Author Topic: Keepers and Loosers (Read 677 times)

jh45gun · « **on:** August 23, 2005, 04:49:09 PM »

Well I put 2 mosins and a 8mm Turk that had a peep sight installed on it at the gun shop on consignment. Tired of trying to get the 8mm to shoot decent and the mosins shot ok but I am not really a collector more of a shooter and my K31 and my Swedish Mauser shoot well so I figured why put more money into shooting average guns when I have two rifles that shoot so well. I figured might as well get some cash out of them and call it good. I did not renew my License C&R either. I enjoy the milsurps that I have left but do not plan on getting any more. I just am going to shoot the winners that I kept. Jim

Stan in SC · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2005, 01:07:32 AM »

It looks like you and I are kinda in the same situation.I have recently pared my collection down to only good shooters.Plus I have been getting off more and more into the NEF Handi Rifles and one custom.
My C&R license expires in December and I am contemplating whether or not to renew it.
The milsurps are fun and like everyone else I went thru the accumulating part where I picked up every rifle I could afford.Then I got off more and more into the shooting end of it and from that I started reloading for more accuracy.It's a great hobby though.

Stan

jh45gun · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2005, 01:27:15 AM »

Yea Stan I am thinking of getting a used Handi in 308 ( or some other centerfire if the price is right) if I sell these guns and customize it. I am sure you have seen the short barreled ( 16.5) Encores that are set up as a Carbine and then scoped. Well I have a 308 Encore Pistol ( 15) but a new longer barrel would cost me 225 bucks plus the price of getting cut and recrowned. Plus the stocks are expensive too. So I am thinking of finding a used Handi for around 175 bucks if I can and cut and recrown it and it would be cheaper than doing the Encore. Even if I put a Brake on my pistol barrel to make it 16.5 it still would not be as cheap as getting a handi rifle.

james · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2005, 02:52:20 AM »

I took 5 new (to me) milsurps to the range last week end. I found them to be accurate in the following order. 1) Swiss K31, 2)Czech VZ24, 3) Springfield M1 Garand, 4) Enfield #1 Mk3, 5) Mosin 91/30. The positions could change with different ammo as I was shooting cheap stuff in most of them. My brothers 96 Swede fell in behind the VZ 24 with his Hotshot ammo. I told him it would be equal to the Swiss w/ my handloads.
I too, may not renew my C&R as I don't know if I can afford all of the good deals in the AIM flyers.
james

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2005, 05:13:03 AM »

Yea James the swede and the K31 on the average are the best shooters out there for the money. I would guess the Finn 39's and 28's fit in there too along with our Springfield 03's. The thing is now most any one can afford a K31 and they are sure worth the money. I like the idea that you can use 284 brass to load for these after you resize them as getting Mosin brass was a pain. Not that hard but not as easy as getting 284 brass. Same with the 6.5 Swede Brass is easy to get. I would bet that any load factory or reloads other than that Hotshot ammo would have gave him results that would have tied or beaten the K31. I have heard that hotshot ammo is not that great and your post confirms it good enough for me. But then I would not buy any as bought reloading dies for the Swede. Jim

1911crazy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2005, 09:57:10 AM »

I would never let my C&R FFL expire again. Even though you don't want anymore C&R's its always an maybe? And if its at an out of town gun show where a C&R is needed or a mail order. Plus the discount i get on ammo and reloading supplies well out weighs the $30 cost for 3 years think about it gentlemen before you make a mistake. You also get a discount on modern guns too with your C&R too. Its a win/win situation even though your collection has rounded out. I keeping my C&R renewed for sure who knows what the future will hold. As your collecting direction changes we do come back sooner or later again to the surplups so i wouldn't sell anything too quickly too. I have been fighting that demon too plus the misses will kill me if i sold anything. With the supplies of surplups drying up and some stuff is harder to find already i'd think twice about selling anything right now because in a few years the prices just may double too so you can cash in its up to you. I have seen some stuff go from $150 to $450 in less than a year.

RaySendero · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2005, 02:36:31 PM »

Hey Jim,

Will you post us some pics of the keepers?

MGMorden · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2005, 03:46:29 PM »

I'm in with the not letting the C&R expire crowd. I've definately cut back on my buying as well, but there are still pieces that could pop up that I'd want. In this business, any particular hot item could sell out before you get another liscense. Heck I'm starting to look into collecting older shotguns and such and the C&R helps there too.

Plus, it's only $10 per year. Discounts from Midway and Brownells more than pay for the liscense anyways :grin:.

jh45gun · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2005, 06:12:05 PM »

Thing is I can buy from the local gun shop most of the time cheaper than if I ordered something and got a discount and then added shipping on to it so I never order from these outfits even though I get all the catalogs. If I have it, it will just tempt me to order things I really do not need, Since I am on SS disability my income is very limited. I am happy to have the guns I do have now. Maybe if WI passes a CC law I will get a carry pistol thats about all I need, Jim

Stan in SC · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2005, 01:42:35 AM »

JH,you mentioned customizing a Handi.I bought an ultra lite in .243 two years ago.I removed the synthetic butt stock and replaced it with a Survivor butt stock.The pistol grip allows you to hold the rifle tighter to the shoulder and I have found this to be an excellent way to improve accuracy.The resulting rifle is small compact and an excellent deer rifle.It is as handy as a pistol when you are 25 feet up in a climbing stand.
I recommend the synthetic survivor butt stocks.

Stan

1911crazy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2005, 03:07:16 AM »

Without having my c&r ffl and the sales and clearances at midwayusa and other places on the net i wouldn't save as much as i do and that leaves me extra cash to spend on something else. My local gun shop could never match the prices on new ammo i get on sales and clearances. Even the prices on reloading stuff too you can shoot more for less $$$.

UMFAN1 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2005, 08:15:09 AM »

Hey guys,

Where can I go on the web to find out how to apply for a C&R license, rules, etc? Thanks. :grin:

jh45gun · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2005, 08:30:33 AM »

Just do a search for BATF and go to their licenses section.

jh45gun · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2005, 08:33:59 AM »

Quote from: Stan in SC

JH,you mentioned customizing a Handi.I bought an ultra lite in .243 two years ago.I removed the synthetic butt stock and replaced it with a Survivor butt stock.The pistol grip allows you to hold the rifle tighter to the shoulder and I have found this to be an excellent way to improve accuracy.The resulting rifle is small compact and an excellent deer rifle.It is as handy as a pistol when you are 25 feet up in a climbing stand.
I recommend the synthetic survivor butt stocks.

Stan

I gave it some more thought and figured na I really do not need a other rifle I have more than enough to load for and shoot now and my Encore 308 pistol really does a nice job and would do anything the shortened customized handi would do and the Encore is paid for. That surviver stock would have been one of the things I would have bought. I do not know I still may it all depends on what I come across for a deal ect.

jh45gun · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2005, 01:01:48 PM »

Quote from: RaySendero

Hey Jim,

Will you post us some pics of the keepers?

Here ya go Ray. :grin:

From Left to Right:

Left is a Spanish 93 Mauser in 7mm. First gun I ever messed with. it first started out as a barreled action that was real cheap with no bolt. Barrel was shot so I got a Used barrel and bolt from Springfield Sporters before they went out of Business. ( THey are back now) Rebarreled it and put redid the stock what was left of it. Then finally I put the scope on after a peep sight that was not drilled as good at it should have been a buddy and I tried to mount the peep sight and he did not get the holes lined up perfect. So I figured what the heck and drilled the front for a scope block and then adapted on for the back where the peep sight had set. I will state now if you do not have a scope mounting jig take it to the gun smith. drilling holes with out one is like playing russian roulette. Needless to say the scope is straight with some inventive shimming and adjusting but I would never try this again unless I had a jig and since I do not plan on any more rifles I guess I do not have to worry about it. Soo this is a keeper as it is a bubba but I like it for the first gun I messed with and to be honest I saved a gun from the junk heap as that is where it could have ended up or for parts. Scope is a old Weaver 2.5 K with the post. The older scope to me just kinda fits this old warrior. Bolt Kit is one of those 15 dollar specials( Advanced Techologies) you see and I have to admit they do work even though they are not that pretty. Since they are made to go with their companion stock I had to get the highest scope rings I could find to make the scope high enough for the bolt to clear so if anyone hear decides to get one and do what I did here remember standard scope rings are not high enough.

Two is my K31 with Darrel's Scout mount and a old Bushnell Phantom on it for now until I find a newer pistol scope. It is a keeper just because of its accuracy though I got to come up with a better reload and becuase it has to be one of the neatest rifles invented. I like it.

Third is My Swede Mauser. This has to be the Cadilac of Military Mausers Yea the Mauser 98's are a newer gun and stronger but they do not rivel the blueing and fit and finish of a Swede 96 or do they rival the accuracy in the Military configuration that the Swede has. THe scout mount is my own my take on a Ashley scout mount which was a tube ( Sleeve) either epoxied or soldered to the barrel. Scope is a Tasco Pistol Scope with a illuminated Crosshairs.

So these are my keepers and after having my license for 6 years. With my others guns I am satisfied. A centerfire pistol if WI ever passes CC may be a possibility but I will cross that bridge when I come to it and that pistol would probably not be C&R anyway. [/img]

1911crazy · « **Reply #15 on:** August 25, 2005, 04:02:58 PM »

Nice toys!!!!! Congrats

RaySendero · « **Reply #16 on:** August 25, 2005, 04:29:35 PM »

Real nice!

Thanks for the look.

MGMorden · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2005, 06:23:12 PM »

Quote from: BigBill

My local gun shop could never match the prices on new ammo i get on sales and clearances. Even the prices on reloading stuff too you can shoot more for less $$$.

Heck the local gunshop around here usually wants at leat 40% over most of the online outfits STANDARD prices.

A box of 7.62x25 Tokarev ammo will run you $18 for a box of 50. A plain-vanilla RIA 1911 is marked $450. Most of the Mosin Nagants they have are around $180 or so. :cry:

Aside from just a few reloading supplies (powder and primers) I don't buy anything from them. Non-hazardous stuff is all online; old guns ship right to me; new guns come from either Wal-mart or if they don't have it, I've got a very nice gunsmith (does smithing and transfers only; no storefront) that I get to do the transfers.

1911crazy · « **Reply #18 on:** August 27, 2005, 01:11:28 AM »

MGMorden; Brother you are so right I went insearch of a 1911 just browsing prices and i was in shock the used stuff is $450 to $600?? Did the used prices just take a hit or what? A used wheel gun(revolver) are still around $230 & up. But the used semi-auto pistols are thru the roof there's no deals that i can see. It makes the Auto-Ordnance 1911a1 at $384 "NEW" the real deal. I won't even go on about the used rifles but the surplups sure look to be the hot ticket. With the prices on new modern stuff going up it should put the brakes on sales for sure. It makes the used stuff look attractive but the prices are going up there too?Time will tell where this will leave the surplus market or should i say direct the surplus market. I really don't think its time to part with anything surplus because you may not be able to replace it in the near future for what you little paid for it in the past. The recent prices on some of the 98 mausers are starting to show that right now. Time will only tell on the mosins. Its just like the stock market by low sell high and now is not the time to sell its time to enjoy what you have, when the supply dries up thats the time to sell.

Fact; I seen a 1908 Brazilian 98 7mm mauser sell for $150 and the very next year you couldn't find one under $450. Heck thats better than the dow jones(stockmarket) the inside traders couldn't do better than that.

someone has a boat load of finnish m39 mosins yet you don't see a flood of guns or low affordable prices right now? Hmm........

jh45gun · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2005, 06:08:57 AM »

Guess I am lucky the local gun shop here still has good prices. :grin: