favorite military rifle

[Nom de Forum]

Hmmm, this thread seems to be drifting off it's tracks..?

Not off the tracks, just an interesting scenic detour courtesy of Zerodefect, Kaeto, and GBXpat that I decided to provide entertaining and factual commentary on that no one should have much objection to before resuming the ride on yet another "favorite whatever thread" railroad line where all can see pretty pictures and read worshipful comments.

 

[MCgunner]

Just on looks alone, the .30 Carbine. Now, I consider the round itself pretty worthless, but the gun is just down right good lookin'. To that end, I recently purchased my childhood desire, a .22 caliber M1 Carbine. The only problem with it is, it's eating up my CCI stash. I actually think the gun is a lot more useful than the real thing, though, considering the caliber. I just love the look.

Second place to the Carbine is the M1 Garand, I reckon. Were I actually IN that war, I'd want the Garand for its cartridge. But, the Carbines weren't issued to front line riflemen, were a step between a pistol and a rifle for logistics personnel, tankers, officers, etc.

 

[The Big Game Hunter]

Here's a pretty good list of military surplus guns. You guys have already covered most of them here. With the exception of the CZ-52 (and possibly the M-1 Carbine, which is borderline for big game hunting), all of these are not only great shooting rifles, but are nice hunting rifles as well.
http://www.wideopenspaces.com/8-military-surplus-guns-every-shooter-pics/

 

[aarondhgraham]

This was an interesting thread to read,,,

This was an interesting thread to read,,,
It brought back many memories of old mil-surp rifles.

And I got to Google a few I had never heard of before.

Aarond

.

 

[GLOOB]

I have none. But the top of my lists in no particular order:
Lee Enfield
Swiss K31
Arisaka

For cheaper than dirt rifles: I think I would rather take a Carcano over a Mosin. Reload with custom ammo, only. I don't think the extra range of the Mosin cartridge is really worth a hoot with surplus ammo, and handloading is still not that effective with the BC of the bullets available. Too much kick for too little gain.

M1 Garande is a fine rife, but not worth the $$ to me.

 

[Bexar]

I grew up around '03 Springfields and M1 Garands. That along with the Model 1898 Krag Jorgensen have to be my favorite military rifles.

Pretty much here too.

The Garand for me.

However, if sporterizing is allowed...the 1903 and its variants.

We grew up as kids in military towns with our Dad's Civil Service job and far back enough we had both generations of war vets hunting with us. Almost everyone that did it was a sporterized 1903 model. We had one old patriot who used a 30-40 Krag. However, many of them would mention when exchanging stories how having a Garand saved their lives more than once. A German or Japanese soldier would fire one round...then have eight fired back at him. If an American did fire all eight he could reload another 8 round clip as fast as a German or Japanese soldier could operate a bolt. Kind of discourages the grunt infantryman's attitude. Dad said the Garand's firepower simply kept the German's heads down long enough for the American's to either force a surrender or otherwise.

 

[Officers'Wife]

As I've said many many times before, as much as I love my husband there will always be room in my life for Lee Enfield.

 

[Paul7]

Finn M39, accurate and has cheap ammo available.

 

[WestKentucky]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_revolving_rifleEasy pick, and unobtainable on my budget.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Pretty much here too.

The Garand for me.

However, if sporterizing is allowed...the 1903 and its variants.

I cut my teeth on the Garand -- went through Basic and Advanced Infantry Training with it at Fort Polk, La in '62, then bummed one from the ARVN my first tour as an adviser.

The one I have is an H&R, made in the mid-50s, with all the latest developments at the time.

However for fun, and even for hunting, I like my M1903A3s better -- I have two, one Smith Corona and one Remington.

 

[Catpop]

1903-A4, then 30-40 Krag. But I love em all, trapdoor included!
Catpop

 

[highpower]

Probably the the M1 Garand for me. But I mostly collect US stuff, so I don't have a lot of experience with other countries weapons.

I do like the shoot all my stuff though, so at times I will go through periods of mostly shooting other guns.

 

[Garrobo]

FN-49

No particular reason, just a nice semi-automatic rifle.

 

[giggitygiggity]

The correct answer is the M-1 Garand.

 

[lionking]

I have a had a chance to shoot and own a few types of surplus rifles and all are nice and fun in their own right but the M1 Garand gets my top vote even though it is a large and heavy rifle it doesn't feel that way to me it balances nicely and adjustable sights are a huge plus for target shooting. Plus I am left handed shooter so a auto is just easier for me although I can work a right handed bolt without much to do.

I also think the M1903A3 with C-stock is a excellent rifle.

However certain mausers like a Swedish, Brazilian or Argentine when in very good condition are very accurate despite their sights and are works of "art" in their own right.

 

[Bexar]

Is all of the above a choice?

 

[ColonelKorn]

Mine is a tossup between Mauser 98 and M14.

 

[GBExpat]

So, Mauser 98 it is.

From Post#1:

what is your favorite WWI-WWII military rifle? and why? ...

 

[Hammer059]

Mosin Nagant M44!

 

[shuvelrider]

I'm partial to my Stg-58 Fal, French MAS 49/56 in 7.5, 03A3 Remmie, Mod 19 of 17 Winnie. Need to work with the Garand some more, not my first choice if I needed to grab a rifle in an emergency. Too many surplus rifles to enjoy in my pile, I don't like being limited to one flavor

 

[Muehl]

Swede 1896

The Swedes have been known for being great shots but I believe it's because of this gun and the 6.5x55mm. Mine off hand open sights, old man eyes, will shoot a dime sized group at 100m all day long. I have shot out to 400m with the open sights and it still put it where I am aiming....

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have an M96 sporterized by Kimber. It came with about 60 rounds of Swedish military ammo, and shot beautifully. But not with my handloads -- until it dawned on me. The Swedes were throated for a 160 grain bullet, and you need to seat the bullet waaaay out. The Remington bulk 140 grain bullets I was using had two cannelures. When I started seating them with the case mouth at the rear cannelure, groups shrank dramatically.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Anything with a ghost ring sight. Leaf sights are hard for me to shoot. Like others I find the M1 carbine at the top of my list. Worthless cartridge except for SD but more fun then should be legal. If I wanted a real rifle I would probably choose an Enfield jungle carbine.

I once read that Americans build the most accurate bolt gun (Springfield), the Germans built the best sporting rifle (Mauser) and the Brits build the best battle rifle (Enfield). The action is hands down the most robust.

 

[krupparms]

The SKS./ 7.62×39mm
The Issy 2A1/ .308nato.
The FAL/.308nato.
The AK/.223nato
The M16/.223nato
The M1Carbine/M1carb.
The Ruger 10/22 /.22LR.
The 1903A3/.30-06 govt.
These are my favorite group, I like others, but these are my favorite military rifles.

 

[PJSprog]

As much as I love my Mauser, I think the '03 Springfield is my favorite. No real reason why, just always have liked that rifle. I'm a bolt rifle guy, and that's my favorite rifle.