quote:

Spanish used German Mausers which were considered better rifles.

My son has an 1896 Swedish Mauser (we thought about picking up a Spanish just to have the direct counterpart to the Krag, but the Swede is nicer, chambered in a more interesting caliber, and essentially the same design). It's definitely interesting to shoot them side by side. The Krag is a little fiddly with the loading, but the stripper clips in the Mauser are no picnic either, at least in my unskilled hands. The Mauser cartridge definitely outclasses the .30-40, in both the 7mm and the 6.5 variety, no question there, and the action is more robust.

As a collectible rifle to just plink steel and paper on the range, though, the Krag is just more fun. The goofy magazine, soft recoil, and better sights make it a fantastic shooter, and I find the stock design to be more comfortable as well.