Milsurps - collector items or shooters?
- Thread starter Vladivar
- Start date
I am more of a collector than a shooter myself but i feel that those rifles were made to fire bullets. Thousands of bullets.
So in my opinion i doubt that shoothing a few rounds would hurt it or it's value. after all that's what they were made for.
A rifle that works is more valuable than a rifle that doesnt work and if you do not shoot it at least once you cannot claim this... of course there will always be exceptions.
I recently went to the range with my Lee Enfield No1 Mk V and shot a full mag with it. First time it was fired in 25 years.
It is not a museum piece but non the less a somewhat rare rifle. Now i know how it shoots and groups.
I totally respect the decisions of some not to shoot theirs like i also respect those who decide to shoot them.
Like i said before there will always be exceptions and there will always shooters you can use and abuse.
So in my opinion i doubt that shoothing a few rounds would hurt it or it's value. after all that's what they were made for.
A rifle that works is more valuable than a rifle that doesnt work and if you do not shoot it at least once you cannot claim this... of course there will always be exceptions.
I recently went to the range with my Lee Enfield No1 Mk V and shot a full mag with it. First time it was fired in 25 years.
It is not a museum piece but non the less a somewhat rare rifle. Now i know how it shoots and groups.
I totally respect the decisions of some not to shoot theirs like i also respect those who decide to shoot them.
Like i said before there will always be exceptions and there will always shooters you can use and abuse.
I like to take mine out and "exercise" them once in a while. For me, Remembrance Day, if I can get out to the range, is a good day to honour those who were using them in a nastier time.
I also like to have my milsurps as close to original configuration (un-bubba'ed....) as possible.
One exception to that is the Remington Rand 1911A1 I had adjustable sights put on for IPSC years ago. Now I'm watching for a slide.....
I also like to have my milsurps as close to original configuration (un-bubba'ed....) as possible.
One exception to that is the Remington Rand 1911A1 I had adjustable sights put on for IPSC years ago. Now I'm watching for a slide.....
We in Canada right now are in a very unique period, in that we have an embarrassment of low-cost, "full-wood" Russian milsurps....and higher-cost, often-sporterized "other" milsurps.
Finding a decent full-wood Carcano is indeed becoming tricky, and even those SMLE sporters are increasing in price from "the good old days".
I love milsurps because they are a way of owning a piece of history. I try to find an example of the major models and marks of the rifles I love (.03 Springfield, all Lee Enfields, Mausers!) in the best condition I can, then I shoot them because it is a way of experiencing that history. I understand the desire to own a collector piece in pristine condition, but to me it is not worth the higher cost to purchase. Oh, and if you have the rifle, you must have a matching bayonet!
Its interesting to read about how sks and mosins are just cheap milsurp junk, but yet the LE, Kar98, and Garands are worthy of collecting... when they were not long ago sold as milsurp junk just as the SKS and mosin is today. I remember wooden barrels of LE for 12 bucks.
Mosins, SKS, and SVT40s will be the Lee Enfields of tomorrow. Some people simply forget what side of the tracks they grew up on.
Mosins, SKS, and SVT40s will be the Lee Enfields of tomorrow. Some people simply forget what side of the tracks they grew up on.
I also cannot see myself unwrap from the wax paper and grease an unfired LE and drop its value in half just for the sake of shooting it when I have existing shooters of the same model. WHen you come to a good deal on a collector item, you know it will double and triple in value in a matter of time. You simply don't acquire them as shooters for the value to go down.
I like them for the history. I feel connected to history when I handle and shot them. It gives me a deeper appreciation. It is one thing to be at a range, with hearing protection, leisurely shooting paper or even watching the guy next to you shoot. Now take away the ear muffs, scale up the speed and multiply the noise by hundreds of rifles. Now add the pressure of trying to shoot while being shot at.
It becomes more clear.
We did a paintball excursion through work a couple of years back. That added a new dimension. There I was being careful, shooting from cover, moving about cautiously and got hit. No idea from where the shots came. It was a game and only paint, and I was only bruised, but in another time and place it would have been lead.
It helped increase my appreciation.
It becomes more clear.
We did a paintball excursion through work a couple of years back. That added a new dimension. There I was being careful, shooting from cover, moving about cautiously and got hit. No idea from where the shots came. It was a game and only paint, and I was only bruised, but in another time and place it would have been lead.
It helped increase my appreciation.
Greetings from South Africa!
I am fortunate in being the owner of a large collection of British military muskets and rifles spanning the period 1810 to 1975. The pieces concerned range from common to exceedingly rare. I am also an active member of three shooting clubs.
Of the firearms in my collection I have only ever fired about 15% and most of these just once or twice. My "shooting rifles" are limited to five of those which are more common, of relatively limited value and thus easily replaced.
As a collector I am aware of both value and an obligation to preserve historic firearms for posterity. It is also obvious that using a rifle doesn't actually improve its condition or prolong its life. Whereas I respect the right of any firearms owner to treat his possessions as he sees fit, I believe that a distinction should be drawn between those to be used and others which for some or other reason should be preserved as part of a collection. This obviously requires some thought on the part of the owner who should act accordingly.
Perhaps outlooks vary geographically, but to my experience those of serious South African collectors are similar to mine.
I am fortunate in being the owner of a large collection of British military muskets and rifles spanning the period 1810 to 1975. The pieces concerned range from common to exceedingly rare. I am also an active member of three shooting clubs.
Of the firearms in my collection I have only ever fired about 15% and most of these just once or twice. My "shooting rifles" are limited to five of those which are more common, of relatively limited value and thus easily replaced.
As a collector I am aware of both value and an obligation to preserve historic firearms for posterity. It is also obvious that using a rifle doesn't actually improve its condition or prolong its life. Whereas I respect the right of any firearms owner to treat his possessions as he sees fit, I believe that a distinction should be drawn between those to be used and others which for some or other reason should be preserved as part of a collection. This obviously requires some thought on the part of the owner who should act accordingly.
Perhaps outlooks vary geographically, but to my experience those of serious South African collectors are similar to mine.
