As a military history buff I've always thought I would like to get a collection of milsurp rifles one day. Well enough waiting. When I was at c tire a few weeks ago I saw a gun in the milsurp rack that looked way better than all the others. Quickly home and some research, next day bought a beautiful 1936 k-31. 2 days later and a few hundred km and I had 480 rounds for it. Out to the range and I'm hooked now. So to my question. I want more milsurps, but what? Any era is fine, semi auto, bolt action, doesn't matter, but I would really appreciate it if people could give me an idea or list of the next 4 or 5 I should look at acquiring. To give you some idea of what I'm looking for let me tell you, I want guns to shoot not safe queens, but I would be willing to pay more for an accurate gun than one that frustrates me at the range(my lack of skill takes care of that).I will not be buying these as an invest as much as a hobby, so numbers matching and non refurbished or refinished stocks etc is not a concern. Just looking for fairly accurate guns that are fun to spend an afternoon at the range with, that I could research the history a bit and have some fun with. Any help or suggestions for my next purchases are greatly appreciated.
Why didn't I do this sooner
- Thread starter Erkel1
- Start date
- Location
- Algoma, ON
If you're looking for a cool rifle with value down the road, I'd recommend a SVT-40, they cost $300-350 now a days and the price is only going to go up. Also they're a semi-auto that's a ton of fun to shoot in a full sized round (7.62x54R) and there is a lot of good information out there on them. You can't steer wrong with a SKS for a plinker, (roughly $200) another semi-auto in 7.62x39 this time, and the ammo is dirt cheap. Mosin Nagant is a bolt action in 7.62x54r, and will run about $200, and is also a good deal of fun to shoot especially when you consider the history behind it. The Kar98K is another option, bolt action in 7.92x57 I believe and I think will cost $5-600, it was also German's main rifle during WW2. There are also Lee Enfields in a bunch of varieties, and shoot .303 rounds. Looking $200 for a sporter, $600+ for full wood military configuration. Then there are also Carcanos, Arisakas, and a whole bunch of other bolt actions that have been used over the years. The M1 Garand is another option which is semi-auto .30-06 and runs $1200+ if that's of any interest to you. Others will chime in shortly I'm sure with a bunch of other rifles I've forgotten to mention.
If you're looking for something a little more modern, the VZ 58 might be up your alley, but seeing as I have minimal knowledge of more modern milsurp rifles I'll defer to someone else.
Good luck and happy shooting. And just a warning, buying new rifles is very addicting.
P.S. If you have your RPAL, there are a bunch of milsurp pistols out there as well that are a great deal of fun.
If you're looking for something a little more modern, the VZ 58 might be up your alley, but seeing as I have minimal knowledge of more modern milsurp rifles I'll defer to someone else.
Good luck and happy shooting. And just a warning, buying new rifles is very addicting.
P.S. If you have your RPAL, there are a bunch of milsurp pistols out there as well that are a great deal of fun.
Thanks for the reply matthunt.To be honest the first 4 you list are exactly what I was thinking. the svt 40 is a cool looking gun and one that I would love to own. the local c tire right now has 20 sks the ammo is cheap and I just have to do some research so I can pick the best one. The mosin nagant is nice, available, and a bolt action which I really like to shoot. And lastly the k98 is a nice german gun that I always liked the looks of and as soon as I can find a nice looking one I will get it as I honestly thought it would be my first milsurp.
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
^^^ Good advice... There are too many out there to try and collect them all... A theme or purpose is what differentiates a collector from a hoarder...
My first was in SKS. can't beat the ammo cost on the thing (Which is good, 'cause its semi-auto with little recoil, so its easy to blast off 100 rounds in no time lol)
Next was a Lee Enfield Sporter. Cheap, fun bolt action. Can't get cheap ammo for it like you can the russian guns. Has been used to hunt in Canada for 100 years, so you know it'll do the job if you do yours.
My next purchase will likely be a Mosin Nagant. Cheap ammo. big boom. Just fun. Cheap Cheap Cheap. Because its a bolt action, is very easy to clean even with corrosive ammo. I like easy.
The K-31 is high on my list as well, but you've already got that covered.
If I have a few extra bucks, I might get an SVT-40 rather than the Mosin next. Semi-auto is just so much fun. My only problem is I am lazy, and wouldn't want to deal with cleaning the gas system after using corrosive ammo... So I would either spend more for non-corrosive ammo, or shoot it less because of that probably. My motivation for getting one is the fact they are only gonna get more expensive, and at $300 right now, they are right on that line of cheap and not cheap. I see them going up in price much faster than Mosins, so in that respect it might be a better buy.
Along with the german K98s, there is the Yugo k98s which only run like $350 I think?.. Not really something I've looked into, starting to push it on my price range.
Finally, a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55. These are supposed to be amazing guns for the price, highly overlooked in comparison to some of the others but a very good gun. This is supposed to be right up with the k-31 on quality and accuracy, whereas the russian guns are known to be hit-or-miss in the accuracy department.
edit -
Nothing wrong with hoarding guns. Responsibly. lol
I disagree with picking a specific era or conflict though. Most common milsurps are WW2-vintage. If you try to focus on anything else you are limiting yourself while driving prices way up. Besides, its not like anyone can be a serious collector of anything post-WW2 in Canada. At that point it becomes a collection of ARs and M14s, 'cause you cant have AKs. And anything pre-ww2 demands a premium, except for old sporterized Enfields. (although a lot of the swedish mausers are that old...)
Next was a Lee Enfield Sporter. Cheap, fun bolt action. Can't get cheap ammo for it like you can the russian guns. Has been used to hunt in Canada for 100 years, so you know it'll do the job if you do yours.
My next purchase will likely be a Mosin Nagant. Cheap ammo. big boom. Just fun. Cheap Cheap Cheap. Because its a bolt action, is very easy to clean even with corrosive ammo. I like easy.
The K-31 is high on my list as well, but you've already got that covered.
If I have a few extra bucks, I might get an SVT-40 rather than the Mosin next. Semi-auto is just so much fun. My only problem is I am lazy, and wouldn't want to deal with cleaning the gas system after using corrosive ammo... So I would either spend more for non-corrosive ammo, or shoot it less because of that probably. My motivation for getting one is the fact they are only gonna get more expensive, and at $300 right now, they are right on that line of cheap and not cheap. I see them going up in price much faster than Mosins, so in that respect it might be a better buy.
Along with the german K98s, there is the Yugo k98s which only run like $350 I think?.. Not really something I've looked into, starting to push it on my price range.
Finally, a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55. These are supposed to be amazing guns for the price, highly overlooked in comparison to some of the others but a very good gun. This is supposed to be right up with the k-31 on quality and accuracy, whereas the russian guns are known to be hit-or-miss in the accuracy department.
edit -
Nothing wrong with hoarding guns. Responsibly. lol
I disagree with picking a specific era or conflict though. Most common milsurps are WW2-vintage. If you try to focus on anything else you are limiting yourself while driving prices way up. Besides, its not like anyone can be a serious collector of anything post-WW2 in Canada. At that point it becomes a collection of ARs and M14s, 'cause you cant have AKs. And anything pre-ww2 demands a premium, except for old sporterized Enfields. (although a lot of the swedish mausers are that old...)
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I see you got already a K31, next should be a nice 96 Swedish Mauser.
They are already more difficult to find nowadays.
Did you know, you can buy brand-new South American contract Mauser with matching bayonet for around $1000?
That's a steal in my eyes.
They are already more difficult to find nowadays.
Did you know, you can buy brand-new South American contract Mauser with matching bayonet for around $1000?
That's a steal in my eyes.
OP, I'm looking at getting my arse to the west side of town and getting some range time in soon, I've got a pretty varied collection...the majority are shooters. When you figure out what is your interested in shoot me a PM, maybe let you take a test drive.
No SVT though; not a huge fan. They are an extremely effective method of turning gunpowder into sound...too much so IMO.
No SVT though; not a huge fan. They are an extremely effective method of turning gunpowder into sound...too much so IMO.
To me it's 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other.
Some collectors have 50 rifles and all are different while others have say 50 K98ks.
As long as they are collecting and enjoying the hobby who am I to discredit them ..
This. And because they're plentiful, right now they can be had for a good price. 5-10 years from now, when the supply has dried up and the prices started to climb accordingly, you'll kick yourself if you didn't get them while they were cheap.
The Red rifles are by no means the best rifles on the surplus market right now. They are, however, about the best deals on the market right now.
Oh, and buy an extra rifle cabinet. You'll need the space. Once you get bitten by the bug...
StrelokM38
CGN Regular
Careful, Milsurp Madness is a disease. Symptoms include a Stuffy safe, obsessive compulsive behavior, wallet diarrhea and wasting of your bank account.
I caught it a few years ago and i'm left with all this:
(And this is just my old gun stuff... not counting the billion .22's i own. Things will start to get bad once i start finding milsurp .22's!)
I caught it a few years ago and i'm left with all this:
(And this is just my old gun stuff... not counting the billion .22's i own. Things will start to get bad once i start finding milsurp .22's!)
Lots of great posts here. My list would be
1) SVT 40
2) Mosin 91/30
3) SKS
I choose these because they are great guns, they are poised for big price jumps, and most importantly, they are a "safe" purchase. You aren't going to get taken. You may want to avoid, the Lee Enfields, Mausers, and other higher priced firearms until you've got more experience and knowledge under your belt.
1) SVT 40
2) Mosin 91/30
3) SKS
I choose these because they are great guns, they are poised for big price jumps, and most importantly, they are a "safe" purchase. You aren't going to get taken. You may want to avoid, the Lee Enfields, Mausers, and other higher priced firearms until you've got more experience and knowledge under your belt.
Oh, and buy an extra rifle cabinet. You'll need the space. Once you get bitten by the bug...
Buy two to start with. If you only buy one, you will be battling with buying another once you have been bitten as that money could buy you another gun instead! I have been battling with this for a long time now! My cabinet has more bolts in it now than actual rifles!!! Much smaller item to lock up while maintaining safe storage requirements...
Ian
Buy two to start with. If you only buy one, you will be battling with buying another once you have been bitten as that money could buy you another gun instead! I have been battling with this for a long time now! My cabinet has more bolts in it now than actual rifles!!! Much smaller item to lock up while maintaining safe storage requirements...
Ian
The European mausers are the one's that are hard to get a deal on IMO.
I just went with Central / Southern American Mauser's...lots of deals on ( my opinion ) better made weapons. Let's face it, when they were not at war the Teutonic engineering geniuses built superb rifles.
Sometimes when at war they skipped the extra care they would have lavished on exports for $$$$.
Soviet stuff is ok, you will want better eventually.
I just went with Central / Southern American Mauser's...lots of deals on ( my opinion ) better made weapons. Let's face it, when they were not at war the Teutonic engineering geniuses built superb rifles.
Sometimes when at war they skipped the extra care they would have lavished on exports for $$$$.
Soviet stuff is ok, you will want better eventually.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I think my next purchase will be the svt40. I have found a few and one looks pretty nice. Next will probably be the mosin Nagant. After that probably an sks as I can do a lot of range shooting for not a lot of money. that being said if a 98k comes along that is real nice that will change the order as it is the gun that I think I like the most of all of them. I have got the norinco 22 copy of the 98k, but after shooting my k31 I realize that I like the kick of the real deal. Thanks again for all the suggestions and if anyone else has opinions I would love to hear them.
