Mauser M18 Initial impressions. Shooting Review to Follow.

[g3ninfinite]

Hello Everyone. Recently picked up a Mauser M18 in .308 22” barrel 1-11 twist. Under 1MOA 5 shot guarantee

Here’s are my initial impressions regarding fit, finish:



Fit and Finish

@+- 600 US dollars this rifle is very nice. The machining on the action and bolt are very well done. The bluing on the barrel is nice and even. The coating on the action is evenly applied. The finish on the bolt did wear fast but is very slick. The bolt shroud and knob are composite and that may bother some but they seem quite sturdy. The stock is also composite but has a very nice feel and seems like it’ll take a beating.



Function

The M18 bolt manipulation is super slick even out of the box. After a couple hundred manipulations it is amazing. Keep in mind this is a long action 308. The safety is a 3position: LOCK/SAFE, SAFE, FIRE. It feels nice. Moving to fire can be loud if you’re a hunter but if you stay on it you can make it almost silent. The single stage trigger is adjustable and from the factory mine came set at an average of 3lbs 3oz over 5 pulls. The trigger has no take up and no over travel. Total trigger movement is a about 1/16th inch. The single magazine that’s included is polymer and has an internal OAL of 2.874. The magazine release button is out of the way and you wont be accidentally bumping it, it is difficult to find but easy enough to depress and retains the empty mag so you can pull it out. Buttpad is easily removable and there is a small storage compartment in the stock. There is supposedly different lengths on the way to accommodate different LOP. Factory LOP is 14”.


CONS:

For the record I think this rifle is exceptional at this price point however there’s a few things that Mauser needs to address.

Twist rates. While the 1-11 308 is fine they should be doing 1-10. I really want the 6.5 creedmoor but the twist rate was 1-8.77. I shoot 147 in 6.5 and I didn’t want to risk unstable projectiles. Mauser if you are listening give us 1-7.5 or at least 1-8 for the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Scope bases. While Mauser did machine the m18 action to Rem700LA geometry and hole placement they goofed a little on the ejection port and screw size. So the front edge of the ejection port is cut away enough to not be able to utilize the integral recoil lug on any of the common bases (NF, badger, etc.) I wouldn’t feel so bad about this if the screws were the bigger 8-40 type. But alas we are given 6-48 screws. Perhaps I’m over thinking this but I bought this rifle as a true beater gun and the 6-48 screws dont give me the warm and fuzzies without a recoil lug.



Plans:

This weekend Ill be chopping the barrel to 16 or 18.5 and threading. Ill do a shooting review to follow.

 

[PBWalsh]

P I C T U R E S needed. Sounds like a nice rifle.

 

[Simia Dei]

Here’s a good vid for this rifle.

 

[g3ninfinite]

sounds really.nice, would really love to see hownthey shoot, manufacturers price ?

MSRP is 699

 

[g3ninfinite]

To the top

 

[g3ninfinite]

Interesting note... Mauser says that this barrel is pressed in however the the front rail screw shows that the barrel is threaded? If that’s the case anyone know a smith crazy enough to rebarrel this for me?

 

[rlbreakfield]

Wait, they didn't do the original Mauser extractor? Just was expecting to see a Mauser control round feed design.

 

[rlbreakfield]

Interesting to see the Tikka style recoil lug and that front action stud with hex nut is a neat twist too.

 

[g3ninfinite]

Interesting to see the Tikka style recoil lug and that front action stud with hex nut is a neat twist too.

Yes double ejectors and improved Sako style extractor. Safety off bolt on trigger.

 

[Terp00]

Interesting note... Mauser says that this barrel is pressed in however the the front rail screw shows that the barrel is threaded? If that’s the case anyone know a smith crazy enough to rebarrel this for me?

Yes, threaded barrel. See article below. https://www.gunmart.net/gun-reviews/firearms/rifles/mauser-m18

 

[dhbwa]

Bringing this back up...
Anyone know what the screw behind the trigger adjusts??

 

[tom30calglassburn]

Bringing this back up...
Anyone know what the screw behind the trigger adjusts??

I believe that is the trigger adjustment

 

[tom30calglassburn]

Just bought the m18 in 30-06 for my elk hunting trip to Montana next fall what scope mounts are you all running??!

 

[dhbwa]

I believe that is the trigger adjustment

Actually no. Its a weird trigger....I had to disassemble and polish it a tad to smooth out the takeup.
IIRC that only loads the sear. Don’t mess with it.

 

[dhbwa]

Just bought the m18 in 30-06 for my elk hunting trip to Montana next fall what scope mounts are you all running??!

Any LA 700 works....

 

[308pirate]

Wait, they didn't do the original Mauser extractor? Just was expecting to see a Mauser control round feed design.

No one in Europe seems to care that this rifle doesn't have CRF, and hardly anyone here will care either.

 

[ddavis]

Actually no. Its a weird trigger....I had to disassemble and polish it a tad to smooth out the takeup.
IIRC that only loads the sear. Don’t mess with it.

Correct. I messed with it just out of curiosity and it directly impacts the bolt lift and the point at which the cocking piece/sear engage. I had to spend a little time opening/closing bolt to get it to where it needs to be after I turned it in/out a couple times playing with it. It's a neat feature for them to be able to get it set up correctly so you don't end up with issues like both of my ARC actions had where you have to file the cocking piece. Unless you have something weird going on with your bolt I wouldn't mess with it.

-Dan

 

[tom30calglassburn]

No one in Europe seems to care that this rifle doesn't have CRF, and hardly anyone here will care either.

What is crf?

 

[JMGlasgow]

Controlled round feed. An overrated feature some people want.

 

[tom30calglassburn]

Ohh haven’t even fired mine yet was trying to find what bases to use

 

[308pirate]

Ohh haven’t even fired mine yet was trying to find what bases to use

Mauser was smart and shaped the top of the receiver and setup the scope base hole pattern to match the Remington 700

 

[dhbwa]

Long action 700......

 

[ddavis]

Mauser was smart and shaped the top of the receiver and setup the scope base hole pattern to match the Remington 700

This was a good move on their part. 700 long action pic rail fits great.

I contacted Boyd's to ask if they plan on making a stock for these and they said they are always interested in new ideas and will consider it. I picked them because their pricing is pretty much in line with this cheap gun and they inlet for some oddball stuff. If anyone reading this has some free time please do the same so we can get the ball rolling on some type of aftermarket stock. I never had a problem with the factory stock on Tikkas but this stock is extra flimsy like a Savage stock. I would upgrade if it was an option.

-Dan

 

[jsthntn247]

Mine is shaving brass off the case head when closing the bolt. After a few rounds enough has built up in the bolt face I can’t close the bolt on factory ammo. Is there anyway to adjust the extractor?

 

[Leatherlunger]

Interesting cheapie rifle, just now checking it out. Are all the chamberings on a long action? Could you use a 30-06 mag in the 308 based cartridges for a long COAL? How these things shooting? Fit and finish comparitable to or better that a RAR?

 

[tom30calglassburn]

Mauser M18 Follow up review!

Let me say this all, I am supper impressed with this rifle!!! I paid it with a Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50 tactical first focal plane scope. I started off shooting some groups at 100 yards with some Winchester 168 silvertip balistictip. And two different reloads. One 150gr fmj with IMR4895 and one 178 matchking with IMR4895. Both the factory and the reload groups at 100 yards were right around just less than an inch groupings. So I thought for fun I would open this baby up and see what she could do so that when I took it on an elk hunt in Montana in the fall I would know. I then took a shot out to 200 then 300 and all the way out to 1000 yards! And in this light weight hunting rifle and $399 dollar scope paired with vortex rings I was hitting steel all the way our to 1000 with just using my has hashmark hold overs and some Kentucky windage!!! I am VERY VERY IMPRESSED with this rifle and would highly recommend this to anyone that is looking for something dependable! The rifle did well with staying cool for the most part I was putting some time inbetween shots but wasn't babying it by any means! I def will be doing some more load development so that I know what it likes the best, so I will keep you up to date! But 10 out of 10 stars!!!

 

[Leatherlunger]

Good to know ? do you know if all of the actions are a long action even with shorter cartridges?

 

[tom30calglassburn]

Good to know ? do you know if all of the actions are a long action even with shorter cartridges?

That I do not know

 

[cghorr01]

Just picked up one of these in 308 and an EGW scope base. Also grabbed a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 for it. Trying to determine proper ring height. What scopes/rings is everyone running?

 

[HeftyMember]

That I do not know

From what I can gather they saved cost by only making a LA footprint. Bought one the other day in .308 and it’s LA. Just has the back .5” of the magazine blocked off.

 

[Don Dial]

I own one which is being rehomed to Mauser. It is a 6.5 PRC and is Not a MOA or even close rifle. I did a 100 round break in on the barrel over a month + and at 120 rounds the bolt was engaged on the lugs by the sear and the entire firing pin assembly and shroud came out while in the receiver. It has multiple design and safety flaws. It also shaved brass off the factory load cartridge base like crazy. The so called “Storage Space” is a gimmick which precludes ever shortening the stock for a small frame shooter. At best it’s a 2-3 MOA rifle with factory loads and I wasted a month plus and about $1500 because I believed all these articles. I could have purchased a good used Rem 700 for about $400 and been able to trust it to give to my Grandsons. This Rifle is going back to Mauser and Bless Their Heart.

 

[cghorr01]

Sorry to hear. I've yet to shoot mine, hopefully next week. With a stroke of luck hopefully I got a good one. Every manufacturer is subject to a bad unit.

I own one which is being rehomed to Mauser. It is a 6.5 PRC and is Not a MOA or even close rifle. I did a 100 round break in on the barrel over a month + and at 120 rounds the bolt was engaged on the lugs by the sear and the entire firing pin assembly and shroud came out while in the receiver. It has multiple design and safety flaws. It also shaved brass off the factory load cartridge base like crazy. The so called “Storage Space” is a gimmick which precludes ever shortening the stock for a small frame shooter. At best it’s a 2-3 MOA rifle with factory loads and I wasted a month plus and about $1500 because I believed all these articles. I could have purchased a good used Rem 700 for about $400 and been able to trust it to give to my Grandsons. This Rifle is going back to Mauser and Bless Their Heart.

 

[Don Dial]

Sorry to hear. I've yet to shoot mine, hopefully next week. With a stroke of luck hopefully I got a good one. Every manufacturer is subject to a bad unit.

I took it in to the Mauser Service Center this morning. It was still screwing up and they couldn’t even put the bolt into the receiver. The warranted it on the spot, no questions, plus gave me a spare Mag. Said they’d never seen one like that. Told them I’ve worked on long guns over 50 years and this was a first. I’m satisfied.

 

[cghorr01]

Sounds like first rate customer service! That's great news.

I took it in to the Mauser Service Center this morning. It was still screwing up and they couldn’t even put the bolt into the receiver. The warranted it on the spot, no questions, plus gave me a spare Mag. Said they’d never seen one like that. Told them I’ve worked on long guns over 50 years and this was a first. I’m satisfied.

 

[M4guru]

My 6.5PRC M18 is an absolute hammer. I’ve got a Sauer 202, 303, 404, a Mauser M03, and 4 Blasers and that $429 M18 shoots with them all.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, hopefully it’s as good as mine has been when it gets back.

 

[HeftyMember]

Just had my M18 out to the range last week. Was putting 5 round groups downrange in under an inch with plain Jane ederal 180’s.
Setup is with Leupold mid height rings and an athlon Argos 6-24x50.

There’s a couple things I’m not a huge fan of on the rifle, and quite a few things that I do like.
Pro’s (for me)
1. Lightweight
2. 60 degree bolt throw (and it is SMOOTH buddy)
3. beautiful trigger pull for a stock trigger
4. Hammer forged barrel - this one is definitely preference, but I like the idea of the added barrel life. We’ll see how it actually plays out at the price point.
5. double stack magazine - again preference, but for a 5 rounder it sits flush which is a nice feature.
6. Inspection of the design: I find to be pretty brilliant from a cost to manufacture vs. Functionality standpoint. KISS principle definitely went into this.

Cons (for me)
1. Excessive use of polymer. There’s polymer EVERYWHERE... looks like pretty much all PA6GF30. Knob on bolt and shroud are both Polymer... trigger and trigger housing, and stock. I mean honestly it’s probably not a big deal and will last as long as the rifle.... it just doesn’t FEEL like it if you know what I mean. Honestly the amount of ‘value engineering’ is impressive. surprising that they were able to pack this rifle into the price point.
2.LA footprint. Not a big deal, just not super thrilled about this.
3. Stock. Is sorta flimsy and definitely can touch it to the barrel. Will probably bed this at some point and add some reinforcement to firm it up.

so yeah for the price point this is a great rifle in my opinion. There’s a couple things I would have preferred in this rifle but would likely have put it out of my price range. For a no-frills hunting/mountain/ do it all pretty well rifle it definitely fits the bill and should fill the role well.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

EuroOptic has these for $399. Now knowing that there is no big claw extractor is a disappointment. I'll cross it off the list.

 

[Don Dial]

I took it in to the Mauser Service Center this morning. It was still screwing up and they couldn’t even put the bolt into the receiver. The warranted it on the spot, no questions, plus gave me a spare Mag. Said they’d never seen one like that. Told them I’ve worked on long guns over 50 years and this was a first. I’m satisfied. Update I now have 2 trips to range had 3 rounds .238”, 5 rounds a penny covered 143 Gr Hornady ELDX. I did make a Dummy Round to keep ejectors depressed and reduced the bolt break in to a day or so. Much more impressed with this unit than the previous. I’ll probably re barrel my LH Hawkeye to 6.5 PRC when I give this to my son.