The next WWII rifle for my collection?

[mokin]

One of the most fun WWII shooters I have is an M91/38 6.5 Carcano. I've got to load my own and with the Hornady .268 diameter bullets do pretty well. The next on my list includes a Lee Enfield No. 4 MK I, a Mauser 98, and another Carcano in 7.35mm.

 

[henrifirstman]

You gotta get a mosin man. $100 really cheap. Carbine length is best m44 or 91/59.
I got mine as my first rifle and am very satisfied. It's virtually indestructable hehe.
Plus the muzzle flash, and penetration are awesome. I can put an FMJ round through a half inch of steel at 30-40 yds.

 

[BrocLuno]

The Arisaka does not have open sights. It has ladder sights for volley fire and an peep rear for "normal" ranges (300 yds). The last ditch rifles don't have ladder sights and only have a peep. It has a sharp little triangular front sight. Add that to the peep rear and they can be very accurate - very nice sight picture.

The chamber is a little oversized for handling muddy jungle rounds and all, but they do shoot well enough that I would never want to be down range of a trained marksman with one. I get 2" groups without really trying too hard with commercial ammo. With the old longer bullet supplied during the war with less "jump" to the rifling, I'll bet these rifles would shoot 1" groups all day?

It's just a matter of finding a good one with a decent barrel

 

[nathan]

M39s at www.gunsnammo.com are really nice.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Good looking M-38's there too

 

[Snowdog]

An arsenal reconditioned 1891/30 Mosin Nagant along with a 440-round tin of Soviet ball ammunition currently costs less than $200. If I didn't have a couple Nagants and ammunition already, I would be all over this.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

M 44 carbine. THe fireball blast and concussion are priceless to behold.

+1 its a blast! literally

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all for the many suggestions. Much as I would like to have one of every WWII rifle, I've decided to stick to American and Commonwealth designs for now, which, if nothing else, will simplify the ammo situation at just .30-06 and .303 British. I've asked Gramps to keep an eye out for an Enfield P14, Springfield 1903A3 or another Lee-Enfield. Of course, he is also welcome to surprise me with anything else nice he comes across. Cheers, Matthew

 

[fpgt72]

I own most of the rifles talked about on this thread and I will say that the MAS36 is a great rifle at a great price right now. I know it does not meet the 3006 or 303 that you wanted but the ammo is out there and it is not too bad. Great fun shooting bolt rifle, and of the bolt rifles that I have I think I would put it in the top 3.

I did not read much about the most fun rifle there is out there...the M1 carbine...yes yet another ammo type but this rifle is just the most fun to shoot battle rifle of WWII. It is just flat fun, and there are more people making ammo for this rifle now so prices have come down a little.

The 91/30 has to be said to be the biggest bang for the buck right now...just take your time and pick a good one with a nice bore...it will be a good shooter and read up on how to clean after shooting dirty ammo.

enjoy your search.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, fpgt72, and yes, I've already got an M1 Carbine!