Top 5 Military Surplus Rifles for New Collectors: 2023 Edition.
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
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Also, if you like Military Surplus gear and collectibles, visit my online store HERE: www.mikesmilitaria.com
My first firearm (and surplus one) was a Yugoslavian SKS. It’s bore is extremely strong and looks untouched (absolutely covered in cosmoline). I haven’t got the chance to shoot it yet but it’s very nice
The Swiss Schmidt Rubin Series of Rifles can still be had for decent prices if you look in the right places.
Most of them are works of art and are some of the most beautiful Rifles ever.
Lol would have literally been #6 on this list for sure.
They aren't the steal they used to be but are more than worth it.
The rifles are reasonably affordable. The ammo...not so much!
@@hux2000 I tracked down a case for cheap... super lucky but I'm a reloaded from here out.
Not to mention, the M96s were incredibly well maintained by Swedish armorers. You’ll be hard pressed to find one with a shoddy bore, but even then it’s still likely a tack driver
I bought an Arisaka type 38 in 6.5 x 50 a few years ago for short money. Shoots great & light recoil, but you’re correct about the ammo. More than $2/round, if you can find it.
cool gun but youre never gonna be able to shoot it lmaoo
I like the Carcano carbines quite a bit. They're cool, short milsurp rifles that aren't shoulder pounders and ammo is somewhat available unlike their Japanese counterparts.
Check out Steinel Ammunition for Japanese and Italian ammunition.
papa be collecting 46 years manycarcano rifles are in questionable conditions.check the bolt faces for hairline cracks.dont but it unless as a wall hanger or parts gun. don't shoot it. my collection is a working collection ready to put food on table or self defense.
@@brettbaker5599 I'm aware of Steinel and their usual backlog. Good source for Arisaka ammo maybe but I would rather buy PPU for 6.5 Carcano. That stuff is more available and cheaper. I still get decent accuracy even using the smaller in diameter bullets.
Lol what ammo you gonna use to shoot a carcano in 2023
6.5 Carcano? At least that's what i use lol
Always cheering you on, Mike. Thanks for these videos as it’s sheds light on the market. Keep up the great work.
I wish I got into milsurp 5-10 years ago, however, I am looking to pick up a surplus rifle at some point this year. My local shop had a couple of crates of carcanos come in last year, but most of those have dried up for now. I've been keeping my eye on a scoped Mas49-56 that's been sitting for a few months. If no one buys it, I may try to make an offer on it at some point. I am also leaning on grabbing a Carcano or a SKS as well.
My first surplus firearm I’ve collected is a 30s Springfield 1903 with the leaf sights. Pretty expensive and I probably got ripped off at 1600 but it seems almost pristine. However the local gun shop guy likes me and gave me a hint that there’s an enfield No4 Mk1 which is my absolute dream rifle for 800 but for me he’d do 7
Recently got me a 6.5 Swedish Mauser, made in 1912. Best rifle I own by far.
Glad to see that you give the Swedish M96 the love it deserves. They are such fine rifles and they are so damn fun to shoot.
Mine was killing gongs at 400 yds. Best Mauser ever
@@robertadam7182 agreed
@@robertadam7182 *K98k enters the chat
I just picked up a nice 1913 Carl Gustafs Swedish Mauser at a local gun shop a few weeks ago, although I unfortunately paid a little bit more than I was anticipating, it's still a beautiful rifle and works wonderfully.
a nice one goes for 600+ dont feel bad, very rare you will score one for less than that.
@@bigswede1able Yeah, that was the general ballpark figure for my Swedish Mauser
I own bot SKS & Mauser rifles , best of the two world , Surplus and good hunting rifles until today !
I got super lucky, although in truth I reckon he may have felt bad for me due to recent dealings with the big C, my Wife's Grandpa gave me his 1911 Schmidt Rubin in 7.5x55. I love the thing. It's also responsible for me starting to build a reloading set up. It's funny, I was the nerd who asked about hunting and you pointed me to the video of you getting two with the Schmidt, the fact I was gifted one was pure poetry lol
I love your videos Mike! I just got myself a Berthier, modified for the Turkish Forest Service and it cost me 400 with shipping from across the country!
Hey Mike THANKS there are a lot of new collectors out there that need a suggestion or two to get started. THX for showing.
Twenty years ago I had purchased a Turkish Mauser and it was very old and did not have matching serial numbers. It was in fair condition. It was a model from the late 1930's
Hey man, Just wanted to say thank you for your videos. I really do enjoy watching them. Been collecting for a while and as the years go by I get sad thinking about younger collectors trying to get into the hobby. Good work and keep it up!
Thanks for watching!
I have a handful of Mausers and my Turkish Mauser is hands down the best shooting one I have. Most accurate and smoothest action.
Ive actually got a type 99 arisaka i got for free because it needed a good revival. Made a fun set of videos with it.
Love my Turkish Mauser. I bought my SKS for 55.00 in 1993. Enfields were 45.00 back then. If only lol.
Just before Christmas I bought a Chinese Norinco SKS type 56 and after haggling a discount, for $499, two years after your video! This tells me I got a very reasonable deal, sphalerite the sticker type bayonet and the cleaning kit, was only missing the cleaning rod, and bought it for $10 out California! I have been slowly accumulating ammo and am waiting until a warm spring day to set up outside and clean it. It has no showing cosmoline, but who knows what the inside might look like, I scoped the bore and though dirty is good, chrome plated. It is 1981 manufacture date, and imported into Atlanta, GA, between 1988 and 1993, just before the Clinton adm. shut down importing them. Mine has blonde wood…catalpha, apparently a common species in China often used for furniture and other applications. I love the classic look and have no plans to bubbaize it.
Still has, not sphalerite! Damned spell corrector! Ha ha
My first was a Gewehr 98. Still got it!
is there a chance you could put a video together regarding reloading? As it is with the collector market today reloading might be a good option for alot of these historical firearms and if you have experience reloading yourself be interesting to see what goes into that and generally how the process works.
I would, but I don't have my reloading gear set up as I don't have space for it at the moment. There are a bunch of old videos on my channel from when I had the stuff set up. Just search on my channel.
Your videos have helped me find my way through the surplus market and have helped me make my decisions on the now 3 surplus rifles I have, my Izveshk SKS, my 1941 Izveshk Mosin Nagant and my newest my Carcano Cavalry, so thank you for these videos
Awesome! Glad to help new collectors!
@@MikeB128 I have a requst though, could you make a video about how to read the markings on the Carcano Cavalry? I am having trouble trying to identify anything besides the manufacturer on it
Good video , I have all of the rifles you mention , except the Swedish M96 . I do have 3 Chinese marked SKS , different years ( not the Norinco ‘s ) & I just purchase the 3rd Carcano Cavalry Carbine , so I have the 3 variations of the bayonet locking system . Thanks for the video !
My Turkish 38/46 short is my favorite bolt action rifle in my collection. It’s built extremely well, very ergonomic & user friendly.
Thanks Mike.
Well done, I completely agree. I'm seeing the interest with younger people going up where I live which is great. A lot of them are really getting into retro and clone ar's as well
I once held a good quality Russian SKS in my hand and I it would have only cost me $350~ but I didn’t buy it because I was more interested in another more expensive modern carbine. Couple years later, I’m now seeing those same rifles selling for $1000. I really missed out
I am still kinda new to collecting and I recommend a few things, when you collect, are you collecting to shoot or collecting to show, second, DONT buy something off the cuff, take your time, I use to do the oh shiny object I gotta have it and not question what it actually is beyond the model, Third don't buy outside your means, perfect example is my LGS had layaway, they had a drilling for $2000, it was awesome and clean and still good to shoot. I put it on layaway but i could never get all the cash together due to life and such so don't go outside your means
Got a Spanish mauser in 7x57 and a yugo Mauser in 8x57 love them both also lee Enfield to sks and a carcano and a 8x50
You can reform .220 Swift into 6.5x50mmSR Japanese.
You only need a 8mm lebel full length sizing die, 6.5 Carcano FL sizing die and 6.5x50mmSR Japanese FL sizing die.
You do need to open the neck first, use a 6mm neck expander then a 6.5mm (lube helps prevent failures though they aren't frequent).
Cut to length after sizing, maybe ream the neck if you wish.
My first Mosin 91-30 was like $120 out the door with ammo and I remember being upset the guy was jacking up prices. Now I’ll never see that again lmao
On Turkish Mausers,i got mine in December last year for 400. Its a 1930s updated 1893. Arabic says it was made in 1895,and is in decent condition with some rust in the chamber,nothing big,but its still noticable.
I would add m44 type 53 also vz24
I've had my Carcano for over 25 years and still haven't shot it. Clips and ammo were hard to find even back then and I put it on the backburner. Incidentally, I traded one of my Norinco SKS' for it.
Speaking of which, while not milsurp, my store got a decent private collection that was a time capsule of the '90s. Ruger P85, P89, P97, Beretta 96 Brigadier, MAK-90, MAK-91, Mini-14, Mini-30, Norinco Paratrooper SKS, etc. I wanted the MAKs, but couldn't justify the $1500 per asking price, even with my discount. I paid $200 for my MAK-90 in '96. The SKS, though, was quickly set aside for me. Though $600 is a lot for a gun I once paid $100 or less for, I've regretted selling/trading my first Paratrooper since 2002. As a broke E-2 at Fort Campbell, I got $40 cash and 3 or 4 Beretta '92 mags. The AWB was still in effect and standard capacity mags were around $50 per. I didn't take into account the next twenty years where I'd accumulate scores of M92 magazines.
Anyway, like most of the collection, my SKS was basically new in the box, with a '94 date making it one of the last pre-AWB guns. The best thing is it's a factory AK mag gun and our used gun guy wasn't working the day a younger guy bought both MAKs. So, I got the gun with its 10 round detachable mag along with four new "Made in Germany" AK mags. Between it and my M59/66 I think my Simonov rifle collection is rebudding.
My fellow employees bought a case of Chicom 53! Paid 17 dollars for it. We all chipped in. 25 rifles in that case.
That Turkish Mauser looked great. How might I find one for sale? I’m in Oregon and the auctions just don’t happen here. On line?
Forget the rifles, where can I get a pair of that sweet urban T-block camo?
Good list.
I got a sporterized 1898 Springfield 30/40 krag.
Use it to hunt deer with....reload for it also
my first mil-surp was a 1903a3 and she is a tack driver
I used to be a fan of the Mausers with the N.A.T.O. Conversions... The 7.62x51 is so common and easy to find....
I bought a Mauser, Argentine Modelo 1891 in excellent condition for $245 . It is unfired . It's obvious that a round has never been chambered, no marks on the bolt face and the cosmoline in the bolt and barrel prevent a round from being chambered. Original sling , magazine no scratches. A black powder collector got it in a lot from someone's collection, had no interest in it. I figure it was cleaned enough to hang on a wall. All numbers match B1616 so first 22000 produced.
Damn, nice!
I have an Ankara short rifle I got for $150 a few years back. Love that old girl.
Just picked up the M96 for 550, clean and all matching, great bore, nice wood. Only gonna cost more next year
I recently acquired a Spanish Air Force M44 for $700, matching serials and no import stamp, no stamped date of manufacture though just the Spanish Air Force crest. Furniture in great shape and probably running some surplus 1943 Turkish 8mm here in the near future. Thoughts or opinions?
I picked up a Yugo SKS for $560 when I first turned 18. I recently saw one going for $700 and was glad I bought mine when I did
Yeah, surplus firearms, and the concept of them being affordable went out the window years back.
@@MikeB128 I just recently won a bid for $240 on a Yugo M48. So I'm pretty stoked about that.
Congrats.
saw a cheap carcano. afraid i cant find 6.5 carcano so im afraid to buy.
I am super surprised Swede mausers haven’t stupidly skyrocketed yet, they are literally some of the best.
The biggest issue with collecting Mil Surplus anything, rifles, gear, or clothing, is the rising costs. Just look at SKSs. They went from under a $100 in the 80s to over $500 now. 5 or 6 times the price in just 30 to 40 years. That's a huge price increase for a used and abused nearly 80 years old rifle.
So if you're collecting, it's one thing. If you're looking because you want a SHTF gun, you're better off buying a MSR.
Turkish M38 was my first Rifle. i still love it
I picked up a turk m38 mauser in particularly good condition with bayonet and scabbard a couple years ago for 300 second hand. While i still prefer my yugo m48 over it, the turk is a really fun shooter, especially for the price.
Is it possible to replace the spike bayonet with a bladed one on the Chinese SKSs?
I NEED HELP. I have a, Soviet? Type 1 bayonet almost exactly as your polish one from 5 years ago. I've looked all around the bayonet and can only see a 4 on the piece that attaches on the rifle, on the other side there is a tiny little Triangle With a very small circle with some type of letter or number within it, and the scabbard has the serial number CD0153.
The bakelite is a deep red and the rubber on the scabbard is an orangish tan color.
The blade has serrations and almost looks like it has dried blood on it
Just got a carcano 1891 Calvary not long ago for $199. Love that it's history..
Love my 1893/33. Got it for my son To inherit :)
I have one of the turks in serial *3 The 3 is very large and kinda ornate. It has a dark bore and is mostly matched.
I just started collecting surplus rifles, and I know that I´m fck up 😂
When I see the price of some gun in the past and there price today… some people make a crazy profit.
Also, I´m in France, so it doesn’t help …
I wish I could have gotten one of your Finish Mosins. I just couldn't get those funds on such short notice
What Finnish Mosins?
@@MikeB128 Oh crap, my bad. I confused this channel with The Mosin Crate
Regarding the carcano, mine is from 1936 and looks beautiful. The main issue I've run into is it doesn't like to feed properly. I've been trying to troubleshoot it and it seems like my extractor may be bent and is stopping the round from seating on the boltface. I found a blog post from several years back that describes my issue exactly but I'm worried about messing with the extractor and possibly ruining it. Do you have any suggestions for a fix? Anyone?
Before watching this I would say my top 2 suggestions would be any good Mauser and a carcano 2 rifles for the price of 1 new rifle thanks for the vid
I purchase my M91 carcano carbine for $200 (which was a steal and was heavily sticky lol) but for now I’m trying to find the ammo since repairing it and restoring it has been a piece of cake and I agree it’s gonna take some time to fire it but overall, I’ve been waiting to get this rifle for two years lol
10/10 - CARCANO GANG!!!
Got a 1954 ATF Turkish Mauser In great condition for 350 I also snagged a yugo SKS for 450 recently
The ATFs are my faves. Made on actual Gew 98 Receivers.
I don’t see how the k-11 and k31s are selling so cheap when you have carcanos and Mosin Nagants out selling for what they do. I would think they will skyrocket later but who knows. Who would ever think Mosins would be pulling 4 figures at some places.
Asking this at the very beginning of the episode, sorry if you say it later in the episode, but what is that shirt/jacket and where can I get one!? Lol 😆
I recently got the cargano. The only problem i have is finding the ammo for it. So far haven't found any available.
RED ARROW! Enlisted in 1964, HHC 3/128 Inf.
Nice. I was in from 2008-2012 with B Co. 1-128. First and forward!
I can’t find the sizing guide? What am I overlooking. Thanks
Awesome T-Block.
I love your channel but I have a spanish mauser that I don't see on the market that often , and that would be my spanish Mauser la coruna Fr-8
Not all Type 56 SKS are equal. Mine from some three digit factory won’t shoot better than 5 MOA no matter what I do or what ammo I try.
I bought a type 38 Arisaka for 250$
Some bubba cut off the forestock, but she's my prized possession
Steinel has had 6.5mm Carcano available on and off for the past year (they have it available on their site now)
It's available for backorder, good ammo but it took about 6 months to get my last backorder from them so be patient.
Steinel is very downloaded, I use the Norma 156 grain torpedo shape bullet, very hotter loaded rounds, shoots very accurate in my cavery carbine, try a box you might like it
I managed to snag a "broken piece'a sheet" carcano for $95 the other day. The stock is in horrendous condition, but all the other parts work perfectly and still have most of their finish. The serial on the stock is illegible, and the bayonet doesn't lock back (though I think I can fix that with a little bit of work). Is there any way I can try to date it with the stock markings essentially gone? It has the style of bayonet that has the button on the front to swing it out, so I have a rough estimate of the year, but nothing else haha. Also it has the fixed sights, if that helps anyone help me with a date.
The date will be on the barrel.... Google if you need further clarification.
Where can you find a SKS for under 500? I know they sell for more on Gunjoker but where are they 450 bucks?
Where do I go to find these deals? Is there a way to find out about local dealers/antiques, estate sales? I'm 30, I want to share this with my children one day, and I want to take them to all of the placed and get them excited. I have nearly nothing however. Praying that changes and I can find an older gentlemen in central FL that's been in the game awhile. My father has zero interest.
Not much out there as far as "deals" anymore, unfortunately. It's gotten to the point where one must "pay to play" in the game of surplus firearms. That being said, I've made quite a few videos on vendors I trust, just search in my channel "Where to get military surplus firearms".
How hard is Carcano ammo to find cheap?
Very hard at the moment because the market got flooded with rifles in 2020.
where do u find a goods surplus rifles
that 1911 hat is baller
You can get one too, boomerandsons.com/
So far I have two carcanos, a ww1 1891 model and a 91/28
ive been thinking about getting a k31
Then do it. They're amazing rifles.
Come on Mike, tell us how much you paid for the type 99. I love pain.
$40
@@MikeB128 ohhhh Goddamn that hurt more than I thought it would lmao
Per person!
So if I understand correctly some carcanos are antiques if before 1898? That means ship to door? After 98 must pick up at ffl?
Yes but most of the sellers that have hundreds of them won't sort them as such. I got lucky. Out of the roughly 10 I bought in 2020/2021, one was an antique, so yeah.
@@MikeB128 Interesting! I guess I should get a C&R, would make collecting much easier. Thanks for the great content!
Makes it easier, but your bank account drains pretty quickly.
MOUT Camo is so based. Rare stuff
I have not seen those prices at the aictions in the last 9 months. Prices are $200 to $300 higher.
Yeah, on Gunjoker, if you know where to look, which isn't that hard, they are going for the prices I've said.
@@MikeB128 thanks! I have not been there in a long time since prices went crazy.
Even if just a few people start paying more for a gun prices will go up. For sure.
RTI has Carcano carbines for $179.00. Not a bad deal. IMHO-It’s a crapshoot with RTI.
I've made videos about my opinion on RTI. Basically TLDW: No.
@@MikeB128 TLDW?
Outta My Brain On The 515 Like.
Love my Turkish 1935 Mauser
Where I'm from it's harder to find 7.7jap then it is to find 6.5jap I've had a type 99 since I was 18 and have never shot it I finally found 1 7.7jap bullet in 5 gallon bucket of lose bullets of my dad's after he died
As far as new collectors. Import marks. If you’re just going to shoot these, no problem. If you want a premium in the future, get your military rifles without them.
M-1カービンが好きですが、アウトドアでは、威力が小さすぎて、皆が勧められないと言います。サイドアームでルガーのレッドホーク357×8をぶら下げていました。今は日本に帰ってきているので、どちらも有りませんが。同じようなひとはいますか?
Depends on what you would use it for. I've harvested whitetail deer at about 40 yards with the M1 carbine. It did very well and is light enough to carry all day. One of my favorites!
良い話を、どうも有難う。
The Turkish Mauser only cost me about 85 dollars.
The Swedes put the rest to shame. Superior in every way. Great cartridge too
Where could i get a carcano
I bought military surplus because I couldn't afford quality fine guns. Lmao now the military junk is high dollar and the markets saturated with crafted high quality guns... I'm a hunter not a collector so this is funny as hell to me.
300-400 dollars for an m96? Try more like 600 at the lowest, and thats for ratty sporterized ones. Most are like 7-900 or more if it's nice
Again, not my fault you don't know where to look to get the prices I stated, which isn't that hard.
@@MikeB128 Gunbroker, right? ;D
Turkish Mauser was my very first rifle it was sub $100🤣
Awesome, they were $120 when I came of age, but deployed for a year so they were $150 when I got back :(
@@MikeB128 I got mine on sale at big 5 in 2003 I believe . If we only knew then what we know now . 🤣 Sadly I didn't really buy many firearms untill about 5 years back so my Mauser was my only really good buy besides the stuff I have inherited from family . All these years I should have been buying instead of window shopping 😅 hopefully when I get my c&r it will help thanks again for all the vids I have enjoyed them over the years and especially now that I'm getting serious about collecting