| Military Surplus Guns or MilSurps can be an | | | | Fourth the Ammo. For the most part, it's |
| extra great deal. I was first turned onto | | | | cheap and abundant in many of the calibers, |
| milsurps about a year ago. Since then I have | | | | both surplus and commercial. My SKS shoots |
| become Cruffler or Curio and Relic Firearms | | | | 7.62x39 and I can buy a 500 round tin of this |
| Licenced. It basically allows me to purchase | | | | caliber for about $40-$50 delivered.CONS to |
| curio and relic, C&R firearms, both longarms | | | | milsurps.They're cheap. Sometimes you get |
| and short, via the internet or local dealer | | | | what you pay for. I've been fortunate and not |
| without a waiting period and have them | | | | received anything I was unable to live with. |
| shipped directly to my house. Now before all | | | | I read stories of some real sewer pipes out |
| you anti-gun nuts out there get in an uproar, | | | | there (horrible barrels). These are mostly |
| C&R firearms are over 50 years old and/or | | | | limited to the pawnshops and gunshows. Some |
| listed as a relic by the BATF, so it's cool. | | | | folks try to unload their junk on others. |
| Now onto the topic. I collect and enjoy | | | | Most of the big online dealers like |
| shooting anytype of gun, new or old. I prefer | | | | Centuryarms, AIM, and SOG have pretty good |
| Milsuprs though and here's why.First of all | | | | grading criteria and will allow you to return |
| they're cheap. My first Milsurp, a Russian | | | | things if you get one that slipped through |
| Mosin Nagan chambered in the potent 7.62x54r | | | | grading process. Civilian Markmanship Program |
| was bought at Big 5 sporting goods for | | | | is an excellent and probably the only way to |
| $79.99. In a matter of 20 minutes I was able | | | | buy true American milsurps that have not been |
| to purchase the rifle and a box of ammo. This | | | | re-imported from loaned governments, sorry |
| is a bolt action rifle and was at least 4 | | | | guys no select fire's ever, this includes |
| feet long but still cool.Second the history. | | | | M-14's and M-16's. I bought my M-1 Garand |
| I'm not necessarily a history buff, but I do | | | | from them, it's balls on accurate, new barrel |
| enjoy learning about the wars that the rifles | | | | I tink and only set me back $395. |
| may have served in. Seeing the pantina and | | | | |
| grime on the old warhorses really sparks me | | | | Some are ugly. This one is questionable, |
| imagining the soldier sitting in a foxhole | | | | beauty is really in the eye of the beholder, |
| somewhere hugging that rifle for dear life. | | | | some like wood and metal, others like plastic |
| There is lots of debate out there about | | | | and composites. It's a personal choice. I |
| restoring a milsurp, by extensive cleaning, | | | | know for a fact if I ever run out of ammo for |
| and stock resurfacing. I see both sides of | | | | my Garand in a firefight, I can always beat |
| that fence. It could be so beautiful if | | | | them to death with a few blows.I own both, |
| resanded and stained, but yet the character | | | | milsurps and NIB, new in box, modern weapons. |
| that age gives it also makes it | | | | They both have distinct advantages and |
| beautiful.Third, it's addictive. They're like | | | | disadvantages. But when I'm at the range and |
| potato chips, you can't just get one. | | | | someone asks me what I'm shooting it's |
| Currently I own 6 Milsurps and can't wait for | | | | because it's not another 10/22 or remington, |
| my next purchase. | | | | etc..Provided by Casey of He writes on a |
| | | | variety of subjects with 13 years experience. |