A Complete Waste of Space

There was a beauty of a swede that was sporterized for sale at my local gun shop. It had the nicest piece of wood on i've ever seen. I think the barrel was 22", and the whole gun had perfect balance and fit me perfect. I wanted it so bad, but someone had a hold on it. I told the owner if the deal falls through I want it for sure. I couldn't sleep waiting to see what was going to happen. Damn guy came through and bought it. I was pissed.

I was going to use it for mule deer and cow elk. It would have got the job done with good shot placement. I'm very careful about that.

The shop owner told me the seller had paid $1100 to sporterize the gun by someone who specializes in swedes (forgot his name). He was selling it for $800. Plus, it had a Leupold V3 scope on it. It was a deal of a lifetime.

I still think about that gun.

M1938s used to be cheap and common. They make the
best start for a Swede sporter. Little is required to make
it so, bend the bolt handle to clear the scope (lots of heat in the right place is required)
and get rid of the mussle threads for the flash supressor and bayonette lug.
I believe the barrel length after modification is 22".
Stocks used to be available, but the military stock can easily
be altered and work great. They just ain't to pretty.

All Swedish Mausers use the same action. an early open top design.
While inferior to the M98 or Springfield in strength it really means nothing.
it's all over kill. You can smash the case all over the bolt in a over pressure event
and the most likely failure would be the barrel.

I love the M1894's because they are so light.

Added to correct a possible error, Photos I found show the M38 with a bent down bolt handle.
I remember it with a straight one. Very possible they came with both, or the rifles I saw are
already modified. The 1894 and 1896 are straight in my experiance.

HH