Why i like military surplus

[riflenut]

the history and different designs of other countries rifles. the mast produced and rough finishes is part of the charm of owning these rifles of different eras . No there maybe not as pretty or modern as new rifles, but there fun to shoot !!

 

[General Geoff]

Wow, and here I figured most people liked it because of cost!

But when you think about it, it is pretty neat to have imports from different countries and small chunks of history at the same time..

 

[armoredman]

Definately cost too, a brand new Enfield would be significantly more than what I paid for mine!

 

[DMK]

I got into them because I thought it was interesting to compare and contrast the different technologies used by various countries. It's cool to go to the range and shoot a Mauser 98K and a P38, then shoot a Mosin-Nagant and a Tokarev, and finally shoot a Garand and 1911.

I also find it enjoyable to see how well(or not) I can get these things to shoot as issued with service ammo.

The regular foot soldier didn't have these things tweaked and tuned with bedded stocks, Mojo sights and handloaded ammo. He didn't have the opportunity to wipe the bore down with Sweets and sandbag his rifle on a bench for every shot. He took the rifle and ammo as issued and did what he could with it. Minute of bad guy was good enough for govt. work.

Too many folks have unrealistic expectations when they buy surplus guns. Then they are disappointed with their purchase.

 

[BunnyPuncher]

Oh dear... are we doing this again?

Well, I like these threads but I'm sure some members will be along later to tell us we is dumb for wasting our money and should go out and get a quality gun...

But for the record... why Milsurps?

1) Aesthetics: I like a gun with a lot of wood. Full stock, full handgaurd. Every Milsurp rifle is a unique creature because of the wood. If you are not a purist you can shop based on wood alone and refinish the rifle in many wonderful and delightful ways. If you leave the rifle in original finish you still have a handsome and rugged looking machine. I just like the way a wooden 20th (and late 19th) century firearm looks. The gawkiness of the early guns is gone and the plastic & metal look was still to come. I like older commercial guns too, but the surps are my favorite.

2) History: Doesn't matter to me if the gun was ever fired in anger. I couldn't care less. But holding and using an artifact of those eras just makes me happy. Dealing with the "in-progress" designs of some of the guns is fun too, where the bugs of that technology was not well worked out (hakim, SVT 40 etc.) and the compromises between ergonomics, accuracy and ruggedness. My only wish is that we mere peons could have access to the full-auto guns a bit more easily / affordably.

3) Education at the Range: It is a rare trip to the range where I do not have at least one other shooter ask me "What kind of rifle is that?" Opportunity to let someone know about a gun model that they would likely never see. I like chatting at the range while taking a break and they are good ice-breakers with people who also like chatting - and we both usually end up learning something. Kids are fun too, their eyes go big when they see and hear a surp on a range.

4) Cheap ammo: even with it approaching 30 cents a round it is still cheaper than the alternatives for centrefire. the only one I reload for is the K31, everything else eats ammo from the 50s to the 80s. Even with the rise in 8mm it is still 3 shots for a dollar.

5) Education for me: Darn I've learned a lot of obscure stuff because of this hobby. Reading internet, books and watching documentaries I've learned about the guns and the history.

 

[Robert]

Me I love them because I can load them from clips...

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Cheap? Not ANY semi-auto mil-surp from WWII (in good condition).

 

[black_powder_Rob]

I like them for the history myself, when i hold one i feel like i am holding a piece of history. Heck the other day I took my dad to the gun shop and he was freakin out at all of the older milsurp rifles there were there. His favorite rifle he got ot put his hands on were the old Trap Door Sprinfields. NICE! Now if I could only muster the 7-8 grand to buy him one for Christmas.

 

[Ignition Override]

Bunny Puncher:

They could never be as fun as shooting guns with costly high-tech gimmicks at $.80-1.00/round.

Many are even equipped with plastic stocks. Now That has character.

 

[Ignition Override]

Double entry.

 

[mp5a3]

I gotta get me that M44. If only for the muzzle blast.

 

[MCgunner]

They ain't cheap like they once were, 40 bucks for a Mosin, 75 for a Norinco SKS. Now days, some of the "cheap" ones cost as much as a Savage 110, or at least the Stevens version.

 

[Tim the student]

Cheap? Not ANY semi-auto mil-surp from WWII (in good condition).

No, but for a bit more than $500, you can get a good Garand, which is cheaper than a lot of new centerfires and optics.

 

[FROGO207]

I find that a lot of really cheap milsurp firearms are the ones that someone has BUBBA'D up to the point of me saying what the $%&^. Then offering a really low price and often getting the firearm for it. I have many projects for that retirement busy time. I will have to start a thread with pictures of the bubba'd toys in the safe.