Milsurp Investment

SeamusMac

SeamusMac

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Howdy Folks,

A co-worker recently came into some money and he would like to invest in a milsurp, which will be his first. We often talk about investing in firearms and I'm always touting milsurps as an interesting way to do that but I've never had anywhere near $1000 to spend on a milsurp in one go so I have no idea what he should be looking at - thoughts?

Budget: Min. $600 Max. $1100

Requirements are:

One firearm only.
Non-restricted and not a semi-auto.
Chambered in a caliber that can readily be found online, does not want to reload.
No longer than 54" in OAL.

Suggestions so far include:

Israeli K98k in 7.62
M1903 Springfield
FN-24
Lee Enfield No. 1 Mk. 3
Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk. 1 or 2
Lee Enfield No. 5
K-31
Gew 1911
Russian or Finnish Mosin Nagant M91/30
Russian Capture K98k
P14/M1917 Enfield
Swedish Mausers
Berthier Rifles
Martini Enfield/Metford
 
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Israeli 98k in 7.62 NATO
Any bolt action in 30-06 - 1903/FN-24, etc.
303 Enfield (I say this last as bulk ammo is not really available but Yugo is around)
 
granite said:
Israeli 98k in 7.62 NATO
Any bolt action in 30-06 - 1903/FN-24, etc.
303 Enfield (I say this last as bulk ammo is not really available but Yugo is around)
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I’ll suggest looking at the Israeli 7.62’s - is a WW2 German k98k not a realistic prospect for $1100? That reminds me to bring up the 30-06 Norwegian Mausers with him.

A 303 would be easy to feed. I’m gearing up to reload for my No. 4 so I could supply him with some ammo but he’ll likely just buy a box once a year and shoot that. This is more of an investment than a shooter.

ipscgraz said:
Lee Enfield # 4 Mk 1 or Mk 2.

See if you can find a Canadian Long Branch.
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Thanks for the suggestion!
 
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cyclone said:
A Swiss K-31 can still be found in that price range, if you keep an eye out... :yingyang:


And the ammo is still available, also if you keep your eyes open... :wave:
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I’m still kicking myself for selling my K31 kit (brass, dies, cleaning kit, ect.) for $700 6 or 7 years ago. It would have easily been worth $1000 today; it was in beautiful condition and all matching.

Good suggestion - I can see those increasing in value well-beyond inflation over the coming decades.
 
Find firearms that are in original excellent to mint condition . Don't shoot them and wait
Corrosive ammo use will kill the value
 
Budget: Min. $600 Max. $1100
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You could get a nice Mosin and 2 crates of surplus ammo in that budget range. Mosin's are nice milsurps that are still very affordable but prices are going up.
 
SeamusMac said:
I’m still kicking myself for selling my K31 kit (brass, dies, cleaning kit, ect.) for $700 6 or 7 years ago. It would have easily been worth $1000 today; it was in beautiful condition and all matching.

Good suggestion - I can see those increasing in value well-beyond inflation over the coming decades.
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MMMMM no, K31s seem to have hit a plateau in their prices. Same goes for the GP11 surplus ammo. For $600+ you should be able to find an average one, with all the accessories, such as cleaning kit, bayo, sling, muzzle cap. Ammo will be a buck per shot.

Be careful with the Israeli K98. Most are very good but a lot of them have been in the hands of bubba. Surplus ammo is going to dry up, sooner than later. Spoke with a fellow yesterday that still believes surplus 30-06/303brit is still common in the local gun shop. He hasn't looked to buy for over 20 years. Last I checked, he had close to 25k surplus in his lock up. There was a time when he had 10X that much but he likes to shoot a lot. He's getting long in the tooth now. His son is a dozy Liberal. I don't know where he went wrong???

IMHO, if your friend wants to shoot a lot and stick within his limited budget, same for you, pick up a very good Mosin 91/30 or better yet, if you can find one a Finnish M Mosin and a case of ammo from one of the distributors in your area. I believe Weimajack, still has a few Finn Mosins left. If you're not that fussy, ex combloc, fully refurbished to as new M91/30 rifles can be had under $300 and a case of ammo around the same or a bit more.
 
SeamusMac said:
I’ll suggest looking at the Israeli 7.62’s - is a WW2 German k98k not a realistic prospect for $1100? That reminds me to bring up the 30-06 Norwegian Mausers with him.

Russian capture K98s are around $1000 now which is getting to be a bit nuts. An original matching and even a bitster is over $1000. Plus finding surplus 8X57 is almost impossible so even though the rifle and ammo is about one of my favourite combos - for the price and scarcity of surplus 8MM I'd say no unless he can find a cheap deal and sit on it - it will go up in value.
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Hey guys, I should clarify - he isn’t a big range guy, he’ll probably only shoot a box of year so surplus ammo availability isn’t a requirement.
 
bearhunter said:
MMMMM no, K31s seem to have hit a plateau in their prices. Same goes for the GP11 surplus ammo. For $600+ you should be able to find an average one, with all the accessories, such as cleaning kit, bayo, sling, muzzle cap. Ammo will be a buck per shot.

Be careful with the Israeli K98. Most are very good but a lot of them have been in the hands of bubba. Surplus ammo is going to dry up, sooner than later. Spoke with a fellow yesterday that still believes surplus 30-06/303brit is still common in the local gun shop. He hasn't looked to buy for over 20 years. Last I checked, he had close to 25k surplus in his lock up. There was a time when he had 10X that much but he likes to shoot a lot. He's getting long in the tooth now. His son is a dozy Liberal. I don't know where he went wrong???

IMHO, if your friend wants to shoot a lot and stick within his limited budget, same for you, pick up a very good Mosin 91/30 or better yet, if you can find one a Finnish M Mosin and a case of ammo from one of the distributors in your area. I believe Weimajack, still has a few Finn Mosins left. If you're not that fussy, ex combloc, fully refurbished to as new M91/30 rifles can be had under $300 and a case of ammo around the same or a bit more.
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I'm not sure I grasp your post here; the non-8mm "Israeli Mausers" are marked for (and used with) .308, and they and Mausers in .30-06 (or even Model 1917 "Enfields", aka the M-17, aka the "P-17" :p ) can still be had below $1,000 and also should not face ammunition-shortage (or even price) concerns... :yingyang:


"Even" the days of cheap 7.62x54R ammo are quickly appearing in our rear-view mirror... :wave:
 
Swede Mausers are still a good deal; comparatively inexpensive, well made and usually lightly used and in good condition. Handloading would be a must.

Beyond that look at Mosin Nagants ( Finnish ones are preferred), No4 Lee-Enfield and P14/M1917 Enfields and M1903 Springfields. Barrel condition is critical.

I've been playing with MILSURPS for nearly 60 years and they haven't gotten any cheaper over time.
 
Mil Surplus in the best possible shape you can buy and keep it that way... Don't shoot surplus ammo, keep it stored well and protected from safe kisses. rust aka damp basements, etc.

As for which rifle, Well make it stand out with accessories like the proper sling, bayonet, cleaning kit, etc. That's what will increase its value over the years.
 
Hard to say these days...$1000 doesn't get you a collection piece anymore...or even an investment piece unless you find something privately.
 
Thanks for the suggestions fellas - keep em comin.

We talked a bit over lunch and agreed that our idea of "investment" milsurps are only required to keep pace with inflation, which most firearms will I suspect, so any/all suggestions are welcome although he isn't interested in hoarding ammo.
 
I know he said he didn’t want a semi but why doesn’t he get a Mosin and an sks plus some ammo?
Then he would have TWO mulsurps to shoot and enjoy for his budget :)
 
Deathrawt said:
I know he said he didn’t want a semi but why doesn’t he get a Mosin and an sks plus some ammo?
Then he would have TWO mulsurps to shoot and enjoy for his budget :)
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That's probably what I'd do but he isn't much for range days and doesn't intend to shoot this much. More of a collector's piece.
 
My vote would be a nice 1903 Springfield. They can sometimes be found in that price range. Not collector grade, but nice and still shootable.
With careful use, it will hold its value and be worth considerably more south of the border. Provided you can import it to the US.
 
Buy Gun Books of interest with some of the $1000 and then decide what to buy later. Educate yourself first and Research.
 
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