Which Milsurp to give as a gift?

[Commander Guineapig]

I and my brothers are getting my dad a rifle for Christmas...

my dad has a little WWII shrine in his office...books, photos, prints,
radios and the like.
What more perfect way to add to the collection then to add a nice WWII milsurp boltie in there...but which one?
Enfield? Mosin? Mauser?
It needs to be $100-200 in price, be shootable, have reasonably priced
ammo, and be fun to shoot...not a howitzer.
Also, mention which model you are thinking of...which make/year etc.
(ie, tell me WHICH mauser if you vote mauser...which ones can be had for said price, etc)
So! vote away!
GP

 

[MikeG]

A Mosin would be easiest to fit to your criteria. If you're near a Big 5 they have them on sale regularly. I'd opt for a M91/30, the recoil and muzzle blast are a little more bearable with the longer barrel. The bayonet mounted on the rifle makes a pretty good display.

However, if your Dad served in WWII, something from the theatre he was in might be best.
Or, if he has more interest in a particular area or country, consider that.

 

[mukluk]

Enfield... anything else is just a rifle

I prefer the No1 Mk3 but nice examples of those are hard to come by these days; so go with a No4 instead. British examples will come with either beech or walnut wood (the walnut tends to look nicer), Canadian Longbranches will have nice dark walnut (they also tend to be nicer overall than the others), and the Savage made ones usually have rather attractive birch wood. Most No4s you'll find now will come with a two position flip rear sight which is easily replaced by a micrometer click-adjustable available from various sources.

Another option would be to pick up an Indian Ishapore 2a or 2a1... basically it's a No1 Mk3 chambered for 7.62 NATO.

 

[Mike 56]

M39s are a little more money than a Russian Mosin Nagant but well worth it. If you get one with a 1898 or older receiver it can be sent to you. You don't need a FFL just fax them a copy of your drivers licence as proof of age. My M39 shoots every bit as good as my K-31 witch would be my second choice. http://www.gunsnammo.com/

Mike

 

[offthepaper]

Mike56 nailed it.

 

[DMK]

my dad has a little WWII shrine in his office...books, photos, prints,
radios and the like.
What more perfect way to add to the collection then to add a nice WWII milsurp boltie in there...but which one?

What is his collection like? Is it more oriented to the Pacific or European theater? For example, if his collection is more centered on Europe then a Mauser K98 would be more appropriate than any of those listed. If it's Pacific theater oriented an Arisaka would be more appropriate, but harder to find.

A CMP Garand or M1 carbine would work either way. Another option would be a Springfield GI 1911 or maybe an Auto Ordanance M1 Carbine.

The Mosin is cheap and fun to shoot, but somehow I doubt it fits his collection very well (He's probably collecting USGI stuff, and/or stuff from our enemies, not Russian stuff). For a real collector, it has to have some appropriate meaning.

 

[Tokugawa]

If there was any way to round up some more $$$ I would suggest a CMP Garand- the ammo is cheap, they are pussycats to shoot, and there is nothing more American than the M1. Every time I shoot one I think of my Dad and father in law, and all the guys who lugged M1's all over Europe and the Pacific. Course you might have to wait a bit to get it, as there is about a 60 day lag on orders.

 

[armoredman]

If you could do that, I would definately agree with Tokugawa - American Servicemen should have American service rifles. Garand, Springfield, or M-1 Carbine would be perfect. Failing that, see where he was, and get him the rifle of the troops that served with him. Europe, Enfield, (No4Mk1* is my choice, and a GREAT rifle!), or Mosin, Pacific would be Enfield for the Brist and Aussies who stood side by side with us there.
Get him a Mauser if he wants to remember defeating the Hun.
If he didn't serve during the war, then I suggest an Enfield, low recoil, high magazine capacity, relatively inexpensive, but ammo can be pricey if he doesn't reload.

 

[doc2rn]

I would be thinking of something you could get ammo for like an 8mm Mauser. Here in the mid-west surplus is not easy to come by anymore.

 

[Hoppy590]

Mauser - German, Swiss, etc

what the heck is a Swiss mauser? please dont sully the good name of the K31 by even implying it in anyway has anything to do with the mauser design

 

[Commander Guineapig]

um...I was referring to a bolt action made by switzerland that looked like a mauser.
That...might be a K31? *cringes*
Dad's collection isn't based on USGI gear, it's books and prints and the like.
He and I both are big WWII buffs, so I wanted to find a rifle that most likely was used in WWII. The Mosin was the first thought into my head, since they are cheap. I know he's a lot more familiar with a Mauser overall, but I also know ammo is kinda hard to come by for those...I did a post on that 8mm ammo once.
Personally, I would prefer an Enfield, but the 7.62 NATOs weren't used in WWII were they? It was just the .303s, right?
The price isn't really flexible...it's me with my brothers going in on it. They're younger then I...ie they don't have real jobs yet, so their cash flow is limited, hence 100-200 bucks. (where do you buy .303 ammo anyway?)
The thing I like about the Enfields is that they were used in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific, correct? The Aussies had them too if I remember right.
My dad did not serve in the war...something to do with being not born at the time? However, my grandfather spent time in both theatres, with a few notable experiences, one being his visit to the USS Arizona in late summer of '41.
anyway. saw a few Enfields on gunbroker...some nice Mosins on there too.
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=85594839
Enfields like this one. I guess beggars can't be choosers...I wouldn't mind one in a bit better shape, but I think the budget said no.
thanks for the info thus far!
GP

PS: oh ya, what's C&R mean? I see this on the auctions sometimes...

 

[Hoppy590]

C&R means Curio and Relic, or an 03 FFL. this is a license posessed by individuals for collecting purposes, and allows certain firearms to be sent right to your door, instead of through a local gun shop.

as far as i know the swiss didnt have any rifles that look like a mauser. the Swedes made a mauser. the swiss used the K31 which is a straight pull rifle. though people commenly confuse the Swiss and the Swedes. so i like to "bust their balls" over it.

The thing I like about the Enfields is that they were used in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific, correct? The Aussies had them too if I remember right.

you are correct. the Brits used the No4. mk1 and the auses used a variation of the No.1 enfield. if im not mistaken. and no the .308 would NOT be a period piece. those were made after the war.

the mosin M91-30, M38 and M44 would be,the Kar 98 would be, the Italian Carcano short rifles would be ( consider one of these) the french MAS36, the Jap 99 and 38 would be. the K31 was around, but didnt do much if any fighting. the Styer M95 rifles and carbines were in use. straight pull. shot the strongest round of the war. but ammo is pricey

 

[Beetle Bailey]

I voted for Mosin Nagant. You can still get a nice condition M91/30 in your price range. You might even be able to get an "ex-sniper" model; a decomissioned sniper rifle with the scope removed and a straight bolt handle added. It would add to the coolness factor since IINM it was the most widely issued sniper rifle of the war. I picked up an excellent condition example for about $140 earlier this year and it shoots very well. Surplus ammo is still available, although the price is starting to go up.

Whichever rifle you decide on, I think what you are doing for your father is really nice. Good luck!

 

[jrfoxx]

"U.S. Property" marked Savage Enfield No.4 MkI.That way he gets a U.S. service gun (I'm assming he was on the U.S. side of the war, if not, still a good gun), with all the benifits of the Enfield design that make them so loved, and being a U.S. made british gun, made for the lend-lease program to be loaned to the British in WWII, they are something a little more unique and interesting.They can be had for under $250 on Gunbroker if your willing to be patient.I love mine.Looks great, typical smooth Enfield action, and a really accurate shooter with nice sights. Plus, .303 brit is pretty readily available, not too pricey, shoud do the trick for deer, hogs (I ould think, anyways, never hunted hogs)and decent hunting ammo can be had from several manufacturers too.If you cant get one for the $200 you want to spend, a british N04 MkI or Mauser K98 are perfectly good choices too, and hould be easy to get in good condition in your price range.Here's a pic of mine to try and tempt you into going with my suggeston...

 

[Babalouie]

How bout a Mosin with a copy of "Enemy at the Gate"...that's what I'm doing for my son. Lots of history, lots of fun research on line. Bought mine for $99 from classic Arms: http://www.classicarms.us/htm/firearms.htm

They got Mausers, Mosins and other guns in your price range. Great people to deal with too. Mine arrived 3 days after I ordered it!

 

[.45Guy]

Carcano. You could probably find a nice 38 for ~$100 and spend the rest on Prvi ammo.

 

[elmerfudd]

Since my wife is a descendant of Tsuneyoshi Murata it gives me an excuse to periodically buy a Murata rifle or shotgun. They were the precursors to the Arisaka and were the Japanese service rifle up until about 1900. My father in law has also expressed a desire for one, so I might end up buying one for him in the future.

That's probably not what you would get, but the poll was what gun I would buy, and for Japanese it asked me to specify.

 

[DMK]

"U.S. Property" marked Savage Enfield No.4 MkI.That way he gets a U.S. service gun

The Enfield was never a US service gun. The "US Property" markings were used as a legal trick to get around laws forbidding us to supply arms to England before we got involved in fighting the war.

 

[Acheron]

I would go with a Mosin since they are cheap, plentiful, and surplus ammo can still be found realtively cheap. If you don't want a boomer, get a M91/30. The longer barrel and heavier weight helps with recoil and muzzle blast.

By the same token you could also go with a Mauser, since that is considered more of a 'classic' WWII bolt-action and will make a better wallhanger. But they will be more money and surplus ammo is all but gone.

 

[Commander Guineapig]

as far as i know the swiss didnt have any rifles that look like a mauser. the Swedes made a mauser. the swiss used the K31 which is a straight pull rifle. though people commenly confuse the Swiss and the Swedes. so i like to "bust their balls" over it.

consider them busted.

Here's a pic of mine to try and tempt you into going with my suggeston...

gawsh I love the look of the Enfields...I dunno why. I just do.

How bout a Mosin with a copy of "Enemy at the Gate"...that's what I'm doing for my son. Lots of history, lots of fun research on line. Bought mine for $99 from classic Arms: http://www.classicarms.us/htm/firearms.htm

They got Mausers, Mosins and other guns in your price range. Great people to deal with too. Mine arrived 3 days after I ordered it!

I actually thought of that...it's great idea! Great minds, eh?

The Enfield was never a US service gun. The "US Property" markings were used as a legal trick to get around laws forbidding us to supply arms to England before we got involved in fighting the war.

would this be in reference to the lend-lease program?

thanks for the tips yall!
also, if anyone has a place to buy these rifles, please post a link! (Thanks Babalouie!)

gP