Pick my next milsurp rifle

[USMA-82]

I've reached that point in my collecting life where I've pretty much found everything I've been looking for. I'd still like to find a reasonably-priced 1941 Johnson, or a German G43, but I'm not holding my breath - besides, I'd have to sell a good portion of my collection to get it.

I'm a "one-of-each" type of collector, so multiples of the same gun don't do it for me. I like bolt-action as well as semi's, so I'm pretty much open to all suggestions. I'm looking for shooters - not safe queens.

I guess I'm searching for something out of the ordinary. So, what do you suggest - and why?

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[Mike-Mike]

Why? I really always wanted one.

 

[USMA-82]

I'd love an MG-42 semi, but it's the same cost issue as the Johnson.

 

[Keystone]

Maybe an SVD or clone?

Why? Because I want one myself and just haven't gotten around to getting one. I like the way they look. I like the idea of the true squad dedicated marksmen's weapon. Just gotta find a reasonably priced one with decent wood furniture

 

[JD09]

hard to say not knowing any gaps in your collection


Some ideas:

SVT 40

FN49 - heavy but one of the smoothest shooting semi autos I have fired.

Enfield P-14 or a M1917 - .303 vs .30-06 I remember when I started collecting that there were more 14's than 1917's around. Nowadays it is much harder to find nice P-14's A much under-appreciated rifle

Swedish Ljungman Ag42 Semi auto rifle

 

[SKS Ray]

Sounds to me like cost is going to be your biggest enemy because you most likely did the same as me and everyone else who's been in it for a while and you obtained the affordable and easily found stuff first.

Now the ones you want are all high priced items such as a G43 or 41 Johnson and saving up the cash for one is always hard because something usually comes along in the mean time. Thats the problem I have.

A real Russian Dragunov, G43, even an SVT40 sniper, all out of my price range because I can never save up the cash for one.

Have you thought about .22 training rifles? You can get into a whole world of searching and collecting them and most are still reasonably priced.

 

[USMA-82]

SVT-40: Been there, got that

FN49: Been there, got four (love 'em)

M1917: Been there, got that

Ljungman: Been there, got that

SVD or Clone: Have the SSG-97 (Romanian Sniper) - the SVD is a whole different ballgame.

I don't have a P-14 yet, so there's an idea. I do have four other Enfields, though, so maybe I should hold out for something different.

I have a couple of .22 rifles (one bolt, one semi) that already scratch that itch.

Ray, your analysis is spot-on, as usual.

Thanks for the ideas so far - please keep them coming. I have Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket!

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[Keystone]

What about an arisaka or the japanese wwii pistol (nambu?)

Perhaps a hakim?

Save your pennies and go class 3?

Any particular era milsurp you interested in?

 

[USMA-82]

Arisaka: Have a 38 and 99 long rifle - I'm good there

Nambu: Not a milsurp rifle - but I might consider it in the future

Hakim: Been there, got that (and her little sister, the Rasheed)

No class three license (yet), but another future consideration.

As far as era: Anything between the US Civil War and 1959...... Yeah, I know - too broad.

More ideas?

 

[theGringo]

Portuguese 1904/39. Just, because.

 

[USMA-82]

Portuguese 1904/39. Just, because.

Come on, I need more to go on than that....

(but I will check it out on Gunbroker)

 

[theGringo]

Come on, I need more to go on than that....

(but I will check it out on Gunbroker)

None listed. [sad2]

 

[ScottS]

G33/40 Mountain Carbine or in its Czech Treasury Police form, as a VZ33?

 

[USMA-82]

G33/40 Mountain Carbine or in its Czech Treasury Police form, as a VZ33?

Excellent suggestion, but it will have to wait until I can scratch up a couple thousand bucks. Unless you're selling one for cheap....

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[kingson]

what about the Finnish Suomi M31 semi-automatic 9mm Rifle? It is only $600 and is pretty cool. Plus it is MA friendly no evil pistol grip.

 

[dwarven1]

1861 Springfield? Or do you have one already?

Ya know, you could dig up a copy of Murder in the Gunroom by H. Beam Piper - Piper was a noted collector and his first mystery novel mentions a LOT of guns by name. The murder victim was a collector, and many of his collector friends were suspects, and there's a lot of discussion of their collections. Might get some ideas there.

 

[USMA-82]

The Suomi and the 1861 Springfield are good suggestions.

The only thing about the Suomi is that its a "wannabe" - not fully auto like the original. The 1927 Thompson (semi-auto) is great looking, but it's not REALLY a Thompson, is it?

Since I have a flintlock and a trapdoor, I do need a percussion rifle to fill in the space between.

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[kingson]

The only thing about the Suomi is that its a "wannabe" - not fully auto like the original. The 1927 Thompson (semi-auto) is great looking, but it's not REALLY a Thompson, is it?



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Yes but it will probably be the closes you will get to a real one, unless you have tons of money

 

[USMA-82]

Yes but it will probably be the closes you will get to a real one, unless you have tons of money

Understood - see first post!

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[kingson]

You have any French bolt action or semi ones? They are intresting guns

 

[SKS Ray]

Theres one of these hanging at Zero Hour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahti_L-39

 

[kingson]

Theres one of these hanging at Zero Hour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahti_L-39

Is it still in 20mm or has it be converted to 50bmg and how much is it?

I have always wanted one of those and a Boys Anti-tank rifle

 

[SKS Ray]

Is it still in 20mm or has it be converted to 50bmg and how much is it?

I have always wanted one of those and a Boys Anti-tank rifle

I think its still 20mm but I don't know if its for sale or not.

 

[ScottS]

A Norwegian K98k in .30-06 is pretty cool, with the half-moon cut into the rear of the forward receiver ring to accommodate the .30-06.

An OVF-marked Chilean Mauser would be pretty high on my list, too.

 

[garandman]

Speaking of Mausers, do you have one?

I love to let folks shoot a Mauser for 4-8 rounds at 100 yards, then try the Garand.

 

[50 BMG]

O.K....if you really want a collector item, buy the new Barrett 50 B.M.G. semi auto. Now if you say been there done that what else do you really need

Or Terri Goody has an all original Hungarian 91/30 Sniper dated 1953 in 100% condition, all matching with original scope and not import marked. Original stock marked correctly. I would go wit the Barrett. Hey with Obama they will be collector items soon!

 

[USMA-82]

You have any French bolt action or semi ones? They are intresting guns

You must have missed this post:

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=59480&highlight=french+ladies

As for the rest:

Fred, a Barrett would be nice, but 1) it's not a milsurp and 2) costs as much as a small used car. But thanks for playing!

Mausers, Mausers, Mausers: M-24/52, M98/29 (Persian), M49 (Persian Carbine), M1871/84 (the Original), M-1895 Chilean, M-1896 Swedish, M-98k (RC)... shall I go on?

The Elephant Gun is a perenial favorite, Ray (especially after reading "Unintended Consequences"), but falls under the same category as Fred's suggestion - except more so.

You guys are really reaching - I like that! But keep them coming.

 

[kingson]

You must have missed this post:

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=59480&highlight=french+ladies

.

Wow I guess I'm not doing well at this. It would be easier if you didn't have so many Milsurps to begin with. It sounds like you are at the point where you have just about all the cheaper guns and need to start saving money for the more expensive stuff. Or just give us a list of what you have and we can find something you don't have.

 

[USMA-82]

Or just give us a list of what you have and we can find something you don't have.

Nah, that would be too easy!

Just think of something seldom seen, but not out of sight in regards to price. If it's strange-looking or operates in an interesting way, I'd like it.

Don't give up!

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[SKS Ray]

Whatever you do, don't go the Russian SKS route!

Between Fred (50 BMG) and Matt (martin08), my competition for rarities is getting tougher.