Good milsurp rifle?

[caribou]

I am a MosinNagant collectopr and shooter.
You hit it right with the Mosin, for ammo, cost and parts availability.

I use an M-39 variation all year round, because it's accurate.

I think you on the right track , thinking about an M-39.

When it comes to shooting, only accurate rifles are interesting, and theres many a good recomendations here, for sure.

If you want "COOL!!!" more than "POW!", you could get an example from every major power in what ever time frame......
I'm a Mosin Nut, and one of my Coolest Rifles ia a nearly smooth bore Chinese type 53 with many a gouge,scratch, repair,wire hangers and all finnish missing, as well as totally oilsoaked, no bayonet and a home made wire front band. I do belive that rifle has "Been there Done that" and I love it. Oddly, no rust....

 

[brandon_mcg]

really happy with my sks. it shoots good groups and the ammo is cheap cheap cheap. 3.99 per box of 20

 

[Milsurplover]

I got an AK already those sorta remind me of an SKS since they both use the 7.62x39 I also have a .308 win. Savage 11 series which I forgot to mention as well.. unfortuantley that is my whole gun collection so far. hoping to expand with some milsurps because I think they are great rifles and maybe in the future i want to get an M1A but I really wanna expand my collection of milsurps.... some of those things were way ahead of their time! Been especially looking for a No4 Enfield SMLE, a K31, a Yugo 24/47 mauser, and seriously looking at a Finn Mosin.. again, anymore suggestions or links to a site to get some of these rifles are all appreciated!

 

[Afy]

The K-31's like the STGW's are extremely accurate with GP 11 surplus ammo. Reloading is easy, however you will need to buy the cases, since GP-11 is Berdan primed. And once you do begin reloading, using bullets as close to Weight as the GP11 and duplicating velocity will give you the best results.

 

[hirundo82]

Been especially looking for a No4 Enfield SMLE, a K31, a Yugo 24/47 mauser, and seriously looking at a Finn Mosin.. again, anymore suggestions or links to a site to get some of these rifles are all appreciated!

Two of my favorite sites for milsurps are AIM Surplus and J&G Sales.

If you don't have one already, any collector of military surplus guns needs a C&R FFL. It is $30 for 3 years, and it allows you to get any gun over 50 years old, as well as any gun determined by the ATF to be particularly collectible, shipped directly to your door. It will save you a bundle on FFL fees, although the money you end up spending on more guns will more than wipe those savings out.

 

[A Historian]

My second question is about K98 clones. Are Yugo 24/47's the best? Russian capture? How is the 8mm mauser in terms of accuracy with one of these rifles assuming bore condition is good?

I love my Yugo M24/47. A lot of people prefer the belt-bolt of the M48, but in terms of quality I think it might be splitting hairs. I'm sure others will have differing, and probably better informed, opinions.

As for accuracy, mine does a fairly good job. It doesn't take much for me to manage a 4-inch grouping at 100 yards with the iron sights.

 

[Tinpig]

I have M1 Garands and M1 Carbines but I didn't know what I was missing until I got a 1903 and an 03A3. Still plenty of milsurp .30-06 available through CMP, easy to reload for, accurate, a blast to shoot, a piece of American history, and just a pleasure to hold and look at.



An M1917 is next on my list.

Tinpig

 

[Old Time Hunter]

I love my Yugo M24/47. A lot of people prefer the belt-bolt of the M48, but in terms of quality I think it might be splitting hairs. I'm sure others will have differing, and probably better informed, opinions.

As for accuracy, mine does a fairly good job. It doesn't take much for me to manage a 4-inch grouping at 100 yards with the iron sights.

M48 Yugo's are probably the best K98 clones.

For accuracy, the K31 is the way to go unless you decide on a M96 Swede as these are most likely the two that have been known for accuracy....bore depend'n

 

[Bulldawg55]

I like the Finn Mosin idea. Wish I had one!
Two that I have,the K31 with it's superb accuracy and readily available ammo is a great choice and the SKS(59 Yugo) is a fun and an inexpensive rifle to shoot. I also enjoy my Yugo AK.

 

[mm1ut1]

Time to get into reloading!
Swiss and Swedes dominate the line at Perry in the CMP vintage matches, but just about any rifle can be found there. I'd get a solid 1903A3. You won't lose money on it and 30-06 is still relatively cheap.
Check out Gunboards.com for milsurp info.

 

[nathan]

Can t go wrong with the M 39, they are one of the best WW 2 era rifles. They are quite plentiful right now and almost every milsurp collector should have one. In 2004 it was rumored around 10 000 of these were imported by Bros Brothers in New York State. They lose their FFL license for some reason and now they got their own website , gunsnammo.com.

Personally if i have to get one, it be the Sako M 39. Then a VKT and B Barrel. The accuracy on them are phenominal.

 

[451 Detonics]

One I didn't see mentioned is the Hakim. Chambered in 8mm ammo is still reasonably cheap and easy to find. The guns themselves are very robust, reliable, and accurate. A very effective muzzle break combined with the (adjustable) gas system makes recoil feel like a .243. MG 13 mags are easily convertible if higher capacity is desired.