Current trends in milsurps

Remembering

Remembering

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Hey guys, I grew up with surplus arms but I never followed the collectors markets until recently and I'm wondering what you have seen in the past ten years. General interest, price inflation, product availability, increase in knock-offs, access to info...etc
 
The cases of ammo that i bought 18 months ago has already doubled in price. I've picked up ammo 5 years ago for rifles I don't own. I've picked up rifles I don't shoot, and I pick up ammo every month because I know it will not be there 5 years from now. Mosins and SVT40s are a good deal. Get one, or ten, or more...
 
Garands have gone up significantly in price over the past 10 years, it seems that the going rate for something in decent condition is about $1000 these days... Also, I've noticed the RC K98s have gone up quite a bit. A few years ago they were around $300 but now it's hard to find a nice one for less than $450.
 
Probably a little of both, as other members have stated, if they stop making a certain firearm it's price will inevitably rise. This being said, many people have been buying these firearms and not re-selling them so the supply on the open market has gone down while the demand remains high because of the collectability/history which is tied to those two rifles in particular.
 
Just for reference here is a store in Toledo, Spain that was selling Milsurps, I say we're doing pretty good, except we can't own the CETME there...

We pay $300-450 for a K31, Spanish pay €700 (700 x ~1.4 exchange rate)

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Remembering said:
Hey guys, I grew up with surplus arms but I never followed the collectors markets until recently and I'm wondering what you have seen in the past ten years. General interest, price inflation, product availability, increase in knock-offs, access to info...etc
Click to expand...

Supply & Demand

In my opinion there is inflation and there is buffonerism. I think we're all at fault to one degree of another (me included). However the crazy dollars are in M1 Garands. And that really means that we need to be dilligent and educate our selves a little more. People are asking top dollar simple because they have a Garand now and in many cases we are talking about examples that have been modified (or are parts guns) with very little collector value. Boyds makes for a pretty shooter but IMHO does not equate to a $500 mark up. About ten years ago a VERY NICE example of a Danish M1 Garand sold for $400. That same rifle today is apparently worth $1200 +/-. I hope we're peaking in the M1 Garand dept (but probably not).

I've just decided to stay away from them to be honest. Expensive to feed but have the "Way Cool" factor because everyone wants to be GI Joe storming a tropical island in the South Pacific. Thank you holywood.

Everything else has gone up sequentially from year to year (with a few exceptions - ex-bloc soviet states). In my opinion one of the Yugo M48 or M24 mausers are still the best buys out there. These rifles will dry up (we're almost there now). These will go up in price and we're already starting to see that now.

Enfields seem to have flat lined. A decade ago a VG+ rifle sold for $250 and now they sell for $400. Snipers - that's another story. In 2003 a complete No4Mk1T (british) in transit case all matching was $3000 (Now It's $5000+). Long branch Snipers are between $6000 & $7000.

Role reversals? Ten years ago a SKS-45 was RARE! We're talking at least $400 or more for a nice example. Get one while you can at $165 - it's a steal.

Soviet 91/30 Mosin Nagants are dirt cheap because the market is flooded. Don't let this fool you - the joy ride will be over - get a pristine example now and keep it in your safe (covered in grease). To borrow from Hungry - buy two and prevent #### loss. The really collectible variants have been impacted by the influx of Nagants (Sako's, Tikka's, Dragoons, etc). Those are the rifles that interest me.

Original Germans mausers have always been pricey. An influx of Russian Capture mausers lowered the price a bit but those are now long gone and prices are back up from about $275 to $450 or more for a nice RC. Speaking of which - anyone out there interested in trading a sweet SMLE for a RC?

Italian rifles - never mind...

Japanese Arisaka's - WOW rare here in Canada. Worth mucho denero for a nice example with or without the mum intact. Collectible enough that bore condition doesn't seem to play a significant factor in price development now.

Hope that helps.
RC
 
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One thing to consider in the supply & demand curve is availability of ammunition. If all milsurp ammo was equally cheap and available, rifle prices would most likely change from current levels. For example, the K-31 is a sweet, sweet rig, but just try finding a steady supply of GP-11 (7.5mm Swiss) from any dealer. I think their selling price is half of what it would be if it shot .30/06 or .308 Win ammo.

In terms of best value out there, I objectively think the Swedish M96 or M38 with its legendary accuracy, relatively good access to ammo, great looks, Mauser action and high overall condition of the ones that made it to Canada would rate highest in the price/value category.

The Arisaka was mentionned. Try getting 6.5mm or 7.7mm ammo for one lately!? Trade Ex can't get Prvi brass for it (despite repeated pleadings to Prvi) and a box of Norma will set you back $50 after taxes. Same for the Carcano (which has to be one of the most underrated milsurps out there), with the added punch that they require a hard-to-find Mannlicher-type ammo clip. Ditto for anyone looking at a Steyr M95, Berthier or similar variants. Reloading is a must in these cases (which can be as fun as shooting but the initial start-up cost for a decent set-up can be moucho dinero).

The Mosins and SKSs are great, but one kink in the ammo supply and the cost to feed them will double in no time flat! Enjoy the cheap admission prices and the inexpensive feed for them while it lasts.

So, in relative terms, if you're not into reloading, perhaps the higher initial cost of a Garand, M1903, M1917, P-14, Lee Enfield or even a Ross can be somewhat offset by greater access to non-corrosive reliable factory ammo if you consider the cost over the lifetime of the milsurp.

But, yes, your d!ck will fall off if you don't buy 3 Mosins before the weekend.
 
If i dont need it now and the price is good, i will buy it as later on the need will be there, my way of thinking... JP.
 
Thanks guys. Now I want a RC k98k even more, cause slim pickins is better than no pickins. As for ammo, I gotta assume that non-corrosive will deplete and appreciate much more than it's corrosive counterpart
 
Being new to ownership and use of firearms i fell in love with these milsurps. So i started going to auctions to find some deals on them. Went to simpsons last summer and there was a few deals to be had. Not bad prices on various rifles usually under $500. Went to the last auction and they had some pristeen enfields. Two of them went for over $12000 each. Not a type o. I almost fell off my chair. I had talked a buddy into coming who was looking to buy a enfield. (a little out of price range) Now these were in museum condition. Just goes to show that if someone wants something they will pay whatever to get it.
 
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