Second C&R rifle suggestion?

[Soybomb]

So my C&R finally came in and I've been waiting to use it for some time. First on the list is a K31, but I think I'd like to get 2 rifles. Any suggestions for another fun one for the 2nd? A 91/59 is one idea, the M39 sounds neat too but seem to be getting more expensive and harder to find. Finally an enfield 2a in .308 seems kind of neat, plus has the advantage of being in .308.

Any others I might be over looking or advice to go one way or another from my list?

 

[Arkie]

How about an M38 or an M44?

Fun rifles to shoot and they always get a lot of ooooh's and aaaaah's from the fireball they let out.

 

[JKimball]

I like the .308 enfield option.

I'd also go for an SKS if you don't have one. Great value, though it seems the prices on those are starting to go up too.

 

[Soybomb]

Oh yeah I forget, I do already have a yugo sks!

 

[jefnvk]

Get a Swede before they're gone.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Swede, Finnish M39, or a K31.

Start yourself off with a few Cadillacs of the military surplus market. You won't be disappointed.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Go CMP and get yourself The Venerable M1 Garand. Big boomers, Sexy and stout. Dependable and charming.

 

[critter]

1903
1903A3
Garand
K98
M1917
Just a few to whet your appetite!

 

[DMK]

The Finn M39 makes a nice companion to the K31. Of course, the 91/59 is very handy and shoots the same cheap ammo.

 

[davera]

Order of my milsurp acquisition -

Garand (post war)
M1 Carbine (albeit a modern Auto Ordnance version)
K31
M96/38 Swedish Mauser
K98 Mauser
No 4 MkI* Enfield (Savage)
Remington 1903-A3

Mostly because they popped up when I had money to spend. These are still on my list when I have money to spend again:

Wartime Garand
M96 Swede (the long one)
Smith Corona 03-A3
1903 (an A1 or a Mark 1 version)
An English built Enfield No 4 (or a Longbranch would do)
A No 1 Mk III Enfield.

 

[Acheron]

I would be cautious about the .308 Enfield. I remember reading in several places that the Ishapores are real hit or miss. Sometimes you get a great rifle, sometimes it's a POS. I would recommend getting a M38/M44, as mentioned above they are a ton of fun. Or you could go with a K31...accurate and very well made. Plus a straight pull bolt action is just plain cool.

But in the end it really comes down to whatever feels right for you.

 

[Hokkmike]

M38 or M96 in 6.5X55

 

[silverlance]

you really ought to get an m39. they are only getting more expensive. I have a shooter m39 that I can sell you if you like, much less than the $300 they're asking for these days. has little finish left but will still drive big 54R tacks.

besides, if you dont have an m39, what are you going to hold when you watch Talvisota?

 

[Samuraigg]

Uh.. Garand!!

 

[StopTheGrays]

Rasheed...They are getting harder to find and they stand out in a collection of other rifles.
Same goes for a Hakim.

 

[cracked butt]

K-31
M-39
Swede M96

All good choices

Buy for quality rather than for cheap and you'll never regret it.

 

[jpwilly]

I'd go fro a Enfield, K98 and Nagant...they are cheap enough to go get them in one trip! Have fun...

 

[jpwilly]

Enfield, K98 and Nagant or two. They are all inexpensive enough to go get all in one trip!

 

[Cacique500]

M39...

I've got a 91/30, 91/59, and have shot the M38's and M44's...nice but they're not M39's.

Try www.gunsnammo.com - they have the last big shipment of M39's and if you watch them closely you can still find some deals.

 

[Soybomb]

Thanks Cacique500 I was looking for a place to get a decent M39 for a decent price, they seem pretty reasonable.

 

[gezzer]

M48 YUGO 8mm

 

[mrmeval]

References for surplus rifles
http://www.surplusrifle.com/

In order:
K31
http://www.surplusrifle.com/swissk31/index.asp
I doubt you will find a subMOA rifle for under 200 dollars for the rest of this century when these are gone. A friend routinely does 0.8 MOA with hand loads.

Enfield No4 MkI* for a very nice one get a post war Longbranch. It's a toss up which to get first. I'd say the No4 for shooting and the No1 for collecting.

Enfield No1 MkIII if you can find one, they are damned hard to find in unhacked shape for an affordable price.

Ishapore Enfield 2A, don't get the cutdown hack job unless it's a gift and you want to make a lamp, you want one with the dense dark furniture and all the parts intact and matching.

Not quite German Mausers.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/mauserturkish/index.asp
Turkish Mausers
There are a blizzard of them look for deals on ones that shoot. I have three turks one is a '38 I think and two are pre-1899 antiques.

Yugo Mauser there may be others
http://www.surplusrifle.com/yugom48/index.asp

Finnish Mosin.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/finnishmosin/index.asp
Far more accurate than anything Russia made though I would recommend a post war Russian M44 carbine.
This site has a good selection of Finnish Mosin-Nagants and ones that are pre-1899 antiques.
http://www.gunsnammo.com/

German 98K
http://www.surplusrifle.com/mauser98gew/index.asp
Beware, there are SO MANY that it's insane. Someone listed one on gunbroker for 200 or so and it sold for 20,000. Someone on another board bought one that was faked, fortunately they didn't mortgage the house. Avoid *anything* from Mitchells Mausers new or used.

Listed the German Mausers last as to get a really good one you have to have screwed up on the really cheap ones. I know I've skipped some but they are not as commonly available through dealers. I picked the ones still being advertised though I could have missed a few.

 

[SURVIVAL]

If You Get A Chance Take A Look At A Spanish Fr-8

 

[woad_yurt]

Mauser! I have a wartime K98 and an 1891 Argentine and they're both fantastic. The balance of the K98 is great. It seems to kick less, too. Probably due to stock geometry.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Karabiner 98

I'll second the K98 idea
Top to bottom:
s/42g
s/147g
s/243 1937
147 1939
42 1940
ax 41
byf 43
byf 44
(s/42 1936, dou.44 and bcd. 43 on the way!)