battle rifles

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proven

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recently i've been considering a battle rifle to accompany my 1911 and 870P. i don't really have much experience with rifles. i know i want something full power (.30 cal). i like the older stuff with wood. as far as action i'm open to either bolt or semi. i like iron sights. i hear alot about the different WWII rifles, but if you asked me to, i could only pick out the M1 in a lineup. the more accurate the better as usual, but reliability is #1. and the kicker is i don't want to spend tons of cash. could you guys post pics of your rifles and tell me what they are and what you like/don't like about them?? also any links to info would be greatly appreciated.
 
From what I understand, the best deal going right now is the CMP Garands. These are M1 Garands in .30-06 that have seen service either at home or have been loaned out to other countries for training (Greece and the Netherlands). There are different grades that are determined by wear on the important parts and cosmetic flaws. You can get everything from a well-worn war/training horse to a very well-kept rifle depending on how much you want to spend, but the top out for most of the rifles is around $500 IIRC.


You could go the M1a route, but they will be better than $1k and the Springfield M1 Garand will run $800-$1k depending...

Other than that if you are looking for wood and steel, your pretty much out of luck unless you consider the HK 91 CETME's form Century. They are in .308 and have wood forearms and stock, but the quality is spotty.

If you're looking for more of a medium powered rifle (.223/7.62x39) then your options open up considerably.

W
 
The definition of "Battle Rifle" is somewhat individual, but a lot of people don't call bolt actions Battle Rifles.

With that said, there are plenty of reasonably accurate, iron sight, wood stock, major caliber, bolt actions available for not a lot of money.

Check out Mosin-Nagants, Mausers, SMLEs.
 
M1! Nothing better than BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-PING!

Here's some pics of some options:

In the $100 category:
milguns002small.jpg


Left: Yugo SKS, 7.62x39. Not a full power cartridge, but I like to refer to it as a 10/22 on steroids.
Middle: Mosin Nagant 91/30. 7.62x54R. Good sturdy gun with cheap ammo.
Right: Yugo SKS. 8mm Mauser. Good sturdy gun with a much better bolt, and even cheaper ammo.

$100-$200
guninventory%20001.jpg

guninventory%20015.jpg

guninventory%20018.jpg


Top: German Mauser K98k. 8mm Mauser. Even better built than the Yugo Mauser.
Middle: Ishapore Enfield 2A1. .308 (7.62x51). Its a .308 Enfield, everyone should have one.
Bottom: Long Branch No. 4 Mk. 1. .303 British. Ammo isn't as widely available, but still a very nice gun.

$200 Range
swede%20009.jpg

Swedish Mauser m/96. 6.5x55 Swede. Not a .30 cal, but who cares? It is a VERY nicely made rifle, I'd probably put quality up and above most commercial manufacturers today. Tied for #1 in my favorite rifles. And it was made in 1915.

$300-$400
1917side_small.JPG

garand%20013.jpg

30andM1%20001.jpg


Top: 1917 Enfield. .30-06. US main battle rifle for WWI. What's not to like about an old Enfield in .30-06?
Middle: US RIFLE CAL .30 M1. .30-06. If you want a battle rifle, this is it. The other half in my tied for first place rifles.
Top of bottom: Springfield 1903 (MK I). .30-06. Another splendid choice.

Well ther you go. You wanted pics, you got them.
 
Good guidance above (great post jefvnk that's a heck of a urban assault Neon and bed you have there.). You haven't given a bunch info on your intended use though. Here's a pic of the battle rifles I own...some of which would fit your requirements.

PICT0034_2.jpg


In order, left to right

1864 E Robinson contract rifle
1873 Springfield Trapdoor
Mle1898/27 Mannlicher-Berthier
Mosin Nagant 91/30
Springfield (Remington) 03A3
Swiss K31
Faz No 4 Mk1/2 Enfield
SA Garand
M-N M44
Yugo 59/66A1 SKS
DSA StG58A
SA M1A Loaded
DPMS M4-gery

From the guidance you've given, I'd point you toward:
** Mosin Nagant 91/30 -- <$100, cheap surplus ammo, reliable, so-so accuracy unless you go with a Finn
** Springfield (Remington) 03A3 -- $400 from CMP, $600 elsewhere, fires ubiquitous 30-06, accurate, reliable
** Swiss K31 -- <$100, 7.5 Swiss round is similar to 308, a bit expensive ammo unless you reload, very accurate
** Faz No 4 Mk1/2 Enfield -- $150-250, good 303 ammo is hard to find or expensive, accurate, reliable
** SA Garand -- $500 from CMP, $600-900 elsewhere, fires ubiquitous 30-06, accurate
** M-N M44 -- same as 91/30
** Yugo 59/66A1 SKS -- <$150, not quite "full power", reliable, cheap ammo
** DSA StG58A -- clones are $500-750, DSA $800 (dealer), reliable, accurate, 308 surplus is plentiful and cheap
** SA M1A Loaded -- $1000-1500, reliable, accurate, 308 surplus is plentiful and cheap

My deference would be in semi auto to go for the FAL or M1A. Next would be Garand. Next would be any of the bolties listed.
 
Last edited:
One needs a Garand to go along with a 1911!

Look at the CMP Garands.
 
jefnvk, your $300-400 picture has some great things in it. A rifle, a Tony Stewart sticker, and a GW sticker. Great picture.
 
All the evil black rifles an modern warrior could need! Long range, short range, every range inbetween!

evilblackguns3pd.jpg

7mm rem mag (tikka) w/ leupoled 3-9x40 (I think 600 w/ scope a while back)
12 ga (saiga) (soon to be desporterized) (199 so far)
7.62x39 (arsenal) w/ PK-AS (750 w/ scope)

Good glass is expensive by the way.

heh, to answer your question about old wood rifles in real calibers, you might want to check out AIMSurplus.com and surplusrifle.com for all your old wood rifle needs. German Mausers are spiffy, as are mk4 no1 enfields. The k31 swiss surplus has gotten praise from some who have bought them although price will be higher due to lack of milsurp ammo. Mosins are a timeless classic and affordable to buy and shoot. Garands are nice, but I dont really agree with the enthusiasm people have for them (especially the collectors who hoard like 30 of them for no reason I can ascertain).
 
thanks for all the info guys, and the great pics. i'm thinking that the mosin nagant 91/30 and the garand are my favs. are there any places online where one might find a nice 91/30?? the gun shows in my area are few and far between. what about the m14??
 
My advice would be whatever you shoot best. In my case it's my 1944 Smith & Corona M1903A3. I'd rather have it then any military rifle before or since. But then again I do like my M1898 Krag??? :D
 
jefnvk, your $300-400 picture has some great things in it. A rifle, a Tony Stewart sticker, and a GW sticker. Great picture.
Click to expand...

I actually like his first picture with the rifles growing in the garden. Gotta get me some of them seeds. :D
 
Well, I see that you are in PA. Might give Dunhams a try, if there are any near you. They usually have a good selection of C&R guns, and have sales quite often. This week, Yugo SKS for $99 and numerous Mosins and Mausers for $79. http://www.dunhamssports.com/corp/index.jsp?page=storeLocator&state=PA

cracked - still working on hybridization of the seeds. If you notice, there are only Mosins and Mausers and SKS's growning. One day it'll be a BAR, M2 and an M16 :D
 
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