Know not much of milsurp, really, other than what I've read here over the past couple of years. Did a lot of intense reading up, old posts and some of the references they linked, in the past 2-3 days. Well, OK, Dad had a few stories about crates full of LE's and ammo back in his Sears days in the 60's & 70's. But not quite the same as an actual knowledge base 
I suppose I'm looking to collect, at an entry level. Something that I can take to the range occasionally, and might have some chance of appreciating some day but at least won't hurt if I get back out. I reload, so as long as I can find some brass I'll be OK that way. And I definitely prefer bolts, as opposed to semi's. Do not want 'rough' looking stuff, I suppose I understand that might mean I pay a bit of a premium, but probably not a 'NOS unfired omg pristine' premium.
I don't have a preference established yet as to era, location, etc. beyond as previously stated not being real interested in Enfields. I sorta thought I might want to look at Scandanavian stuff, given my mostly Norweigan heritage, but even looking online I don't see much that in my mind would qualify as 'collector' in dealer inventories.
So, I wandered down to one of our local emporiums today to have a look at a few. I'm not real interested in Enfields, so passed on that. Looked at
-M38 - forgot to get date
-M44 - forgot to get date
They were both run of the mill well used etc near as I can tell, and @ $225. How's that sound in the current market? Assume they're nothing special, mid-war.
And a few Mausers, a Czech 8mm (we couldn't find date) and a Chilean 7mm (1912 if memory serves), I thought they were both overpriced $100-150 given what I've read the past few days. The Czech was the nicest I looked at today, and still, had a couple of patches on the wood. A couple of Swedes, both converted for target and, again, $$. Typical for retail around here, unfortunately.
Nothing I saw in hand today was especially inspiring.
/mini rant Would it kill a store to run a brush and a couple patches thru their inventory?? /end mini rant
Been watching the emporium and checked out a couple of dealers' online inventory. Sorta leaning to a Mauser, I think, and at that a 7mm. Anyways, just my general thoughts etc.
I suppose I'm looking to collect, at an entry level. Something that I can take to the range occasionally, and might have some chance of appreciating some day but at least won't hurt if I get back out. I reload, so as long as I can find some brass I'll be OK that way. And I definitely prefer bolts, as opposed to semi's. Do not want 'rough' looking stuff, I suppose I understand that might mean I pay a bit of a premium, but probably not a 'NOS unfired omg pristine' premium.
I don't have a preference established yet as to era, location, etc. beyond as previously stated not being real interested in Enfields. I sorta thought I might want to look at Scandanavian stuff, given my mostly Norweigan heritage, but even looking online I don't see much that in my mind would qualify as 'collector' in dealer inventories.
So, I wandered down to one of our local emporiums today to have a look at a few. I'm not real interested in Enfields, so passed on that. Looked at
-M38 - forgot to get date
-M44 - forgot to get date
They were both run of the mill well used etc near as I can tell, and @ $225. How's that sound in the current market? Assume they're nothing special, mid-war.
And a few Mausers, a Czech 8mm (we couldn't find date) and a Chilean 7mm (1912 if memory serves), I thought they were both overpriced $100-150 given what I've read the past few days. The Czech was the nicest I looked at today, and still, had a couple of patches on the wood. A couple of Swedes, both converted for target and, again, $$. Typical for retail around here, unfortunately.
Nothing I saw in hand today was especially inspiring.
/mini rant Would it kill a store to run a brush and a couple patches thru their inventory?? /end mini rant
Been watching the emporium and checked out a couple of dealers' online inventory. Sorta leaning to a Mauser, I think, and at that a 7mm. Anyways, just my general thoughts etc.
