Decisions decisions...

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MSGT9410

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Okay, it's going to be buying time again in a couple months. Currently, I've got an obsession with milsurps. There's a gunshow coming in November, so I figured I'd go ahead and figure out what I'm going after. On my mind are either a Yugo M59/66, M38, or a K-31. What should I go with? What are the ups and downs? Is there something else I should look for instead? Thanks for all suggestions and help!
 
You can't go wrong with the K-31

:confused:
 
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Pop into your local big box store and see what ammo they have for any of 'em. 7.5 x 55 ammo won't be easy to find in most places.
You should have a look at the CMP too. Jump through the hoops, shoot the matches, even if you don't have to and buy a Garand or 1903A3.
http://www.odcmp.com/
 
You should have a look at the CMP too. Jump through the hoops, shoot the matches, even if you don't have to and buy a Garand or 1903A3.
http://www.odcmp.com/
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As a CMP Garand owner, I second that suggestion. .30-06 is a lot more available, even as M2 ball equivelent, than 7.5x55 will be, and a lot cheaper too even at $.24-27/rd.

My service grade Garand turned out to be a real good shooter. The '03/'03A3 series rifles are patterned off of the 98 Mauser.
 
There is no wrong answer..........

But I'd heavily steer you toward the K-31. It's design and quality puts in it's own league. If you don't handload the 7.5 might be a good reason to start. Brass can be found at Graf's or readily formed from .284 Winchester. Just my slightly biased opinion. Good Shooting........Essex
 
I have a Yugo 59/66 and a Swiss K31. They are both nice and fun rifles but they serve different purposes. If you want an accurate target shooter, get the K31. Ammo is a little pricey but it is high quality and part of the reason the gun is so accurate. The Yugo has super cheap ammo and is fun for lots of plinking.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. My budget is a little tight... I'm looking for something cheap, and I'd love to have a K-31, but the ammo would be a major issue. How much would a decent set of reloading tools set me back?
 
come on now

jail bait
 
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Keep in mind, I'm a poor unemployed 16 year old whose only income is produced by doing random work for the neighbors :p
(Though I am getting a job soon, starting at $8 an hour. Just have to wait till I get my license :D)
 
The M38 would be cheapest to buy and shoot,assuming you can afford to buy a couple < $50 cases. Ammo is powerful and the light gun has appreciable recoil.

The SKS would be a little more expensive (buy an unissued condition, or don't bother). Ammo would be also be very cheap.

Accuracy for both of those would be about the same. The K31 has buch better accuracy as shown in the above posts. K31 surplus ammo is also much better than the Warsaw Pact stuff.
 
I love to just go out plinking like mad, so I think the two choices with cheaper ammo would be a bit more wise. Recoil has never been a problem for me, seeing I can tolerate 8mm and not be bothered by it after a day at the range. The only thing I'm worried about is my mom going nuts over an SKS. You know, the whole "OH MY GOD IT'S AN ASSAULT RIFLE YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS WITH THAT" song and dance. Women worry me sometimes... Anyhow, I doubt a K-31 would be feasible due to the ammo. I'm now leaning a bit towards the M38. What about a 91/30? How big of a difference is there between the two, in terms of performance? Any other milsurps out there worth mentioning that are both very affordable and have a plentiful supply of cheap ammo?
 
The only thing I'm worried about is my mom going nuts over an SKS. You know, the whole "OH MY GOD IT'S AN ASSAULT RIFLE YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS WITH THAT" song and dance. Women worry me sometimes...
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I know what you mean. On the other hand, I'm not real big on ugly guns... What my Mom would have trouble with are the Nazi markings on my K98k but she would've had that misgiving some years back if at all.

I'm now leaning a bit towards the M38. What about a 91/30? How big of a difference is there between the two, in terms of performance?
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I've read articles in Shotgun News that say in tests the 91/30's "groups" pattern like a shotgun at 100yds. :uhoh: Mileage may vary, but if I have a good K98k, why do I need a Mosin Nagant? That's just me and my opinion from the best I understand.

Any other milsurps out there worth mentioning that are both very affordable and have a plentiful supply of cheap ammo?
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Ummm, not a milsurp, but a good .223/5.56mm bolt gun- less expensive- would be a Savage M11 (hunting rifle) and add an aperture rear sight. Good rifle- I have one in .243Winchester. Well, I said it wasn't a milsurp.

If you're just dead set on milsurp, check out Southern Ohio Gun. They have No.4 Mk1 British Enfield for $100 or so. .303's a great round and it's killed a lot of deer, if you're anyways interested in hunting. I recommend ordering the original micrometer rear sight from Numrich- it ain't expensive and gives you a 300m battlesight, plus a fine aperture with graduations out to 1000m.
 
Well, after handling all of 'em that you mentioned and firing the K-31 and the M38 (well, it was an M44, but y'know...) I know what I'd get.

All three :D Seriously, though. You're comparing a competition-quality straight-pull against a 114 year old bolt-action and a semi carbine? I'd get the Mosin first, because the ammo's cheap, it fits me, and I can work it quickly. Next, the K31. Lastly the SKS (but only 'cause I have a SAR-1, and an SKS seems a bit... redundant to me).
 
I think I might be going with a Mosin. On top of that, the historical aspect of it would make it roll better with the parents. M38 or M44, whichever I come across first and/or like better. M44 is the same thing, but with a side-folding bayonet, right? Or is it the other way around?
 
I'd get the K-31 now, while the price is still still sub-$100. M38s aren't as readily available as they used to be, but you can still acquire them. While I think the Yugo SKS is overrated by the other members, it's still worthy to have in your collection.
 
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