Military Surplus

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Mendel5

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I'm looking to buy a military surplus rifle for shooting, not for admiring. Particularly looking at Enfield No 4 and SKSs. Can anyone point me in a good direction to find something like this? Maybe something on the web? Are gun shows good places to find these rifles? I really want one for plinking and to complement my pistol and shotgun for home defense.

Any suggestions?
Thanks, in advance.
 
.303 is too expensive to plink with.

Choose something in 8mm mauser, 7.62x54R, 7.62x51mm, or 7.62x39mm if you want cheap ammo. I've found aimsurplus.com to be a good company.
 
Yeah, while both are fun, you can find a really nice (even un-issued) SKS for $150-160, to get a really good Enfield will cost somewhat more. But the big difference will come with ammo savings...Even though its risen lately 7.62x39 is way cheaper than .303 British.
 
An SKS is about as much fun as you can have with your pants on. The only thing better is a 22LR like a Ruger 10-22 because the ammo is cheap. Stop by some firearms retailers in your area. Chances are that the prices at a high volume gunstore will beat those at a gunshow.
 
+1 on the SKS for (relatively) rapid plinking fun.

You may also want a hard-hitting bruiser down the road, though. I'm partial to Mausers, but Mosin Nagant will do just fine as well.
 
I have to agree with those above. If you looking for something to plink with as well as to compliment home defense I'd recommend a SKS. Fun shooter definitly. Just stay away from the crappy duck bill magazines for it. Stick with the factory 10 rounder.
 
I bought a Yugo SKS a couple of years back, and I wish I had done it long before then. They're built like a tank, decently accurate (don't expect 1MOA, but I routinely get 2-3MOA on cheap Wolf ammo), and tons of fun.

You can find them at gunshows, depending on your area, but do your research first because you can easily be ripped off. I bought one locally, and another through AIM Surplus. The one from AIM was unissued, and looks like a brand new rifle. Just had it shipped to a local FFL, paid the transfer fee, and that was it.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Yugoslavian_Model_59_66_7_62x39_SKS_Rifle.html

Here's an SKS dedicated board with tons of info:

http://www.sksboards.com/forum/index.php
 
So where can I find such an animal as SKS for a nice, low price? Do any of you shop on the internet, or strictly gun shows and shops?
 
If you ever consider buying more than one milsurp, you should apply for a C&R license. You can have C&R firearms shipped directly to your address and not worry about FFL transfers, etc. The license fee is only $30 for 3 years.

Yugo SKS was among my first purchase as a C&R licensee.
 
.303 is too expensive to plink with.
Click to expand...

You can do two things about this...

Some Enfields are available in 7.62 NATO (Some Ishapores I think, check AIM), and you can get a progressive reloader for $150 and load your own .303, 8x57 or whatever else.
 
Choose something in 8mm mauser, 7.62x54R, 7.62x51mm, or 7.62x39mm if you want cheap ammo.
Click to expand...
You just mentioned the calibers of 4 of my 6 rifles. The others are a .22 Marlin 60 and a K31. I wholeheartedly suggest you look into an SKS. I bought a good condition Yugo from my local gun shop for cheap, and it would be my last rifle to sell. I put a ScoutScopes mount on it and a cheap BSA Red Dot for some plinking. You will not find another rifle that gives you the giggles for this price.
 
I think Aim has excellent condition SKS's for around $130 www.aimsurplus.com . Might check out their .308 Ishy's too:) . If you want a bruiser it's hard to beat a cheap Turk mauser or for a little more a nice Yugo 24/47. You can get 8mm for around 10 cents a shot, I can get if for 5 cents/rd:D . It is corrosive so clean thouroghly.
 
I will throw in, if you get one of the India-made .308 Enfields, do NOT buy any of the Indian .308 ammo. That stuff is crap. Read several reports about it, but decided to try some for myself. Shot bloody awful, lousy accuracy. Out of curiosity I pulled the bullets on 5 cartridges, and weighed the charges; there was almost 2 grains difference from the lowest to the highest, and that was in five rounds from the same ten-round bag!
 
An SKS will be a great plinker. If you don't mind bolt action, I'd recommend a Mauser or Mosin Nagant
(either a 91/30 or M44). You can get these for under $100 at Big 5, and 7.62x54r and 8MM surplus are very cheap.
 
beware that once you get into the realm of surplus shooting and collecting it will be addicting lol!Like the song Hotel California says,you can check in but you can never check out!:p
Gunshows can be hit or miss depending,but Ive found most of mine at shows.
 
They often have some good deals on antiques shipped right to your door with out any FFL transfer. I was pleased with the one I got.
 
+1 on the SKS. I have a Chinese (Norinco) purchased in the late '80s for $129. I recommend the Chinese, but they are hard to find. Plenty of Yugos around.

Like someone said above, "The SKS is the most fun you can have with your pants on".
 
Like the song Hotel California says,you can check in but you can never check out!
Click to expand...

Beg to differ. At Hotel California, "you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave".

nitpick = off
:neener:
 
MikeH...I wear a shroud of shame for that lol!Man Ive known that song for years too,even sadder that I still have never learned the solo to it.:eek:

I see from other posts that Ishapore and K98's are coming over recently,and there is a gunshow next week in my area...uh oh,better hide my Visa.:p
 
SKS Ammo

Can anyone tell me what type ammo the Yugo SKS takes, and whether it's readily available (whether military surplus or brand new)?

I'm also now considering the K31, as I've heard the staright-pull bolt is awesome as well as the accuracy on these. Does anyone have any info about them, as well as info on the ammo needed for them?

Thanks for all the help!
 
SKS eats 7.62x39, the same ammo as the AK47. Supply from Russia has been scarce in the past few months, but getting better now.

Winchester also makes this caliber, but they are not recommended for the SKS because of softer commercial-grade primers used. With the floating firing pin design used on the SKS, the chance of an AD is higher.
 
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