What should my next surplus rifle be?

[Imperial Guardsman]

Hi everybody (this is my first post)! I've been reading THR for a while now and decided to join and just in time to help my decide on my next rifle. I want to know (in your opinion) what should I pick up first: a Schmidt Rubin 1911 long rifle (around $400) or a yugo 24/47 mauser AND a Steyr Mannlicher m95 cabine (wich adds up to about $400 as well).

I am hesitant on the mannlicher because the 8x56r ammo is hard to find and it does not come with the en bloc clips. I may throw it out of the mix and get the 1911 first and then the yugo.

What do you guys think? What are the pros and cons of each rifle?

Thanks!

P.S. I'm the proud owner of a Mosin Nagant 91 30, a Swiss K31, a Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.1/2, a model 94 Winchester, and a Westernfield 20 gauge.

 

[wrench]

First of all, welcome to THR!

You already have a K31, so if you got a 1911 rifle, you could have ammunition commonality there. I'm partial to Swiss rifles, so I'd vote for this.

But, you don't have a mauser, so it would be a plus to add one to the collection.

I've sold all my Steyrs, just didn't click with them, you may like them better than me.
No help at all, am I?

 

[Vaarok]

Get the 1911, you'll be glad you did. Yugos and Steyrs are common and underwhelmingly generic, the 1911 is a tremendously accurate rifle that really needs to be shot to be appreciated, and is not common.

 

[Imperial Guardsman]

That all makes a great deal of sense. I was interestd in the steyr, but have a rather "cold" feeling about it (mainly the ammo situation). I suppose the 1911 shall be the first on my list. Hopefully, I find a good deal at the gunshow tomorrow. If I do, I shall be sure to inform everyone how it has "changed the game."

 

[Cosmoline]

The Mannlicher M95 is mostly memorable for its incredible recoil when shooting the particularly high-octane surplus ammo marked S-Patronen. I've never found out why on Earth the Austrians felt the need to punish themselves like that. It is easily on par with a bear gun in recoil. Other than that the sights are tiny and it's not particularly distinguishing accuracy-wise. The 8mm bullets are also larger than other 8mm bullets. Graff sells some but they're not cheap.

 

[Afy]

1911. They are good rifles and fun to shoot.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

Sounds like a good collection, but too lite in Mausers. I'd probably pass on the 8x56rim, same reasons you gave. My next will be a Finn moisin nagant, w/ the spitz ears. I've seen them with valmet and sako barrels both.

 

[leadcounsel]

The 1911 or a Mauser. I passed on a Swiss 1911 and regret it.

 

[dnthmn]

Not a fan of the Steyr, mainly for the reasons you stated, so I'd go with one of the other two. The 1911 will probably be more accurate, but you will have to be careful about what ammo you use in it. It isn't as strong as the K31. And since you already have one of those, I'd probably choose the Mauser. 8mm is cheap and plentiful, so you can afford to shoot it more. Most 24/47's I've seen are in very good shape with great bores, so it should be accurate enough to be a lot of fun.

Another option in your price range would be a Swedish Mauser, an M96 or M38. They are super accuate like the Swiss rifles and you can find ammo for it pretty easily since they are still making rifles in 6.5x55. They're often in very good to excellent condition which is especially impressive since many are around 100 years old.

I do like the suggestion of the Finn M39 above, but since you already have a Mosin, you might want something different.

 

[Imperial Guardsman]

Back from the gun show and I picked up a 96 11 schmidt rubin for $250 from a private seller. It came with a muzzle cap, soft case, and a sling, but was dirty and has a little surface rust (which doesn't bother me, since I can take some time and remove it). The bore is in typical Swiss condition (near perfect) and there is no rust on anything important. Cleaned her up a bit and she looks pretty good (except for the rust which I will remove in the future). I think it was well worth it.

 

[Sunray]

"...my next surplus rifle..." Hi. If you don't have an M1 Rifle(aka the Garand) you need to get a move on for a CMP rifle. The supply of 'em is getting low and the prices for a 'Service Grade' is going up. Currently $595 for a Springfield or H&R. Jump the hoops and buy one, ASAP. There is no battle rifle that's quite like an M1. The rest of 'em will be around. M1's at a reasonable price and checked for functioning and safety will not be.
Start here. http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/eligibility.htm

 

[GunsBeerFreedom]

A Mas 36.

 

[Ignition Override]

Imperial G: After I bought my first Mauser, about a year ago, it dawned on me that the sights required a bit more skill and training than the aperture sights on the Enfield #4, #5 and M-1 Garand. I don't like the sights, and the Yugo 48A is now for sale, FTF: Memphis.

Maybe you will someday buy a Garand from the CMP? The very seasoned, astute rifle owners claim that there is no better place to buy a safe, functional M-1 than the CMP, really good value. Guys at gun shows sell these same guns (or with different internal parts...you can trust them...) for an extra $200-400.
Last summer, was glad to have read lots of Internet advice recommending a Service Grade.

As for ammo, you can buy their M2 Ball at .50/rd. and as for an Enfield, although people often say that the .303 ammo is hard to find and expensive, what are they talking about?
"Ammo seek" still indicates that you find plenty of new .303 for about $14/20 rds., before shipping, and I've reloaded cases over four times, and lost count.

Should you ever choose an Enfield #4, you might find those with multiple groove rifling, as some 2-groove bores have problems with the tapered base BT bullets at 100 yards. If you reload, there are lots of x54R .311 bullets and others which are Not BT.

 

[Sunray]

"...lots of x54R .311 bullets..." Not all Lee-Enfields have .311" diameter barrels.

 

[Ignition Override]

Excellent point. I often forget that, and was that often the case with some Longbranch rifles?
Having only one LB, can't really compare, but Savage also produced lots of 2-grooves.

My other 2-groove is British.

 

[Aren't we all]

widners has pretty much everything on your list

http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=700|701|1029


Maybe give the russian capture Geweher 1898 a chance..

Good luck.. But don't discount the steyr until handling, I picked one up at a gunshow for 109 out the door with a clip.. very nice little gun. Priv Partisani makes new production 8 x 56r and it is good stuff.. not a shoulder masher load either..

Marsh

 

[Imperial Guardsman]

The M1, but another rifle to put on my list. Now that I have the 96 11 I can start working towards the mauser (as it is fairly cheap, and I am lacking in the mauser department). Another question (which I may have to make the subject of another thread): do any of you know of a source of the red cocking nobs for the schmidt rubin series? Mine is beat up and it would be nice to replace it.

 

[nathan]

M 24 47 Yugo mauser. Shoots better than the K 98.

 

[wrench]

OK, we need pics of the 96/11 when you get her cleaned up

 

[Imperial Guardsman]

Wrench,

Will do. I'll try to do before and after, just need to find my sister's camera.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

I've been really happy with my M24/47. I got mine from my Samco and it looks great and is spot-on accurate. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone looking for a milsurp (and since they were arsenaled they are practically a brand-new gun).