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

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

Always cheering you on, Mike. Thanks for these videos as it’s sheds light on the market. Keep up the great work.

Recently got me a 6.5 Swedish Mauser, made in 1912. Best rifle I own by far.

I own bot SKS & Mauser rifles , best of the two world , Surplus and good hunting rifles until today !

Hey Mike THANKS there are a lot of new collectors out there that need a suggestion or two to get started. THX for showing.

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.

Thanks Mike.

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!

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 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

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

Good list.

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!

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.

My first was a Gewehr 98. Still got it!

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

Just picked up the M96 for 550, clean and all matching, great bore, nice wood. Only gonna cost more next year

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

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.

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.

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.

I have a handful of Mausers and my Turkish Mauser is hands down the best shooting one I have. Most accurate and smoothest action.

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

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 got a sporterized 1898 Springfield 30/40 krag. Use it to hunt deer with....reload for it also

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....

Turkish M38 was my first Rifle. i still love 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.

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

Love my Turkish Mauser. I bought my SKS for 55.00 in 1993. Enfields were 45.00 back then. If only lol.

my first mil-surp was a 1903a3 and she is a tack driver

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.

I would add m44 type 53 also vz24

Awesome T-Block.

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?

I recently got the cargano. The only problem i have is finding the ammo for it. So far haven't found any available.

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.

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

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 :)

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 😆

Is it possible to replace the spike bayonet with a bladed one on the Chinese SKSs?

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!!!

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?

Got a 1954 ATF Turkish Mauser In great condition for 350 I also snagged a yugo SKS for 450 recently

I can’t find the sizing guide? What am I overlooking. Thanks

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

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

I have an Ankara short rifle I got for $150 a few years back. Love that old girl.

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.

saw a cheap carcano. afraid i cant find 6.5 carcano so im afraid to buy.

Where can you find a SKS for under 500? I know they sell for more on Gunjoker but where are they 450 bucks?

Per person!

I wish I could have gotten one of your Finish Mosins. I just couldn't get those funds on such short notice

where do u find a goods surplus rifles

So far I have two carcanos, a ww1 1891 model and a 91/28

My fellow employees bought a case of Chicom 53! Paid 17 dollars for it. We all chipped in. 25 rifles in that case.

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.

ive been thinking about getting a k31

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.

I am super surprised Swede mausers haven’t stupidly skyrocketed yet, they are literally some of the best.

MOUT Camo is so based. Rare stuff

Steinel has had 6.5mm Carcano available on and off for the past year (they have it available on their site now)

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.

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 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.

RED ARROW! Enlisted in 1964, HHC 3/128 Inf.

Where could i get a carcano

that 1911 hat is baller

Love my Turkish 1935 Mauser

How hard is Carcano ammo to find cheap?

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

I bought a type 38 Arisaka for 250$ Some bubba cut off the forestock, but she's my prized possession

So if I understand correctly some carcanos are antiques if before 1898? That means ship to door? After 98 must pick up at ffl?

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.

Even if just a few people start paying more for a gun prices will go up. For sure.

Outta My Brain On The 515 Like.

The Turkish Mauser only cost me about 85 dollars.

Tbloc chad

Sucks when bubba finds out they have a half decent Mauser action and decides Turkish M38s don’t suck anymore and now cost twice the price

I have not seen those prices at the aictions in the last 9 months. Prices are $200 to $300 higher.

Come on Mike, tell us how much you paid for the type 99. I love pain.

How much would a mexican mauser cost?

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?

RTI has Carcano carbines for $179.00. Not a bad deal. IMHO-It’s a crapshoot with RTI.

I have no clue where ya look for ya Swedish Mausers. I can find Swedish mausers with missing parts or bad barrels for that price, but never complete/good rifling on them for less than $500. I feel like I’ve looked about everywhere and can’t seem to find any for that price point.

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.

Turkish Mauser was my very first rifle it was sub $100🤣

The Swedes put the rest to shame. Superior in every way. Great cartridge too

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

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.

No mosin-nagant? The rifle that was used by Russians and Finns against each other.