Scoping a M48

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Don357	Scoping a M48	Lead	[-]
Posts: 9 (05/09/09 06:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None I can't remember if I've ask or even seen this on this forum, but I'm sure it's been asked. I want to put a scope on my M48 as inexpensively as possible, without permanently altering the rifle. What would be my best option? Is the M48 historicaly significant enough to even be concernd about modifications? What I have is essenitally an unissued M48 with all numbers matching. Somebody help me please!
WVchuck		#1	[-]
Posts: 12009 (05/09/09 08:16 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	There's a post from a few months ago that answers everything you're asking.... If I can find it, I'll link to it. If not, look up accumount, they make a decent cantilever set up that allows you to use a normal scope, over the receiver and all you have to do is remove the rear sight leaf. Pretty neat set up. There was a company called Iron Elite that made an incredibly well built all steel mount but the owner disappeared from the internet a few years ago. Here is the accumount site: http://www.accumounts.com/ Click on the Yugo mount link on the page and then click on the picture on the left.
nothernug		#2	[-]
Posts: 11312 (05/10/09 09:33 AM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	First and foremost, any intact milsurp in original configuration deserves to be preserved. Put simply, the least popular played some role in history, however minor and are not being made anymore. It's easy to argue the liklihood of some very common model rifles gaining much in value, and some very likely won't change much, at least in our lifetime. Still, who truly knows what forces will change the markets? I always like an example of a personal experience of mine. When I was buying my first rifle (one of Val Forgett's Navy Arms repro rifled muskets) I saw a barrel stuffed full of 45/70 cavalry carbines in variable but at least shooting condition for "your pick, $60." Not today! I wish I had that barrel now! A more timely example is the humble Mosin. While some models have increased dramatically in value, common models remain "very affordable." But what does that mean? That almost uniformly means near to but over $100. It wasn't all that long ago you could buy them by the truck load for $29. sigghhh. (I didn't buy one then because I thought they were ugly. So today I like them. Ah, what price snobbery...) So now we're discussing another cast off wannabe M98 "commie Rifle." That once common attitude has pretty much changed as the true quality of these weapons has come to be realized. The M48 is admittedly not in the class of an M1, M1903, or intact original K98k, but it is still eminently collectible. While M48 series rifles can still be found for under $200, that is becoming harder and harder to find especially for really nice ones. Those are routinely selling over $200, many exceeding $250 and $300+ is not unheard of. Presently, there are only 3 M48 rifles listed on one of the major auction sites. I expect the M48 will increase in value as the M24/47, rapidly dwindling in numbers of nice, intact 'original' M24/47s become harder to find as a "cheap" alternative. I ramble but I really wanted to address your question in depth, to explain why I think as I do concerning the worth of these. Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Don357		#3	[-]
Posts: 11 (05/10/09 06:34 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks Northernug, I guess I feel the same way, which is why I'm having such a hard time putting a scope on my rifle. To keep with original style mounts and thus a semi-original or at least a possible configuration, would cost over $200 for just the mounts, let alone mounting the mounts, and a good scope. I am prepared to pay for a scope, but this is considerably more than I paid for the rifle itself. And some of the after market "no drill- no tap" mounts require stock inletting, and bolt bending or cutting, which are irreversible modifications. I guess my only recourse is going to be with a cantilever mount or scout mount, with which I have absolutely no experience. I use a LER scope on my Ruger Blackhawk revolver, but have never even looked through one on a rifle. And the cantilever system just doesn't "look" very stable. It looks as though there would be a lot of flex in the unsupported rear section of the mount. I could be wrong though, they have wrought miracles with metals lately. I would appreciate some input about these mounting systems though. Thanks again, Don
Crunch130		#4	[-]
Posts: 875 (05/10/09 07:11 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Don, I've used the LER "scout scope" setups and they work fine. I have an S&K mount on my German K98 and it works fine with a 2-7X32. Check them out at scopemounts.com to see if they make one for a Yugo. I fabricated a scout mount for my Swede M38 and just use a 4X32 NC Star pistol scope (i.e. light weight, low cost) and she holds 1 inch groups at 100 yards! Crunch
WVchuck		#5	[-]
Posts: 12017 (05/10/09 07:45 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	As long as you don't use the scope for a carry handle, a cantilever works just fine. I just put the info out there for you as you requested. These are No-altering required mounts. Zhu's mounts are as solid & reliable as the work day is long. If you mount the rail as per directions, it'll do the job. I've had mine for years now and it does what it is supposed to do.
Don357		#6	[-]
Posts: 12 (05/10/09 09:01 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	WVchuck, I appreciate the input. I wasn't doubting you by any means. I have seen these mounts advertised and was just not sure about them. Thats why I asked so many questions. Thanks to everyone. Now, Who's got an extra mount to sell "cheap"? LOL I guess I'll have to save and get an "Accumount". Why is so easy for some to deface history and so hard for others?????? I LOVE THIS BOARD!!!
trautert		#7	[-]
Posts: 5243 (05/10/09 09:14 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	For what it's worth, I have a Mossburg 12ga. pump that I have set up with a rifled short barrel that has the cantilever mount sticking out the back. It holds my scope very steadily. Tom Ne Desit Virtus Rakkasans
Rich42	Mount	#8	[-]
Posts: 482 (05/15/09 07:38 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Cantilever Mauser mounts work just fine. You can use any scope you want that will fit the rings. The mount is solid and if you want to preserve the rifle that is a better option than the Scout mounts IMO. Some folks can use the LER scopes on scout mounts fine, but I don't know of anyone that likes them on a Mauser. Cantilever mounts allow you to use regular scopes. Also a big plus, is the recoil is not transfered to the scope as much with these mounts. 8mm Mausers are hard on scopes. There is a down side to the cantilever mounts. Once you install one on your rifle the balance is terrible. If you bench rest shoot or off sand bags it isn't so bad. If you are an experienced long range shooter the balance issue may bother you. It did me. The rifle will be EXTREMLY Top heavy also. Take your hands off it and it will flop over every time. Also, cantilever mounts are "fair weather" mounts. OK for the range, but not for hunting. You will use it as a carry handle sooner or later if used for hunting. That may alter the zero. The mount is not rugged enough for beating around in the bush. The scope and mount make it a natural handle and the rifle will constantly be flopping over on you because of the top heavy issue, so you will use the scope as a handle sooner or later. The mounts are relatively cheap, so you have nothing to lose by trying it and see what you experience. You can re sell the mount if you don't like it. There are other options for scoping, but can't be discussed here. But our shooters buy MM for that, and they are frowned upon by collectors and purist alike, so no loss. Shooters love e'm. Added: BTW there is no CHEAP way to scope a M48. You get what you pay for. The "CHEAPEST" may be the cantilever or scout mount routine, but if you have a "shooter" the only way to get the optimum accuracy at long range is with a good solid set set up, well balanced. The cantilever mounts came on the scene because of the rifle preseravation issue, not because they work the best. Key words to remember with these mounts. They were designed to give the owner a scope option without altering his rifle. Last Edited By: Rich42 05/17/09 01:53 PM. Edited 2 times.
Don357		#9	[-]
Posts: 15 (05/25/09 10:56 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm really just trying to outfit my rifle for hunting. It seems that I can't see the iron sights as well as I used to. I had though about using "MOJO" sights, but they're as expensive as many of the other scope mounts with a scope. I don't want to let my M48 become a "safe queen". Thanks for the info. Don
WVchuck		#10	[-]
Posts: 12049 (05/28/09 08:31 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I too need a scope for hunting and thus the mount on the rifle pictured above. I've used it several seasons now, nothing has shifted, let go, wiggled or wobbbled and this past season it finally put a small buck in the freezer due to the super observant youngest son who said there's one, take the shot....