Recommendations for WW2 Rifles (Non-restricted)
- Thread starter Winfield94
- Start date
1oldfart is correct, they are all worth a look. Given that the supply of old milsurp rifles is pretty fixed, the bigger questions are ammo supply (assuming you don't reload), availability of decent condition examples to buy and your budget.
The Swede Mausers are excellent rifles in a great cartridge that is still available commercially. There are piles of the various Lee Enfield models in .303, which is also easily available. Various other Mausers in 8x57 and 7x57 are also excellent rifles with available ammo. After that you get things like the Carcano rifles with less available ammo and the absolutely superb Swiss K31 in 7.5x55 which is also less available.
For semis there are the M1 Garand (quite pricey these days), the SVT40, the AG42 Ljungmann and the very ubiquitous SKS (just barely not WW2 era)
Of the whole lot I would say the K31 is the best bolt action of the bunch and the Garand the best semi, but opinions will vary and we all have a soft spot for something a bit different from the next guy.
Mark
The Swede Mausers are excellent rifles in a great cartridge that is still available commercially. There are piles of the various Lee Enfield models in .303, which is also easily available. Various other Mausers in 8x57 and 7x57 are also excellent rifles with available ammo. After that you get things like the Carcano rifles with less available ammo and the absolutely superb Swiss K31 in 7.5x55 which is also less available.
For semis there are the M1 Garand (quite pricey these days), the SVT40, the AG42 Ljungmann and the very ubiquitous SKS (just barely not WW2 era)
Of the whole lot I would say the K31 is the best bolt action of the bunch and the Garand the best semi, but opinions will vary and we all have a soft spot for something a bit different from the next guy.
Mark
Last edited:
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
One thing to consider, if you are ever planning on taking the said milsurp to the U.S. for any reason most all of the US models (03's P14 or 17g Garand or Carbine) wont be allowed back into the States for any competition shoots or in a immigration case
Get milsurps you find interesting and start figuring out what you like about them. Most of that is going to come from experience with handling and shooting them. Someone's dream milsurp might be your least attractive if you're using different criteria. I got started with SKS's, Mosins and SVTs and it went from there.
Charger 426
New member
- Location
- Central Ontario
Are you (Fingers) saying that if I move to the U.S. I can't take my U.S. milsurps eg. M1 Garand with me?
Charger 426
New member
- Location
- Central Ontario
So sell them here and purchase down there?
I'll get nailed on the dollar.
Can expats take U.S. milsurps back in?
I'll get nailed on the dollar.
Can expats take U.S. milsurps back in?
Depending on availability , the history for example a Mosin Nagant is worth more if it has Finnish markings or do you want a plain Jane enemy at the gates starting Mosin or the original PU?
Any plans to reload . Hunt or just buy ammo ? Lots of factors and mostly it’s up to your individual preference , may like to hear that Ding from an M1 Garand just makesure looking into it . I know some issues with ammo can break an Op-rod on them
Maybe a Japanese Arisaka ! So many variants and ones still available , some will hold more value depending on its specifics but they are unique pieces of history ! Sadly many have rose in price !
Any plans to reload . Hunt or just buy ammo ? Lots of factors and mostly it’s up to your individual preference , may like to hear that Ding from an M1 Garand just makesure looking into it . I know some issues with ammo can break an Op-rod on them
Maybe a Japanese Arisaka ! So many variants and ones still available , some will hold more value depending on its specifics but they are unique pieces of history ! Sadly many have rose in price !
JohnnyCarlsson
Member
Swiss K31
Well, I always wanted an M1 Garand...
So, last year my wife & daughter bought me a CMP Expert Grade Springfield M1 Garand in 30-06 for my birthday.
I went this route to get one that was arsenal assembled & refurbished with a new Criterion barrel & CMP stock set... It's pretty!
Mine was bought off Gunbroker through OIF Exporting in the USA. They work with Prophet River here in Canada.
With the cost of the milsurp M1 Garands nowadays, I felt like I was getting a better rifle this way and, I won the milsurp match with it shortly afterwards!
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/cmp-expert-grade-m1-garand-birthday-present.2433424/
So, last year my wife & daughter bought me a CMP Expert Grade Springfield M1 Garand in 30-06 for my birthday.
I went this route to get one that was arsenal assembled & refurbished with a new Criterion barrel & CMP stock set... It's pretty!
Mine was bought off Gunbroker through OIF Exporting in the USA. They work with Prophet River here in Canada.
With the cost of the milsurp M1 Garands nowadays, I felt like I was getting a better rifle this way and, I won the milsurp match with it shortly afterwards!
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/cmp-expert-grade-m1-garand-birthday-present.2433424/
Last edited:
Your query is way to broad.
If you prefer semi autos there isn't much available other than Garands and SKSs. There are others of course, but those two are the most available at this time.
Bolt actions, lots of variants, look for something with ammo availability. Surplus, has mostly dried up.
Lee Enfield, Mosin Nagant, M1 Garand, K98, Carcano, SVT40 and Arisaka 38 or 99.
All of these would have been combat rifles in WW2. The Japanese rifles being harder to get. Rest are available when one looks for them.
Other choices that would be of the peroid that wouldn't have been used in any major form.
All of these would have been combat rifles in WW2. The Japanese rifles being harder to get. Rest are available when one looks for them.
Other choices that would be of the peroid that wouldn't have been used in any major form.
Through I tend to prefer the Swedish Mausers I think the Swiss line of bolt rifles in terms of starting out is a great way to go, especially the K31. The rifles are of good quality and tend to be in good shooting condition. They are available through reputable businesses on the top page of this site such as Intersurplus, Uxbridge arms, and others. You could have the start of a Swiss rifle collection for the price of a Garand. Ammunition is in production by PPU and S&B. Sometimes you can get lucky and find surplus (as I did last week) which is of good quality, and was imported not too long ago.
Of course there are many other good options, however I think in the current market this could be a great way to start.
Of course there are many other good options, however I think in the current market this could be a great way to start.
The Lee Enfield would be the cornerstone of WW2 rifles here, as it was what the Canadian Army carried across Europe and so many of them were surplussed here afterwards. Definite patriotic/nostalgic choice there.
A lot of Red stock got surplussed off here later and was available more recently, although the main supplies of Mosin Nagants and SKSs seem to have dried up now.
The Swiss K31 has a following, as Swiss expats are required to keep up their rifle qual and there are a number of clubs associated with their embassy and consulates. The Ontario Rifle Association has a group of Swiss fans showing up at various range days.
As a more general point, finding folks who are familiar with a particular line of vintage rifles and how to shoot them safely and accurately and keep them maintained and in good repair is probably better than being the only one you know with a particularly interesting oddball rifle.
A lot of Red stock got surplussed off here later and was available more recently, although the main supplies of Mosin Nagants and SKSs seem to have dried up now.
The Swiss K31 has a following, as Swiss expats are required to keep up their rifle qual and there are a number of clubs associated with their embassy and consulates. The Ontario Rifle Association has a group of Swiss fans showing up at various range days.
As a more general point, finding folks who are familiar with a particular line of vintage rifles and how to shoot them safely and accurately and keep them maintained and in good repair is probably better than being the only one you know with a particularly interesting oddball rifle.
I think that list can be expanded on...
Lee Enfield should include both a No.4Mk1 or Mk1* and a No.1MkIII*, either Indian or Australian or British dispersal rifle.
You could look for a finnish Mosin like an M39 or M91.
Agree on carcano, and specifically an M38 TS or moschetto or an M41.
SVT38 also a possibility.
Any of the Gewehr 43 variants would be a nice addition, or if you can find one, a volkssturm VK series 1 or 2.
M1 carbine, M1903 or M1903A3 should be on your list, not just the M1.
French Berthier Mdl 16 rifle or carbine, or an MAS 36.
Austrian M95 converted to 8x56R
VZ24
Serbian M1924
Belgian Mauser Model 1889, Mauser Model 1935, and the FN Model 1924 and 1930 are all good choices.
Chinese chiang kai shek mauser (usually based on the VZ24)
you could consider a P14 or M1917 - both saw extensive WW2 use.
Greek Mannlicher–Schönauer Y1903/14
Norwegian Krag.
I 100% disagree with people saying to get a Swiss or Swedish rifle as a representative WW2 rifle. Like Turkey, these countries were NEUTRAL. Their rifles fired no shot in anger during the war. They are interesting milsurps, I own some of each of these - but I do not consider them WW2 rifles.
I'll repeat what I always tell budding collectors - 1. Do your research. 2. Do your research. 3. Always have cash handy.
For years I bought milsurps. Finances were such that if I bought rifles, I couldn't afford books to research, and if I bought books, I couldn't afford rifles. The days of no internet made for some hard choices. Once the internet came into my life, I was able to research some of my rifles.
I always use the example of my SAT barrel Mosin Nagant M91. Bought it in '91 or '92 from Century when they were still operating a warehouse in Canada. Probably paid around $100 + or -. I have others that surprised me as well. Now I practice what I preach!!
Google SAT barrel M91 for "the rest of the story".
For years I bought milsurps. Finances were such that if I bought rifles, I couldn't afford books to research, and if I bought books, I couldn't afford rifles. The days of no internet made for some hard choices. Once the internet came into my life, I was able to research some of my rifles.
I always use the example of my SAT barrel Mosin Nagant M91. Bought it in '91 or '92 from Century when they were still operating a warehouse in Canada. Probably paid around $100 + or -. I have others that surprised me as well. Now I practice what I preach!!
Google SAT barrel M91 for "the rest of the story".
Well, I'd start small and say... one of each.
Then if you have any money left over...
Two of each would be my next suggestion.
See your 3 post ever... from this morning was asking about "Entry Level rifle/shotgun for Hunting"
Now your on to collecting ww2 rifles hmmm.
Buying an "entry level" firestick for hunting and collecting ww2 firesticks are two different worlds
But if you're seriously and not just trying to get you post count up...
Hit up Amazon and get yourself this book.
It will help ya out in the future.
Then if you have any money left over...
Two of each would be my next suggestion.
See your 3 post ever... from this morning was asking about "Entry Level rifle/shotgun for Hunting"
Now your on to collecting ww2 rifles hmmm.
Buying an "entry level" firestick for hunting and collecting ww2 firesticks are two different worlds
But if you're seriously and not just trying to get you post count up...
Hit up Amazon and get yourself this book.
Standard Catalog of Military Firearms, 9th Edition: The Collector’s Price & Reference Guide
It will help ya out in the future.
Last edited:
