Rifle Purchase This Week!!

After hemming about for several months, I'm going to purchase a Yugoslav 59/66 Simonov variant and a Mosin Nagant M91/30 this Wednesday or Thursday. Why these rifles, you may ask? Well, the Simonov carbine fires the cheap and abundant 7.62x39 Russian round that ballistically is similar to the 30/30 Winchester. With the abundant supply of spare parts AND an illuminated red dot scope and mount for $40, I'll have an effective weapon for urban close quarters battle AND to plink at the range. The Nagant fires the 7.62x54R round that's pretty near the ballistics of our venerable 30.06 Springfield. Again, mucho cheap parts and cheaper ammunition abounds. The Nagant is for any needed long shots. Price for both rifles at a local FFL purchase is expected to be less than $250. Please, I implore you, if you're unarmed, go look for at minimum a Mosin Nagant and some ammunition. I'm afraid that we're in for some bumpy times, especially if El Presidente decides that he'll stay in office at any and all costs.

I was just thinking about starting a C&R collection myself!

Well, the Warsaw Pact/Red Army gear is affordable and that was the prime factor in my purchases. This'll complement the 7.62X25 Tokarev pistol and CZ-70 .32ACP I now own. My goal for the year is to be reasonably well armed, so I'll be as well equipped as the average Warsaw Pact soldier of the early 1950's with the SKS and Nagant. Once I get them, I'm going to stock at each pay period on ammunition and spares. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy shooting as a hobby, but this is more for practical defense if things get out of hand this November.

CZ-52 or TT-33?

The TT-33 is nice (if that's what you got, what variant?) but the CZ-52 is a great clunky boat anchor. People either love'em or hate'em. I love'em.

It's actually a Chinese Type 54 clone of the TT-33. I paid the princely sum of $80 for it 5 years ago. It cycles about any and all surplus ammo without a hiccup. It's a clunky tank of a gun, but the parts are cheap and the maintenance is easy. I'm going to order the 9/mm Parabellum barrel for it since it's a drop in conversion. I've owned a CZ-52 and found it to be a great shooter, but quirky to repair or smith. The double roller cam is an odd design for a pistol.

I've an AR-15/M4 semi-auto clone. I keep a few thousand rounds on hand of XM-193. Come September, I'll be fitting my AR/M4 with a bayonet...for no other reason than that I'll be able too. AWBan sunset is nearly upon us!

I'm jealous of your Mosin-Nagant.

the flash suppressor and adjustible stock!

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The Yugo Simonov clone actually has a gas adjustment valve because of the integral grenade launcher. From what I've heard, they're over-engineered for the hotter domestic loads that the Yugo arsenals made for their Kalashnikovs and Simonovs. It weighs in at nearly 9 & 1/2 lbs.

The wholesale on them is cheaper than ever. An M44 is going for $40-$50 and the M91/30 is about $60. I'm paying more for the pre-inspection and hand select.

I bought a Mosin Nagant a few months back. What a beautiful rifle. I have not fired it yet. It's in very good condition compared to many Ive seen in stores and at gun shows. I hear its quite the boomstick. lol

he'll swap you your AR clone for the Mosin-Nagant you covet....

I've got some really nice Mosin-Nagants...if he will not swap you, I WILL!!! :evilgrin:

Thinking I'll go with a Lee-Enfield first...the Lee action is supposedly the smoothest, shortest-throw military bolt action ever. Decided it would be fun to try to train myself in the rapid-fire technique that the Brits taught their soldiers...the record is 38 hits on a 300-yard target in one minute (this stopping to reload twice with stripper clips).

I like the Mosins, too...saw a WWII-issue carbine (with the folding bayonet) recently for $119...they seem to be abundant and inexpensive, and from everything I hear they're excellent weapons.

Nagant carbines are going for the same price here (Chattanooga, TN) in pristine shape for about $120. The Yugo SKS I've optioned is in unissued shape with minor stock handling marks for about $150.

along with a couple of Swedish Mausers. No Enfield, alas, and I'm still holding out for one of those. Maybe I ought to snap up a Nagant before the price goes up, though.

They are incredibly well made, literally like a Swiss watch with the quality of machining, and are a straight pull bolt design that is kind of unique. (e.g. the bolt rotates on its own as you pull straight back on the handle)

They shoot a 7.5 x 55 cartridge that's easy to reload with standard .30 caliber bullets and have the reputation of being very accurate on the range with iron sights out to 600 yards. (If only my eyes could see that far!)

If you have a C&R you can order direct, or your FFL can order from SOG for only $89 wholesale plus whatever their mark up and transfer fee is.

I ordered two and one came in with a beautiful tiger stripe stock on it. Under the metal butt plate it still had the name and home address of the last Swiss soldier it was issued to on a plastic tag.

Not precisely WW II since they stayed neutral, but they were issued from 1931 through 1957 to the Swiss Army/Home guard.

Right now, IMNSHO, one of the best bargains out there in WWII era collectables.

I looked at one at the same dealer and loved the handling, fit, and finish, but the expensive ammo is prohibitive.

... but you can pick up a Lee Hand Loader for the S-R K-31 for about $18. You can reuse the brass 20 times in most cases before you have to replace it. I use one to reload my Mosin-Nagant (boxer prime).

A 1# can of "Unique" is around $15 to $18, standard .30 cal. bullets, large rifle primers and you are ready to rock.

Just what everyone needs - another hobby!

The advantage of the Lee Loader is it all fits in a small drawer.

Think it was a little pricier, somewhere around $125 or so. Excellent condition, though. Beautiful finish on the stock, smooth, crisp action...that was the first of those I'd seen, so I wasn't sure what to make of it.

And the price included bayonet and scabbard...hmmm. May have to get back over there and see if they still have it.

The bayonet and scabbard alone for the S-R K-31 runs $75 and up, when you can find them.

If the serial number on the bayonet actually matches the rifle you have a real collectors item that you can shoot, not just a wall hanger.

Uhhh, you wouldn't want to tell us where that shop is, would you? Hmmmmm?

I have a Polish M44 Carbine...when I set it off on the range everyone LOOKS...big blast...fun stuff. Make sure you have one that was headspaced before you fire it though...lots of interchanging of bolts...mine was matching.