Looking to buy WWII rifle or lever action

U

UnicornDeathMachine

Inactive
So my lady wants to buy me a rifle for my birthday. I'm thinking of a good lever action something or an old war rifle. I'm open to suggestions. I'd like something that fires relatively cheapish ammo. I am interested in lever actions for the cool cowboy style. I do not hunt; I just shoot for fun. However, if the world gets taken over by zombies or morons I want something useful for post apocalypse grocery runs. Trying to keep the cost under 600 bones. I already have a Norinco SKS so I'm not too interested in an ak-47.
 
I've got a Mosin 91/30 and the more i handle it and the shoot it the more i love it. It fires very cheap 7.62x54R Surplus ammounition which whilst corrosive doen'st present much of a problem if you clean it thoroughly after firing.
 
600 bones, hmmm. A decent condition 1903 Springfield or Enfield would be a good choice, me, I like the Thompson but an original will be a lot more than 600. I guess I would go with a Marlin 336C about $450.00

Jim

SAM_0319.jpg
 
Kill Two Birds With One Stone

It's my understanding that there are a few U.S. marked model '94 Winchesters out there that were used here in the states during WWII. I don't know if this one is legit, but it might be worth a look.
 
A garand is nice, but trying to get a WWII garand from the CMP could almost be impossible. There are garands left, but most are going to be post-WWII. But if it's the WWII "Style" of weapon the OP is looking for, then yes, a garand is a great choice. It will cost a bit more than his other choices. Plus, if you're not eligible for the CMP, that could be a hassle.

For military, the mosin is definitely the best bang for the buck. You can get decent ones for around $100. Ammo is still available at a decent price. Learn to clean your weapon well, because there's a lot of corrosive ammo out there. Just use warm water and soap.

As for the lever action, you can get a decent 357 magnum lever action for $400-$500. Maybe more depending where you shop. Maybe less if it's used. The nice think is that it will shoot 38 specials. It becomes a decent deer rifle out to 100 yards. Excellent for home defense if that's also what you're looking for. And plinking 38 special can be done at $13-$14 a box of 50.
 
I second the .357 lever. One of the more useful firearms out there. Can play defender against zombies, cowboy or hunter--the latter doing a good .30-30 imitation under 100 yds with the right loads. Marlin's a good one. So is a Rossi 92. It's a lightweight and slim but strong design--over the years distributed by/known as (ie, search for) "Puma" by Interarms and Legacy Sports (LSI--not to be confused with their pricier Italian built "Puma 92" lately), EMF and, in the last two years just plain "Rossi" itself, as the currently sole importer.

As for the cowboy part, the '92 generally plays to that image better than the Marlin. Although most of the west was "won" by 1892, the Winchester '92 the Rossi is patterned after was used in most of the 20th century cowboy movies and TV shows (John Wayne and Chuck Connors/The Rifleman being the most famous users) as most representative of "saddle guns"--and still did working ranch/range duty well up into the 20th Century--so it still has that cowboy cache', however historically inaccurate or exaggerated.
 
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Ubirti.com has got some great rifles to gander at if you want something old west style. Henry repeating arms or Winchester are great for lever actions. A good ww2 rifle would be Lee-Enfield or 1903.
 
pvt.Long said
"Ubirti.com has got some great rifles to gander at if you want something old west style. Henry repeating arms or Winchester are great for lever actions. A good ww2 rifle would be Lee-Enfield or 1903."

I was thinking that too, and the Uberti (Cimarron and Taylor) '66s and '73s more representative of the true gun(s) that "won the west," but they're are typically over the OP's price range, one of the reasons the Rossis are so popular. And...Henrys are a bit pricey, but more than that seem unnecessarily heavy for a little ol' .357 or such.
 
Mosin Nagant

I am leaning toward the Mosin because of the cost of both the rifle and the ammo. They seem like great guns for the cost. I would really like a lever action 30-30 or .357, but the cost of the ammo and rifle itself are both a real turn off for me because I would be spending so much to shoot it. I'm not rich, so if I go for a lever action of any kind I think it will have to be a .22. And I played with a (pretty certain) Henry lever .22 that felt really smooth. I do not remember the model.

Now, as far as the Mosins go is there anything I should pay attention to when buying one or any specific ones to avoid or strive for? My brother has a M. N. M44 but the stock cracked a short while ago. Should I try to wrestle it out of his hands for a low cost or just get something else?

Thanks again for all the imput!
 
If you're limit is that high and you want a Mosin, get a Finn reworked model. They're nicer and more accurate than the Russians, but cost a little more.
RT
 
If you want cheap go Mosin

If you want to move up a bit, try the Yugo 24/47 mauser

I have one, and added a Redfield scope

2 inch groups at 100 and 4 inch groups at 200

I like the Yugo, but with what I put into it, ($250 rifle and scope, home bedding, time) I probably would go for a Stevens or Savage new, that are ready to scope
 
Anything and everything you could ever want to know about the Mosin Nagant: http://7.62x54r.net/

I'll second the post about buying a Finn Mosin if you can find one. There's nothing wrong with the Russian refurb rifles but the Finns are definitely more collectible and generally shoot better.
 
Unicorn; just an FYI. The ammo cost for the mosin and the 357 are almost identical. Actually; except for mil-surplus, the lever action is actually CHEAPER on ammo.

See; the 357 magnum can also shoot 38 special. A box of 50, 158 grain, 38spl, costs about $14 online. Cheaper in bulk. That's $0.28 per round, or $5.60 for a box of 20. Again, that's $14 per box NOT IN BULK. 7.62x54 NOT IN BULK, will cost about $9 for a box of 20. In bulk; mil-surplus; it's around $4.80 a box of 20. So, as you see, 38spl and mosin ammo is almost identical. In many cases, the 38spl is cheaper. And definitely easier to find locally.

Now, there is no doubt that mil-surplus mosin rifles are cheaper. You can get them as cheap at around $100-$125. The 357 magnum lever is going to cost around $350 used and around $500 new. But you have to decide what you're going to do with the rifle.

1. Ammo: Already showed that the price of the two is almost identical
2. 357 mag lever: Can hunt deer and small game, fun to plink with.
3. Mosin: Can hunt deer; too much for small game, not much for plinking because it's a full rifle round and recoil. Not bad; just not like a 357/38.
4. Home defense: The 357 lever is better. More rounds; better defense ammo available; easier to find ammo; no real recoil.

So, it depends. Yes, the rifle is cheaper in the mosin, but NOT the ammo. Plus, you have a lot more versatility with the 357 lever.
 
I am interested in lever actions for the cool cowboy style. I do not hunt; I just shoot for fun.
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Henry lever, either a blued, or if you want to be a little more flashy, a Golden Boy. Either one in 22 lr will give you a lot of shooting fun for the $$$.

However, if the world gets taken over by zombies or morons I want something useful for post apocalypse grocery runs.
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You're already covered with an SKS!
 
Most everyone who reloads loads 357 Mag ammo. Find a reloader in your neighborhood and ask him to reload your brass. Same with other calibers, even if you have to buy a set of dies for him to use.
 
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