Kar 98k as a target rifle?

Victor.S

Hello all,

Has anyone here owned/shot a Kar 98k as a target rifle in Ireland? I'm a bit confused on how our current gun laws apply to these rifles. Am I right in thinking that a 98k in 7.92 Mauser would be a restricted firearm? I recall hearing that the calibre limit here was 7.62, but just want to verify that. Also, assuming I could get my hands on a Kar 98k in a non-restricted calibre, does the requirement to store it in a gun-safe still apply?

I did try checking the big red 'Firearms licensing information' tab at the top of this forum, but half of the links are not loading for me and a few others just redirect me to the Garda homepage...

Any tips from owners of these guns, or folks who know the rules better than I do, would be appreciated

juice1304

7.92 is restricted. you could buy a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55
It would have to in a safe mounted to a wall because its a rifle. you can only keep one unrestricted shotgun at home without a safe. But even that is completely ridiculous.

Victor.S

Cheers. Do you know if storing the rifle at my shooting club would be sufficient for the gun-safe requirement? Or does it have to be locked up on the premises of the owner?

tudderone

Victor.S wrote: »

Hello all,

Has anyone here owned/shot a Kar 98k as a target rifle in Ireland? I'm a bit confused on how our current gun laws apply to these rifles. Am I right in thinking that a 98k in 7.92 Mauser would be a restricted firearm? I recall hearing that the calibre limit here was 7.62, but just want to verify that. Also, assuming I could get my hands on a Kar 98k in a non-restricted calibre, does the requirement to store it in a gun-safe still apply?

I did try checking the big red 'Firearms licensing information' tab at the top of this forum, but half of the links are not loading for me and a few others just redirect me to the Garda homepage...

Any tips from owners of these guns, or folks who know the rules better than I do, would be appreciated

Your best bet if you really want a 98k in an unrestricted calibre, is to keep an eye out for a Norwegian Mauser. At the end of WW2, the Germans surrendered and left all of their rifles behind. The Norwegians took them and rebarreled them all to .30-06. The Israeli's also had lots of 98k's and rebarrelled them to calibres they could get ammo for easily.

But before any of that, i would advise you to see if you can find someone with a 98k in 8mm or similar calibre, or any larger centrefire rifle, see if you can get a shot or two. They are pretty kicky, especially if you have not shot a rifle before.

Victor.S

tudderone wrote: »

Your best bet if you really want a 98k in an unrestricted calibre, is to keep an eye out for a Norwegian Mauser. At the end of WW2, the Germans surrendered and left all of their rifles behind. The Norwegians took them and rebarreled them all to .30-06. The Israeli's also had lots of 98k's and rebarrelled them to calibres they could get ammo for easily.

Interesting, wasn't aware of that, cheers!

tudderone wrote: »

But before any of that, i would advise you to see if you can find someone with a 98k in 8mm or similar calibre, or any larger centrefire rifle, see if you can get a shot or two. They are pretty kicky, especially if you have not shot a rifle before.

Mauser-action rifles yes, 8mm Mauser no. Your advice is noted

LIFFY FISHING

Victor.S wrote: »

Hello all,

Has anyone here owned/shot a Kar 98k as a target rifle in Ireland? I'm a bit confused on how our current gun laws apply to these rifles. Am I right in thinking that a 98k in 7.92 Mauser would be a restricted firearm? I recall hearing that the calibre limit here was 7.62, but just want to verify that. Also, assuming I could get my hands on a Kar 98k in a non-restricted calibre, does the requirement to store it in a gun-safe still apply?

I did try checking the big red 'Firearms licensing information' tab at the top of this forum, but half of the links are not loading for me and a few others just redirect me to the Garda homepage...

Any tips from owners of these guns, or folks who know the rules better than I do, would be appreciated

With relation to the above ;
The k98 is Restricted in its origional caliber, rechambered in 30 06 its non restricted.
You are unlikley to get a licence for either unless a member of a shooting range with an authorisation for using it there.
You will require a safe for either versions of the rifle, so if you were granted a licence on either you can have it at home.
7.92 mauser ammunition is not a stocked ammunition it can be hard to get as most RFD' s dont stock it, as they would need to order it in quantity so they wont order it as it's not commonly sold.
In saying that you will find specialised RFD's do keep it.

The K98 is one if not the finest rifles you will ever shoot of the service/ classic rifles.
I own both calibers of K98's and shoot my 30 06 regular.

Victor.S

LIFFY FISHING wrote: »

With relation to the above ;
The k98 is Restricted in its origional caliber, rechambered in 30 06 its non restricted.
You are unlikley to get a licence for either unless a member of a shooting range with an authorisation for using it there.

Absolutely. Shooting club membership is something I was starting the ball rolling on before this quarantine hit. You mentioned owning a K98k yourself, do you mind me asking where you shoot it?

LIFFY FISHING wrote: »

You will require a safe for either versions of the rifle, so if you were granted a licence on either you can have it at home.

Good to know. I doubt my landlord would let me mount a gun-safe to the wall, so I'll probably just have to end up storing my gun at the shooting club.

LIFFY FISHING wrote: »

7.92 mauser ammunition is not a stocked ammunition it can be hard to get as most RFD' s dont stock it, as they would need to order it in quantity so they wont order it as it's not commonly sold.
In saying that you will find specialised RFD's do keep it.

FingalSports is one I wanted to check re: ammo, since they seem to specialise in classic rifles. Unfortunately their website seems to be down at the moment...

tudderone

Or you could, as has already been suggested, buy the sweetist shooting mauser of the lot, a Swedish mauser in 6.5 x 55. Excellent build quality, lovely round thats not hard to buy as they were very common here a few years back, everyone i asked what round they were shooting seemed to say 6.5. The fact its not restricted is another plus.

Victor.S

tudderone wrote: »

Or you could, as has already been suggested, buy the sweetist shooting mauser of the lot, a Swedish mauser in 6.5 x 55. Excellent build quality, lovely round thats not hard to buy as they were very common here a few years back, everyone i asked what round they were shooting seemed to say 6.5. The fact its not restricted is another plus.

It's not off the table. A pre-'45 Mauser is something I have my heart set on. The K98k is one of the few I know how to field strip, it was produced in the millions, and I've heard overall good comments on its performance as a shooter, so that's why I asked about them here. But, having said that, something like a Swedish M38 or M96 would be up for consideration too assuming I could find a dealer who has one or could help me bring one into the country.

LIFFY FISHING

Victor.S wrote: »

It's not off the table. A pre-'45 Mauser is something I have my heart set on. The K98k is one of the few I know how to field strip, it was produced in the millions, and I've heard overall good comments on its performance as a shooter, so that's why I asked about them here. But, having said that, something like a Swedish M38 or M96 would be up for consideration too assuming I could find a dealer who has one or could help me bring one into the country.

Patrick O Mahony firearms in Castlemain , Co Kerry stocks all the service rifles on your list.

tudderone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iNasbalZ4