I am looking for a small surplus rifle that would work well as a truck gun. Before everyone mentions the SKS or M44, I already own both, love them, and consider them either too long and/or too heavy. I was thinking about a FR-8 or a jungle enfield. Any other suggestions? And where can I buy these for as little $ as possible with my 03 C&R license. Thanks!
Small handy surplus rifles
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ocabj
Member
You think the M44 is too long/heavy? They don't get much smaller than the M44.
Redneck Revolver
Member
i dont recommend the jungle enfield what with the whole wandering-zero thing. if you can find 8mm lebel id suggest the artillery musketoon the french used. based primarily on the size. personally i dont like french guns.
SpookyPistolero
Member
I'm sure you've been around/seen the M38 if you have a C&R and an M44, but would the lack of a bayonet make any difference for your requirements? I also don't know of a milsurp that gets much smaller/lighter than this. Seems like the ideal truck gun to me.
If you're not too stuck on milsurps, how about a Win 30/30 in Ranger size? Or one in .357? Those things are extremely light and short. Just a thought.
If you're not too stuck on milsurps, how about a Win 30/30 in Ranger size? Or one in .357? Those things are extremely light and short. Just a thought.
DMK
Member
You could always pick up one of the No.4 Enfields around and cut it down to a 16" "tanker". I've seen some guys make nice ones. You'd still have that annoying problem of .303 ammo being really expensive though.
Personally, I prefer the M38 and M91/59 Mosins and cheap 7.62x54R.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_Model_1938_7_62x54R_Mosin_Nagant_Package.html
Personally, I prefer the M38 and M91/59 Mosins and cheap 7.62x54R.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_Model_1938_7_62x54R_Mosin_Nagant_Package.html
The M38 is not a bad idea and I already have ammo and stripper clips, but if I went that route I would want to get a turned bolt to make the ejection/reload a bit easier. The M44 is a bit heavy and for this rifle the shorter/smaller the better. Price is a big factor here (recently bought a CMP SG USGI SA M1 so can't spend much) considering the purpose, so the modern guns or the M1-carbine are likely out of the question. I guess I could chop the Enfield, but as far as I understood it I couldn't alter a C&R gun (although this seems silly since I own it) if bought with an 03 lic.
DMK
Member
Yes you can. It just couldn't be transfered as a C&R anymore.
Ohen Cepel
Member
I just had my FR8 out. Great gun (nasty kick though).
I bought mine from another individual so I don't know where to point you to there. Really nice to have a .308 gun though and I would encourage you to keep looking for an FR8 if it fits your bill. I like mine a lot (again, besides the stout recoil from a .308).
I'll have to say though that the Mosin 38 or 44 both make the FR8 seem mild in the recoil arena. I have them and like them, but, d@mn, I can only take a few round from them!
I bought mine from another individual so I don't know where to point you to there. Really nice to have a .308 gun though and I would encourage you to keep looking for an FR8 if it fits your bill. I like mine a lot (again, besides the stout recoil from a .308).
I'll have to say though that the Mosin 38 or 44 both make the FR8 seem mild in the recoil arena. I have them and like them, but, d@mn, I can only take a few round from them!
SpookyPistolero
Member
I will have to support the M38 once again then. Especially since they can be had with all the goodies for around $70. Good rifle at a good price. I have two.
Turning down the bolt significantly increases the speed and vastly increases the smoothness with which one is able to work the bolt. I have a 'nagant scout' that I turned the bolt down on. Actually, I removed the old bolt and put on a new one with a ball handle from brownells that works amazingly well. I screwed it into the bold and welded it over.
Both my sisters are able to work the bolt quite easily and really enjoy the rifle. A full size male should love it. After fixing the bolt, what more could someone ask for in a rifle than the M38 has to offer, expecially at it's price?
Turning down the bolt significantly increases the speed and vastly increases the smoothness with which one is able to work the bolt. I have a 'nagant scout' that I turned the bolt down on. Actually, I removed the old bolt and put on a new one with a ball handle from brownells that works amazingly well. I screwed it into the bold and welded it over.
Both my sisters are able to work the bolt quite easily and really enjoy the rifle. A full size male should love it. After fixing the bolt, what more could someone ask for in a rifle than the M38 has to offer, expecially at it's price?
rbernie
Contributing Member
HiPoint. 
arcticap
Member
Ruger PC9/PC40 or Marlin Camp 9/Model 45
jefnvk
Member
Steyr M95. Definitely not th emost pleasent to shoot at the range, but it is a very small gun. Mine has accuray good enought to be used as a truck gun.
bukijin
Member
except that finding ammo for it is a nightmare !
Remington788
Member
My truckgun is an M38.
pinetree64
Member
Another vote for the M38. I got mine this week. I own a couple Mauser carbines and the 38 is tiny by comparison. Maybe not having the baynet/hardware, will make the 38 light enough as compared to the 44. I am getting the 44 next.
Enfields: from what I what I've read most Jungle carbines are fakes, long guns cut down, and most are shot out. A real one in good shape can ge pricey.
FR-8: make sure if you get one you get the FR-8, not the FR-7. The 8 is off of the large Mauser action and is stronger. I had one. It was very cool. I took it to the shop and the headspace out of wack. I got paranoid and sold it. It is a heavy gun. I think the M-38 is the most compact surplus I've owned. Probably should have...
tjg
Enfields: from what I what I've read most Jungle carbines are fakes, long guns cut down, and most are shot out. A real one in good shape can ge pricey.
FR-8: make sure if you get one you get the FR-8, not the FR-7. The 8 is off of the large Mauser action and is stronger. I had one. It was very cool. I took it to the shop and the headspace out of wack. I got paranoid and sold it. It is a heavy gun. I think the M-38 is the most compact surplus I've owned. Probably should have...
tjg
DMK- Customizing a gun does not disqualify it as C&R. This is a rumor/myth that I see going around.
I once took a Model 95 Mauser in 7X57 that I bagged for $25 and hacksawed the barrel to 16.5". Just soldered a simple ramp front sight in place. The military stock had already been "sporterized" but I cut the forend back a bit more to make it look right with the very short barrel and it was a pretty cool rifle and very compact. No worries about banging it up as it was already pretty sorry looking. Powerful, handy, and tough as nails.
I once took a Model 95 Mauser in 7X57 that I bagged for $25 and hacksawed the barrel to 16.5". Just soldered a simple ramp front sight in place. The military stock had already been "sporterized" but I cut the forend back a bit more to make it look right with the very short barrel and it was a pretty cool rifle and very compact. No worries about banging it up as it was already pretty sorry looking. Powerful, handy, and tough as nails.
threeseven
Member
Another vote for the No. 5 Jungle Carbine. Please don't hack a perfectly good Enfield to pieces.
Good Lord. I have that rifle in my closet, well, in my hands right now. I've had it for 20 years or so. Aside from the finish on the metal parts being stripped, it's in great shape except that it appears that the front sight protector has been hacked off.
I picked it up at a yard sale years ago for $50 but haven't shot it much because .303 ammo is spendy and I only reload for handguns. Sweet shooter though. I wonder how hard it would be to get a new front sight assy?
Biker
I picked it up at a yard sale years ago for $50 but haven't shot it much because .303 ammo is spendy and I only reload for handguns. Sweet shooter though. I wonder how hard it would be to get a new front sight assy?
Biker
armoredman
Member
M38. Great carbine, cheap and effective. i love mine, my Babushka Thunderboomer!
jefnvk
Member
SOG had 240 rds on clips for the M95 for lkike $60 a while back, not sure if they still do.
But other than that, yeah, a bit hard to find.
But other than that, yeah, a bit hard to find.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Personally I would consider the Jungle carbine - not too large, rubust and for me anyways - out to 100 well adequate enough. The M38 too - another viable choice IMO.
Beyond these - consideration as one or two have mentioned, of the various pistol cal carbines around. Marlins, Rugers, Beretta etc .... and someone mentioned Mini-14 - that could suit some and it is perhaps one of the most compact platforms.
Beyond these - consideration as one or two have mentioned, of the various pistol cal carbines around. Marlins, Rugers, Beretta etc .... and someone mentioned Mini-14 - that could suit some and it is perhaps one of the most compact platforms.
Don't let urban myths, like the one Redneck Revolver propogates, put you off.
Hogwash. As one who has owned several No5Mk1 Jungle Carbines, the first thing you check is the forend/barrel interface, and the tightness of the king screw (that's the forend action screw for us Yanks). Chances are that "wandering zero" malarkey goes away once the above parts are returned to spec.
And I'm adding another vote for the No5Mk1 as a "go-to" gun. I carry mine in my pickup's seatback scabbard quite often:
Hogwash. As one who has owned several No5Mk1 Jungle Carbines, the first thing you check is the forend/barrel interface, and the tightness of the king screw (that's the forend action screw for us Yanks). Chances are that "wandering zero" malarkey goes away once the above parts are returned to spec.
And I'm adding another vote for the No5Mk1 as a "go-to" gun. I carry mine in my pickup's seatback scabbard quite often:
Bwana John
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I vote for the FR-8. Second choise is MN M-38.
With a turned down bolt, a hard rubber buttpad, and a Timney trigger the FR-8 would be the perfect truck gun.
The ability to mount a bayonet, and launch rifle grenades is a nice extra also.
With a turned down bolt, a hard rubber buttpad, and a Timney trigger the FR-8 would be the perfect truck gun.
The ability to mount a bayonet, and launch rifle grenades is a nice extra also.
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