Best Military Rifle for Me.

S

sundance43.5

New member
I'm going to a gun show, and need some advice on which historic rifle is best. I'm going to use it primarily for small game, and plinking. So, here are my options:

1) M1 Carbine
2) M1 Garand- not looking to spend a whole lot.
3) 98 Mauser
4) 1903 Springfield
5) A good mil-spec 1911

O.K., what's the verdict?

Thanks
 
Well, the 1911 is right out...

Seriously, you can get a unissued Yugo M48A mauser with great wood for under $200. The unissued ones are in great shape. I would suggest that as the inexpensive alternative.

-z
 
i would go with the M1-Carbine seeing that Mauser is not the best Rifle to be useing on small game, and for plinking all day the 8MM is a little hi on the $$ line.
 
As far as I know:
8mm is the cheapest centerfire cartridge to buy, including all pistol and rifle ammo.


whether or not to use the cheap ammo is another matter.
 
I've been looking at M1 Carbines for a while now, prices have gone up. GI import/mismatched beater start around $495.... well seasoned GI Garands & 1903s same to $50 more. You could save maybe $100 by getting a civilian copy (Garand: CAI. Carbine: IMI, Iver Johnson, Universal) but I'd recommend you steer clear. A Yugo Mauser sounds like a good choice for a guy on a budget, or a clean Lee-Enfield No4MkII - they're around $225. -- Kernel
 
Unless you're looking to reduce Thumper and Bugs to pink mist, .30 Carbine makes the most sense of the bunch.
 
Got my Big Five ad today

M1 Garands in what they call "excellent condition with new receivers" are now $499. I wish I didn't have a deal pending right now for another rifle.
 
I forgot about the SKS.

The SKS would be a good choice! They are fairly accurate, light recoil, ammo is really cheap for the non-corrosive stuff! I just ordered a 6.5x55 Swede and a Yugo Mauser 8mm from Ellison's Military Rifles. I am really looking forward to getting them in. Everyone I have talked too has said that the 6.5x55 Swede is one helluva gun! Check out Ellison's sight. From just talking to him on the phone he sounds like he is a very honorable dealer that knows what he is talking about and will not take advantage of you.
 
Aristophanes-Winchester is now making 7.62x54R. I got a box at a gunshow a few weeks back. The nice thing about this stuff is that it`s non-corosive and reloadable.

Even without the Winchester ammo, I`ve never had a problem finding 7.62x54R ammo. It seems fairly plentiful to me.
 
Ledbetter, be careful. Some of those new Garand receivers have a really bad reputation. There are some threads around here somewhere about how shoddy they are.
 
Hey Led - Stay away from those FrankenGarands. The receivers are sometimes way out of spec and dangerous. Get that "other" rifle we've been talking about!!

Noban
 
M1 Garand from CMP . . . ?

Why not an M1 Garand from CMP? I ordered one on March 2 and received it on March 20. Those guys are really on the ball.

Wasn't expecting the rifle for another month. Now I gotta' scurry around and find some ammo . . . :)
 
ralphtt,

Get your ammo from the CMP. They got USGI Lake City milsup .30-06 for $60 per 280 plus $12.50 (IIRC) Fed-X to your door step..... plus it's already loaded on Garand clips. That's 35 clips, at 50 cents per clip that's a $17.50 value, and if I'm not mistaken it comes in a .50cal GI ammo can which is a $5.00 value. Heck of a deal, I got three cans on order myself. Once you get your CMP "customer number" you can even order ammo online. The only down side is they limit you to 4,000 rds per year!! -- Kernel
 
Thanks, Kernel . . . !

Took your advice and already mailed the order. Does seem like a good deal, especially considering the 35 clips that are included.

Do you have experience with the Talon reloaded ammo that Eric, the Ammoman has available on his website. It's priced about the same; and I just wonder if it works ok in the Garand?
 
I've personally ever used Talon ammo, since I can usually fine milsurp or new for the same price or less. Here's the deal on Talon as I understand it: The US Government won't sell shootable ammo direct to citizens (the CMP being the sole exception). They will sell to companies like Talon on the condition that the ammo is de-militarized. So.... Talon buys GI ammo in bulk, pulls the bullet, dumps the powder, and culls the cases. They then turn right around and take these components and (hold on to your hat) reassembles them to make loaded ammunition they can then legally sell to you and me.That's the loop-hole, go figure. Talon also makes ammo with new components as well, but the cheap stuff is recycled milsurp. In general I'd say it would make acceptable plinking fodder and I'd buy it if the price was right. -- Kernel

[Edited by Kernel on 03-22-2001 at 07:21 PM]
 
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