Which of these for my first C&R purchase?

[AZ Heat]

I have my C&R sent out everywhere and have narrowed my first purchase to the following:

Russian MN 91/30
Mosin Nagant M38
Yugo Mauser M48
Swiss Schmidt Rubin K-31
CZ 52

I have decided on these because there seems to be some good deals at SOG.

Help me decide which of these I should get and/or which order I should get them. Or if there is something that is a "necessity" that I am leaving out, let me know!

Thanks!

 

[Valkman]

My first two rifles were from Aztec, a MN 91/30 and a M44. Now from AIM I got a Yugo SKS and a K31. Thos SOG prices are pretty good - just get what you can and get the rest later!

 

[Black Snowman]

I like semi-autos and gadgets so my 1st two C&R purchases were a Yugo SKS and a CZ 52. I've been happy with both. I'm still not familiar enough with the bolt guns to decided which my 1st should be.

 

[m39fan]

I've had all the ones you mention and have been happy with them all. The only thing I would say is just be aware that SOG's ability to correctly grade weapons is often poor (i.e. you pay for unissued and get good) but not consistantly. Getting "SOGged" is kind of a rite of passage and you may never get a lemon. I dealt with them 5 times, got lemons 3 of 5. AIM seems more consistant and my favorite is Wholesale Gun and Ammo at: http://www.gunsnammo.com/ They are competetive and THE place to go if you want to pick up a Finnish M39 (you HAVE to get one of these)

HTH,
Mike

 

[DMK]

I've bought some good firearms from SOG, but generally, they are in a condition slightly less than advertised, so one has to keep that in mind. I buy from them only when it's the only place to get one or its an incredible sale.

I'd get the K-31, but I'd get it from FGS:

http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/custom4.html

If you are set on a Mosin, try:

http://www.aztecguns.com/

Other good places to buy C&Rs from:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/

http://www.centuryarms.com/

http://www.coledistributing.com/

http://www.jgsales.com/

 

[natedog]

Why not all of them?

Seriously, I'd get an SKS and a K-31.

 

[Black Snowman]

Oh, I got mine from http://www.classicarms.us/

Good folks, good quality guns correctly rated.

 

[AZ Heat]

Of those listed above (Centerfire, Classic Arms, AIM, SOG), which is most highly recommended? It looks like Classic Arms has what I am thinking about getting for my first purchase (91/30, K-31 and SKS). Are they a pretty safe place to go with?

Thanks!

 

[Black Snowman]

I got mine through Classic Arms because they were the best value ( good prices, accurate grading, and I could get everything I wanted in 1 order to save shipping too). I haven't used the others but everything I got from Classic Arms came quickly and was in better than stated condition.

Only thing I could possibly critque them on is that they're a small outfit and I had to wait on hold to place my order. It warned about that on the website and it was well worth the short wait

 

[STORMIN29]

C&R

I have purchased a Yugo SKS, CZ-52 and most recently an M44. Be sure to check the bore conditioned listed in the description of the firearm that you are buying, such as dark bores, bores in fair condition, etc. I usually buy from Interordnance as all of the guns that I have gotten, had like new bores even the the guns were rated at very good condition.
My M44 was a very good condition rifle and came with an excellent bore, wood, bluing and matching numbers all around for $59.00. Also don't forget to send your C&R to Midway and Brownells for discounts.

 

[jefnvk]

Well, I don't have a CR yet, but you about picked my top 5 guns. I started out with a SKS, and had an M48 and 91/30 within the next two weeks. K31 is looking more and more like my next purchase, and an M38 will be picked up as soon as Dunhams has them for $60 (hopefully the day after Thanksgiving).

My personal favorite is the No. 4 Mk. 1 Enfield, but sticking to your list, I like the M48 the best. Cheapest centerfire ammo right now (I stupidly passed up a 1400 rd case for $90 at the last gunshow), and I think it feels a bit more solid then the Mosin. K31 is too expensive for a non-reloader (or at least me) to shoot regularly. 91/30 is the best looking, reminiscent of a muzzleloader, but the few bolts I've felt on them feel kinda sloppy. M38 looks sharp in a laminate stock, and many being made after the war, are in pretty good shape.

Hafta wait for 2 years for the 52, unless I can find a private seller

 

[Combat-wombat]

While I've never shot, or even handled one, I have heard very good things about the Schmidt-Rubin K31.

 

[bullfrog99]

MN 91/30 awesome gun. the 38 is nice but I like the feel of the long one.

 

[Valkman]

When it comes to "who's the best to buy from", it's whoever has the best deals going on at the time. I check the C&R boards, and if you look in the particular gun board (say the MN forum) you're interested in they'll be talking about who has the best current deals. That's how I found the K31 from AIM for $109.95 and it came with sling and 60 rounds of ammo.

ParallaxBill's Curio & Relic Forums

 

[wasrjoe]

Mosin Nagant M38. I have one. Love it. Ammo is cheap. Ammo is not cheap for the K-31, and price appears to be an issue. I would also seriously consider an SKS, but I choose the Mosin Nagant M38 out of those listed.

 

[Cosmoline]

Of that list, the K-31 is by far the most rare, best shooting, and cleanest. Plus, I can guarantee there will still be millions of cheap 91/30's and m-44's around in twenty years. I can make no such promise regarding the K-31's. The Swiss only made enough for their small military, and many are still being used for target rifles over there. There were something like 14 million 91/30's made!

I'd spend all my money on Schmidt-Rubins and Finnish Mosins. Pound for pound they're the best buy. For $80 you can get a 91/30 exactly like 14 million other 91/30's or you can spend a little bit more and buy a Finnish sub-type of which only a few thousand were ever made.

The M-48 Yugos are nice, but kinda overhyped. When you boil it down they're just second rate Mausers. If I were buying Mausers, I'd grab a VZ-24 before an M-48