Mauser M18

Mauser’s latest rifle, the M18, is another product in their portfolio, that addresses a distinct requirement. For example, the M98 is a true classic and prestige item, appreciated for what it is, a no-nonsense, time-proven design that has a long service and sporting history.

The original Mauser folded due to financial reasons in the late 1990s, despite a number of modern designs that included a straight-pull. However, the name was relaunched in 2003 with their first new product, the M03. Truth is, it has nothing to do with this famous brand, apart from the name. However, for me it embodies what Mauser has stood for, over the past 120-years and still does!

Different direction

The M03 soldiered on for nine years, I got mine in 2007 and have been very happy with it ever since. But switch barrel systems are not what the majority of British hunters want. The advantages are obvious, one common chassis that you can mix and match barrels/calibres on. However, the downside is the price, as you could buy two or three standard rifles for the price of an M03. I always thought that they would have been smart in offering a fixed barrel version, much like Strasser did with their RS Solo, based on their switch barrel RS05.

Instead, they went a different route; in 2012 they launched the highly conventional and fixed barrel M12! Considerably less expansive and lighter than the M03, it was a success and visually more like a 98. Priced at around £1500, it was not cheap, but certainly more affordable for those looking for something quality and more in keeping with the Mauser name. But this design did not stand still, as later the Impact appeared, same action and synthetic Extreme stock, but with a mid-weight, fluted barrel. Offering a sort of semi-target/hunter, originally a 20” in 243 and 308, they later extended the barrel to a more sensible 22” and added other calibres.

Third time lucky?

I appologise for this rather lengthy introduction, but I feel it’s important to understand the development history of the new Mauser brand. Now with three very different products covering near all needs, where could they go? So, enter the M18 (launched in 2018), considerably cheaper than even the M12 Impact to the tune of around £250, is it just a budget blaster, as a lot of bigger companies are offering these days, or does their pup have pedigree?

When I was told by Robert Sajitz (CEO Blaser Sporting) about the M18, he sent me down some information and I was impressed. It showed a bearded hunter with a basic looking rifle and a military-style pine box stamped with the Mauser logo; nice imagery. Elsewhere, a picture of the gun with the words ‘The People’s Rifle’, which I thought quite a bold statement and one that could draw interest. Well, the M18 may be the least expensive of Mauser’s portfolio, but it’s still a thoroughbred that’s built to hunt and shoot, as was the original 98!

The M18 uses an identical magazine system to the M12 with a very similar stock. The safety is a simpler, 3-position roller-type located rear/right of the action, as opposed to the Heym SR21-style lever on the M12’s shroud. The bolt face shows twin plunger ejectors with a solid body and that classic straight-down bolt handle with synthetic ball end. The three locking lugs give a low, 60° lift angle. The barrel is screwed-in compared to the shrink fit and pin method of the M12, with the locking abutments in the receiver.

Pleasingly simple

Despite its slightly utilitarian styling, the M18 is a pleasing looking rifle with a decent quality, black synthetic stock, with rubber gripping inserts at pistol grip and forend and integral trigger guard. Length of pull (LOP) is an acceptable 14”, including a thick rubber recoil pad. Unusually, this is retained by twin catches, so can be removed to show a small storage compartment for a pull-through or similar. The butt void is filled with polystyrene foam, so you don’t get that horrible hollow feeling. The forend offers a slim free-float, inside it’s strengthened and proved rigid and ideal for bipod use. QD sling studs are fitted, which is sensible.

The action void is equally solid and shows an integral, steel recoil lug that engages with a slot in the underside of the forward receiver. Slightly different, the action screws are fixed to the receiver and drop down through the holes in the stock, to be retained by spring washers and cup nuts.

98 handle

I’m used to the traditional, Mauser 98-style straight bolt handle, both the M12 and M18 follow this design but with a synthetic ball end. With its lower, 60° lift angle and a smooth cock-on-opening action, cycling is fast, easy and instinctive. The bolt shroud is large and has a cocked action indicator pin that protrudes, which can be seen and felt. The safety is rear right with a 3-position rolling lever; forward FIRE (red dot) middle SAFE with bolt operation (two white dots) and full rear SAFE bolt locked; feels familiar! All of which can be accomplished with the firing hand thumb. Annoyingly, it makes a loud click as you go from
SAFE to FIRE!

The 5+1 magazine is a good design, with the recessed release catch at the front of the well. The receiver will accept most commercial bases, my tester came fitted with the HexaLock QD system, which is not really needed on a rifle like this. It seems a good guess that a Picatinny rail might be an option in the future, like the M12s, which is really the way to go! A Minox 3-15x56 ZX5 scope came fitted, and as I have discovered, a good piece of glass!

Light/medium

The 21.5” barrel (measured from the bolt face) shows a light/medium profile and is significantly stouter than some other light sporters. It’s threaded 15x1mm and came with a Barton Gunwork’s compact, reflex moderator. The trigger shows a wide, curved blade and is externally adjusted by an Allen key. I found it a tad firm, but it easily wound down for a crisp and short, 3lb break. The trigger guard is large enough for a gloved finger, which I always appreciate!
The whole feeling of the M18 is of simple practicality, even when fitted with scope and moddy it’s not heavy and handles well. I don’t however, buy into the minimal butt storage compartment, as there’s very little actual space.
So, what about calibres? Currently, it’s available in 243 and 308 Winchester and 30-06, but later this year they will be adding 270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag, plus and most exciting, 6.5 Creedmoor (smart move). To accommodate these numbers, the receiver is long-action only, with the various cartridge overall lengths (COLs) being taken up by filler blocks in the rear of the magazine. The magnum versions get longer 24” barrels, personally I’d like to see that option for the 270, 30-06 too and it wouldn’t go amiss on the 243 either!

Ammo up

My tester was in 308 Win and I used six different loads: Hornady 178-grain Precision Hunter, Norma 170-grain TipStrike, RWS 165-grain HIT/green, Geco 170-grain SP, Browning’s 155-grain BXR and BXC 168-grain. (see M18 Performance table)

M18 Performance

Name: Average Velocity (FPS): Extreme Spread: Energy(ft/lbs): Group inches
Hornady 2622: 28: 2728: 1”
Norma: 2646 71 2664 1”
RWS 2631 55 2550 1”
Geco 2538 25 2449 ¾”
BXR 2878 21 2865 ¾”
BXC 2585 70 2505 ¾”

Odd how the group sizes split exactly between 1” and ¾”, but for a 21.5” barrel, good results on energy in this calibre. I have no doubt that handloading could produce something better, but in truth, if a rifle shoots an inch or under at 100m, then no real complaints at sensible hunting ranges.

I have to say I was impressed with the M18 and I’m annoyed I could not find anything major to moan about; well, I don’t count that silly butt trap! Overall, the boys done good! This is a simple rifle that does not lack the practical features required by the serious hunter, plus it’s tough. I quite like the looks and it handles and carries well, Mauser have even retained the ability to literally throw a live round in the ejection port and feed it as required. Price-wise, it’s sub-£1000, so compares well with similar products. I reckon Paul and Wilhelm Mauser would have approved!