Advice for buying Milsurps in today's market

[Sasquatch1097]

Hello, I am a new shooter and have been looking to invest in a couple of good milsurp rifles, WWII era in particular. I'm looking for anything that I can go plinking with on a college student budget, mainly a "shooter" but also a solid investment. As a military history buff, the idea of having a shootable piece of history is very appealing, I am very interested in Mosins and Lee Enfields, as they seem to be the most affordable and available currently. After a bit of research, I noticed that prices have skyrocketed in recent years, with some saying Mosins used to be about $150 in 2015 and now looking on the marketplace and on Armlist I see prices at a $300 minimum. I understand the economic principals of supply and demand and how low supply increases the price but what are normal prices for a decent milsurp rifle these days?

For example, I found a Lee Enfield No4 Mk I*(a Savage arms model with US property mark in good condition) at my local gun store for $425, and it is in decent shape, serial numbers match. Based on my research this seems like a good buy, I know Mk1 star models are not the most desirable but it looks like the rifle is in good shape, good bore solid rifling. What is the best way to get .303 British now that most of the surplus ammo has been shot through? I know most people reload .303 now, but that's not practical for me.




In Summation
-What is a reasonable price for various surplus rifles in the current market? ( as most of the information I've found is a few years out of date)

-Is it still possible to shoot surplus rifles on a budget? (cost of rifle and subsequent ammo)

-Where is the best place to source ammo for surplus rifles (.303 British, 7.62x54R in particular)

-Should I hold out for a decent Mosin, wait for a better Enfield, or buy the Enfield above?


Thanks

[SkyHawk]

Those are good choices, I have several of each. But you might also consider a SKS. Ammo is cheaper and easier to get in CA. And the guns themselves, like other popular C&R mil rifles, are going up in value.

[John Browning]

The days of cheap surplus ammo and rifles is, sadly, very much over. There are deals to be had, but those require knowledge, luck and effort.

[risingsun212]

Enfields and SKS are good choices. I tend to go with milsurps that shoot popular and readily available ammo. One option is rifles that shoot 7.62 x 51 NATO. Ishapore 2A and Israeli Mauser are good ones to start with. Both are still affordable and fun to shoot.

[speedratchet]

I think an sks would be a great choice also, it uses common ammo and is a very fun rifle to own and is rich with history.

[CGZ]

What is a reasonable price for various surplus rifles in the current market? ( as most of the information I've found is a few years out of date)

Depends on the rifle.

I've seen Mosins sell at $300 these days so if you can find one for $200 in very good condition I'd say take it.

I think Enfields (No1mk3* or No4mk1) are $400 - $500 now.

-Is it still possible to shoot surplus rifles on a budget? (cost of rifle and subsequent ammo)

If you reload its about the same as 308. Most milsurps are .303 caliber (Enfield, Mosin, 7.7 Arisaka, 7.65 Mauser.) 6.5 (6.5 Arisaka, 6.5 Mauser, 6.5 Carcano (technically .268 vs .264)) is becoming more popular so components should go down in price. 30/06, 7.5 French and Swiss use .308 and then all the different 8mm

-Where is the best place to source ammo for surplus rifles (.303 British, 7.62x54R in particular)

Pawn shops, brick and mortar stores, gunbroker. Just have to look and get lucky for surplus ammo. PPU for modern made, plenty of online retailers.


-Should I hold out for a decent Mosin, wait for a better Enfield, or buy the Enfield above?

They have only gone up in price in recent years, so I say the sooner the better

[rdfact]

[TheSpaceNeedle]

Build a time machine

[Rogerbutthead]

Join a rifle club. Make friends with the older members who have collections of mil surps.

They aren't going to live forever and you will probably get good deals before or after they pass.

Not speaking as someone who has done that, but as a collector who is not going to live forever.

[Ora Serrata]

There are still some bargains to be had if you look. Best thing is to educate yourself as much as possible first.

Mosins are still fairly cheap. Keep your eye out for them and you'll find them in the $200 range. Surplus ammo is still readily available. If you're close to a gun show you might find some reasonable prices/availability from bulk ammo sellers.

You're looking at a No.4 which should be good, but be aware if you eventually buy a No.1 that No.4 magazines don't fit, and be careful of headspace issues, especially if someone used a No.4 bolt head in a No.1. There are other things to look out for so do your homework.

If you're not wanting to spend the money on a German made mauser, the VZ24 Czech Mausers are still a bargain at the moment when you can find them. Also, Carcanos and Steyr M95's are still bargains, but ammo isn't cheap.

[Jeff L]

Buy the gun, not the story.
Do your homework before you buy.

[19K]

No gun is "unissued" or "never been fired"

"all matching" doesnt necessarily mean "all matching from the factory at the time of manufacture"

[Paulie Lugnuts]

If you're investing, buy the best quality gun you can afford.

[jarhead714]

An Enfield that shoots 7.62, a 98 Mauser that shoots 7.62, A Garand that shoots 7.62, or if you’re a glutton for punishment, go with a Spanish FR-8.

[kj]

If it doesn't have to be a battle rifle, how about a military training rifle in 22lr? They were made by different manufacturers - Winchester, Mossberg, Stevens, Remington, Kimber, etc. Foreign militaries also used 22lr trainers. Some of these can still be found at reasonable prices, and 22lr provides economical plinking/practice.