List of 20th Century rifles

[mljdeckard]

I am scheming a bit to start collecting all or most of the significant military long arms from the 20th century, to demonstrate, shoot, and compare as desired. As I find them, I would scoop them up. I have a few, a Model 97, a 1917 Enfield, an M-1 carbine, an SKS, and a few Remington 700s. I am thinking, just off the top of my head:

03-A3 Enfield
Mauser K-98
Nagant
Carcano
Garand
M-14/M1A
AK
FAL
G-1
G-3

What else should I get......that isn't so rare I will never be able to afford it?

 

[Cosmoline]

There are a lot of different ways a rifle can be significant. But if you're taking a general view, I'd say you need:

Lebel 1886. The first smokeless powder rifle. Some say the first modern soldier's rifle. It was outdated within a decade, but still served well. It's a very interesting piece to compare with later smokeless rifles.

SMLE No. 4 Mk. 1. Probably the best all-around military bolt action rifle in history. Considerable firepower, fast action and excellent reliability.

 

[Ignition Override]

Hoe much longer will the CMP receive Garands from the DOD, after arriving from any foreign countries still storing them?

The fact that an Enfield #4/Mk.1 costs less than a Service Grade M-1 always makes them attractive, and they also have a lot of character.
You might want to consider at least one of each type.

 

[mljdeckard]

Absolutely an SMLE should be on the list.

 

[vaupet]

the ones I miss from your list are the m96 swedisch mauser and the K31.

greetz

Peter

 

[madcratebuilder]

Lee Enfield(s), No1, No4 and No5.
Swiss K11, K31
Mauser (s)
French MAS 1936
Carcano(s)
Arisaka(s)
M1903
M1903A3
M1917
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
M1A/M14
AR15

 

[fatcat4620]

Lee Enfield(s), No1, No4 and No5.
Swiss K11, K31
Mauser (s)
French MAS 1936
Carcano(s)
Arisaka(s)
M1903
M1903A3
M1917
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
M1A/M14
AR15

No love for the AK?

 

[mljdeckard]

(I already had the AK.)

 

[AlexanderA]

Whatever you get, hold out for the best condition possible. Collector-grade guns will be a better investment down the road than the typical beat-up mil-surps. Don't make the mistake of buying a beater hoping to trade up later -- you'll lose money on this proposition.

 

[happygeek]

I'd maybe add the M95 Steyr to your list, if for no other reason than that it's a en bloc clip fed straight pull bolt action rifle from the 1930s that can be had for $100 or $150 if you want a bayonet with it. I recently got one from Hungary, I figure that since they were a German ally in WWII there's a chance that rifle may have been on the Eastern Front.

I'd definitely say add the SVT-40 and Gewehr 43 to your list, although those may fall into your rare/expensive prohibition, especially the Gewehr 43. (I hear they're still importing SVT-40s into Canada and they can get them for around $500, albeit with a 5 round mag.)

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Maybe a couple of Arasaka's with the Mum intact if you can find them. The Type 38 is 6.5mm and the Type 99 is 7.7mm. Don't forget the Swedish 6.5 x 55 Mauser either as it is a distinctly separate rifle from the K98 even though they share the design of the action. My Swede is about as smooth of action as I have ever shot.

 

[303tom]

Here is a idea on where to start....................How many of you can name them ?

 

[Cosmoline]

zouave rifle replica
Trapdoor springfield
Berthier carbine
91/30 Mosin
1903 Springfield
K-31 Swiss
SMLE
Garand
M44
SKS, Yugoslavian I believe
Some kind of FN clone
M1A
AR-15

 

[TurtlePhish]

A Finn M39 would be a great, somewhat-less-common rifle to add.

 

[morcey2]

Nagant? That's not a rifle, it's a revolver.

 

[valnar]

the ones I miss from your list are the m96 swedisch mauser and the K31.

Agreed. These are the only two I really care about, although I have others.

 

[303tom]

zouave rifle replica
Trapdoor springfield
Berthier carbine
91/30 Mosin
1903 Springfield
K-31 Swiss
SMLE
Garand
M44
SKS, Yugoslavian I believe
Some kind of FN clone
M1A
AR-15

Somebody knows their Battle Rifles..................Good Show Cosmoline.

 

[tahunua001]

well the 1903A3 was a springfield design not an enfield design so you should make that little correction to the list.

also the enfield no1 and no4
pattern 14 enfield to compare you your US model 1917(also being the misnomer enfield).
japanese arisaka either type 38 or 99.
swedish model 96 or 38
steyr M95
if you are going to add the AK then logic dictates that you also need an AR15 in the mix
I would say that those additions to your list would make a pretty decent little collection.
rare and hard to find honorable mentions are the
M43 mauser
SVT40
M44 Sturmgeweher.
thompson 1927

 

[mljdeckard]

Yep. I'll go pick up a M-44 this weekend.

 

[tahunua001]

hey, people have gone out and come back with stranger and more valuable finds.

I once bought about half a springfield for 150 bucks and got it home to find that the last ones to hit CMP went for $2700 each for the actions alone

you may find that M44 at a garage sale for $100

 

[Cosmoline]

Somebody knows their Battle Rifles

Yeah, "someone" has spent far too much money buying and selling those old war dogs over the years ;-)

 

[toivo]

Maybe a couple of Arasaka's with the Mum intact if you can find them.

Maybe you can trade some hen's teeth for them.

 

[Morrell]

Don't forget a Madsen... the last issued bolt action rifle to a standing military