Most un- or under-appreciated military surplus rifle?

[Kalashnikov]

I'll throw a vote in for the most underappriciated being Spanish Mausers. The 7x57 is pretty much the ONLY foreign military round chambered in modern American rifles (the 6.5 Swedish is starting to knock that title down though). Ballistically it's amazing, fun and has killed more men and beasts then the current crop of rifles mentioned. And then the rifle itself is beautiful, well balanced and handeling just like any other Mauser rifle.

The most over-rated would go to the M14/M1A. Yeah they're neat and fun. But they're NOT $1600 worthy.

 

[lencac]

Vector248

Hey Vector248, I too HAD an SVT-40 and just like you I couldn't get it to shoot for beans. So I sold it to a friend. Some time later we were at the range doing some shooting, he with the SVT-40 I sold him and me with my 91/30 sniper. The whole time I had the SVT-40 I had shot only surplus ammo from it. But on this particular day I had some handloaded ammo for my 91/30 so I got the bright idea "I wonder how it will shoot with some handload ammo". The difference was nite and day. With the iron sights it was hitting in the 2 to 2.5 MOA area. Now I wanted it back. But too late for that. Now my friend completely refuses to part with it.

 

[Tokugawa]

Simple- any and all that have been sporterized. Worthless to collectors but with the heart of a lion still.

 

[Anteater1717]

The Vz-52 in 7.62x45.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Well, the fact that this thread is on its third page with no mention so far helps make the case for my candidate- the FN49.

lpl/nc

 

[plexreticle]

M2 Carbine imho.

 

[silverlance]

+1 on fn49.
value sure to skyrocket.
however it is not cheap
600+

very nice sights
quite accurate although you may need to figure out how to adjust the sights
the only problem is that i cant seem to get it to shoot wihtout destroying the brass.

 

[fearless leader]

Italian Carcano

It has got to be the Italian Carcano. This rifle received such bad press, that I have passed up on every one that I had in my hands. And now, I wish I had bought one. Just for historical reasons.

A Charlottesville, VA gunshop had a cartoon cutout on the wall that depicted a salesman showing an Italian Carcano to a customer saying, "According to the Warren Commission, it is the fastest firing, most accurate rifle in the world, and it's only $39.95!"


I agree the Carcano is under appreciated. I wish someone would make a better rifle for this caliber. The rifle itself aside, the round is almost ALL projectile. It really looks like it could do massive damage on soft tissue.

 

[Malamute]

Underappreciated,

Trapdoor Springfield. 50-70's and 45-70's.

Many will shoot pretty well, when the proper type bullet is used.


Overappreciated,

I'm somewhat underwhelmed by Mausers. I like them, just not overly impressed. I found I like the 1903 Springfields better for several reasons.


I'm entirely underwhelmed by Mosins.

 

[lencac]

Carcano not well made, fit and finish terrible and the mystery sights (it's a mystery where the bullet goes) make it a rifle that if it was never made nobody would miss it. The Arasaka very nice action, very strong, terrible fit and finish. Good action to build something on. Springfield trapdoor, very nicely made. Combination of old world technology and new imurging technology. Strong contender. Mosins have for some reason been given undue attention. So overappreciated. Cheap though ( except sniper). Mausers are the standard by which modern turnbolts are compared. Definately not underappreciated. 1903's have been around for over 100 years and are the American standard for a finely crafted, deadly accurate and sexy military rifle. It's the 700 lb. gorilla in the corner. Still in my humble opinion the MOST underappreciated is the model 1917. Fit, finish and appearence are excellent. deadly accurate. Extremely robust action that in later years many custom rifles were built upon. The 30.06 round is the American caliber that is the standard by which others are compared. Ammo is plentiful virtually anywhere you go. It still can be purchesed for reasonable money. Can hold 6 rounds. Latest turnbolt military technology available. Sure to go up in value. That's my 2 cents (well maybe 3 cents).