Milsurp Interests Poll

[daveccarlson]

For a long time I just grabbed Chinese SKS carbines when funds would allow. I still retain two, one from 1967, the other from 1980--last year of production. As a Finnish American, I knew all about the Winter War and Continuation War, so in 1987 I bought a like-new m/91 for 72 dollars. Still have it, although with additional Finnish Mosin-Nagants.

Once I got a DCM M1 Garand for $165, of which the "unit cost was 94 dollars , and a Blue Star import Korean-used winchester M1 carbine, I entertained ideas about getting examples of weapons used by U.S. foes: Japanese mostly. I got a beat up old Izhevsk M44 and a new, out of the wrap 1946 Izhevsk M44 to serve as a representative sample of KPA and Chi-com PLA service rifles, and also NLF/PAVN/Viet Nam too.

That phase ended, and the collection, such as it was, got frittered away during a long hiatus from collecting. I entered phase 2 in the early 200s, and so now I have a small collection of Finnish, Soviet (up to 1941), U.S., French, and even 19th century arms. I reload .43 Spanish for a Remington Modelo 1879 Argentino Patria and I skirmish with a M1841 Mississippi rifle.

[Kiwisteve]

Once upon a time you could have any rifle you liked in a New Zealand gunstore, as long as it was a Lee Enfield
They have probably have accounted for more game animals here that all other brands added together.

I find that there is a beauty in the real wood stocks and blued steel of milsurp rifles, unlike today's plastic stocks and stainless steel.

[Sailct41]

makes me wonder why I don't have French rifles, or Finnish Mosins. Other than that I like them all

[ed skeels]

My main addiction is NRA/CMP competitions but my "love affair" with the Rem/Springer 03 rifles has become nearly it's equal.
The history, if they could speak, would be the most adventurous read imaginable.
Ed

[Cheese Noodles]

My main interest is WWII battle rifles. I also am drawn to any smokeless powder military rifle, pre WWII and post WWII rifles as they are so similar. I grew up at a time when me and my friends would borrow our fathers rifles & pistols and take a trip to the desert and go shooting. We all had 22lr but our Dads had the milsurplus. I shied away from those big scary long guns. At this time a lot of WWII Vets were around, teachers, uncles and grandfathers, my respect was beyond measure. I got a bit older and a friend took me shooting with his K98, I was hooked. I mainly acquired rifles I could shoot, never got every one I intended to but very happy with what I have. This Forum had such great Lee Enfield knowledge it really reinforced what Love about the rifle, and the respect of the men who carried them and the feats they accomplished.

[WASATCH CHARLIE]

I enjoy ALL MIL-SURPS / pre 1870 to 1958.
as I have another new arrival in my hands,the REAL digging starts .

[Stanforth]

When I started shooting in the mid '50's the No.4 Enfield was still the service rifle here in the UK. I first got to use one while in the Air Cadets (ATC) in 1957 and was hooked.
For 30 years I was a Firearms Dealer specialising in 19th. and early 20th.Century Firearms. This ended in 1998 when I gave up my dealer licence due to our restrictive gun laws.
The interest didn't go and I kept my collections and add to them when I can. I have an impressive (for the UK) collection of Colt revolvers and a number of Remington Rolling Block Rifles and pistols. I also have a couple of Lee Enfield Rifle, a SMLE MKIII and a No.4 MK1* by Savage.
I am a member of 2 gun clubs and a RCO at Bisley.

[Vandle]

My collecting is based on the interest of the different designs of bolt actions that were developed so my collection is somewhat varied. I also try to have a long rifle and carbine of the same type as they shoot and behave differently to each other.
But i do have a soft spot for Mausers and quirky types like Thai and Indonesian police carbines which are a bit outside the square.
We are restricted here in Oz on whats available although its getting better although expensive.

[improperlyaged]

Hopefully not resurrecting an old thread but my interests involve the individual soldiers stories behind the guns.

[rcathey]

Hopefully not resurrecting an old thread but my interests involve the individual soldiers stories behind the guns.

Do you have any good ones in your collection?