What should be my next WWII era firearm?

[browningautorifle]

It's not bad you know...but cheaper is better still.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Aragorn243]

$399 with no mum is high. $300 without a mum but otherwise in good condition is OK. They can be found for less however but getting harder to do so.

[I.H.1989]

Yeah, I am unwilling to pay that much for it, but I wanted to see if there was anything that i would need to look for before asking for a lower price, like if there are any other places that I would have to check for serial numbers, or anything else

[Aragorn243]

The bolt parts are serial numbered but I doubt he'd let you take it apart. Not too much to say on the matter, $300 is the current going rate on a defaced mum 99 and that's pushing it. I watched one sell for less than $200 at auction a couple weeks ago. I just paid a little under $400 for an all matching with mum 99 complete with aircraft sites about two months ago.

When collecting these things, the hard reality is sometimes you just have to walk away. Others will appear, just takes some time. Time can also lower prices. Local shop had a chopped stock KAR98 for $400 that just sat and sat. I would look it over every time I went in there contemplating the cost of a new stock, and hardware and walk back out. Only milsurp he had for the longest time. Six months went by and it's still sitting there. I ended up talking with him, explaining the other costs, etc and what price I needed to get it at and walked out with it for $250. Found a stock a few weeks later which cost more than the rifle did and now have a complete KAR98. So patience is important.

[I.H.1989]

The bolt parts are serial numbered but I doubt he'd let you take it apart. Not too much to say on the matter, $300 is the current going rate on a defaced mum 99 and that's pushing it. I watched one sell for less than $200 at auction a couple weeks ago. I just paid a little under $400 for an all matching with mum 99 complete with aircraft sites about two months ago.

When collecting these things, the hard reality is sometimes you just have to walk away. Others will appear, just takes some time. Time can also lower prices. Local shop had a chopped stock KAR98 for $400 that just sat and sat. I would look it over every time I went in there contemplating the cost of a new stock, and hardware and walk back out. Only milsurp he had for the longest time. Six months went by and it's still sitting there. I ended up talking with him, explaining the other costs, etc and what price I needed to get it at and walked out with it for $250. Found a stock a few weeks later which cost more than the rifle did and now have a complete KAR98. So patience is important.

Thanks for the advice. I might try and see what serial numbers I can find on the bolt and see if they match. I think these have been sitting there for a few months now, and I am pretty sure that they will probably stay there for a while longer. If they are still there after a few more months, I might try and see if i can get them to lower the price.

Are there any other places that would have a serial number to check, besides the receiver, forward barrel band, and the bolt?

[Aragorn243]

The individual parts of the bolt are numbered but you have to disassemble it to see most of them.

[I.H.1989]

The individual parts of the bolt are numbered but you have to disassemble it to see most of them.

I know this, but are there other places, like the stock, trigger group, barrel, etc.

[Aragorn243]

Not on the 99.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Suggestion if you are considering a Garand . Go with BEB3rd's advice and sign up with CPM. It only costs a stamp or two and the $25 GCA membership is worth the price for the GCA Journal alone. If things start moving quickly with the 1911 pistols and a sudden influx of Garands after a period of no availability there is liable to be a mad dash to register. Much less stress if you are good to go when orders start being processed.
This happened with the last batch of carbines. I think they received 5000 orders the first day for only 2000 guns available.

[I.H.1989]

Suggestion if you are considering a Garand . Go with BEB3rd's advice and sign up with CPM. It only costs a stamp or two and the $25 GCA membership is worth the price for the GCA Journal alone. If things start moving quickly with the 1911 pistols and a sudden influx of Garands after a period of no availability there is liable to be a mad dash to register. Much less stress if you are good to go when orders start being processed.
This happened with the last batch of carbines. I think they received 5000 orders the first day for only 2000 guns available.

I've considered joining hte CMP, especially since I'm in the military. I'll have to look up on how to join.