Best US Region for collecting?

[Bojo]

Hello, I'm new to collecting (milsup).

I live in Nebraska. I'm not really comfortable buying something as expensive as a gun without personally handling it first.

Therefore I don't like the idea of online purchases.

Out of curiosity, what region of the US do you think has the best supply of milsup guns and also the most gunshows?

I have made 6 milsup purchases over the past year. After looking at some items on forums, I have a feeling that I'm overpaying for the condition of the guns I'm buying.

I'm new, so I've made some mistakes. Also, I may just not be aware of some good milsup sources in my area (Please PM me if you know of some good places in Nebraska).

Thanks!

 

[Mike OTDP]

Depends on what you want. Probably the Southeast.

 

[rogertc1]

There is no one source. I have had lots of luck over Gun Broaker and Simpsons for surplus firearms. Where I live there are very few gun stores and shows.

 

[sublimaze41]

CMP is your best option.
I have bought 5 guns through them and all were as described.
The prices are great and noting beats getting a rifle shipped to your home.

 

[oldgold]

Ohio,Indiana,Kentucky area gets my vote. Cmp in the north and Great American Gun Day in Lousiville,Ky. Add in S.O.G in southern Ohio and pretty much anything you want is a only a couple hours away. Used to be huge military surplus stores in Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Columbus. Now there is a big gunshow practically every weekend, somewhere close by.

But then I'm predujice since this is my old stopming grounds.

 

[dreamer56]

Not sure what part of the country is best - the secret for me has been to find a couple smaller dealers I trust - tell 'em what I am looking for and go from there - worth it to pay an extra $20 or more locally if the quality is good -

of course that is the other part of collecting - get one - then look to upgrade it - and hey, everyone makes mistakes - part of the learning process.

 

[GunsAmerica Fan]

It depends on what you want. There are some things that are the same no matter what you get or where you they them. For instance I bought 3 STAR BMs at a gunshow in south florida. They were all the same, all shoot the same (exactly to point of aim with zero stovepipes or misfires), and you couldn't describe them differently. On the other hand, I have bought two 1903 Springfield's on GunsAmerica for $450 each. I never ever ever ever see one at a gunshow, or even through CMP, in near perfect condition at that price. You can always send something back that you buy online and you don't like it and I get buys on stuff like that.

If you are in Maine, Kittery Trading Post is amazing. I have bought several mausers, from spain, turkey, etc, as well as Mosin Nagants, Jap Arisakas, Swiss Schmidt-Rubins (they are cool because they have a straight bolt) and enfield after enfield after enfield. They get hundreds of mil surp guns used, and I have bought all the above for under $250.