The "pressure" of buying surplus.

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jagdpanzer347

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Does anybody else feel the pressure of buying surplus firearms and ammo. I don't mean anything like cold sweats and sleepless nights type of pressure here. Just the pondering of what and when to buy in the ever-changing surplus market. You know how it is, something is readily available and inexpensive now, but in a couple of years it will be considerably more expensive. Think Russian SKS's and Swedish Mausers for example. I'm a shooter/collecter, not an investor, so please keep that in mind.
Do my fellow surplus addicts factor in the potential future market of these items, or do you just buy what you want, with little thought of the matter?
For instance, I just ordered two tins of Russian 7N1 7.62x54r sniper ammo.
I wasn't in the market for it, but it just became available. Seeing as how it seems to be a rare commodity, I just figured I would get some while the getting was good. Just curious as to how closely my fellow milsurp enthusiasts watch the market.
-jagdpanzer
 
my 1942 australian lithgow and remington 1903A3 are two good examples. you can always buy from a third party, but i like to acquire them straight from the arsenals as they were when issued. i got my 03A3 right before they announced the last 1000 at CMP. i got my lithgow 3 days before aimsurplus sold out of the last batch. i even got my USGI 1944 garand about two months before they started taking 6 months to get.

these things won't be around forever if you want to get them out of the arsenals. i've got plenty of other surplus rifles, but rifles made in bulk like mausers and mosins will probably be around a while.
 
I say if you like it and it's cheap, BUY IT LIKE IT'S GOING OUTTA STYLE! After all if you don't like it theres ALWAYS someone else who will buy it from you.

Buy first, ask questions later

But thats just me:D
 
buddy hit it.

A year ago I hesitated over buying a Bulgarian Makarov.

Now you can't hardly find 'em, and the going price is about double what it was a year ago.
 
I just buy what catches my fancy. If I put too much thought into it it starts to feel like work.

p.s. fired my M/N 91/30 yesterday for the first time, very cool but my shoulder and I are not on good terms.:)
 
i agree...i am trying to buy as much as my budget...and my wife will allow
they are getting harder to find...trying to get one from every country...
 
With a C&R FFL, you really can't lose. I have never bought anything that went down in value or that I could resell. Buy whatever you want and don't worry too much about anything else. It is all about fun anyway so do what you like. What makes it so sweet is, unlike buying new guns, your purchase never drops in value unless there is a huge shippment that floods the market. Even then, it is only a matter of time before you are back on top.

Another rule of thumb that I go by, ANYTHING that is $39.99, I buy. I bought a couple of M-44s at that price and never looked back. For $40, you can't buy a box of some types of ammo so if you can get an entire gun for that price, just do it.
 
I cave into that pressure every chance I get:
91/30
Swiss K31
Mauser K98
WASR 10
Enfield
Krag carbine
SKS (3)
CZ 50
CZ 70
CZ 27
CZ 52 (3)
CZ 82 (9X18)
TT-33
Makarov (2)Bulg/(1)Russ
Walther PP (.32 &.380)
Walther P-1
Browning Hi-Power (Argentine DGFM-FMAP)
S&W Model 10 (Hong Kong Police)
S&W 1917
DWM Luger (1939)
Glock 22 (police trade-in)
Glock 21 (police trade-in)
SIG 220 (police trade-in)
 
I rarely consider resale value when buying a gun, as I don't get rid of them, but my main reason for buying the two Mosin-Nagants is that they are very inexpensive. Where else can you buy an arsenal refurbished gun for under $100? I keep wanting to buy a Mauser, but can't bring myself to do it since they are very similar to the Nagants, but those sub-$100 prices are getting almost too tempting to fight off much longer. I still regret haivng not bought those imported M1 Garands for $219 each, back in 1993/94. I picked up two M1 carbines for $129, but I should have bought the Garands at that low price when I had the chance, too..........if money really did grow on trees....
 
Hey jag, I too am a shooter/collector and I know what you mean. My collection has accumulated in much of a catch as catch can mode, with no real plan. I don't necessarily feel pressure to buy, but I try to take advantage of the market when there is money in the pocket.

I bought one of the last available pre-ban Russian SKS's during the "assault weapons" ban, so now I don't feel any pressure to buy a Yugo SKS.

I was able to get a couple of Russian Makarov's (one in 380ACP) before they dryed up. Bulgarian Mak's are still available, but I got mine several years ago, and for some reason passed on an East German one that I now regret.

I have been buying Chinese firearms that are no longer imported. That is kind of a different catajory, but I get attracted to stuff that is not readily available.

My most recent purchase was a Walther P1, again not milsurp, but such a good deal that I just had to have one.

My collecting style is somewhat eccentric and I could go on for several more paragraphs, but you get the idea. Part of the fun for me is that I never know what my next purchase will be.
 
Sometimes it is best to just cave into the pressure.:D Around 1989 or so, I remember that the local Woolworth's in Maryland had some surplus rifles. I thought about getting one or two since they were only about $100 and they looked great except for the stock. Imagine if took all new metal and stuck it on old wood.

I decided against buying any because I figured that since they were US surplus, they can always be bought for $100 and besides, who really wants a USED M1 or M1 carbine anyways.

Ahhh, the ignorance of youth.
 
I occasionally feel pressure to buy milsurp. Look at FAL and G3 buys, and their ammo. The new k31s, etc. Considering the quality and utility of alot of the milsurp stuff, I can't see why every shooter doesn't have atleast some interest.
 
I can't wait for AIM to get the CZ52s in. Called today and Linda said about another two weeks. Seemed like they have been getting alot of calls about them. The waiting is killing me!!! Surplus is my version of crack! At least I have something to show for it.
-jagdpanzer
 
Hey jag, I seem to recall that there have been CZ52's at some of the Ohio gun shows recently.
 
Poppy, what was the pricing like on those CZs? Have you seen any Tokarevs lately? I've been looking at rifles and ammo primarily as of late.
-jagdpanzer
 
Mizzle187, thanks for the heads up. I saw that they were in on their website.
I work about twenty minutes from AIM, so I guess I'll keep playing the waiting game.
-jagdpanzer
 
Buy it cheap, stack it deep
I never go to the gun store and not come home with more ammo (usually surplus and cases of it)
I do think I made a new record though the other day, I went through 4 gun stores over 2 days and actually didn't buy a new gun. :rolleyes:
 
I have been rediculed and laughed at....

because I don't have such and such newly imported gun from guys on the C&R forums..............and............I have been threatened with great bodily harm, or cut off, if I buy another gun by SWMBO........talk about a catch 22:D
 
I feel that "pressure" all the time. Mostly with ammo. I am always tempted to buy more of the .308 ammo I always see at the shows. As mentioned above, I never leave a gun show without a little bit of ammo. I wish I had been into that practice a year ago. Some of the surplus I used to see isn't around anymore. Luckily I have plenty of SA .308, a case of 7.5 GP-11, and some 5.45 on order. I might get more GP-11. We'll see. :)

The guns themselves are just enough of a hassle that I don't buy many. I don't see too many dealers at shows with the more exotic surplus rifles. All I see lately are mosin nagants and SKS's. I think I have seen only a handful of K31's down here. I don't think I have ever been ridiculed. I have more guns that most anyone I know (off the internet that is).

The good news is I just switched jobs and will be moving soon. I should end up with a lower gasoline bill and a lower mortgage payment. More gun money. :D
 
i follow my dad's rule of "$100 is always worth it for a decent gun". my safe is mostly full of military surplus.

i still kick myself for not buying that Hakim for $60.
 
I have to say that surplus guns are great firearms. Affordability and character are the prime advantages. You're likely either buying something people will recognize or something people will ask about.
 
I feel the pressure, in fact I'm feeling it right now :D I haven't bought anything since December... of course I bought two then.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who buys without looking at re-sale and/or investment value. I'm cheap and I like to shoot!

jagdpanzer347:
I would have to have like 5 jobs if I lived within driving distance of AIM. You lucky sob.
 
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