Current collection of surplus rifles

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wizzamen

New member
My current collection of surplus rifles consist of:

3 Russian Mosin Nagant M91/30's

2 Russian Mosin Nagant M44's

1 Russian Mosin Nagant M38

1 Polish Mosin Nagant M44

1 Chinese Type 53 Mosin Nagant

2 Yugo SKS's M59/66A1

1 Chinese SKS

I keep thinking I have enough surplus rifles but then I read about hex Mosins, Yugo Mausers, Swiss rifles, Polish handguns and I start feeling like I don't have enough. What do I do? Should I stop collecting, expand Mosin Nagant and SKS collection only, or branch out to other surplus firearms? What's in your collection?


Recent additions, Chinese Type 53 from Aim Surplus and Chinese SKS from Classic Firearms


Polish M44
 
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I really like my M38, the lack of a bayonet gives it the perfect balance. A little bit rough on the shoulder, but nothing to cry about.
 
Judging from the one K-31 that a generous fellow let me shoot, definitely include that in your collection.
Very slick and accurate.
 
The SKS 's are my favorites,then the M44, 91/40 and Enfield. I like anything old and/or unusual. I've started on the milsurp ,antique & BP pistols now.
 
Judging from the one K-31 that a generous fellow let me shoot, definitely include that in your collection. Very slick and accurate.
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I have always heard about the superb accuracy of the K-31, but I didn't want to add a new caliber to my collection. It seems like I don't have a choice if it's as good as you say.
 
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I have the SKS's, Mausers, M38, M44, M91/30's and the Mk4 Enfield. Of all, the Enfield is probably my favorite, but the hardest to feed. I well stocked for the others, but getting low on 303's.
The M38 is easy to carry and fairly accurate also.
 
Well you certainly are stocked up on Mosin-Nagants and SKS rifles and with their cheaper prices, I can sure understand that. I got into Milsurps years ago when you could get a No.1 Mk.III SMLE or No.4 Mk. I Enfield for less than $100. Both of those are great shooters. Another thing to look at is the US offerings like the 03 Springfields and M1917 Eddystone rifles. Then there is the German 98k rifles. I still have yet to get one and while they aren't really collectable, shooters that are Russian captures are still fairly affordable. I also need to get myself a couple Arisaka rifles. I want to get both the Type 38 in 6.5 Jap and the Type 99 in 7.7 Jap. I had a MAS-36 in a .308 conversion that was a total POS and I have thought about getting a 7.5 French version but still haven't really warmed up to the design like I did to my MAS-49/56 conversion in .308 Winchester. Yes, many of them had problems with rough chambers so if you go that route, check that area VERY closesly. That's what I did and mine has been a pretty good performer. Finally, one lower on my wants list is the old Italian Carcano rifle. They don't have a good reputation for accuracy with many people but I got a hunch that this is maybe more related to the ammo than the rifle itself. What can be an issue is the need for the clips unless you want a single shot. The Manlicher system has to have these clips unlike the Mauser design where the magazine is built into the rifle.
 
Definitely need a few American milsurps! Looks pretty good other than that.

I've been missing my SKS, kinda wish I hadn't gotten rid of it. It was really unaccurate though.
 
Definitely need a few American milsurps!
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I agree but I got into the game too late.

I broke down and bought 2 Swiss K31 rifles from Aim Surplus, I paid extra for the "hand pick". I knew I would regret it if I didn't buy them and prices have been steadily climbing on these.


How could I resist!!!
 
wizzamen said:
Surplus gun collecting is never-ending................
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Dude, you're not kidding there. I was just rummaging around in the back of a stack of milsurps looking for something when I noticed a rifle and my first thought was "What is that?" and, as I realized what I was looking at, it was replaced with "When did I get that?" :o :confused:
 
Milsurps are absolutely addicting, for us women as well as you guys. I have 4 Mosins in various flavors myself.

I gave up on trying to limit calibers a long time ago in order to feed my addiction. My justification is that I can shoot whatever caliber I can find, though I have bought dies for most of the calibers I have so I can play more with them.

I like the idea of the K31. I love mine - but you also ought to try an older swiss too - my 96/11 easily keeps up with the K31, and often I shoot better with the gun made in 1898 LOL

I would also suggest an M1903. My 1903A3 is among my very favorite, and for a milsurp designed for "minute of man" is one of the most accurate military main battle rifles, ever.

The Enfield is great fun, and if you can find a real jungle carbine, you can see what stout recoil is really about!

The VZ24 is fun, too, and is among the best of the mauser actions. I like it better than the Spanish mauser.

Krag Jorgensen has the smoothest bolt action you will ever turn. Neat to shoot in spite of the odd side loading magazine.

Havent gotten the Arisaka (with intact mum) to the range yet, so I can't comment on the fun factor yet.

In the semi auto section, an FN49 will always attract the "what is THAT" question at the range (and last time that was from the range officer LOL), and the SKS is almost obligatory. An M1 Garand is living history - nuff said.

The AK is the one in my collection I shoot least - just never cared much for it, but then I never needed to shoot after dropping the rifle in a mud puddle, either. I might like it more then.

It never ends......but I tell myself I am preserving history. Someone has to do it. That is my story and I am sticking to it!
 
Vividia, I hope you are not married to someone with the milsurp bug also. You have an impressive list of rifles, thanks for the great recommendations. I really would love a M1 Garand, but something cheaper always gets in the way and I have to start all over. I think I might open a secondary savings account just for milsurp rifles!


This is not my picture, but I can understand how this could easily happen to anyone:
 
Dude, you're not kidding there. I was just rummaging around in the back of a stack of milsurps looking for something when I noticed a rifle and my first thought was "What is that?" and, as I realized what I was looking at, it was replaced with "When did I get that?
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LOL! I'm glad I'm not the only one that happens to.:D
 
Received both my K31's from Aim Surplus today, the hand select option was worth it. One is from 1945 and the other from 1949, both have beech wood stocks. The triggers are nice and smooth on both of them. Now what scares me is what's next? Maybe I should start a firearms bucket list.









 
I really like my M38, the lack of a bayonet gives it the perfect balance. A little bit rough on the shoulder, but nothing to cry about.
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Yep, the lack of a bayonet is quite nice.
Nothing messing with your grip. No extra weight hanging out on the end. No funky vibrations from worn locking surfaces.


I don't find the Mosins to be so hard on the shoulder, as most people claim - and I'm a skinny guy. I think a lot of the complaints come from poor form, the steel buttplate (people are spoiled with super cushy recoil pads, today), and the short length of pull.

I recently bought one of the 1" buttpad extensions for my M38, so the rifle would be more comfortable. The company markets it as a "recoil pad", but it's hard rubber. It's just an extended buttplate, in my opinion. But, it does make a big difference in comfort.

I think a lot of shooters that complain about Mosin Nagant recoil would quiet down a bit if they had the proper LOP. Even without a compressible pad, having the proper length of pull can make a big difference in perceived recoil with any long gun.
 
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