Where have all the milsurps gone?

There's still many many different milsurps for sale in Canada.

The key is to put your time in and make contacts wether it be in local gun shops or at gun shows. After spending enough time in this hobby you will find that the stuff you are after often will fall into your lap. Many dealers at shows aren't interested in surplus rifles and if you are someone who goes to many show's often they will flag you down and say "I have several guns here that are up your alley".

That's how it's gone for me, at the beginning it was hard and I over paid a few times and bought junk a few times but after a while the vendors at shows started to know me and it got easier to make deals on guns.

I've only been at this for about 4 years and I've amassed a pretty decent collection and have owned or own many of the really rare stuff.

The key is diligence and paitience. Some guns I've found right away when searching while others have taken several years. The more stuff you buy the harder it gets to pick up what you are looking for as the guns on your list become super rare.
 
I'm hoping my internet searches turn up estate sales of collections that don't get much attention. probably won't ever happen but I can dream. Are there any good known Canadian estate action groups online that any of you guys used?
 
Tinman204 said:
There's still many many different milsurps for sale in Canada.

The key is to put your time in and make contacts wether it be in local gun shops or at gun shows. After spending enough time in this hobby you will find that the stuff you are after often will fall into your lap. Many dealers at shows aren't interested in surplus rifles and if you are someone who goes to many show's often they will flag you down and say "I have several guns here that are up your alley".

That's how it's gone for me, at the beginning it was hard and I over paid a few times and bought junk a few times but after a while the vendors at shows started to know me and it got easier to make deals on guns.

I've only been at this for about 4 years and I've amassed a pretty decent collection and have owned or own many of the really rare stuff.

The key is diligence and paitience. Some guns I've found right away when searching while others have taken several years. The more stuff you buy the harder it gets to pick up what you are looking for as the guns on your list become super rare.
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Tinman is right... You have to work the shows and contacts. Another thing that I do is hang out at the local gun store. Choose a mom and pop type store that buys and sells. Big box stores don't usually have anything interesting come in and even if they do, it will be marked up and no one will give you the time of day because they are too busy to call. Gone are the days of non FTR full mil Enfields. I see FTR with full military stock selling for $6-800 on ee which is crazy. If you are patient however,working the shows, club members, the local store will certainly pay off. Last year I picked up a no1 mk3 full mil non FTR in good condition for $75 and an untouched EAL in fair condition for $300 from the local gun store.

I think I did ok on the EAL but I defiantly made out good on the no1. Currently my local store has some Beretta 92fs, a near collector condition m38 and a minty sks but he want close to market value... 5 bills for the 92, 4 for the m38 and 3 for the sks. An original m38 seems to be a good buy with only 60,000 made. Tough choice for me, bills are due and I could only chose one.
 
EE seems loaded with nice stuff lately. No shortage at all. Be quick on the "I'll take it", and remember: pay once, cry once. "Good deals" don't necessarily mean a red sticker price.
 
I've only been in the hobby 2 years and I can see the difference in price and availability big time for certain models.

After playing with many different milsurps, I fell in love with the K31 and GP11 ammo combo.

Luckily, I got 3 while the price was under $300.
 
Lowbanks67 said:
I've only been in the hobby 2 years and I can see the difference in price and availability big time for certain models.

After playing with many different milsurps, I fell in love with the K31 and GP11 ammo combo.

Luckily, I got 3 while the price was under $300.
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Poor me..wish I enter earlier. I would buy a full garage of it. Now seems like I have to trade a garage for one k31
 
At the Brandon gun show the other day there was quite a nice selection of milsurp rifles. A buddy bought a wire wrapped SMLE ( grenade launching model). Lots of lee enfields, some k 98's, m1 Garand, m1 carbine, Mosin's, several Carcano's(one of these followed me home), M95 Steyr, a few Snyder enfields, French Berthier carbines and a few Swedish mausers. Price and condition are as usual all over the place. I hope to get the Regina gun show in January as there is a few dealers there with some good old rifles. One has to really look closely at some of this stuff as some of it doesn't seem legit. I have seen a "sniper" Mosin–Nagant M38 carbine at the last few shows that I just can believe is real. Any one else heard of a sniper M38 carbine? Buyer beware but its a lot of fun looking and finding the gems out there.
 
I had a lot of enjoyment collecting milsurps over the years. As my kids grew older I ventured a bit into newer stuff, black rifle , 58, ect. Still have my Dad's bringback Luger and a couple bits and pieces. Other than that, I'm really not into much milsurp anymore, although I sure can continue to appreciate them. There was a time it was affordable for the common guy, but not anymore. I suspect there are more collectors, and more people holding on than ever before.
 
All I know is when I started 4 years ago there seemed like more stuff for sale a cheaper prices.

My first was Lee enfield no.1 mk3 sporter all matching with nothing messed with complete with a sling and 100 rounds of ammo and 200 pieces of brass for $100.

I then several months later stepped up and bought perfect mint no.4 mk1 made at longbranch for the then high price of $360 :)!!!!

There's still deals to be had but like I said before you have to make contacts and bee on the hunt!
 
tinman204 pretty much nailed it. I have a fair pile of milsurps, many of them back in the heyday of imports, 1970-1995ish. Some real dillies, some are just rifles.

Rather than go on and on saying what has been said so clearly above, I will just add my little two bits: Try, try, try to always keep cash available for milsurp purchases. I keep harping on this, but if one is serious about gathering a decent array, you must have money!

Treat the old guys nice (right tinman?). I am cresting the hill now in age, so something will need to be done about getting the stuff in my pile into the right hands. I love to show people my guns. Once in a while, I will dig one out and head to the hills and blast off a few rounds.

Have fun following the trail of those elusive models! :)
 
kjohn said:
tinman204 pretty much nailed it. I have a fair pile of milsurps, many of them back in the heyday of imports, 1970-1995ish. Some real dillies, some are just rifles.

Rather than go on and on saying what has been said so clearly above, I will just add my little two bits: Try, try, try to always keep cash available for milsurp purchases. I keep harping on this, but if one is serious about gathering a decent array, you must have money!

Treat the old guys nice (right tinman?). I am cresting the hill now in age, so something will need to be done about getting the stuff in my pile into the right hands. I love to show people my guns. Once in a while, I will dig one out and head to the hills and blast off a few rounds.

Have fun following the trail of those elusive models! :)
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Yes if you are a young punk like me (be 35 soon) and you treat them right they seem to get plopped in your lap.

Some of my best stuff has be generously donated to my cause by guys like kjohn! By donated I mean for a small fee!

And yes in these days of credit cards and emt I find that being a guy who keeps cash on hand I'm often first on site and first to grab the goodies.

Half the thrill for me is searching out and finding these old gems. I love hearing the stories of where they came from of how long the seller has had them.
 
Big problem with a lot of people is they are not willing to pay for quality. They don't research what they
are trying to buy. Example: person wants to buy a sniper rifle. Reply, response is, it's a fake, and only
worth the value of the parts! That is a person who reads American sites, where they never received
surplus for over 20 years except as parts. We got complete guns. Canada has some of the best condition
surplus going when you can find it. There are many old firearms companies who brought in excellent to
mint condition rifles, pistols etc with all the kit and spares.That is why the old collections are amazing.
Inglis collections, star model B west Germany border police guns, Walther guns ppk pp p1 p4 p38 mpk
mpl etc hk guns,
 
howard2 said:
At the Brandon gun show the other day there was quite a nice selection of milsurp rifles. A buddy bought a wire wrapped SMLE ( grenade launching model). Lots of lee enfields, some k 98's, m1 Garand, m1 carbine, Mosin's, several Carcano's(one of these followed me home), M95 Steyr, a few Snyder enfields, French Berthier carbines and a few Swedish mausers. Price and condition are as usual all over the place. I hope to get the Regina gun show in January as there is a few dealers there with some good old rifles. One has to really look closely at some of this stuff as some of it doesn't seem legit. I have seen a "sniper" Mosin–Nagant M38 carbine at the last few shows that I just can believe is real. Any one else heard of a sniper M38 carbine? Buyer beware but its a lot of fun looking and finding the gems out there.
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There was a guy in Edmonton flogging an M38 Sniper which was actually and M44 with the bayo ground off.
 
I listed a Mosin sniper on Sunday night and it sold in 15 minutes.
It's crazy. Sometimes I wonder if I'm not the only one who sits at home tapping refresh every few minutes....
 
ThatM305Guy said:
I listed a Mosin sniper on Sunday night and it sold in 15 minutes.
It's crazy. Sometimes I wonder if I'm not the only one who sits at home tapping refresh every few minutes....
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IIRC that was a pretty darned good deal tho...

That's the moral of the EE... If it's a good deal it sells in minutes or hours, if it's 10% too high it will sit for weeks. That's why so many guys think there are no good deals... All they see is overpriced stuff.

OP: the supply of surplus rifles is drying up.... After the SKS/Garand most service rifles were selective fire, so they are verboten to us.
 
I remember the first SKS I bought from Frontier Firearms about 9 years ago. Took over a year to get it to my door, I almost gave up hope. They just weren't readily available back then, but I wasn't disappointed with my purchase. My God, I feel old now, for some reason, lol....("I remimber whin...")
 
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