What is your favorite surplus rifle?

[Carolinaman]

Hello,

Over the years, I have managed to collect a number of C&R or "surplus" rifles.  I really enjoy them for their rich history and quality.

Now, I have narrowed it down to about three rifles:

Swiss K-31
Enfield .303
Swedish 1896

What are your favorites?

Best,

Chris

[CXM]

I'm sort of partial to the U.S. military rifles...

Trapdoor Springfield 45/70
30/40 Kraig
M1903 Springfield
M1917 Enfield
M1 Rifle, the Garrand
M14 Rifle
M1 Carbine

I have to admit to liking most of the SMLE and Mausers too...

FWIW

Chuck

[erich]

Hmm...

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[jaypee]

The Persian Mauser is my favorite.

[sistema1927]

I would have to say the Garand. My 5.9 mil Springfield was manufactured in May-June 1956, about the same time that I was being hatched. I have modified this one with a Holbrook device and adjustable gas valve, and also replaced the ratty old wood that it had when I purchased it from CMP with a Boyd's stock. It is the gun that dug out of the gun safe on 9/11, and made sure was clan and ready to go. Never mind that two ARs and other more modern armament was there, that was my "go to" gun that sad day.

I have had very good SMLEs, a really nice K31, a Quality Hardware M1 Carbine, and even a Mosin Nagant or two, but the Garand is still king.

[CXM]

The M1 (and later the M14 has been turning cover into concealment for over 80 years...

V/r

Chuck

May 18, 2017 19:11:32 GMT -5 sistema1927 said:

I would have to say the Garand. My 5.9 mil Springfield was manufactured in May-June 1956, about the same time that I was being hatched. I have modified this one with a Holbrook device and adjustable gas valve, and also replaced the ratty old wood that it had when I purchased it from CMP with a Boyd's stock. It is the gun that dug out of the gun safe on 9/11, and made sure was clan and ready to go. Never mind that two ARs and other more modern armament was there, that was my "go to" gun that sad day.

I have had very good SMLEs, a really nice K31, a Quality Hardware M1 Carbine, and even a Mosin Nagant or two, but the Garand is still king.

[jaypee]

My 16 weeks of Infantry training in 1961 was with the M-1. It definitely grows on you. I qualified Expert with it on the Trainfire Qualification Course and converted to the M-14 in 1962.

[Poohgyrr]

Well, Garand. Good ammo, prone, sling up and create holes.




Actually, I had forgotten. As a C&R, my Garand was cash and carry when I bought it. These are fun rifles.

[forester]

Here is my Jungle Carbine clone which started life as a No 4 MkI. Golden State Arms, of Santa Fe California imported them by the bushel after the war and converted many to the Jungle Carbine configuration. My Dad bought this one as a teenager from a hardware store in Dover, NH after his mom told the sales clerk it was ok for him to buy it. Somewhere along the way he lost the top handgaurd and cut the fore end back to sporterize it. A few years ago I put it back to the way he found it.




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[Vant]

I like it Shaun. Glad you put it back like it was.

-Vant

[Jäger]

Long Branch No.4 Mk1; 1950 manufacture - the last of the best.

I bought a crate of ten of them, unfired, still in the grease. Cleaned all of them first, then installed a 3x9x scope on each with a "no-gunsmithing mount. Four shots of '84 Greek HXP to limber them up, one cleaning regime, one fouler, and then ten for group at 300 yards. This particular one did the best - a bit over 4.25" inches. That's without even the DCRA/NRA stock modifications or regulation done on it, so it remains as it came out of the box, other than the drop in Parker Hale 4PH rear target sight.

Gave the 2nd and 3d most accurate to my two younger brothers, sold the remaining seven for twice what I paid for them.  Looking at what they are selling for now, I should have kept them as an investment.

[Jäger]

I like this one as well, but it isn't as enjoyable for a day on the range as the Long Branch No4 MkI

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[CXM]

Back in 1970 I was at Plattsburgh Air Force Base... across Lake Chaplain was St. Albans VT the then home of Century Arms. We got to know the Century people pretty well and were allowed to look around their warehouse (which smelt of oil, cosmolene, old wood, cordite and solvents.

Along with some friends we discovered a small stack of cases containing Enfield #4 mk 1 rifled in original grease... all new and all made under contract to Canada by Savage!!! They too came in wooden crates of 10 rifles... we each bought a case of them... they had four groove barrels and were very accurate... they also had American walnut stocks that were quite attractive.

Sadly I had to sell them off along with my other guns when I was stationed in the Mid east and could not take guns...

I'd love to have those guns back... Though not so much as I'd like to have the set of Holland & Holland rifles and shotgun...


V/r


Chuck

Jun 3, 2017 17:34:38 GMT -5 Jäger said:

Long Branch No.4 Mk1; 1950 manufacture - the last of the best.

I bought a crate of ten of them, unfired, still in the grease. Cleaned all of them first, then installed a 3x9x scope on each with a "no-gunsmithing mount. Four shots of '84 Greek HXP to limber them up, one cleaning regime, one fouler, and then ten for group at 300 yards. This particular one did the best - a bit over 4.25" inches. That's without even the DCRA/NRA stock modifications or regulation done on it, so it remains as it came out of the box, other than the drop in Parker Hale 4PH rear target sight.

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Gave the 2nd and 3d most accurate to my two younger brothers, sold the remaining seven for twice what I paid for them.  Looking at what they are selling for now, I should have kept them as an investment.

[jonnyc]

Toss up.........Mosin-Nagant PU or G43.

[abninftr]

Bolt action: I have a No.4 Mk II Lee Enfield and a SMLE that are both great.
Semi-Auto: L1A1 SLR. It is like an old friend.