What's your favorite military surplus rifle?

[American Finn]

Well, I just heard back from Miltech. My Arisaka rifle that I sent them earlier this year has been restored and is on its way back to me. I already have 100 rounds of 7.7mm Japanese so I can take it to the range next weekend and try it out. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned anything older like a Trapdoor Springfield. One person did mention the Krag-Jorgensen. Wasn't the world record Dall sheep taken in Colorado with a .30-40 Krag in 1899 (I believe the record still stands)?

Aren't there any fans out there of French military rifles? I have a MAS 36 and I think it is a nice, handy rifle. The only complaint I have is the lack of a safety, but other than that the rifle fires a capable cartridge, basically the equal of a .308.

 

[Deaj]

M14. It's on my 'one of these days' list.

 

[CZguy]

Aren't there any fans out there of French military rifles?

Sorry can't answer that...........................it's the high road.

 

[ironvic]

Most accurate centerfire rifle I ever shot was a Swede K-31. But, my top choice has always been the Enfield No.4. I love those Brit rifles. My dad had a soft spot for his WWII gun, got him through Bougainville, the 1903 Springfield. Maybe one day I'll find a nice one.

Best all 'round "looker," though, was my FR-8. Geez that little bolt gun was the best of both worlds. A "tacticool" boltie, who'woulda ever thunk theyd'a come up with sumthin' like that!

 

[Maverick223]

Most accurate centerfire rifle I ever shot was a Swede K-31

What was the runner-up...a Swiss Mauser?

 

[foghornl]

US Rifle Cal .30 M1

Popularly Known As "The Garand"

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

Un-issued M48B Yugoslavian Mauser, today. Ask me again tomorrow.

 

[solvability]

M1 Garand
Enfield

 

[hhmorant]

K-31

Even the people who aren't military surplus fans seem to appreciate it.

 

[texaspetron]

Fav Mil Weapon

I trained in 1957 with the M1 Garand and I agree with Gen Patton.

Qualified Expert. The city boys fired the first round and then afterwards flinched prior to firing, not many qualified, first time.

My brother gave me one.

Texaspetron

 

[theotherwaldo]

Well, I'll step in for the French. They're always making excellent weapons that others get to use.

I favor the MAS-36. Very accurate and as powerful a rifle as I'm willing to shoulder.

Second would go to the SKS, followed by my Lee-Enfields - both military and civilian models. Beyond that, AKs, ARs, M-1 Carbines, Mosins, and all of the rest have to fight it out.

 

[American Finn]

I have seen a number of posts extolling the virtues of the 1903 Springfield. This begs the question: is shooting a "low numbered" M1903 really as dangerous as they say? The reason I ask this is because during WWII the armed forces rebuilt many of them and re-issued them to not only our army, but to the Free French, the Chinese and the British Home Guard. If they really were that unsafe, don't you think the arsenals would have disposed of them after WWI?

In fact, I read somewhere that many of the "low numbered" Springfields exploded for such reasons as a plugged bore. What do you think?

 

[Maverick223]

They're always making excellent weapons that others get to use.

Huh?...Chau-Chau MG. But you can take it apart and make a nice still (WWI Vet.).

 

[Gryffydd]

I have seen a number of posts extolling the virtues of the 1903 Springfield. This begs the question: is shooting a "low numbered" M1903 really as dangerous as they say?

Maybe, maybe not... That's what you get with eyeballed heat treating.

 

[pwillie]

My favorite will always be a M1 Carbine,made by Rock-O-La...carried one in country....two thirtys taped together.

 

[TheGrimReaper]

K-31 Swiss....I still want one.

 

[Ignition Override]

My two LE 'Jungle Carbines', or maybe the LE #4.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Henry rifle with proven civil war use.

 

[Mp7]

K98 rechambered to .308 by the israelis.
a FAL to go with it

 

[Mp7]

...

... but if i could get a M44 in THAT condition, i´d be all over it!

 

[Maverick223]

but if i could get a M44 in THAT condition, i´d be all over it!

I did a double-take on that one...I honestly couldn't figure out what it was to begin with...it just looked to good. I never have been a fan of the MN (even when they went for $40.00), but I would pick up one that looked like that in a heartbeat.

 

[.45Guy]

Aren't there any fans out there of French military rifles?

YES!

 

[Erik M]

Hmmm Im not a huge collector, I and I dont have alot of foriegn produced 'surplus' weapons. I would have to say its between my Norinco SK and my M44.

 

[American Finn]

.45 Guy, I have never seen one of those in person!!! That looks like a rare find. A Model 1886/M93/R35 Lebel. They are full length rifles that were cut down (I don't know if it was for cavalry use, tank crews or troops that served in the Maginot Line) and only had 3 round magazines. The French arsenals started the modifications about 1935. The Germans took captured stocks and issued them to some of their occupation troops.

Is yours marked with the Nazi ownership marks? That would raise its value an extra 50%. Have you ever fired the rifle? I wonder what kind of recoil it has.

P.S. I like the cheese and wine.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

Mosin Nagant 91/30. It's just about the manliest gun ever made. It's not pretty (unless you have a twisted mind like me), it's not intricate. It is a no nonsense sturdy wood -and-steel firearm that comes with a gigantic rusty screwdriver to attach to the front, and it shoots big bullets, comrade.