Rekindled love of Milsurps

[blakeci]

Let me just say that my first high powered rifles when I was around 13 was milsurps. It was the mid '90 and my dad had gotten a C&R license. I was the gun nut and he was middle of the road. I used to wait by the porch for the UPS truck to come down the road with a new goody. It was like Christmas Nothing like the smell of cosmoline on a fresh off the truck Enfield, or Mosin, or Mauser. Then a few years pass by and I wind up selling them off one by one for spending money (women) The days of $90 Enfields pass by. Milsurps are getting fewer and fewer. Nothing seems to catch my eye. I stray into modern gun temptation.
Then, a few days ago I am in a gunshow and I spot a 1928 Tula Mosin in amazing shape, with trembling hands I inspect it. It looks amazing, but what about the bore? Looking through it I see that it is immaculate, like it had never been fired. All for $119. To make a long story short, I have returned to the right side of the Force. Back to my roots. Anybody got a story about their favorite genre of guns?

 

[SaxonPig]

Yes, the retired military guns are a lot of cheap fun. I recall when I was a teenager seeing a 55 gallon drum in the gun shop with various makes and variations of M93s and M98s sticking out of it. All needed cleaning but all were guaranteed to function. The M93s were priced at $19.95 and the 98s would set you back $29.95.

I bought a 1903 Springfield at Woolworth's for $69.95. Surplus Belgian 45 ACP was $2.50 a box. I remember telling my buddy that we should buy a BUNCH of those Mausers and squirrel them away because someday they would be worth a whole lot more.

Should have listened to myself.

 

[hobgob]

I just got my C&R license last year after falling in love with my garand from cmp and also after buying a Mosin as a b-day present for a friend. Then I fell in love with Enfields and now have 2 of em. Good looking rifles. Got one 1918 no1 mk3* all matching.

 

[iamkris]

I like them too...here are the guns in my collection that can be solidly (or loosely) considered to be milsurps. There's also some others thrown in...just happened to be how I arranged the pix.





Browning M1919A4, 7.62x51mm



Cold War era battle rifles

CETME, 7.62x51mm
PTR91, 7.62x51mm
DSA StG58A, 7.62x51mm
DSA SA58, 7.62x51mm
Egyptian FN49, 7.92x57mm
Springfield Armory M1A Loaded, 7.62x51mm
WASR-10 AKM, , 7.62x39mm
Yugoslavian SKS M59/66, 7.62x39mm




US military rifles - late 1800’s through WWII

1944 Springfield Armory M1 Garand, .30-06
1941 Springfield Armory M1 Garand, .30-06
1939 Springfield Armory M1 Garand, .30-06
Springfield Armory 1903A3, .30-06
Eddystone M1917, .30-06
Inland M1 Carbine, .30 Carbine
Springfield Armory 1898 Krag, .30-40
Springfield Armory 1873 Trapdoor, .45-70




British, French, Swedish and Swiss WWII rifles

Ishapore Enfield 2A, 7.62x51mm
Savage Enfield No. 4, Mk I*, .303 British
Fazerkly Enfield No. 4, Mk 1/2, .303 British
MAS 36, 7.5x54mm
Berthier Mle 1892/27 (32 ?) (Mosqueton d'Artillerie Mle. 1927), 8x50R mm
Swedish M1896 Mauser 1900 Oberndorf, 6.5x55mm
Swedish M1896 Mauser 1903 Gustav, 6.5x55mm
Swiss K31, 7.5x55mm
Swiss K31, 7.5x55mm




Yugo, German, Japanese, Russian, Finnish military bolt actions

Yugoslavian M48 Mauser, 7.92x57mm
Mauser K98k, 7.92x57mm
Mauser K98k, 7.92x57mm
Type 99 Arisaka, 7.7x58mm
Mosin-Nagant M38, 7.62x54R
Mosin-Nagant M44, 7.62x54R
Mosin-Nagant 91/30, 7.62x54R
Finnish M39 Sako, 7.62x54R
Finnish M39 B-barrel, 7.62x54R




C&R semi-auto pistols

Finnish M28, 9x19 mm
Walther P1, 9x19 mm
Romanian Tokarev, 7.62x25 mm
Makarov, 9x18mm
CZ52, 7.62x25 mm
CZ82, 9x18 mm
Star BM, 9x19mm




Revolvers

Ruger Blackhawk, .45 Colt
Ruger Vaquero, .45 Colt
Ruger Vaquero, .45 Colt
Pietta .22LR
S&W M1917, .45 ACP
Colt King Cobra, .357 Magnum
Nagant, 7.62 Nagant
Pietta 1851 Colt repro, .36 blackpowder

 

[blakeci]

+1 on the No. 1 MK III's. We had a 1918 one back in the day. A little dark and banged up on the outside, but it had it where it counts. Action was smooth as butter and it would hit anything you aimed it at. We had ordered a 700+ rounds of surplus .303 that came in the actual .303 wooden crate. I think we paid around $100 bucks for that. Those were the days
I remember shooting our Mosin 38 carbine with the heavy ball ammo, I was around 12 at the time about 5'6" and 115 lbs, it'll make a man outta' ya'

 

[HKrazy]

Lately I've caught milsurp fever bad. I really enjoy taking an old war horse and cleaning and fixing it up. I don't try to make them look perfect, that is not the point, but there is a lot you can do to make them work and look better.

One of the best things I have found is taking my cleaning rod and other cleaning supplies with me to the range and cleaning the barrels when they are hot. Not roasting, but after 5 or 10 rounds you will be shocked at the jet black patches that come out of a bore that did not look all that dirty. When I get them home I use some copper solvent and they are now good to go.

Right now are the good old days when it comes to old commie ammo. I have been able to find 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, 8MM and Tokarev surplus all for under twenty cents a round. Most of it is corrosive, so clean your gun right away and don't forget the gas system. The more moist the climate you live in, the more of a problem it is. However don't worry about shooting corrosive ammo. On most ammo it's just the primer that is corrosive anyway.

 

[chubbyzook]

anyone know of any places to still pick up mil surplus rifles
ive been trying to hunt down mosins and mauser

 

[gunnutery]

Check out the gun shows. Sometimes pawn shops (although pawn shops around me don't have much for guns at all).

I got into milsurps by ordering a Sten gun parts kit that I was going to put together as a conversation piece. I knew it wouldn't shoot but I didn't realize at the time that it wouldn't come with a receiver, I had no idea how to even start. I sent it back and remembered that there were some old battle rifles at gun shows for pretty cheap. I found an all numbers matching Enfield No1 Mk3 with a pretty good stock and finish for $125. It's one of my favorite rifles (except that the bore is worn out). I can't wait to pick out another milsurp (the next one will be a shooter though).

 

[BSaulnier]

C&R suppliers

Here are a few..... I've had good luck with Aim Surplus and Century Arms.

AIM
PO Box 556
Springboro, OH 45066
Toll Free Order Line: 888-748-5252
Information Line: 513-424-9960
Fax: 513-424-9970
http://www.aimsurplus.com/ (http://www.aimsurplus.com/)



Allan's Armory
PO Box 331
Graham, FL 32042
(352) 468-2769
http://www.allans-armory.com (http://www.allans-armory.com/)

Allegheny Arsenal, Inc.
PO Box 161-N
Custer City, PA 16725
814 362-2642
www.Mg34.com (http://www.mg34.com/)


Aztec Arms International
http://www.aztecguns.com/ (http://www.aztecguns.com/)

BDL, Ltd.
410 Meeting Street Road
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone or Fax (803) 637-5784
Email: [email protected] ([email protected])
http://www.bdlltd.com./ (http://www.bdlltd.com./)

Birmingham Pistol Parlor (Added 12/9/02)
& Pawn Shop
1833 Pinson Valley Pkwy
Tarrant, AL 35217
205 841-4855

Birmingham Pistol Wholesale
PO Box 798 Trussville, AL 35173
205 655-8799

Bob Adams Collectible Firearms (NEW)
Albuquerque, NM
http://www.adamsguns.com/ (http://www.adamsguns.com/)

Brocks Guns
Brock's Army Surplus
640 Valley Brook Road
Decatur, Georgia (U.S.A.) 30033
CATALOG $5
Phone: (404) 294-9500
Fax: (404) 299-2291
e-mail: [email protected] ([email protected])
http://www.brocksguns.com/ (http://www.brocksguns.com/)



CDNN Investments
P.O. Box 6514
Abilene, Texas 79608
Telephone 800-588-9500
Fax 915-695-4898
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/ (http://www.cdnninvestments.com/)

Centerfire Systems
102 Fairview Drive, No. 200
Versailles, KY 40383
Tel: 800-950-1231
Fax: 859-873-1842
Email: [email protected] ([email protected])
www.centerfiresystems.com (http://www.centerfiresystems.com/)

Century International Arms
1161 Holland Dr.
Boca Raton, FL 33487
Toll Free: 1-800-527-1252
Tel: (561) 998-1997 - Fax: (561) 998-1993
http://www.centuryarms.com (http://www.centuryarms.com/)

Cherry's Fine Guns
http://www.cherrys.com/ (http://www.cherrys.com/)


Classic Arms, Inc., aka (Assault Technologies)
P.O. Box 125
Indian Trail, NC 28079
Questions (704) 238-1222
Fax (704) 238-9121
Orders (800) 383-8011

Cole Distributing
P.O.Box 247
Scottsville KY 42164
CALL 270-622-3569
FAX 270-622-3757
http://www.coledistributing.com/ (http://www.coledistributing.com/)

Collectible Firearms and
Edged Weapons
P.O. Box 8327
Fredericksburg, VA 22404-8327 USA
Phone/FAX# (540) 374-8124
http://www.collectiblefirearms.com (http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/)



The Dealer Warehouse
4813 Enterprise Way, Unit K
Modesto, CA 95356
Tel: (209)545-2800
Fax: (209)545-2528

Dean's Gun Restoration
http://www.dgrguns.com/index.html (http://www.dgrguns.com/index.html)
M1 Garand Restoration and Sales
Email: [email protected] ([email protected])
(423) 562-2010
452 Jane Way Lane
Jacksboro, TN 37757

Dixie Gun Works, Inc.
PO Box 130
Gunpowder Lane
Union City, TN 38261
901 885-0561

Ellison's Military Firearms
P.O. Box 462
Campbell, NY 14821-9721
Curt Ellison Jr.
607-527-8321
http://www.ellisonsmilitaryrifles.com/ (http://www.ellisonsmilitaryrifles.com/)

EMPIRE ARMS
95 Seminole Ave
Ormond Beach, FL 32176
http://www.empirearms.com (http://www.empirearms.com/)
Open 10-7 Tue-Fri, CLOSED MONDAYS
(386) 677-7314 FAX only (386) 677-7324

E.P. Firearms (Added 12/9/02)
www.epfirearms.com (http://www.epfirearms.com/)

F.G.S. INC.
2330 17th Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
1-740-353-0148 (Business)
1-740-354-2162 (Fax)
Online Contact Info: [email protected] ([email protected])
http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/index.html (http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/index.html)


.

Florida Ammo Traders
Phil and Ellen Reuman
6001 Johns Road, Suite 638
Tampa, FL 33634
(813)-806-1958 at the shop
(813)-765-4867 at the shows.
http://www.floridaammotraders.com/ (http://www.floridaammotraders.com/)

Fulton Armory
8725 Bollman Place #1
Savage, Maryland 20763
1-301-490-9485
E-Mail [email protected] ([email protected])
1-800-878-9485 Orders!
http://www.fulton-armory.com/ (http://www.fulton-armory.com/)



Great Southern Arms
2138 Patsy Hill Road
Tylertown, MS 39667
Phone 601- 249-2275
http://members.tripod.com/greatsouthernarms/ (http://members.tripod.com/greatsouthernarms/)


Golden Arms Co.
2012 Boulevard
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
804 526-9250


Guns-N-Stuff
FAC of America
8035 Ranchers Road
Fridley, MN 55432
Tel: 763.780.8780
Fax: 763.780.5747
http://www.gunsnstuff.net/ (http://www.gunsnstuff.net/)

Gunparts Corp.
West Hurley, NY
(845) 679-2417
https://www.e-gunparts.com (https://www.e-gunparts.com/)

Hoosier Gun Works
7843 Huber Crt.
Indianapolis, IN 46226
317 897-2763



IMA, International Military Antiques
po box 256
Millington, NJ 07946
908 903-1200
www.ima-usa.com (http://www.ima-usa.com/)


Interordnance
3305 Westwood Industrial Dr.
Monroe, NC 28110
704-225-8843
http://www.interordnance.com/ (http://www.interordnance.com/)

J&G Sales, Ltd.
PO Box 10400, Dept IN
440 Miller Valley Road
Prescott, AZ 86304
928-445-9650
Fax: 928-445-9658
http://www.jgsales.com/index.html (http://www.jgsales.com/index.html)

J.L.D. Enterprises, Inc.
P.O Box 562
Unionville, CT 06085
Tel: (860) 676-1776/1665
Fax: (860) 676-1880
http://www.jldenter.com/JLD Order info page.htm (http://www.jldenter.com/JLD Order info page.htm)


JOEKEN FIREARMS
http://www.joeken.com/ (http://www.joeken.com/)

Keng's Firearms Speciality, Inc.
875 Wharton Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30336

Keystone Arms, Inc. (Added 12/9/02)
www.keystonearms.com (http://www.keystonearms.com/)


KY Imports
P.O. Box 22446
Louisville, KY 40252
Phone: (502)244-4400
Fax: 502-244-0577
http://www.kyimports.com/ (http://www.kyimports.com/)

L.C. Enterprises
S 1093 County Rd G
Wonewoc, WI 53968
Phone/Fax 608. 464.7615
Email [email protected] ([email protected])
http://www.militaryshooters.com/ (http://www.militaryshooters.com/)

Marke Kube's Surplus Firearms
8440 Ulmerton Rd #500
Largo, FL 33771
727 535-9803
[email protected] ([email protected])

Marstar Canada
excellent source for hard to find parts
takes close to a month for shipping
out of Canada. Also have free schematics
and manuals at the site.
http://www.marstar.ca/ (http://www.marstar.ca/)

Martin B. Retting, Inc.
11029 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310-837-2412
Monday-Saturday 9:30am-6:00pm *
Sunday 9:30 am-3:00pm (p.s.t.)
http://www.retting.com/index.htm (http://www.retting.com/index.htm)

Military Antiques
http://www.oldgunsupply.com/ (http://www.oldgunsupply.com/)

MILTECH
P.O. Box 322
Los Altos, CA 94023
Phone: 650-948-3500
Fax: 408-255-7144
http://www.miltecharms.com/ (http://www.miltecharms.com/)


NAVY ARMS COMPANY
815 22nd. Street
Union City, NJ 07087
Phone: (201) 863-7100
Fax: (201) 863-8770
http://www.navyarms.com/ (http://www.navyarms.com/)

NORTH CHINA ARMS
http://www.armscenter.com/nca/[/url....e-gunparts.com

PRINCE WILLIAMS ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
P.O. Box 250
60 East Eighth & Center St
Lane, SC 29564
Telephone (843) 387-5536 Fax (843) Call First
http://www.angelfire.com/sc2/pwantqu/ (http://www.angelfire.com/sc2/pwantqu/)

Poppert's Gun Parts
P.O. Box 413
Glenside, PA 19038
Tel: 215-887-2391 Fax: 215-887-5816
http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/index.htm (http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/index.htm)

Ricky’s Gun Room, Inc.
P.O. Box 286
Chicopee, MA 01021-0286
Phone: 413-592-5000
Fax: 413-594-5700
Email: [email protected] ([email protected])
http://www.rickysinc.com/guns.html (http://www.rickysinc.com/guns.html)

R Guns
Sportswereus Inc.
140 N. Western Ave. Rte 31
Carpentersville, IL 60110
847 428-0029
www.rguns.net (http://www.rguns.net/)




Samco Global Arms, Inc.
6995 N.W. 43rd Street
Miami, Florida 33166
Phone: (305) 593-9782
Fax: (305) 593-1014
Toll Free Order Line: (800) 554-1618
Email: [email protected] ([email protected])
http://www.samcoglobal.com/ (http://www.samcoglobal.com/)

SARCO Inc.
PO Box 98
323 Union Street
Stirling, NJ 07980
Voice (908) 647-3800
Domestic Fax (908) 647-9413
Int'l Fax (908) 647-3846
E-mail [email protected] ([email protected])
http://www.sarcoinc.com/ (http://www.sarcoinc.com/)


SOG International, Inc.
240 Harmon Ave. PO Box 590
Lebanon, Ohio 45036
1-800-944-GUNS
http://www.southernohiogun.com/ (http://www.southernohiogun.com/)

SULLIVAN'S CLASSIC
ARMS & MILITARIA, INC.
101 Atlanta Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Phone number: (678)513-7575
Fax number: (678)513-8565
http://www.sullivansclassicarms.com/ (http://www.sullivansclassicarms.com/)

Surplus Firearms
8440 Ulmerton Rd #500
Largo, FL 33771
727-535-9803
FAX 727-535-0533
http://www.surplusfirearms.com/ (http://www.surplusfirearms.com/)
http://www.buymilitaria.com (http://www.buymilitaria.com/)


Treasure Hunt Arms
83A Mimosa Ave.
Luling, LA 70070
(504)-785-0078
[email protected] ([email protected])
http://www.treasurehuntarms.com (http://www.treasurehuntarms.com/)


Vic’s Guns and Supplies
1464 Shannon Ln.
Robertsville, Mo 63072
http://www.vicsgunsandknives.com/firearms.htm (http://www.vicsgunsandknives.com/firearms.htm)

Walter's Gun Chamber, Inc.
8210 Harford Rd
Baltimore, MD 21234
410 665-1109
www.ucollect.com (http://www.ucollect.com/)

Wanamaker Guns
7915 Southeastern Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46239
(317) 862-4867
http://www.armscenter.com/wanamaker/ (http://www.armscenter.com/wanamaker/)

WarPath Militaria
819 Hope Mills Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28304
910 425-7000
www.warpathmilitaria.com (http://www.warpathmilitaria.com/)


Wholesale Guns
& Ammo, Inc.
PO Box 289
Calverton, NY 11933
Tel: (631) 208-9500 / Fax: (631) 208-9383
http://www.gunsnammo.com/ (http://www.gunsnammo.com/)

 

[CZguy]

BSaulnier.

That's a heck of a good first post. Welcome to THR.

 

[Schofield3]

That's a heck of a good first post. Welcome to THR.

I'll second that! Welcome.

 

[HKrazy]

Nice list and don't forget the online auction sites.

A lot of people need cash right now and are selling their firearms online.

My best buys lately have come from GunBroker.