I came into the rifle scene very late, like last year. Besides a few modern guns, my milsup rifles consist of a couple Mosin-Nagants, Swedish Mauser and a "new" Vz.58. I say new, because I got it fresh from the importer. The same is true of one of my Mosin-Nagants. The Swedish m/38 came from Gunbroker.
Mosins are still popular, Vz.58's you can get, and Saigas - though not Milsup - are in full swing right now too. I imagine though, some time before I got into guns, there was a flood of Milsup guns coming in America where you could buy them fresh off the boat. Maybe the first batch of SKS's, Mauser variations, AK-47's, Lee Enfields, etc. Nowadays if I want one of those, it would come from an existing personal collection, a trade-in at a store, or an online auction site.
So questions: When did a lot of those other Surplus guns hit our shores for the first time? For the Saigas, when did they start being allowed in the USA? What are the years? eg. When could you buy a Swedish Mauser or K98k for the first time?
I ask because I know that all good things come to an end. Nothing last forever - which is exactly why I bought the Vz.58 now direct from the importer. When they're gone, they're gone, and prices will go up based on rarity and how many are for sale.
Mosins are still popular, Vz.58's you can get, and Saigas - though not Milsup - are in full swing right now too. I imagine though, some time before I got into guns, there was a flood of Milsup guns coming in America where you could buy them fresh off the boat. Maybe the first batch of SKS's, Mauser variations, AK-47's, Lee Enfields, etc. Nowadays if I want one of those, it would come from an existing personal collection, a trade-in at a store, or an online auction site.
So questions: When did a lot of those other Surplus guns hit our shores for the first time? For the Saigas, when did they start being allowed in the USA? What are the years? eg. When could you buy a Swedish Mauser or K98k for the first time?
I ask because I know that all good things come to an end. Nothing last forever - which is exactly why I bought the Vz.58 now direct from the importer. When they're gone, they're gone, and prices will go up based on rarity and how many are for sale.