The Norinco JW-25 “Mini Mauser,” is a bit of an odd duck. It is essentially a Chinese-made bolt action fashioned after the CZ 452, dressed up in a stock that mimics the German Mauser K98k service rifle. For military history buffs or those who want a .22LR that doesn’t look like a modern polymer toy, it has immediate shelf appeal.
However, as with many Norinco products, you are paying for the idea of the gun, not necessarily the refinement. It’s a bit of a diamond in the rough—heavy on the rough. While it looks the part of a jagged WWII trainer, my time with it proved that you need to be willing to tinker (and spend a bit extra on magazines) to get it running right.
Specifications
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: Bolt Action (CZ 452 clone)
- Barrel Length: ~20.5″ (varies slightly by import batch)
- Stock: Hardwood (Beech) with military-style sling slot and metal buttplate
- Sights: Tangent rear sight (adjustable 25–200m), hooded front sight
- Weight: 7.9lbs
- Optics Mount: 11mm dovetail receiver
- Price: ~$400 CAD (approx. market price, varies by surplus availability)
Usability & Performance
If you pick up the JW-25 expecting the buttery smoothness of a CZ 457 or a Tikka T1x, you are going to be disappointed. This is a budget rifle, and it feels like one.
The Action The bolt operation is undeniably gritty. Out of the box, it feels like there is sand in the raceway. You can smooth it out with polishing and thousands of cycles, but don’t expect it to glide on day one.
The Safety This was a major pain point. The safety on my unit was incredibly stiff and difficult to manipulate. It is a wing-style safety on the bolt, similar to the BRNO/CZ ancestors, but the fitment is poor. Engaging it requires a thumb of steel, and disengaging it isn’t much smoother. If you are buying this for a youth shooter, this safety is a genuine hurdle.
Feeding & Magazines The factory magazine provided with the rifle was essentially a paperweight. It refused to cycle rounds reliably, causing frustration at the range.
- The Fix: Luckily, because this is partially a CZ clone, it accepts CZ 452/455 magazines. I swapped in a genuine CZ rimfire magazine, and the rifle fed perfectly. If you buy this gun, factor the cost of a CZ magazine into the price immediately.
Shooting Despite the rough edges, the rifle is surprisingly heavy and stable, which helps with off-hand shooting. The rear military sight is decent , with that classic tangent sight ladder that looks great, even if it’s optimistic about shooting a .22LR at 200 meters. The front sight is pretty crap.
Aftermarket & Modifications
- Magazines: As mentioned, use CZ 452/455/457 polymer or steel mags. They fit and function far better than the Norinco steel mag.
- Triggers: The factory trigger is heavy and has some creep. You may be able to use trigger kits designed for the CZ 452 (like YoDave or similar shim kits) to improve it but I haven’t tried that.
- Scopes: The receiver has an 11mm dovetail. However, be careful with scope ring height. The bolt throw is high (like a Mauser), and the rear sight block is bulky, so you will likely need high rings to clear both the bolt handle and the iron sights.
Competitors
- Savage Mark II F: Usually cheaper or the same price. Tons of used ones out there in Canada for way less.
- Ruger American Rimfire: More expensive, but takes 10/22 mags and has modern ergonomics.
- CZ 457: The rifle the Norinco wishes it was. It costs double or triple the price, but the fit and finish are lightyears ahead.
Conclusion
The Norinco JW-25 Mini Mauser is a “project gun” that you buy for the aesthetic. It looks cool on the rack and kinda feels like a rifle in your hands, not a toy. But functionally, it is rough. The bolt needs polishing, the safety is a thumb-buster, and the factory magazine belongs in the trash.
If you want a hassle-free shooter, buy a Savage or a Ruger. But if you want a WWII trainer lookalike and don’t mind buying a CZ magazine to make it run, it’s a fun, quirky addition to the safe.
