Which Milsurp to Start My Wife On?

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My wife doesn't particularly like my milsurp bolt-actions-or "old guns" as she calls them. It's not that she doesn't like shooting-she loves her SKS, as well as both the Kimbers that live in our house (my full size, her ultra). And she's in the Army Reserve and has no problem with the M-16 or M-4.

One of the reasons she doesn't like them is she can't tell them apart. No biggie, she's not into it like I am.

The other reason is that they're too big/heavy/have too much recoil. This, I hope to be able to solve. Anything she can shoot, she likes a lot more.

So, which of the collection should I try to introduce her to the old bolt guns?

The options are:

Finn M39 Mosin-the heaviest of the collection, would soak up recoil the best.
Finn M91 Mosin-good wieght, but at 50", it's only 12" shorter than she is.
Yugo M24/47 Mauser-good size, easy bolt, bad sights.
Swiss K31-good size, great sights, different action requires a bit of oomph to work.

Right now, I'm inclined to go with either the M39 (with Czech silvers) or the 24/47. I've got a rubber slip on buttpad to help with the recoil, too.
 
Have you considered getting a new rifle for her to shoot? Something like a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55 or an Arisaka type 38 in 6.5x50? Neither would kick as hard as the 7.62x54r or 8mm. I'll admit I havn't priced any of these rifles....

"But Honey, I'm buying this rifle for you, so you can enjoy shooting too!"

;)
 
I second the Swedish mauser

It's hard to find one in bad shape. They shoot real nice and have very tolerable recoil. I'd opt for the M38 variety with the turndown bolt and 24" bbl.
 
I'd go with a Swede. I just bought one for $175, and the thing doesn't deserve to be called a milsurp. It is probably in better condition that ANY of my other guns, new production iincluded. The Swedes really took care of their guns. And the recoil is nothing, esp. when compared to an 8mm Mauser.
 
From your choices I would say a Finnish Mosin M39. History, Excellent shooter, and cheap and available ammo.

Love my Swedes and my Swiss, but I shoot the M39 and the Mosin's because ammo is dirt cheap and everywhere.
 
The Finn M39 is great, but maybe too much recoil. I'd vote for the Swede Mauser model 96. Not much recoil, maybe a little more than the SKS.

Or, get a '03 or '03A3 Springfield and make up some lighter loads.

Regards.
 
Buy a Spanish Civil Guardia 1916 short Mauser from Samco in .308, then use light loads. Only $130 in great shape.....just a thought...
 
Actually, I was gonna suggest one of the Spanish or Chilean Mausers (93/95) in 7x57. They're less expensive than the Swedish Mausers and make good shooters.
 
ARPersons hubby speaking...


My wife has shot all my (our Mil-Surps) Probably one of the most effective measure of perceived recoil is stock shape. I had a Swedish Mauser that I loved, and wanted to get the wifey into the milsurps as well, so I bought her this gorgeous swedish M96. Recoil is light but she hates it because she has a hard time getting a good cheek weld on it , and somtimes the gun jumps up and bites her cheek. If you your wife is crying, the shooting is over!!!

She shoots HER Garand and HER swiss K31 with deadly accuracy!! Now the recoil from the K31 means she'll only shoot it with plenty of padding on. The Garand she will shoot until I look really bad. But for some reason the fit her better than the Swede.

Now, she can also shoot the Finn M39 all day long because 1, the thing weights almost as much as a Garand, and 2, because it fits her well while shouldered. So the answer, unless you want a very large collection and multiple gun safes, is to let her pick something out that fits her well.

The M39 is a heavier gun than it's Russian counterparts with a much better stock. I think this lends to a better cheek weld. I find this ironic because while she loves the M39 (and it's intrisic accuracy) she will not touch my Russian 91/30 or M44 because she doesn't like the way the stock fits her, and the perceived recoil is more pronounced.

Also, the stock shapes of most M98 Mauser provided a very large buttstock that take recoil better. She hates the sights on our M48, but she can take the recoil from it wearing only a T-shirt because it distributes the recoil over a larger portion of her shoulder.

So Best bet, Make your wife a part of the buying process so SHE can pick out HER gun. Then take a sweatshirt, a coat, and a recoil pad if needed.

Good luck.
 
ARPerson...or husband of same speaks most wisely...now if I can just get her to look at them without rolling her eyes at the gun show...

Lone commenter Nate on my blog (where I posted the same question) reminded me of another excellent idea...the 46 gr 7.62x54R training ammo.

Anyone know who's still selling the stuff, and if I can get some no later than Monday? Range trip will be Tuesday.
 
From everything I've read about the Swede Mauser, I'd vote for it. I looked at a bubba'd M38 Swede once and the only reason I didn't buy it- to save it from the next Bubba- was because the guy wanted too much for it.

If a M1 Garand is too big and heavy for her, has anybody thought of introducing her to the M1 Carbine? My Grandpa- a truck driver (Red Ball Express, 1944)- spoke highly of those.
 
OK, the Swede Mauser has definitely moved up on my "to buy" list, but I think ya'll are missing the point here...

Of the rifles that I have right now, which would you recomend?

And does anyone know where I can get some of that 46 gr practice 7.62x54R?
 
Do you handload? If so you could probably put together light, cast-bullet loads for any of these rifles.

I checked a few places online, couldn't find any 7.62x54r practice ammo.
 
Ah, you already have the guns!

In that case, I'd go with the Finn. I don't know much about the Swiss, but I do know that the Mosin kick isn't too bad. I know plenty of people that won't touch my Mauser.

If it were me though, I'd show her all of them, and let her decide.
 
Not bolt action but here is my experience.

My wife is small, and all my long guns are a little too heavy and uncomfortable for her beyond the 10-22.

I came across an M-1 carbine for sale and picked it up, she shot it and has since appropriated it as her own. The light weight and mild recoil were perfect for her. I now get dirty looks if I handle "her" baby. :)
 
On making the light cast bullet loads, I know a guy who does that with his beautifully sporterized '03A3. He says if he shoots GI ball in it he'll spend the next couple of days at the chiroprator's, but his cast bullet loads are accurate and mild on the recoil.

If you can put them together, you could use a .309 or .310 lead bullet in place of the .308 FMJ in the 7.62x54R. Lighten up the charge. Should do pretty good. I know I can tell a big difference shooting cast lead vs. JSP's in my Winchester .30-30. Should be the same story in the Finn or Mosin.
 
On one hand Ihear you mention her dislike of recoil but yet you mention rifles in the .30 cal-30.06 range.

I also suggest the Swede mauser 6.5X55. Otherwise go down to the SAR3 (AK47 variant) in .223.

Being a round between the .243 and .270 the recoil is such she can shoot many, many rounds and not even have a complaint.
 
its probably cause i'm more manly than most men ( :D ) but new commercial 8mm mauser ammo is not loaded that hot. all the surplus ammo is.

suppose you reloaded to lower pressures? that 8mm could be tamed right down, as could any milsurp caliber.
 
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