So what’s the lastest and greatest best deal on a military surplus rifle?

[BigAlofPa.]

Cabelas had a Mosin 91/30 400.00. I was like wow. I only paid 200.00 for mine this past winter. I did some grouping test. It groups good. Im getting a scope for it and mount where i don't have to butcher the gun.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I think that for the most part the "good 'ol days" of cheap surplus are gone. But, in thinking about it, there are two "deals I can recommend. One would be the Star Mod. BM pistols currently for sale. Right around $150, and in the best available condition about $200 +/- a little. What stands out to me about this deal is that for years now the deals have been rifles, but here we have a pistol, and a very good pistol at that. Yes, many of them are shop worn externally, but most in mechanically excellent condition. A buyer can always have the pistol refinished at a later date. Soon to be all gone, and many will wish they would have invested in a couple of them. I mean, really, where can you get a quality 9mm pistol now days, all steel, for $200?

Next, the 1937 model Turk '98 Mausers were a great deal about 20 years ago at $39.95. Lots of gunsmiths and collectors loaded up on them, and many still have a few stashed away for future projects or investments. I keep pretty close tabs on the internet gun auctions, and it's not at all unusual to see these going for around $150 now days. But Mauser pattern rifles made by other countries and in slightly different configurations easily go for $250 to $450. The odd thing is that the Turkish Mauser, well made, reliable, very accurate, is just as strong as any of the others and can be made into an equally nice sporter, if that is what the owner desires, or shot "as-is". So, even at $150, with no more Mausers in sight, I'd consider it to still be one good bargain. And I'm pretty sure they'll continue to slowly increase in value.

DG

[Texas by God]

You are so right (as usual) DG. If I don't get another Star BM before they're gone I may cry. Perfect size for the 9mm cartridge.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[waksupi]

Cabelas had a Mosin 91/30 400.00. I was like wow. I only paid 200.00 for mine this past winter. I did some grouping test. It groups good. Im getting a scope for it and mount where i don't have to butcher the gun.

It wasn't many years ago, I was buying those at $129 delivered for three.

[444ttd]

i know that it is "dead" post, but i'm going to reply anyways.

i do sporters, military sporters to be exact. i have purchased rifles under $150. they were without open sights, stock cracked, rust on everything, junk barrel and so on and so on. i have or had done a 91 arg, 93 spanish(s), 95 chilean and 98 mausers also the 1898 springfield armory(s). i won't do "antique" rifles, mostly because of my bank account; i don't have the funds and i'm handicable(not handicapped).

take, for example my 98 mauser sporter. i paid $120 for it. it came with bishop stock and either a lyman or redfield aperture sight. everything else was put in 1944. the barrel was scrubbed clean and i slugged it .3235". the bishop stock was rubbing against barrel. so i took her apart and expecting to sand the barrel channel. but instead the inside of the stock was black with "furry white eyes" staring back at me. the stock must have been waterlogged for some time, dried out and then put on the gun. i got a richard's walnut stock and i am in the process of finishing(pumice and rotten stone) it. the aperture sight was loose, so i picked the screwdriver and began to "screw the screw". only to find that the screw was stripped. well i started to find the screw on duck duck. nuthin. i go to the Fastenal store. can't find it. well, i'll put it in mental note to find the screw. three weeks later, i have pick up a rifle from my gunsmith. i'll take the screw with me, maybe he'll have one. he didn't...........but he takes the screw into his workshop and after he he's done with it......now i have the screw!!!!!! (he has a bench grinder, which i have, and he puts on a "macro vision" glasses, looks at the screw, fires up his bench grinder and then he grinds. the "stripped" screw was just in need of love). i tried to pay him, but he declined saying, "all it needed was a bump on the grinder". i thanked him again and now i'm on my way to "screw".

i now have a pair of macro vision glasses. not that i needed glasses. not going to eye doctor, nope!!! why i can see just fine. (i'm trying to go to eye dr<covid>, but it will be since i had the stroke, about 8 years ago)

why do i go thru making a military sporter? it gives me something to do. i'm in no hurry to do it either. whether the stock or action or whatever makes me mad, its time to put it away and wait for next day.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

The last issue of Firearms News has a two page ad from Royal Tiger Arms. All sorts of military surplus rifles. Many were around $1,200, and very few below $400. I saw no real bargains. Same for Hunter's Lodge on the next page.

[Gewehr-Guy]

The best bargains are the CMP M-1 rifles, and in my opinion the Swiss straight pulls are my next choice. A G-11 or K31 are about half price of 1903's and probably a better rifle, although I really like the Springfields too.

[slim1836]

My first Mosin Nagant cost $89.00, my second $199.00. Still not a bad price. My Nagant pistol was $125.00, not too bad either. Got a RG-22 (pure junk) for use with blanks for field training dogs and it was free along with a Lorson .25ACP (another piece of junk).

I do have many other firearms of much better quality but I do like my Mosins.

Slim

[Texas by God]

Since I like hunting rifles better than military rifles, from now on I will only get previously sporterized rifles if they are a good enough deal. Except for M1Garand and M1 Carbine- I like those “As Is”. I still will not own a safe queen or collectors item.

[444ttd]

....will not own a safe queen or collectors item.

me either. i buy a rifle to shoot and hunt.

i have a 93 spanish mauser(oviedo) in 7x57 in a cut off stock. its barrel is so-so, but i'm not interested in 7x57. i am interested in 257 roberts, so i'll rebarrel her. the action is "naked", it needs a d&t and scope mounts. while i'm at, it will get a dayton trigger set and 2 position safety. i might as well refinish the stock too. i'll put on a 2-7x leopold and then i'll have my dream rifle. but i have to do another 93 spanish mauser(oviedo) that will be my son's rifle. it will be be 7x57 in a douglas barrel. (i have done a 98 mauser in 7x57 years ago. it is now my oldest son's rifle)

the only actions(as oppose to rifles) that i have are two 1898 spr armory without bolts and a 1895 chilean navy mauser with bolt. i bought the 2 1898 spr armory actions this year and they were $30/each. the 95 mauser was also bought this year and it was $120. the two 93 spanish mausers were $70 and $80. the 91 argentine sporter was $150. the only thing i did to the 91 argie was a redfield aperture sight. i should refinished it, but....... so much to do, so little... (ahem)...uhhh, i have time to do it!!!!!!

[salpal48]

Those are days long gone and never return again

[Baltimoreed]

At the Md Military Antique Arms show in 2019 I stumbled up on this 1896 [it was so nasty it was labeled 1898] Krag rifle wrapped up in cosmoline. I cleaned it up enough to see that the stampings and grasping grooves were nice and sharp and bought it for 650.00. When I got it home [NC] and cleaned all the junk on and out of it I was amazed. It was minty. I’m sure its worth more than I paid by a lot. Even a blind squirrel.....

[kawasakifreak77]

I saw PSA had 6.5mm Carcanos for 229. I've never dealt with a Carcano, don't know if they are any good but in today's money that seems decent.

[RU shooter]

Seems like the good ole days of cheap surplus are over unless some ex soviet or whoever country stumbles upon a forgotten bunker or cave full of rifles and ammo . Wish the days of the unfired Romanian Ak parts kits for 89 bucks would come back

[444ttd]

i remember it was sometime in the early '90s when my gun shop/smith owner had sks and it was like $80. if you bout a crate of them it was $60 or $65 a pop. i should have three crates!!!!! the cheapest (chinese) sks today is $300-400 and they go up from there.

if your willing to wait or if the rifle needs repaired or if it is a military sporter, you'll find a cheap rifle. trust me, i know about cheap!!!!!

[Shiloh]

Not vintage, but I saw Classic Arms(IIRC) just got several crates of Vietnam Era Chicom SKS with bayonet... will be selling between $400-$500

The first I saw of those, '88-'89, they were around $200 with a wooden crate of Chinese ammo. Memphis Tennessee gunshow in midtown fairgrounds.

Shiloh

[Shiloh]

Agreed

$125 Yugo SKS and Serbian Mausers about 20 years ago.

Shiloh

[savagetactical]

I remember buying SKS rifles and other surplus because they were cheap and I was poor , so poor I could not afford nicer or better guns. As the cost of ammo went up or became to scarce as to make those guns affordable or cheap to shoot I sold most of em off. I wish I had kept more of them but as others have pointed out there are still deals to be hard I bought a pair of m1903 rifles for $600 a year ago One is a very very nice example of a Warner Swasey sniper sans scope. One day I hope I can afford a scope and mount for it but I am not going to hold my breath. Original WWI rifles are getting expensive and this one is very very nice with sharp cartouches and a perfect bore so I have no complaints. My other 03 is an 03 with a scrubbed receiver that shortened in years past to make it about 4 inches shorter than a full size rifle , it is still in its original military configuration just shorter .

It really doesn't have any collector value , just shooting value. The stock is rather tired on it and I need to replace it at some point as it will not stay tight in the original wood which is cracking and has other issues. At some point I will find a used stock and trim it to fit the gun. It actually shoots amazingly nice . I had considered putting a full size barrel back on it and at some point I will probably will.

About two years ago I purchased an Amberg Gew 88 at a Flea Market for $100 with a new condition barrel, the gun can really shoot good and does wonderfully with 200 grain bullets.

As others have said there are some good deals to be hard , it just depends on what your interested in .

I still have one new in the box SKS I have never shot , and probably never will . I have shot many of the rifles so I know how they perform and I just do not see a point to shooting this one considering it is new unfired . At some point I will probably sell it to buy a gun I really want as the price keeps climbing on the SKS rifles.

My most recent surplus gun is an 1884 Springfield that is really quite nice , has a lot of the original finish and shoots wonderfully. In fact it is the gun I enjoy shooting the most at the moment. I think I paid $600 for it , and considering the level of finish it has its probably worth three times that price given what I see others asking for guns with much less finish and poorer condition bores.

I am still tinkering with loads for it trying to find the sweet spot for the gun but it will post a 2 to 3 inch group with a laser cast 405 grain bullet. I have been told it will do better with a 500 grain and have loaded some for it but have not had a chance to hit the range as yet.

[lrdg]

As long as we are remembering.. I bought a pair of Chinese Mausers at a Great Western Show at least twenty years ago. The guy had a table stacked with the most worn out (both in quality and quantity) rifles I've ever seen in one place. I was so fascinated I bought two. I can't recall now if I gave $20 for the pair or $20 each.

[John Boy]

Gents the days of $100 firearms are ..... Gone
If I was looking for a quality military rifle, my choice would be the 7.5x55 Swiss K31.
Five years ago, mine cost me $325.00 in NRA 90%. Today’s the price has escalated to approx $600 for the same NRA grade.
The quality of these rifles was pure craftsmanship and their accuracy IMO has no parallel. I shoot 1000yd coyote sillioutes with stock micro adjustment sights and do have a scope for it