First Rifle to Buy

[GrampaMike]

I go to gun shows all the time.  There are always MIL-SUP rifles.  I look at them but never know which to buy.  Are there any that would be a good FIRST buy that a “novice mil-sup buyer” can’t screw up?  Thanks, Mike.

[PA-Joe]

Mosin and they're under 100.00

[spraynpray]

Mosin Nagants are good.  Around $100, and the ammo is purdy cheap, but corrosive.  So you will want to clean them right away.
You can but new production ammo, but it is more expensive.

A Yugoslavian 59/66 SKS is a good choice, it is a simple and accurate semi-auto, and the ammo is about $0.20 a rounds, and $0.10 if you but it by the case.  A SKS will run you about $200 for a good one.  There are varios SKS rifles from different countries. but the Yugo's are the most abundant and the cheapest in price, but not in the product.

[Type99]

Hello...

Personally, I would advise buying a Swedish Mauser if possible.  I think it would be a great "first milsurp".  Although you will pay more, quality tends to be better.  Fit, finish, and handling are superb.  And it is hard to beat the 6.5X55mm in the deer woods.  You can still find good buys out there, and also at gun shows.  Check Allan's Armory - he has some Swedes for sale.  

Cheers,
Gary

[1911crazy]

Research, information  and knowledge ahead of time is the key to buying military surplus guns.  Here's a great site lots of info and pics to start out with go to;  http://users2.ev1.net/~lertsman/rifles.html

I would browse gun shows and not every gun show has everything. At some shows i have seen very little lately.  Its more of a hunt for surplus guns now.  If you see a nice swede mauser and its priced right grab it. Any good looking swede is worth $200 to $250. All i can say is to get into the gun show early and look this is the best time to find great buys the minute the door opens.  You can check your local pawn shops too.  Shop around prices do vary.  I would make a wish list and go hunting.....

Rifles to look for at gun shows;

1. Swedish Mauser 6,5mm models M96, M96/38 or M38 either manufactured by Carl Gustaf,  Oberndorf or Husqvarna prices around $200.

2. Finnish Mosin Model M39,  M27 or M91/30 it will be marked [SA] on the barrel or reciever. (an M39 would be a great find,  M27's are rare for prices i have seen M39's about $125)

3. Russian Mosin  Model M91/30, M91/59, M38 or M44  there is a flood of these right now and they are very affordable. (a hex reciever 91/30 is a rare find prices around $100)

4. Yugo 8mm Mausers  Model 98 or 48. ( the model 98 yugo is actually a german mauser with the markings ground off, prices are around $125 to $200)

5. Russian SKS (refurb black bolt carrier) these have been popping up time to time lately still new in the box for $250 thats a great price)

6. Chinese Norinco SKS (these still can be found in new condition prices vary between $175 to $225)

7. Yugo SKS  Model 59/66 or 59  "7,62x39" (prices around $100)

Depending on where you live prices do vary across the country.  Prices latey are a roller coaster ride but good finds are still out there.  Remember to checkout the bores and for matching numbers first (bolt matches the reciever number) then its looks like the condition of the wood/stock for cracks and finish.  Then its the amount of bluing left.  Its condition vs. price in the end or how bad you want it too.  If you want to haggle the price don't look too exceited at first.  Pick it up look it over and hold it and haggle. Body english is very important don't look impressed be more negative. If you put it down someone else may grab it. The last few hours of a gun show is the time to haggle the best.

[ajj]

I vote for the Swede. That's how I got started. They are the highest quality and most accurate of the milsurps, offer real pride of ownership with their lovely fit and finish. Perhaps most important, they are the most pleasant to shoot.

[jack19512]

I like the Swiss K31's myself.

[jerkface11]

I agree with jack the k-31. The don't cost much. The ammo is good. The rifles are different.  And they look cool.

[jack19512]

The K31's are without a doubt one the most accurate of the cheaper mil-surplus rifles.  I have two of them and really like them.

[Zeke Menuar]

I pick the Mosins.  They are dirt cheap.  Simple to work on if needed.  There are a zillion variations.  If Ivan's shellac finish needs fixing, it is a simple matter.  Combloc and Wolf ammo is everywhere and real cheap.  I have 5 Mosins.  For the milsurp beginner it is the best choice.

ZM

[jack19512]

This is a FYI for everyone.  If you think you will ever be interested in getting a K31 you had better not wait too long.  There were a lot less K31's made than the Mosins and the supply of the K31's should dry up way before the Mosins will.

[GrampaMike]

Thanks to everyone for responding, really appreciate your time and effort.  Just what I wanted to know, asking here is part of my research.  You can always count on the members here to point you in the right direction.  Mike.

[1911crazy]

Anytime Grampa Mike its not too late yet to get started into this military stuff while there is still some left thats affordable. I would research into making a wish list and start going to gun shows. Enjoy....

[jh45gun]

Get either a Swede Mauser 6.5x55 or a Swiss K31. If your going to get a rifle it might as well be a accurate one. I sold my Mosins and my 8mm Mauser just because they were AVERAGE shooters. I kept what was accurate and that was the K31 and the Swede. Yea I know guys the Mosins can be accurate if pristine  my buddy has a polish 44 that is quite good as is the Finnish guns but for the most part most are so/so in the accuracy dept. I even let my license expire just so I would not be tempted again to buy a other rifle as my K31 and my Swede is more than enough to keep me shooting along with my other centerfires. You cannot go wrong with a good Swede Mauser  or  Swiss K31.

[1911crazy]

I think all the surplus military guns can be good accurate shooters once you figure out what round they like to eat.  All the ones i have shot so far have shot accurate and not just your everyday accuracy on paper I mean good enough to trust to go bear hunting with. The average military shooter will group about 2" to 3" on average with most surplus ammo just playing around which can be tightened up by trying different ammo or reloading.  The challange can be fun to see how much tighter it can group and with what load. I hope that most don't count that the military guns shoot high at 100yds because they were zeroed in for 200meters to 300meters.

Back in '72 my brand new Mossberg 30-06 would shoot 2" to 3" groups with new remington ammo.  I tried different new ammo with the same results.  I figured the barrel needed breaking in so i sent 100rds of surplus FMJ down the pipe. With no change in results i bedded the stock and started reloading for it. I was shooting near max loads with 180gr sp and IMR 4350 when she started shooting under 1 1/2" groups.  I then dropped back on the powder charge and ever since then she still shoots 3/4" groups with this load.  My old $172 mossberg can hang with the best of the 06's. I never thought of selling the gun, it was a challange to get it right.  I feel the sameway about the surplus military guns too if i have a bad shooter I will try to get it right rather than just give up.  I believe they all can be very accurate. My point is accuracy isn't always a given and i take no gun for granted until i benchrest it.  Its up to us to do our part too.  If a military surplus gun is grouping bad I would slug the barrel to see what size it is then go from there.

[DWARREN123]

A decent Mauser, M48A model, check before buying and once you found a good one shoot it. Clean after every range session immediately because most if not all mil-surp ammo can be corrosive to some extent.

[Scota]

Hook up with a CMP sponsored club and go to a shoot.  You are now qualified to get a Garand.  There is run of the mill stuff like Nagants, and Turks, then there is quality rifles you will never regret getting.  A Garand qualifies as quality.

[cal sibley]

My first winter in Canada I damn near froze.  I decided to refinish an older military surplus rifle to help pass the time.  I selected a Swedish M96 mauser and redid the metal and wood on it.  Turned out to be a real beauty.  Come spring I took it to the range and was really surprised at how well it shot.  I now have 3 plus a Remington Classic in 6.5x55.  The Classic is a nice sporter, but I still favor my old M96s, and they definitely get my vote.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[jh45gun]

The average military shooter will group about 2" to 3" on average with most surplus ammo

If your lucky some will not do that good but double that. From what I have seen the Swedes will do a inch to a inch and a half if not less and they are not picky on ammo either. Same goes with the K31 from what I have seen of groups posted on the net. I have not shot my K31 with jacketed loads yet but My Swede at 50 yards ( What I sight in at ) will shoot under a half a inch. Most of my hunting is wooded so far shots are not the norm. I would feel comfortable shooting farther knowing the gun will do it. I cannot say that about the two mosins I had or the 8mm Turk Mauser and that had a great bore and headspaced perfect and had a peep sight added so I could not even blame the sights. I feel my Swiss K31 and my Swedish Mauser will shoot as good or better than most sporters but you cannot say that about all milsurps and I have shot my share.