As someone relatively new to the collection game, I agree that the prices are getting ridiculous. Had to pass on some like the K-31 a few years ago because at the time I couldn't afford it. After I had more capital to start growing the collection, all the prices went up - some by a few hundred percent. Surplus is a finite resource, and most of the time they're bought for collection purposes around here. Prices go up as less and less are available to buy and less are imported. #### sucks.
For some reason, whenever a large batch of surplus hits our shores and are being sold at very reasonable prices, some people are under the impression the supply is endless. I've been doing this for well over 50 years and I've seen the cycle go round and round. I still remember the days when New in Grease No4 Lee Enfields were $5 each and if you wanted a clean one $6. If you wanted a "sporterized" model, $20.
Nobody wanted milsurps in their military guise. A US KRAG CARBINE sold at Marshall Wells for $15 in very decent condition and the store was making money on them. I remember a clerk telling me they were great rifles because you could shoot 303British in them as well as 30-40 Krag, so there was never going to be a problem finding cheap ammo. You know, he was right. The 303 case is close enough to shoot safely in the 30-40 chamber. The case fireforms to the chamber, accuracy isn't great but good enough for 100yd shots at Deer. I can attest to putting hundreds of rounds, likely closer to a couple of thousand through the one I had. Didn't make a bit of difference. I even reloaded the fireformed, Boxer primed cases with bullets that fit the bore later. Back then, you could either order from a catalog or if you were lucky a local gunshop would carry a good selection of 30 caliber bullets of different weights ranging from .308 to .315 diameters and each diameter in between. CIL made those bullets because back in the day, varying barrel diameters were the norm, especially milsurps. My Krag had a .312 bore.
I still get people coming to me at shows and looking at a $1200 DCRA converted to 7.62Nato in close to excellent condition get all snively because they purchased one of those from the factory, when they belonged to the DCRA for $250. UMMMM OK, see if you can get one built for that now. $250 wouldn't cover the cost of the stock, let alone the rest of the rifle components and the work on top of that.
Even at today's seemingly inflated prices, many of the old war horses are very good buys.
If you're looking for a CHEAP rifle to hunt Deer with, for goodness sake, buy one of those bargain Savage/Remingtons. They will likely shoot better, be a heck of a lot easier to carry and may even come with a decent for the purpose scope for less than $400, taxes in.
I'm on the other end of the market these days. My shooting days are getting fewer as are my hunting days, so I'm slowly parting with my collection. I hate doing it but?????????
The reason I mentioned this is because people like myself, divesting themselves of their collections, due to aging consequences are likely going to be the only source for the items many covet today.
As far as prices go, If we can stop this Liberal nonsense, the collectible firearms you purchase today may be some of the best investments you've ever made.
Not all of us are blessed with good wages/benefits. It seems that minimum wage for everyone is the end game for the Liberals. That means many will never be able to afford to take these collectibles into their care for a while, let alone being able to afford to shoot them.
TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019
Liberals really like POOR people, they're making more of them every day
If you can't vote CPC, stay at home in protest
