What Mil Surplus should I get?

[andrewdl007]

I know there are threads like this one that pop up all the time but I cant seem to find one. I want to buy some sort of mil surplus rifle that doesn’t cost too much and with ammo that isn’t too expensive. That’s really my whole requirements. I’ve shot and own bolt actions and semi autos so I would accept either type. I have researched and know a lot about many different mil surplus rifles I just have never fired any. Any recommendations and price ranges would be appreciated.

 

[bill larry]

Cant go wrong with the Yugo SKS or the Mosin Nagant (any flavor). Ammo is relatively cheap for both...try and get an SKS for 150 or less, Mosin's are around a c note.

 

[BsChoy]

If ammo expense is that issue the mosin is a good place to go. If reloading or money isn't the issue a swedish mauser is really worth it.

 

[Furncliff]

Have you heard of "The Box O Truth".? It's an entertaining site. The link below will take you to a part of that site that demo's C&R weapons. I really liked the Swiss K31. Check it out.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/cr.htm

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Get a Mosin Nagant. Hell, get two!

 

[-C4-]

Mini Mosin (e.g. Mosin M44)
Mosin
K31
K98
SKS
Random other Mauser.

The list goes on.... you can't just have one Surplus Rifle.

 

[GigaBuist]

If you're thinking along these lines then you'll probably end up getting a few, or more than a few, over the coming years.

So, you're going to end up getting a Mosin Nagant sometime, might as well just snag it first.

 

[Gustav]

Enfield MKIV .303 British ammo can be a little hard to find but worth it.
Swedish Mausers any and all variants.
Ishapore MK III 2A in 7.62 NATO a sleeper in the surplus market with 10 round mags available from Numrich Arms/Gun Parts Corp.
SKS Yugo's cheap low recoil easy to use and readily available for the time being.
Mosin Nagant 91-30 1938 and 1944 rifles
Swiss K-31 although ammuntion can be a pain to find.
check into the following sites:
www.surplusfirearms.com
www.gunboards.net
www.ammoman.com
Do a search here for curio and relic dealers any ffl can order you one or more of these they all have good and not so good points.
The Mosins are the slowest to manipulate and the K-31s and Enfields are the fastest bolts to work.
Keep them original that way if you ever get tired of it down the line you can always sell it for more than you paid for it as supplies of these are running low.

 

[Green Lantern]

Started with a Yugo SKS, next was a Mosin Nagant.

ETA: surplusrifle.com is a GREAT site with a ton of info!

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Save up your pennies and get an M1 Garand. You will never regret it. Great shooters if you shop around. Buy a parts kit and get a receiver from the CMP.

 

[flynlr]

this makes me wonder when a ar-15 will be C&R

 

[NCLivingBrit]

Started with a Yugo SKS, next was a Mosin Nagant.

Wow, I was just about to post that

Although, if I had all my milsurp and ammo and toys money in a pile, I might start out with a Garand, being as the prices are only going up. There's enough cheap Mosin's around (although apparently not so many SKS's) that they'll grow in value slowly enough for you to catch up, I think.

 

[Daemon688]

Cheap ammo and cheap rifle. The only answer for that is the Mosin Nagant. You can get the rifle for under a $100 with shipping and 300 round tins for about $35.

 

[NCLivingBrit]

I just ordered a 300rd can of the Bulgarian Heavy Ball (183gr) for $32.95, total of $44.95 shipped (which ain't bad when you consider how heavy that's going to be).

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Bulgarian_7.62x54R_Heavy_Ball_183grn.html

I figure grab it now, early and often as ammo is only going up in price.

 

[Gator Monroe]

Any Variant of SKS (Russian,Chinese,Romanian,Yugo,) and a Minty Mosin Nagant M44 are the Best Guns for the Money (Buy Both)! Forget the Garand/M1A crowd (They are Elitists)

 

[NCLivingBrit]

Hey Gator, what about us humble Mosin and SKS owners who -also- want a Garand? Are we the elitists or the common ruck?

I know a couple of Garand owners pretty well and mostly they're folks like anyone else, so the sweeping generalisation doesn't cover much of value....

 

[Cosmoline]

If you can afford $250 to $350 for a rifle, I'd suggest getting a Finnish Mosin. They're about 100 times less common than most of the Soviet versions, and generally more accurate and better put together. Empire Arms has M-91 Finns from the 40's and WGA and a few other outlets still have some M-39's. We're reaching the end of the supply, though, and prices are already shooting up.

 

[Essex County]

I love my M-N's and I handload for some of them. The're great rifles by any standards, However if I could have only one Mil-Surp, it would be a K-31. I loadfor it also. Essex