Okay, back full swing into Milsurps.... what to buy

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Miami_JBT

Miami_JBT

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Since the market is still all frakked up from the panic buying I am back into Milsurps (never really left). So since that's the case I'm looking at expanding my collection into parts unknown. I'm looking at getting a French MAS-36, a Swiss K31, and lastly a Indian Ishapore Enfield. The Ishapore I know; the other two not so much. I do know that I waited to long for the good deals on guns or ammo. But hey... I'm still looking into them.
 
FWIW, 7.5x55 Swiss never spiked with this latest crunch, and still sells for ~300$/480rnds. Not bad, considering it's brass case (scrapable, not reloadable) and high match grade non corrosive. I just picked up a battle pack from Aim; no fuss.

The Swiss is easily better made than the other two, and arguably the best made rifle of the era, and possibly, arguably the most accurate rifle made of the era (definitely the most accurate rifle/surplus ammo combination)

I've noticed prices spiking north of 400$ for K31's lately, so I guess they're finally catching on (GP11 ammo had been scarce for a while, but it's back--for now)

TCB
 
Of the three that you named, I'd definitely get a K31. I'm still looking for the right one. GP11 through pretty much any K31 is supposed to be scary accurate. I need to get a lee-enfield soon also, but the K31 is higher on my list.

Matt
 
barnbwt said:
FWIW, 7.5x55 Swiss never spiked with this latest crunch, and still sells for ~300$/480rnds. Not bad, considering it's brass case (scrapable, not reloadable) and high match grade non corrosive. I just picked up a battle pack from Aim; no fuss.
TCB
Click to expand...

While it is true that Swiss GP-11 is berdan primed, it can be reloaded if you are willing to go to the extra effort. You can do this two ways.

First, you can remove the spent primers and re-prime with berdan primers. They can be hard to find sometimes, but lately they have been available. Graf & Sons had berdan primers a month or so ago (during the height of the panic). For all I know, they may still have them in stock.

Alternatively, there are several methods available to convert berdan cases to boxer (a quick internet search will uncover helpful websites and youtube videos). This is a lot more labor intensive, but it is possible.
 
I just meant that it's almost easier to scrap the brass, put the funds toward boxer cases (or more GP11), and save the considerable expense of time/effort involved in working around the Berdan primers. Cool to hear they're around again, though :)

GP11 is typically ~1MOA ammo, IIRC. I bought a box (well, first box) to feed the PE57 I'll put together one of these days :cool:. It's a delayed blowback like the G3, and trashes brass anyway, so I'll harbor no regret running the GP11 it was designed for through it :D

Fun fact: GP11 made after 1969 was thickened slightly to accommodate the additional case-stretch intrinsic to the STGW57 they had been using for a while at that time. Also, the Swiss apparently had a zillion different crimping styles through the years, though the ballistics of the rounds was fairly constant.

TCB
 
Another vote for the K31.

I've never seen another mil surplus rifle with the level of craftsmanship and quality as the K31. They are beautiful rifles, and their accuracy is better than just about anything from that era.
 
And yet another YES vote on getting a K31. The K31 is the best built and in all probability would be the most accurate rifle of the three you listed.
 
The K31 is a really cool, really high quality rifle. It is fun just to work the action, and was definitely ahead of its time, especially considering the original concept started in the 19th century.
I bought a MAS 36 because I am working on getting all the standard issue rifles of WWII. It is interesting, but not really what I would call cool or fun.
I also recently picked up a Lee Enfield No4, which is a REALLY nice rifle. Both the MAS and the L-E were post war produced, unissued, unfired guns that popped up on gunboards.
 
I also vote for the k31 with the amount of accessory you can add on to the rifle that doesn't alter it from it's stock form and the fact that there tack drivers with somewhat cheap ammo that is like match ammo makes it a no brainer! samco only has cracked stock left in stock but I ordered 3 and only got one with a very small hairline crack!
 
barnbwt said:
FWIW, 7.5x55 Swiss never spiked with this latest crunch, and still sells for ~300$/480rnds. Not bad, considering it's brass case (scrapable, not reloadable) and high match grade non corrosive. I just picked up a battle pack from Aim; no fuss.

The Swiss is easily better made than the other two, and arguably the best made rifle of the era, and possibly, arguably the most accurate rifle made of the era (definitely the most accurate rifle/surplus ammo combination)

I've noticed prices spiking north of 400$ for K31's lately, so I guess they're finally catching on (GP11 ammo had been scarce for a while, but it's back--for now)

TCB
Click to expand...


I recently got 480 rounds of 1993 Swiss 7.5x55 for $240.00 with free shipping from Sportsman Guide.

Also got this K31 from LGS for $300.00, I added the Swiss Products clamp on mount and a older steel Weaver (fixed) K1.5x scope.

early~~element87.jpg
 
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Get one with stable supply of ammo. K31 is coming back in to the picture. THE Mosin Nagant 91.30, m44 and M 39 are hard to beat as they use the same ammo.
 
My favorite milsurp is the MAS36 or 36/51. You should be able to find a good one for under $300. Privi partizan makes good and resonably cheap ammo. Or you can fireform .308 -the necks will be a little short but so what. Or neck out 6.5 swede. The sights are great except they do not adjust for windage. The apature leaf must be replaced or redrilled to make adjustments. The forend is held together with oddball screws to prevent unauthorised dissasemly and is best left alone as it will affect the zero if you mess with it. Carry it with an empty chamber as it has no safety. Almost every post on the internet will suggest carrying it with a round up the spout and the bolt either up or "carefully lowered" DON'T! It has the fastest working bolt ever on account of its rear lugs , and you can chamber a round with an MAS faster than you can work the wing safety on a mauser. If you get a 36/51 you can remove that silly grenade launcher and set it aside ,I doubt if you will want or need it.

And be prepared for smarmy remarks from the peanut gallery.
 
I have a K-31 as well and it is my most accurate mil-surp, next to my Finnish M-39, If you can find one get you a spanish FR-8, they are going up in price too, I love mine, very compact and powerful rifle in 308 :)
 
nathan said:
Get one with stable supply of ammo. K31 is coming back in to the picture. THE Mosin Nagant 91.30, m44 and M 39 are hard to beat as they use the same ammo.
Click to expand...
I bought a few hundred pieces of PPU Boxer primed 7.5x55 brass from Graf & Son's. Same for 7.5x54 Mas 36 and 7.62x54 MN for my four, 1937 Tula, one 1941 Sako M39 and two 1968 unissued like new M39s.

The Mas 36 is a real sleeper, it is much more accurate than many think and IMO, except for the K31, the fastest to operate bolt action milsurp there is.
 
Like hang fire said up above, if you're getting a K31, wait for Sportsman's Guide to have a free shipping offer and get a case of 480 for $240 or so.

I hardly ever shoot my K31 any more. The stock is too short for me, so my thumb hits my nose with every shot. I'm thinking about putting a velcro-on recoil pad to increase the length of pull. That should make it more comfortable.
 
One of the better values is also the common Yugo 48 Mauser, 48A or 24/47.

I'm not good with the sights, but my 8mm Mauser ammo Heap was bought about two years ago when the Yugo and Czech surplus was about .25/rd.

The favorites are my Enfield #4s, #5s with their excellent aperture sights, but only reloading makes it affordable.
 
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If only one of the ones you listed to start? Gotta go with the K31 also. When I got mine it was just an oddball rifle I'd never heard of...then I shot it. They're beautiful rifles.
 
If he is in the states an SVT40 is priced WELL above the others talked about....fun gun however.

MAS 36, and 49/56 are fantastic rifles, and unlike what others say the quality is fantastic....but we are talking about old guns here that have been around the world a few times so your mileage may very, I can only comment on the ones that I own.

As far as French rifles go only look at them in 7.5mm French...if you see one in 308 run away.

If you have rifles in like condition they will shoot about the same...French weapons usually get poo-poo'ed by the uninformed and the internet experts but they are really great rifles...if you find a good one I would suggest you pick it up.
 
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