I think you need a philosophy! I started a good 34 years ago, and it was out of a fascination for military rifles! It was a golden time but already there were forces in the government trying to stop it all. Value is uncertain, but I didn't have much money at the time! So I became an opportunist buying guns I liked as I could! Anyway, it was what I could afford one way or another, and what could be fired! As a consequence, there will be rifles that are never going to return value or be worth much! One of my examples is a GEW 98! This is an actual WWI German Rifle in good condition! No one seems to want them anymore, but I got it cheap at a Pawn shop that didn't know what they had. A previous owner had sanded the stock instead of stripping it, the telltale is the center bolt being sanded! I just left it as is!Other gun are unique and I have ammunition for them! Things have turned a bit, I discovered sort of specialty gun store in Dallas! They have almost every old milsurp you can imagine, but yes, most are pricey!
Don't buy the over priced milsurps, buying them is only helping keep the market high and unaffordable for lots of people. Also don't get heart felt in that POS you bought from RTI because you want to get into them and got one of the many lemons that's coming from that hoard. If it where 10-15 years ago many of those would have been turned into parts to keep others going that where in better shape.
I finally found a 1922 M96 swedish mauser for the right price and condition. Still had cosmoline in it. I cleaned it up to find the bore real nice and shiny. Head space is good as well. The markings on it tell me it was stationed at Henson costal artillery.
I'm a fairly new collector and 2024 was my big breakout year for buying milsurps. I would say that I do let some emotion in when buying, but I do my due diligence and put together the finances needed to secure a new weapon. I also research a few different models before going to the gun shows, so that I can have a better lookout in regard to making a solid purchase. Also, I make sure to do some googling when looking at a potential rifle to verify serial number range and different markings. I have a gun shop that always has a solid stock of milsurps that are in functioning condition. I also have another shop that carries nicer variants of milsurp, but I also go to gun shows to try to find that needle in a haystack where there is a solid deal to be made.
Buy it while it's cheap, carcanos, mosins, arisakas are all in the "cheap" category, some more than others but don't let the ammo prices totally dissuade you. Everyone talks bout reloading and how easy it is, then you go and look only to see that the brass is hard to come by and you don't have any good means for dies. It's easier to just look at what the boomers were doing, reshape and re arm other calibers to make what you need, just make sure to under pressure the rounds as to not exceed the brass limit to change.
Reloading for milsurps is not hard. The dies, brass and projectiles are readily available for most calibers. Helps to have a mentor to learn from. Maybe use their equipment instead of having to buy your own.
@donwyoming1936 easier said than done. I don't really have anybody to bumb equipment off of and everybody I have gotten into that conversation with they don't reload the milsurp calibers. I planned to get a hand press and get some dies and go from there, space isn't great so I figured a hand press was my best option.
Purchase for the desire to own and/ or shoot a historical firearm, not to make money....break even is ok. Buy the gun and not the story. Attend auctions, gunshows and anyother place experts gather....but be wary. Expect to make more than one bad purchas. Don't get project guns unless you know what you are doing.
Auctions, estate sales, and just coming across the right people who know you're a real collector and know your stuff. One of my buddies calls me a gun jew lol so he runs asking prices and conditions of firearms before purchasing or trading.
Piece of advice number 4. The world is bigger than just the United States. And in these other countries it's a buyers market.
great points! i've fallen victim to my emotions from time to time lol
Buying surplus is like buying classic cars you can get a deal or over pay but enjoying the hobby is most important.
I think you need a philosophy! I started a good 34 years ago, and it was out of a fascination for military rifles! It was a golden time but already there were forces in the government trying to stop it all. Value is uncertain, but I didn't have much money at the time! So I became an opportunist buying guns I liked as I could! Anyway, it was what I could afford one way or another, and what could be fired! As a consequence, there will be rifles that are never going to return value or be worth much! One of my examples is a GEW 98! This is an actual WWI German Rifle in good condition! No one seems to want them anymore, but I got it cheap at a Pawn shop that didn't know what they had. A previous owner had sanded the stock instead of stripping it, the telltale is the center bolt being sanded! I just left it as is!Other gun are unique and I have ammunition for them! Things have turned a bit, I discovered sort of specialty gun store in Dallas! They have almost every old milsurp you can imagine, but yes, most are pricey!
Don't buy the over priced milsurps, buying them is only helping keep the market high and unaffordable for lots of people. Also don't get heart felt in that POS you bought from RTI because you want to get into them and got one of the many lemons that's coming from that hoard. If it where 10-15 years ago many of those would have been turned into parts to keep others going that where in better shape.
Most of the Ethiopian hoard is in such poor condition, no company would bother buying them for spare parts.
@@donwyoming1936 now from the parts available for some rifles all they have right is parts from there
I'm saving thousands not adopting animals like a cat lady and instead adopting abused rifles like an autistic man child.
I finally found a 1922 M96 swedish mauser for the right price and condition. Still had cosmoline in it. I cleaned it up to find the bore real nice and shiny. Head space is good as well. The markings on it tell me it was stationed at Henson costal artillery.
I got a M96 for cheap this year as well
Patience my young Palawan.
This video reminded me to pick up a copy of Crown Jewels. Found one for "cheap." Thanks.
I'm a fairly new collector and 2024 was my big breakout year for buying milsurps. I would say that I do let some emotion in when buying, but I do my due diligence and put together the finances needed to secure a new weapon. I also research a few different models before going to the gun shows, so that I can have a better lookout in regard to making a solid purchase. Also, I make sure to do some googling when looking at a potential rifle to verify serial number range and different markings. I have a gun shop that always has a solid stock of milsurps that are in functioning condition. I also have another shop that carries nicer variants of milsurp, but I also go to gun shows to try to find that needle in a haystack where there is a solid deal to be made.
Good to hear! Thanks for tuning in
Buy it while it's cheap, carcanos, mosins, arisakas are all in the "cheap" category, some more than others but don't let the ammo prices totally dissuade you. Everyone talks bout reloading and how easy it is, then you go and look only to see that the brass is hard to come by and you don't have any good means for dies. It's easier to just look at what the boomers were doing, reshape and re arm other calibers to make what you need, just make sure to under pressure the rounds as to not exceed the brass limit to change.
Reloading for milsurps is not hard. The dies, brass and projectiles are readily available for most calibers. Helps to have a mentor to learn from. Maybe use their equipment instead of having to buy your own.
@donwyoming1936 easier said than done. I don't really have anybody to bumb equipment off of and everybody I have gotten into that conversation with they don't reload the milsurp calibers. I planned to get a hand press and get some dies and go from there, space isn't great so I figured a hand press was my best option.
Purchase for the desire to own and/ or shoot a historical firearm, not to make money....break even is ok. Buy the gun and not the story. Attend auctions, gunshows and anyother place experts gather....but be wary. Expect to make more than one bad purchas. Don't get project guns unless you know what you are doing.
Auctions, estate sales, and just coming across the right people who know you're a real collector and know your stuff. One of my buddies calls me a gun jew lol so he runs asking prices and conditions of firearms before purchasing or trading.
I find sellers who know you're super knowledgeable are more willing to negotiate when you're respectful.
0:07 Don't overpay, beat up/trick the competition, and look for estate sales and auctions lol.
Just got a k11 for $280 and I’m hella gassed so that’s my lucky find of the year
That’s a good deal, I usually see them for around 400 these days.
@ yes! And it’s my first milsurp rifle
Pulverized!!!
Bernard Cornwell made me build an accurate reproduction of a Baker Rifle and eventually restore a Brunswick Rifle
I’m thinking that would be great advice to do if you’re going to get married also!!
Ed from Lynchburg
Luckily I've known a potential wife for years and recently started dating and supports my hobbies.
lol true that Ed 😂