Rather depressing day @ local show...

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73amc
Sounds like we are in a crowded boad. I to am seeking my 1st k98 to no avail. I go to an gunshow looking for a Mauser and come away with an Enfield. Now I have several Enfields and no Mauser. I might settle for one of the Yugos from J&G ,Samco, or one of the other vendors while I search. I have concidered the Gunbroker route but am very hesitant to purchase without looking it over for reasons others have mentioned.

[73amc]

Well guys, I stopped my the local shop bby my house that pretty much specializes in mil surp guns. I know the owner pretty well from just going in and buying stuff. Ive purchased a few guns from him over the years. Anyways, when I asked him about any RC k98's at the show on Sunday, he said that they were pretty hard to come by. Just keep looking. I stopped in today to ask him if he had any leads, and he pulled out a century arms mailer that they had just gotten today with a whole listing of RC k98's in them. He took the time to call them and go through what they had left. He then went ahead and ordered what they had left for me to take a look at!!! Im sure they wont have any problems selling them, but I thought that it was a very nice thing for him to take the time and actually order 5 rifles for me to look at.

Four he ordered had the marking peen'd out and one that was listed in excellent condition had marking on it. They ranged in price from 325-400. I was able to take a picture of the magazine page to know which ones were manufactured by whom.

The 5 he ordered were DOT mfg, s/27 mfg with markings (listed in excellent shape), 42 mfg, BYF mfg and lastly s/243 mfg. These were all listed in either excellent or VG condition. Now I really want one with markings, but are there any of these that stand out to any of you guys as being a superior rifle just by the code? He is going to call me when they come in and we'll have a look at them all. Has anyone bought a k98 from CA before? Anything wrong with them? My yugo ak is from them and I dont have any issues with it, then again its an AK.

So what do you guys think?

[Aragorn243]

I think you need to look them over when they arrive and base your decision on that. As an RC, it doesn't really matter what manufacture they are as they are all mix-masters and all manufacturers had to meet the same standards. Very late war production might be iffy but doesn't sound like any of these fit that description. They were all checked over by the Soviets during the refurbishment process so all five of them should be in good working condition. If it were me, I'd go for the one with the un-peened markings first unless it had some issues in condition otherwise.

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Please post the results of your sifting process. I notice Classic Arms had a posting that they had some coming.

[73amc]

I think you need to look them over when they arrive and base your decision on that. As an RC, it doesn't really matter what manufacture they are as they are all mix-masters and all manufacturers had to meet the same standards. Very late war production might be iffy but doesn't sound like any of these fit that description. They were all checked over by the Soviets during the refurbishment process so all five of them should be in good working condition. If it were me, I'd go for the one with the un-peened markings first unless it had some issues in condition otherwise.

That is the plan!

[enfield303t]

I can sure understand the OP's frustrastion and now my rant will begin. Personally I am more than disappointed in every gun show I attend. The main reason for my frustration is the fact EVERY good deal is bought by people renting table before the public have a chance to purchase anything.

If it is a Friday setup then all the good deals are sold amongst the participants Friday night and the show opens to the public on Saturday. I was told by a good friend that if you want to get the deals rent a table and be there early as possible on Friday, buy what you want and leave, who cares if you even use your table during the show. Well it is a fact that what he said is reality but to be honest it does drive me nuts.

Oh there are still things to buy for the general public but often guns that were a good deal are now offered at a much higher price by someone who bought it the night before the show opened to the public.

My next problem is the same "junk" seems to be at every show and sellers are crying they can't sell anything. Well here's a hint, stop bringing the same crap to every show you attend. You think we don't remember what you had at the last show you idiot!

I agree the chances of buy a nice firearm at a reasonable price usually are slim and fat. I don't expect the deal of the century, just wish I had a slim chance at getting something worthwhile at a reasonable price.

End of rant.

[73amc]

Century Arms March 2012 Consumer Catalog

Above is the magazine that he ordered from...

---------- Post added at 08:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 PM ----------

I guess it doesn't really say RC in the ad.

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Bakersfield, CA gun show review
I just posted a similar rant in this other thread.

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Here is the K98 I want.

[73amc]

Take a look at that catalog ad...