What's your favorite source for milsurp rifles?

[jagdpanzer347]

Greetings all. Just wondering what everybodies favorite source is. Gunshow? Online vendor? Neighborhood dealer? Of course this opens the next question, why that particular source? I personally like to inspect a weapon before buying it. Quality is usually my primary criteria for buying a surplus rifle, as long as the price is within reason. Thirdly, if anyone can personally recommend a good dealer in the southwest Ohio area I would appreciate it.(I already go to AIM).
-jagdpanzer.

 

[jeremywills]

pawnshops and gunshows are not good for me

Im going to have to make a commitment to stay out of pawnshops and gunshows

I personally like to hand inspect something before I buy it, thats with just about anything, don't get me wrong, a good deal can be had online but some folks ideas of very good shape and my idea are sometimes very different

FWIW I have seen 3 AIM purchases recently at the range that just impressed me, if I were to try and buy something mailorder firearm wise I would definately keep them in mind to look at first

YMMV

 

[longhorngunman]

SouthernOhioGun is a big one that is of course in Ohio. They offer a lot more than what is on their website. I buy milsurps exclusively on the net except for rare guns and "haukshop" deals. I've only been dissipointed once and most of the reputable companies will gladly take it back and issue you another one. www.j&gsales.com is another one, so are www.classicarms.us , www.interordnance.com , get a C&R license and order direct from www.centuryarms.com , and www.samcoglobal.com . Maybe a sticky should be made for milsurp sites or even have our own forum.

 

[jayhway]

Aim Surplus.

I've purchased most of my milsurps from them and have no complaints. Good service and fairly fast shipping.

Second would be SOG. I'd highly recommend that you give Tina a call at ext 218. She's a great person to deal with

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Am I correct that SOG doesn't do any walk up sales to those without a FFL or C&R license? AIM does, although they do charge a 15.00 "background check" fee.
-jagdpanzer.

 

[Trebor]

I've had good experiences with Aim Surplus and Dennis at Empire Arms. Get on the Empire Arms e-mail mailing list to get the good stuff before it goes on his main site.

Also, ask around your shooting buddies to see if they have any mil-surps they've gotten tired of. I've gotten a couple good buys that way.

 

[pbhome71]

I mostly deal with AIM, Allen's, and Empire Arms, because of their services.

Empire Arms's e-mail is very good. But I'm too slow to act on it. Last one, I missed the Siam Mauser in excellent condition.. sigh..

-Pat

 

[cracked butt]

Aim, Samco, and Dunham's with Dunham's being a distant 3rd.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Damn,after these replies I feel fortunate to live within easy driving distance of AIM.It's a pretty neat little place. No store front,just a counter with a little glass display case.You just tell'em what you want and they go get it for you.Nice not to have to pay shipping on ammo as well.Between them and frequent Bill Goodman shows in my area my lot in life could be alot worse!!
-jagdpanzer.

 

[cracked butt]

Sure, just rub our noses in it.

 

[kjeff50cal]

Family Corner Christian Books & "Gifts", Houston, Texas.

kjeff50cal

 

[Cosmoline]

I like to hand inspect the rifles. Condition is so variable, and there are so many different types and subtypes, I really don't think clicking the "hand picked" option on the computer screen will cut the mustard. WGA and Empire are good because they show you the individual rifle most of the time.

Pawn shops are great, since very often the owners don't know what they have. I found a mint condition Schmidt-Rubin 96/11 for two bills and a Finnish M-27 for $100 at pawn shops, for example.

 

[lawson]

i buy all my milsurps locally. i like to hand pick the best specimen available for the best price. i bring a small flashlight that i can seat in the action with the bolt open and inspect the bore.

could i get them cheaper online? probably.

but i'd rather have a good shooter.

edit: J&G sales is about an hour and a half north of me, i've found some great stuff there

 

[losangeles]

Surprisingly, so far I've purchased quite a few from Big 5 Sporting Goods. Most of their stuff is from Century Arms, and they obtain large quantities to distribute to their stores. They'd give each store a handful and regularly have a big sale. These are great because they're as inexpensive as the online sites in price. Which actually means it's even lower because you don't need to pay the shipping and the special FFL fees as if you purchased yourself by the Internet.

And there's the added plus of checking out the prospective purchases first.

 

[cracked butt]

Surprisingly, so far I've purchased quite a few from Big 5 Sporting Goods. Most of their stuff is from Century Arms, and they obtain large quantities to distribute to their stores. They'd give each store a handful and regularly have a big sale. These are great because they're as inexpensive as the online sites in price. Which actually means it's even lower because you don't need to pay the shipping and the special FFL fees as if you purchased yourself by the Internet.

Dunham's has pretty much the same deal on this side of the US. They seem like they tend to buy the lowest grade of everything from Century, double the price but put something different on sale once or twice a month. I've probably looked over 50 mosin nagants before I found one worth buying from Dunhams, and have seen plenty of badly pitted M48s, vz-24s and enfields in their stores as well. I have bought a couple of nice 98/22s, a 98/29, and a couple of decent K-31s from them though for about the same price as it would cost to buy from the wholesalers.

 

[Q-Lock]

Well how about that! I just realized that I live about 20-30 minutes from AIM. I suppose I should have already known this important fact, but live and learn I guess.

Looks like I have a new source for milsurp ammo. Thanks for pointing that out jag.

Quinten