The classic rifle vs the cheapest rifle.

[smle-man]

Until the 80s Garands were pretty rare in civilian hands. Someone showing up with an M1 on the range would cause a bit of a stir when I got into shooting in the 70s. Remember through the DCM it was one M1 in your lifetime back then. Not too many M1s leaning in the corner back then. The model 94 or a Remington 141 were the guns everyone had in their garage where I grew up.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

The Winchester 1894 and it's varients were popular rifles, no doubt. But what many people today have forgotten is that from the late 1920s until the late 1960s, the Savage 99 in .300 Savage was considered to be THE quintessential deer rifle here in the US. So much so that it still makes many lists of the best deer rifles of all time. And contrary to popular belief, the Winchester bolt actions were not all that common. They were significantly more expensive than most other hunting rifles that were available at the time. You were more likely to see a Remington Model 30 varient than a Winchester. There were also many, many hunting rifles that were popular way back when that have largely been forgotten today. The Remington Model 8 and 81 for semi-autos. The Remington 14 and 141 for pump action rifles. Savage bolt actions. Marlin lever actions, which were always at least as popular, if not more so than Winchesters were in the old west. Sears sold thousands upon thousands of old military surplus rifle from all over the world. Some stock, some sporterized. These were normally much less expensive than a purpose built sporting rifle. And if it was in an obscure caliber, who cared? Sears sold the ammunition for them as well. Where do you think most of the Swiss rimfire Vetterli rifles ended up? We have always been a nation of bargain hunters. Most of those Vetterlis ended up in the back woods of the east coast.

If you are looking for what was likely to be in Grandpa's closet, you would be better off looking at the type of gun, instead of the specific brand. A deer rifle, with a cartridge in the .30-30 class, up to the .30-06 class. In whatever brand the local stores carried. Possibly a sporterized milsurp of some sort. Possibly used. Scoped if it was after the late 1940s. Iron sights before that. Nothing flashy. Nothing fancy. Just a good, solid, reliable rifle that could stand up to years of sitting in a closet, and still come out once or twice a year to fill deer tags. That is what was probably in your grandfathers closet.

[Red Devil]

...I really just want a rifle that feels like a rifle.
...I want something in a common American caliber (not 22/.223) that will stand the test of time.

M1 Garand / 30cal. M2 (30-06)

High serial number (5.4 to 5.8 million) Service Grade M1 Garands from the CMP have come lately with near new barrels (TE 2+ / MW 0+ to 1+), ...collector grade, original parkerized metal, ...and usually with really nice, new CMP birch stocks.

They look (and shoot) like brand new rifles.

(I know this because I just go two (2), ...more. )

Currently ~$600.00 + shipping, ...and $0.50/round for M2 surplus ammo.


Kick this Pig while they last...



EDIT: not mine, ...but just like'em.

Got my Garand today!

wwgunslinger's photostream

[radioed22]

1903a3 are a ton of fun. 30-06 that you can buy very easy. I would say Garand but it is picky on ammo, but are fun and it looks like CMP is getting ammo again. You would be spending a lot more money, but a Garand in .308 looks really good too. I would say Saiga .308 as the cheapest for newer, but only if you keep it in its standard form. FAL might be next as far as price. Personally I say the Saiga if you want to just unload, but a bolt gun to keep you on target, or spend the cash and get a LMT .308. Thats what Im saving for

[Rekrab]

Winchester 94 and variants is THE classic American rifle.

The Garand if you want a milsurp.

Saiga for the .308 semi.

This is exactly how I had it laid out in my mind.

[sevensix2x51]

I would take the m1a over the garand personally. There's a lot more surplus .308 around than -06, so you'll be able to shoot it more. That's why I have the socom which is awesome, as well as a garand chambered in. 308 and my 03a3 never gets out much.

[Anchors]

The Socom is so sexy and well balanced haha, if I had $1600 I would get one.

I really like all the answers. I think it's fair to say that Winchester 94s and Marlin levers are probably pretty classic forever. I wish I could afford an old 94 too.

I like M1As (not just the socom) and garands.

Saigas are great. I will probably get a .308 Saiga at some point.

Now I'm thinking I really need a lever gun. Any cheaper repros of the 94 out there?

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

THE American rifle of the last century?
Winchester pre '64 Model 70.
M1 Garand for the milspec dudes (call CMP)
Winchester 94 for the western inspired.

^ what he said.

[Anchors]

Man I didn't think even the cheapest lever guns would be $350-$400.

[gasol1ne]

my gramps had a paratrooper m1 carbine back in his family ranch/homestead. He said it was very handy.

[Dragunov]

I was at RifleGear today, I already have an AR so I started fondling an M1A Socom 16 and I got that funny feeling (like do I have anything I can sell for a couple grand?) and it got me thinking about the rifle.

So I really have two questions, rather matters of opinion.

1. What is the classic, quintessential, timeless, all American rifle? You know, the rifle your grandpa got for $20 in 1940/50/"something old" that was always in the corner of his bedroom or out in the garage or that every family in the Midwest and South had handy? Which rifle represents old America to you?

2. What is the cheapest/best deal .308 autoloader rifle? (not an EBR)
Saigas? Ishapor Enfield? New/Milsurp/Foreign are okay.

I really just want a rifle that feels like a rifle.
I had a Mosin sniper (a real sniper, not repro), but I sold it.
I want something in a common American caliber (not 22/.223) that will stand the test of time.
I might want a rifle from each category

*Edit* I also have a C&R-03, so that might factor into the process.

My Dad has a mid fifties, bolt action, JCHiggins .30-06 in standing in the corner of his bedroom that he still deer hunts with. Will this qualify for the answer to question number 1?

[MrPlink]

It sounds like what you really want is the Socom, so I would just save for that.
Garands are sexy though, and I definitely agree with the get one while you can idea.
Youre just going to have to get both

[Anchors]

My Dad has a mid fifties, bolt action, JCHiggins .30-06 in standing in the corner of his bedroom that he still deer hunts with. Will this qualify for the answer to question number 1?

Absolutely, that is awesome.

It sounds like what you really want is the Socom, so I would just save for that.
Garands are sexy though, and I definitely agree with the get one while you can idea.
Youre just going to have to get both

Well, yes and no. I would love to have the Socom, but can't wrap my head around $1600+ for an M1A. k

Garands are nice. I would love to have a Garand before they disappear.

I think I want a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun. I saw one at Walmart today for $30.
Lever-action, cheaper than .22lr, and I can shoot in my backyard! haha.

[freonr22]

winchester model 54/model 70 in 30-06 or .308 (later)
or 1903a3 in 30-06