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I have something like 4 Turkish Mausers. There is no question that there are better made rifles out there. But these things are still pretty darn good and I would argue that they making a more significant contribution to American gun culture right now than any Swedish or German rifles.

Why? Because they are inexpensive, plentiful and capable of being turned into high-quality sporters. My very first Mauser was a Turk and this is true of many thousands of other people as well. The existance of Mausers that can be had for less than $60 means that many people, including myself, will use them as an opportunity to start learning something about gunsmithing and sporterizing. Which helps to keep important skills alive at a time when there are fewer and fewer professional gunsmiths around.

Moreover, that very first Turk that I only had to spend $55 on (thank you, SOG) got me out there researching codes and stamps and areas of military history that I had never examined before. This got me hooked and I have since bought more expensive Mausers largely for the fun of trying to sort out their individual histories. But I never would have bought my Persian BRNO or any of that stuff if the Turks hadn't been there first.

Our hobby depends on having some rifles like the Turkish Mauser as part of the mix. How many people who are only just getting interested in this are going to lay out $500 or more for a German K-98? Or $300 for a Swede? Very few. You dip your toe in first with the Turk or the SKS or whatever and then you get hooked and spend the bigger money. These inexpensive rifles bring new people into the hobby, creating enough volume to keep wholesalers and manufacturers of aftermarket accessories in business. The critical mass benefits us all.

This is why the Turk forum has more posts than the 'reindeer forum.' Because the Turks are making contributions to American gun culture that the more expensive C&R rifles are not.