Help A Young Collector.
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669 Posts
My first (and only 
) Mosin
My 1940 Izzy, all matching 4-digit serial #, from Classic Arms. The best $70 I have ever spent. I decided to buy one because of the WWII history behind it, and ended up getting one that almost certainly saw action (1940 dated...). The mag. is a line-out, re-stamped. The bayonet doesn't match, and I had to make it fit using the dowel trick. The pics are a little weird (new camera, R.I.P., long story).
http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/MosinMan91-30/
) MosinMy 1940 Izzy, all matching 4-digit serial #, from Classic Arms. The best $70 I have ever spent. I decided to buy one because of the WWII history behind it, and ended up getting one that almost certainly saw action (1940 dated...). The mag. is a line-out, re-stamped. The bayonet doesn't match, and I had to make it fit using the dowel trick. The pics are a little weird (new camera, R.I.P., long story).
http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/MosinMan91-30/
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669 Posts
+1 I am happy too, except in WI, you can-t get a job until you are 14, so I have limited income for milsurps.
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95 Posts
You seem to be doing quite well with your limited funds, that is a nice MN.
Like your avatar, like it even better when I nail the red "x" to keep it from making my head spin....hahaha, I sound like my old man....so sad. Glad to see you yutes here, hope you stay a while.
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669 Posts
Thanks, it shoots well, so I am happy with it
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20,982 Posts
Ahhhhh .... there is an advantage to being a geezer-era milsurper. I started only a few years ago, with my first milsurp being a 1940 K.Kale. At $29.95, I figured I couldn't go wrong. That weekend, I drove up to J&G's and bought several crates of Turkish ammo - $29.95 a crate, too. The Turk accumulation continued, then eventually branched out to Mosin Nagants. It was only about 2 summers ago that I branched out & bought a K-31, & I got in at the end of the Big 5 $79.95 specials.
Grow your collection as soon as you can, since the $80 rifle soon becomes the $150 rifle. It never hurts to have a couple of extras to sella later down the road to finance more new purchases.
I wasn't aware the ATF's were only produced for 1 year. I have 2 disassembele in the shop & set aside waiting for the cosmoline waiting to fall off on its' own. One is a GEW98 action and unfortunately headspace is excessive, so it is destined either for parts or a wallhanger. The other is just waiting for me to get around to it.
Grow your collection as soon as you can, since the $80 rifle soon becomes the $150 rifle. It never hurts to have a couple of extras to sella later down the road to finance more new purchases.
I wasn't aware the ATF's were only produced for 1 year. I have 2 disassembele in the shop & set aside waiting for the cosmoline waiting to fall off on its' own. One is a GEW98 action and unfortunately headspace is excessive, so it is destined either for parts or a wallhanger. The other is just waiting for me to get around to it.
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2,529 Posts
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669 Posts
It helps having GB so I know what I am getting and can even get items off here.
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1,380 Posts
It sure does help having gunboards.
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273 Posts
Welcome to all you new, young collectors. I hang out on a number of boards, but you have discovered already THE go-to board for cool C&R guns. This is a big site and has a little of everything.
Several of the boards here, the Collectors Mosin and Enfield off the top of my head, are probably THE best boards for those arms anywhere...
Tuco was right when he recommended a Finn M39 as a good one for a new collector. They have good sights and tend to shoot very well and can still be bought pretty cheaply for what you get. The Finns tweaked the triggers, mags, and stocks of the Mosin design and installed heavier barrels to make them better shooters. Nice rifles. BUT, they have gone up in the past few years so get 'em while you can.
Some other bargains out there for guys getting started, in no particular order:
(These are also what I am into lately because even though I'm an older guy, cost is still a factor for us old married dudes!)
1. Swiss K31. Like the M39 Mosin these suckers SHOOT and have good sights and usually very nice, crisp triggers that make you look good on the range. A buddy of mine who is very much into competitive high power shooting has pretty much eschewed all other C&R rifles for K31s. The Swiss made a very nice bolt rifle. Get some of the primo Swiss GP 11 ammo while you can.
2. Lee Enfields. These are great guns with tons of history and character behind them and can still be had for good prices. Cheap surplus ammo is pretty much gone, but if you handload they can still be enjoyed and made to sing.
3. Mausers. The Turks have already been mentioned, but this is a huge field and the Mauser is just the Big Kahuna of military bolt guns. Endless variations and they can still be found for reasonable coin if you're careful. They tend to be well made, rugged and almost bullet proof. Kinda like the Mosins. Russian Capture K98s are a good way to get into a German Mauser with war history without breaking the bank. All original K98s are rapidly becoming thousand dollar and UP guns.
4. Mosins. Still cheap for common varieties, tons of variations and history. Built like a Mack truck and built to last. See comments above for Mausers on ruggedness.
* * * *
The US stuff like M1s and 03s are nice, and a real weakness of mine. They also tend to run at least 500 bucks a copy and UP, way up, for good ones. A service grade M1 from CMP is usually a wise investment and much cheaper than buying one at a show. CMP is pretty good about making things right if you get a bad one or a broken part. If you're a young American guy, your Dad or Grandfather probably carried or used an M1 either in war or peacetime and that's a great connection to them and the Greatest Generation.
Plus, they're cool to fondle while watching Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers.
The German stuff can get pricey really quick. Ah, the allure of being bad and the "cool" guns and equipment of the bad guys always go for bucks. Original condition German is NOT cheap and can be tough for a young collector to break into. Plus they're faked like no tomorrow to make common examples all matching, prettier, or more "rare." Caveat emptor ; be careful on those.
The Japanese stuff is still under-appreciated and under-valued in my humble opinion and might be fertile ground for a young collector. The Japanese board here is primo and a good place to learn about them. Check it out.
Hope you enjoyed these random thoughts on collecting and remember to have fun with it. You don't have to spend a ton of money to enjoy this hobby. Get something you like, and some ammo for it, and get out and burn powder with it. That's a big part of the fun. CMP sponsored matches are a great way to get into some shooting, meet some great people and generally have a ball. Researching the guns and their history here and other places on the net is FREE, and that's a big part of the fun factor, too.
Cheers, Clyde
Several of the boards here, the Collectors Mosin and Enfield off the top of my head, are probably THE best boards for those arms anywhere...
Tuco was right when he recommended a Finn M39 as a good one for a new collector. They have good sights and tend to shoot very well and can still be bought pretty cheaply for what you get. The Finns tweaked the triggers, mags, and stocks of the Mosin design and installed heavier barrels to make them better shooters. Nice rifles. BUT, they have gone up in the past few years so get 'em while you can.
Some other bargains out there for guys getting started, in no particular order:
(These are also what I am into lately because even though I'm an older guy, cost is still a factor for us old married dudes!)
1. Swiss K31. Like the M39 Mosin these suckers SHOOT and have good sights and usually very nice, crisp triggers that make you look good on the range. A buddy of mine who is very much into competitive high power shooting has pretty much eschewed all other C&R rifles for K31s. The Swiss made a very nice bolt rifle. Get some of the primo Swiss GP 11 ammo while you can.
2. Lee Enfields. These are great guns with tons of history and character behind them and can still be had for good prices. Cheap surplus ammo is pretty much gone, but if you handload they can still be enjoyed and made to sing.
3. Mausers. The Turks have already been mentioned, but this is a huge field and the Mauser is just the Big Kahuna of military bolt guns. Endless variations and they can still be found for reasonable coin if you're careful. They tend to be well made, rugged and almost bullet proof. Kinda like the Mosins. Russian Capture K98s are a good way to get into a German Mauser with war history without breaking the bank. All original K98s are rapidly becoming thousand dollar and UP guns.
4. Mosins. Still cheap for common varieties, tons of variations and history. Built like a Mack truck and built to last. See comments above for Mausers on ruggedness.
* * * *
The US stuff like M1s and 03s are nice, and a real weakness of mine. They also tend to run at least 500 bucks a copy and UP, way up, for good ones. A service grade M1 from CMP is usually a wise investment and much cheaper than buying one at a show. CMP is pretty good about making things right if you get a bad one or a broken part. If you're a young American guy, your Dad or Grandfather probably carried or used an M1 either in war or peacetime and that's a great connection to them and the Greatest Generation.
Plus, they're cool to fondle while watching Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers.
The German stuff can get pricey really quick. Ah, the allure of being bad and the "cool" guns and equipment of the bad guys always go for bucks. Original condition German is NOT cheap and can be tough for a young collector to break into. Plus they're faked like no tomorrow to make common examples all matching, prettier, or more "rare." Caveat emptor ; be careful on those.
The Japanese stuff is still under-appreciated and under-valued in my humble opinion and might be fertile ground for a young collector. The Japanese board here is primo and a good place to learn about them. Check it out.
Hope you enjoyed these random thoughts on collecting and remember to have fun with it. You don't have to spend a ton of money to enjoy this hobby. Get something you like, and some ammo for it, and get out and burn powder with it. That's a big part of the fun. CMP sponsored matches are a great way to get into some shooting, meet some great people and generally have a ball. Researching the guns and their history here and other places on the net is FREE, and that's a big part of the fun factor, too.
Cheers, Clyde
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669 Posts
I was looking at an SKS or Enfield next already. Saving up for one, or another mosin.
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1,380 Posts
My grandpa carried one (A M-1 Garand) in ROTC during high school. I would love to have a CMP Garand but I don't have the funds. I am looking to make rifle #9 a M38 Carcano and # 10 a Enfield. I have accumulated 5 rifles the past year so maybe I can make 10 overall by the end of 2007.
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1,380 Posts
I like to watch Enemy at The Gates with my M91/30, lol. My favorite movie is Black Hawk Down (what a coincidence that it is October 3), I think that I would like that movie even more if I had an AR-15 to hold while watching it. I bet I will be selling my guitar and some actionfigure collections to get me an AR-15.
But the tough question is,
M1 Garand or AR-15
I bet I will end up buying a couple of more C&R rifles before an AR-15 though.
But the tough question is,
M1 Garand
or AR-15I bet I will end up buying a couple of more C&R rifles before an AR-15 though.
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669 Posts
Wow, it's kind of freaky, these coincidences... I am in the process of trying to sell my guitar too. And the sportscard collection. And I want an Enfield. I am also trying to decide between an M1 or more cheaper milsurps (can get almost 10 mosins for 1 garand!). Young collecters must think alike
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1,380 Posts
I know what you mean on the M1 Garand prices, its crazy that your own nations rifle is not as common and costs higher than that of European and Asian countries. Maybe when we are all older we will be able to tell new collectors about the days when a M44 could be found in very nice condition for under $100!Wow, it's kind of freaky, these coincidences... I am in the process of trying to sell my guitar too. And the sportscard collection. And I want an Enfield. I am also trying to decide between an M1 or more cheaper milsurps (can get almost 10 mosins for 1 garand!). Young collecters must think alike
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1,380 Posts
So MosinMan91-30 is that M91/30 you were talking about your only milsurp at this time or do you have others?
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4,426 Posts
Word of advice, go to estate auctions that advertise guns, look at the auctionhouse's catalogue ahead of time if they put it online, and look up all the wierd stuff.
This spring I found a wierd little telescope in a case that didn't look like much, but turned out to be a thousand-dollar-plus Japanese machinegun antiaircraft sight. I didn't win that one, because someone else knew what it was and bid accordingly, but I did get a Uruguayan Mauser 1871. Didn't know what it was, but I asked on the mauser board and they told me, and nobody else at the auctionhouse knew, so I got it for a song.
I also got a K98K sniper rifle once for $250. It looked like a chopped-down regular K98, but I noticed it was all-matching and had an original and different-than-usual scope rail, and everyone else there assumed it was just a K98 with a sporterized stock.
That's the best way to luck into rare guns. Usually people build up- common guns first, then rarer guns, then really odd stuff. But if you can spot the odd stuff when nobody else recognizes it and won't risk paying much for it, you can get it really cheap.
Watch the boards. Whenever somebody gloats about something, you can bet it's good, and if you ever see one in person, pounce it.
This spring I found a wierd little telescope in a case that didn't look like much, but turned out to be a thousand-dollar-plus Japanese machinegun antiaircraft sight. I didn't win that one, because someone else knew what it was and bid accordingly, but I did get a Uruguayan Mauser 1871. Didn't know what it was, but I asked on the mauser board and they told me, and nobody else at the auctionhouse knew, so I got it for a song.
I also got a K98K sniper rifle once for $250. It looked like a chopped-down regular K98, but I noticed it was all-matching and had an original and different-than-usual scope rail, and everyone else there assumed it was just a K98 with a sporterized stock.
That's the best way to luck into rare guns. Usually people build up- common guns first, then rarer guns, then really odd stuff. But if you can spot the odd stuff when nobody else recognizes it and won't risk paying much for it, you can get it really cheap.
Watch the boards. Whenever somebody gloats about something, you can bet it's good, and if you ever see one in person, pounce it.
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669 Posts
Yes,
actually, no, I have a Yugo 24/47 too. I got it about 4 days ago, cheap. My dad picked it up at a pawn shop near where he works for like $30. The owner thought it was crap. It only needed to be cleaned up (so much cosmo in it, the bolt wouldn't close). It's a beauty now, all matching stamped, even stock.
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1,380 Posts
$30 is a nice price for one of those
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