What should be next

[Sailct41]

Hi Guys,

I have a few Mosins, Lee Enfield, 1903, 98k Russian capture?, m24, a few other Mausers, A Jap last ditch 99, A better 99, a Garand, a Krag,
So what should be next. I have kind of been thinking Italian but I am open to suggestions. I like shooting them all but that keeps my skill level just north of novice. I love seeing how engineers accomplished the same task in different ways.

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[Aragorn243]

Swiss K31 and/or K11. Get them while prices are still reasonable. No one really likes the Italian stuff. It's just obligatory to have in your collection.

[Eaglelord17]

A Carcano would be a good addition then, as they are definitely different (and in my opinion one of the best bolt action designs). Gain Twist rifling, simple bolt, mannlicher style charging system, light low recoil round (at least for the era), one of the better cleaning rod holding systems (threads into the front band instead of a block on the inside of the stock), and from the ones I have handled fairly accurate with good ammo (though good ammo can be hard to find).

Other ideas if your looking for different systems, are a Portuguese M1904/39, a Austrian M95 rifle (straight pull with mannlicher clips), any Swiss rifle (K31, K11, G11, G1889 etc.). Oh and two other good ones not to forget are the French M1907/15, or 1886 Lebel.

[vintage hunter]

No one really likes the Italian stuff

I must be the oddball of oddballs, I don't really like Swiss rifles. I'd pass up a mint K11 or K31 for a beater Carcano most anyday. Being a sucker for 6.5mm cartridges has a lot to do with it I reckon.
A Trapdoor, M1917, 1903a3 or M1 carbine would go nicely with the other U.S. rifles you already have.

[WarPig1976]

Everybody needs at least one or the other, or both. An AK or M4gery.

[oldpaul]

Aragorn243 is a frequent poster on the Italian rifle section of this forum. Sarcasm is sweet. I would second the opinions about any of the straight pulls; M95 Steyr, any Swiss or even a Ross. Best. Tom

[henry r]

are you intentionally focusing on ww2 or is it just co-incidence?

maybe a MAS36 or a type 38? a M1 carbine would definitely fit with what you already have.

[jmoore]

I don't like Italian firearms, either, but it has nothing to do with design or construction. More a matter of being usually forelorn....

[Sailct41]

thanks guys, I appreciate the comments, I have a MAS but a newer version, and the M1 carbine too. And yes I did not for get the bastions of democracy and communism with the AR and AK although I really find I shoot the little AKM most so my semi autos. The trap door and M1917 seem right up my alley.

Thanks again.

[Aragorn243]

I was bad, yes. I have a pile of Italian rifles, yes. I like them, yes. BUT, my main point remains. The Swiss rifles are near top of the line military arms and they are underpriced right now but hitting that time when they are going up. Italian rifles are not very popular in comparison and their prices remain low and somewhat stagnant. A Steyr straight pull would also be a good purchase now as they are the other rifle which is still available surplus and relatively cheap.