roll over several years ago that left me with a shoulder that lets me know the weather changes.
I've picked up a large and medium Limbsaver slip on kick pads that go on everything I shoot now, even the Swede.... I can shoot the 8mm's all day now.

[TulaTom]

Very nice!

[Sirex]

Very nice Swede. I hope to get one some day. Congrats!

[millman]

Very nice. Those Swedes are good shooters.

[OLD OUTLAW]

Very nice M38 and did you ever come out ahead like a Pirate!!! If you are going to reload, consider using some 160 Hornady
bullets if you can find them. Your rifle was free bored for their M94 ammo. Your rear sight is calibrated for the M94 ammo and front blade also is unless previous owner changed it.
So, the gun is sighted in at 100 meters for 156gr ammo. A 140gr bullet works well also but takes a bit of compensation for at above about 200 yards. Great looking M38.

[Boris Badenov]

Thought it had been used in some ethnic cleansing operations? Maybe, they have a bad habit of that sort of thing in that part of the world. She should like the Swed, all it's seen is likely an endless parade of shooting ranges and closets.

Could be. She has told me enough about some of my rifles that when she says something about one, I listen. A couple of examples. I got a Winter War capture 91/30. When it was delivered, she left it just inside the door. Said when she picked up the box she got a feeling of absolute terror, and men running for their lives in the snow. Also got a rather well worn M39. It was in the case after I got home from the shop. She said she got a feeling of deep sadness, of doing something you didn't want to do at all, but had to do. I questioned her the first time it happened, and she swore she had no idea where Finland is, or what happened there in 1938-1944. One last example. I bought a papered GI bringback K98 from a friend of mine for a really, really good price. Since money was a little tight at the time I didn't say anything about it. Had it out one day doing some cleaning. The Boss jumped dead in my s t, "where did you get that? How long have you had it? I don't care, I want it gone, and gone NOW!" It was a bnz single rune.

Pretty cool story, gave me the shivers reading it! So… did you get rid of the K98, or re-hide it???

[john_the_plinker]

Thought it had been used in some ethnic cleansing operations? Maybe, they have a bad habit of that sort of thing in that part of the world. She should like the Swed, all it's seen is likely an endless parade of shooting ranges and closets.

Could be. She has told me enough about some of my rifles that when she says something about one, I listen. A couple of examples. I got a Winter War capture 91/30. When it was delivered, she left it just inside the door. Said when she picked up the box she got a feeling of absolute terror, and men running for their lives in the snow. Also got a rather well worn M39. It was in the case after I got home from the shop. She said she got a feeling of deep sadness, of doing something you didn't want to do at all, but had to do. I questioned her the first time it happened, and she swore she had no idea where Finland is, or what happened there in 1938-1944. One last example. I bought a papered GI bringback K98 from a friend of mine for a really, really good price. Since money was a little tight at the time I didn't say anything about it. Had it out one day doing some cleaning. The Boss jumped dead in my s t, "where did you get that? How long have you had it? I don't care, I want it gone, and gone NOW!" It was a bnz single rune.

Pretty cool story, gave me the shivers reading it! So… did you get rid of the K98, or re-hide it???

It went away. I was concerned that if it was found again, The Boss might have used it as a colon-scope. Being a fiery redhead, it would have been a very real possibility.