Help me pick my boys a mil-surp.
- Thread starter TCB in TN
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Cosmoline
Member
After that, every other rifle will seem small and compact ;-) The M-91 Finn is my personal favorite Mosin.
longrifleman
Member
The quality of the K-31's is almost impossible to beat. For your purposes I would put the K-31 first and the No. 4 Mk1 second. I like mausers for their reliability but the sights are generally poor for hunting rifles. Get one and try to see the front sight in that teeny tiny rear notch at dawn and you will see the problem.
Both examples have after market scope bases available that actually work that won't destroy the collector value. Something to think about.
If you our your kids ever reload, the K-31 uses common .308 bullets so your options are wide open. Choices in .311-.312 bullets for the for the Enfield are fewer but there are enough to cover most anything you will probably ever want to do.
If you want a Mauser action but higher quality than most Yugos or K-98s the Swedes are worth a serious look. More money but an excellent round for most hunting with less recoil.
Both examples have after market scope bases available that actually work that won't destroy the collector value. Something to think about.
If you our your kids ever reload, the K-31 uses common .308 bullets so your options are wide open. Choices in .311-.312 bullets for the for the Enfield are fewer but there are enough to cover most anything you will probably ever want to do.
If you want a Mauser action but higher quality than most Yugos or K-98s the Swedes are worth a serious look. More money but an excellent round for most hunting with less recoil.
K-31s are all sorts of fun, but the 24/47s probably offer best bang for the buck currently. Turkish mausers, which have become a bit more scarce lately, also offered a lot of value for the dollar, and the experience of digging a jewel out of a block of cosmolene. How better to teach a young one how guns work than essentially bringing one back from the grave?
You might also consider the SKS for close in shooting. They are all sorts of fun and yugo models are still quite inexpensive. Ammo isn't as cheap as it once was, but will always be available. May have to block the mag for deer hunting, but you can get good sights (tech and mojo) for them.
You might also consider the SKS for close in shooting. They are all sorts of fun and yugo models are still quite inexpensive. Ammo isn't as cheap as it once was, but will always be available. May have to block the mag for deer hunting, but you can get good sights (tech and mojo) for them.
qajaq59
Member
There are lots of good milsurps around. But if I wanted a good one without spending big bucks, I'd say the Swiss K31. I picked one up a few years ago for $140, and that rifle is accurate as any I've ever owned. I really enjoy shooting it with the original sights. Hunting ammo is available for it. Or you can load your own pretty reasonably.
jwxspoon
Member
Lots of great info here. I'd have to say that out of my 15-20 milsurp rifles the Swiss K-31 is my favorite, followed closely by the mosin M44. What tips the balance in the K-31's favor is the slick, smooth straight pull bolt versus the heavy, stiff M44 bolt.
jw
jw
Baba Louie
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Upon re-reading this thread again, while I stand by my original thoughts... you know you probably need another 03 or two... I can't believe I didn't suggest you go buy a pair of Swedish Mausers. Either M96 or 38 in 6.5x55. Probably get 2 of them for the price of one good clean 03. You can still find them (sometimes) for a bit less than $300 (well, some people can. Not me not anymore) The Swedes stand right beside the Swiss and the Finn for accuracy... er, precision. They are precise and they are precious (to those who know and love them).
Swedes are jewels
I bought a few when they were $69 a pop, and they are extremely well built and use a cartridge that is tops for deer and the like. If you can find 'em for less than $300 they are a rifle that will be enjoyed for a long time.
Baba Louie's on the right track. Check them out.
I bought a few when they were $69 a pop, and they are extremely well built and use a cartridge that is tops for deer and the like. If you can find 'em for less than $300 they are a rifle that will be enjoyed for a long time.
Baba Louie's on the right track. Check them out.
jefnvk
Member
As they are meant to be keepsakes, go for one of the nicer rifles. K31, Swede, 1903, and dare I recommend a Garand?
No reason to not buy them a Mosin as well
No reason to not buy them a Mosin as well
If neither of them is particularly recoil sensitive, I'd vote the K31. Very good prices on them for a fine rifle, optics options available without mussing it up, and ammo isn't any worse than other centerfire calibers.
If there was a better selection of 8mm commercial ammo in the US, I'd recommend that as well.
jm
If there was a better selection of 8mm commercial ammo in the US, I'd recommend that as well.
jm
Since your boys are asking for your '03, get them M1917s and you can all share ammo. All three of you can have a piece of American history that way. The CMP is selling Greek relatively cheap. You can always pull the hardball and replace it with soft points for hunting.
Mausers are a lot cheaper than 03's. I have both. If you want to stay 'really cheap' go and hand select 3 Moisons and a crate of ammo, take pics to share the fun!
dstorm1911
Member
The K-31 has the edge for accuracy, uniqueness and precision engineering, get 3 of them so the boys will not be on their own but will have the same gun as Dad, The ones available today are not as nice as what was available earlier but still ya can find some nice ones go for the Walnut stocks, they will not be immaculate as the stocks usually are a lil dinged up.
The Yugo 24/47 is a superb rifle most are in like new condition as they are model 24s totally overhauled in 47 most with brand new barrels and new or near new stocks, super versatile rifle with ammo available as surplus for cheap shooting up to commercial hunting ammo, this caliber has taken every game animal in the world at one time or another and is the equal to our 30/06 commercial USA loadings are tuned down a lil bit.....
Again get 3 not just 2 this way you and the boys can search out accesaries etc.. together and compete with each other having an identical rifle, While I love my K-31s dearly I would recommend ya go for the mausers to get em started and then see what direction they each take on their own, Put the K-31 down as next in line but a must have for future purchase.
The Enfields are great rifles as well but condition is hit and miss, as is with the K-31s with the 24/47 mausers ya have the best chance of excellent condition with an unseen no hands on purchase the Enfield and the K-31 needs to really be gunshow purchases so that ya can get 3 equal condition rifles especially as we all know if the two guns for the boys are not identical condition wise..... your gonna have a problem even if neither says anything the one stuck with the lesser quality condition wise will wonder why he got the beater and his brother got the cherry etc... with the 24/47s go the extra handpick for condition and they should each be identical condition....
Since your having to buy at least 2 rifles I can deffinetly understand ya not being able to go out and buy each boy a Garand or 03a3 etc... ya'd have so much tied up in just the guns they'd have to wait to be able to get ammo to actually shoot the guns with the $200 ceiling per gun that gets all 3 of ya into a Milsurp for what just one American gun would cost you....... smart way to go
The Yugo 24/47 is a superb rifle most are in like new condition as they are model 24s totally overhauled in 47 most with brand new barrels and new or near new stocks, super versatile rifle with ammo available as surplus for cheap shooting up to commercial hunting ammo, this caliber has taken every game animal in the world at one time or another and is the equal to our 30/06 commercial USA loadings are tuned down a lil bit.....
Again get 3 not just 2 this way you and the boys can search out accesaries etc.. together and compete with each other having an identical rifle, While I love my K-31s dearly I would recommend ya go for the mausers to get em started and then see what direction they each take on their own, Put the K-31 down as next in line but a must have for future purchase.
The Enfields are great rifles as well but condition is hit and miss, as is with the K-31s with the 24/47 mausers ya have the best chance of excellent condition with an unseen no hands on purchase the Enfield and the K-31 needs to really be gunshow purchases so that ya can get 3 equal condition rifles especially as we all know if the two guns for the boys are not identical condition wise..... your gonna have a problem even if neither says anything the one stuck with the lesser quality condition wise will wonder why he got the beater and his brother got the cherry etc... with the 24/47s go the extra handpick for condition and they should each be identical condition....
Since your having to buy at least 2 rifles I can deffinetly understand ya not being able to go out and buy each boy a Garand or 03a3 etc... ya'd have so much tied up in just the guns they'd have to wait to be able to get ammo to actually shoot the guns
with the $200 ceiling per gun that gets all 3 of ya into a Milsurp for what just one American gun would cost you....... smart way to go
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K-31
SAM1911, I'm with you on the K-31!!!!!!!!!! I always wanted one, and once they came available, I grabbed one. With iron sights its one of my most accurate rifles bar none!!!!! Mine was also made in 1943, and will still hold MOA or less at 100yds. I'm planning on getting a second and scout scoping it.
As to the original question, he should also look at CMP, and look into getting a M1 Garand. For less than 600.00 he can get a great rifle, and a fantastic piece of history!
SAM1911, I'm with you on the K-31!!!!!!!!!! I always wanted one, and once they came available, I grabbed one. With iron sights its one of my most accurate rifles bar none!!!!! Mine was also made in 1943, and will still hold MOA or less at 100yds. I'm planning on getting a second and scout scoping it.
As to the original question, he should also look at CMP, and look into getting a M1 Garand. For less than 600.00 he can get a great rifle, and a fantastic piece of history!
That One Guy
Member
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- Jan 17, 2006
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- 21
Find a M1917! The Remington I sold here on THR was picked up for $525 thanks to the CAI electro pencil.
I love my K31, but you can't find hunting ammo for it off the shelf. Maybe that will change in the future. You could help that happen by buying a pair for your sons and increasing demand. And I'm only half joking about that.
On the other hand, 8mm is very common, and K98s are still relatively cheap. My personal choice would be a Swedish Mauser. A Mauser action, fine craftsmanship, and an excellent cartridge that's easy to find. It's the best of all possible worlds. Unfortunately, they have a price to match these days. Might just have to buy a new CZ in that caliber instead.
On the other hand, 8mm is very common, and K98s are still relatively cheap. My personal choice would be a Swedish Mauser. A Mauser action, fine craftsmanship, and an excellent cartridge that's easy to find. It's the best of all possible worlds. Unfortunately, they have a price to match these days. Might just have to buy a new CZ in that caliber instead.
TCB in TN
Member
Thanks for all of the input. Many great ideas and comments. I have put a lot of thought into things and will be starting off with 3 K-31's. One for each of us. After reading up on them, looking at them and talking to the boys we have narrowed it down to that. I also decided that I just love these old rifles to much to get just one so I have sent off for my C & R application so that I can really increase my collection. As finances allow I also plan on getting us all a Mauser of some sort, an Enfield, and probably a Nagant as well. I hope to get all my paperwork done and back to order them for a Christmas present for us.
Three?! Thanks!
Don't forget that the K31 is darn easy to scope with a clamp-on mount. Of course, the mount, rings, and scope will cost far more than the rifle, but that just goes to show that the K31 is a steal. If you convert the original price of 151 Swiss Francs to gold, it would be a $1,106 rifle today. It would not be over-dressed wearing a Zeiss. (Mine's got an IOR 4x with the classic #1 reticle.)
Don't forget that the K31 is darn easy to scope with a clamp-on mount. Of course, the mount, rings, and scope will cost far more than the rifle, but that just goes to show that the K31 is a steal. If you convert the original price of 151 Swiss Francs to gold, it would be a $1,106 rifle today. It would not be over-dressed wearing a Zeiss. (Mine's got an IOR 4x with the classic #1 reticle.)
TCB in TN
Member
Can't buy the boys one w/o good ole dad having one to shoot with them!
Danus ex
Member
Make sure you try before you buy. The K31 is a great recommendation on the internet, but it simply might not feel "right" to you. The price is definitely right, though.
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