50 plus year old military rifles?

[seamaster]

I'm going to a guns show in a couple weeks and would like your opinion on what 50 plus year old military rifles are good buys these days?

What should I look for in an M1 carbine and what's a fair price?

I want a good shooter and I'm not buying for collecting.

What other guns should I look for?

[Baba Louie]

Best buys today include:
Moison family ($125+)
Steyr 95 ($100+)
Yugo 48s ($150)
Swiss K31 ($200)
Mausers, 98s and Swede 96s ($250 ish)
Arisakas ($150+)
British .303 Enfields (tho some No4's might be cheaper than say, a Swede 96)
SKS ($200 +/-)
Ammo prices might be somewhat selective on the above tho'... (read not cheap anymore w/ exception of maybe the 7.62x39)

Going a little higher up the ladder,
1917's ($350 ish)
1903-A3 or just the 03's ($500+)
Garands ($650+)

For an M1 carbine shooter you're looking ballpark $500+ (Check out the CMP page for best deals). Inlands are the most prolific, thus cheapest (muahaha) if supply/demand holds true in the economic world of milsurp shopping. California pricing notwithstanding it should go without saying.

Expect tag prices to be higher of course. Carry cash. Ask em "What do you have to have for this one?" after you check out one you think you'd like to buy. Check out the muzzle crown, bore, bolt lockup, safety, etc. Enjoy the haggle experience and be prepared to walk away.

It's all good.

[m2hmghb]

For the carbine I'd avoid commercial copies like the Iver Johnson's. Stick with WW2 issue, more chance they were made right. I'd check the bores, the crown, see if the barrel is original to the receiver, and check muzzle erosion.

[hogship]

There are a lot of great military rifles, but here's a couple of "must haves".

hog

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL431/781008/1425902/30712028.jpg

[AH-1]

see iif you can find a finn M39 28/30 or M28.these rifles are very accurate.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/2008_0119finn20002-1.jpg

[Berto]

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/650/stuff386an9.jpg

Accurate rifles.:)

[MrMurphy]

Lee-Enfield, either the SMLE/No.1 Mk III or the slightly younger No.4 Mk1.

Mauser. Any kind is good, and pre-AK47 was the most adopted rifle in the world. Everyone from China to Persia (Iran) Germany, Sweden, even the U.S (The Springfield is such a close clone they had to pay royalties).

Mosin-Nagants aren't the smoothest or fastest but the 7.62X54R round is still the longest-issued military .30 cal in service (adopted 1891, still in use for sniper rifles and machine guns) and they're good rifles.

[nick__45]

mauser and mosin nagant can be had for under 100 pesos. mausers will be in much rougher condition though in my experience.

[eisman]

There are very few military rifles that aren't 50 years old anymore. Buy condition, not price.

[bno762]

IMHO Lee Enfields are some of the best milsurp guns out there. THey can be had for 158 or so.

[chowchow]

Russian SKS. The original .

[Jazz5]

IMHO Lee Enfields are some of the best milsurp guns out there. THey can be had for 158 or so.

I agree. I love my I MK III.

[Glock Influence]

mauser and mosin nagant can be had for under 100 pesos. mausers will be in much rougher condition though in my experience.

where do they sell mosins for $10 bucks?

[Squaw Man Wolfer]

Be advised that those with the blue finish and marked "Blue Sky" (or something like that) on the barrel are reimports and often sell for much less. True collectors tend to look down on those. I have a reimport and it shoots GREAT!

One way to really get screwed is to buy non-milsurp magazines. A whole bunch of those are floating around and generally are guaranteed to JAM! I saw one once at a gun show that had a Heinz Tomato can label impressed in the metal. Wish I had bought it as a gimmick.

If you reload, you can get carbide dies for the carbine cartridge and they are as easy to reload as a pistol cartridge.

[Squaw Man Wolfer]

Also, keep an eye out for an Ishapore Lee Enfield. They look just like a Mark III, but are chambered for 7.62 NATO ! The magazine has a different shape.

[LoneRanger19]

For the carbine I'd avoid commercial copies like the Iver Johnson's. Stick with WW2 issue, more chance they were made right. I'd check the bores, the crown, see if the barrel is original to the receiver, and check muzzle erosion.

Actually Auto Ordnance are OK, they run for about $700 new. Iver Johnson's are not that great, but definately avoid Universal.

http://www.auto-ordnance.com/ao_aom110.html

[eddief4]

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj22/eddief4eddief4/DSC03742.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj22/eddief4eddief4/DSC03751.jpg

[AH-1]

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Surplus_and_Used_Long_Guns.html

[seamaster]

Also, keep an eye out for an Ishapore Lee Enfield. They look just like a Mark III, but are chambered for 7.62 NATO ! The magazine has a different shape.

Aim has them for $180 but the time it got me after my ffl got his fee it would cost me $300. I will look for one at the gun show.

Aims website reads "For use with .308 NATO (7.62x51) ammunition only". Does this mean the ammo has to be military surplus or can it be new 308 win ammo?

Thanks guys for your replies,

[Doug S]

I'm not a "collector", but I think the Russian Capture, German K98' are pretty neat.

[Faulkner]

You can't hardly beat Garand's and carbines.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/6541000/82350379.jpg

[AH-1]

Aim has them for $180 but the time it got me after my ffl got his fee it would cost me $300. I will look for one at the gun show.

Aims website reads "For use with .308 NATO (7.62x51) ammunition only". Does this mean the ammo has to be military surplus or can it be new 308 win ammo?

Thanks guys for your replies,

wow find a different dealer.mine charges me $10.00 flat fee to buy on his ffl.you also have to ad shipping about 15.00-16.00.
120.00 is pure nuts and what a crook.
pete

my russians.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/2008_0119russians0003-1.jpg

the snipers are still in use today.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/napusniperiiii1.jpg

[bno762]

Aim has them for $180 but the time it got me after my ffl got his fee it would cost me $300. I will look for one at the gun show.

Aims website reads "For use with .308 NATO (7.62x51) ammunition only". Does this mean the ammo has to be military surplus or can it be new 308 win ammo?

Thanks guys for your replies,


SOG still has em for $169.

[bno762]

I agree. I love my I MK III.

my next smelly is gonna be a wire wrapped 1mk3 or 4mk1. I havent decided and really it depends on what they have. I just saw them not to long ago in one of the monthly flyers I get and can't find it right now.:wavey:

[hardballing]

There are very few military rifles that aren't 50 years old anymore. Buy condition, not price.

DITTO 1000% on the condition. Condition is ALL if you EVER want to resell it. THe old adage of a buying the highest grade you can afford of a SINGLE model versus buying 3 or 4 just because of price is true.