What Milsurp rifle is affordable

[Jon-Lloyd]

Hey y’all, looking for a relatively cheap milsurp rifle around $300 or less and wanted some pointers. Looking at any Mauser, K31, Lee Enfield, SKS, AK. Long gone are the days of cheap as dirt rifles but figured I’d ask for some solid recommendations. Thank you!

Edited Sunday at 05:53 AM by Jon-Lloyd

[Darrell]

There's a sporterized Argentine Mauser listed in the classifieds that's in your price range. But as you mentioned, it's pretty tough to find bargain milsurps anymore.

[1gewehr]

It kind of depends on what you consider 'affordable'.  Under $500 you can find Yugo M48 Mausers, Lee-Enfields in several flavors, Mosin Nagants, Japanese Type 38 and 99, Italian Carcano, Austrian Steyr, and I've recently seen a couple of Czech VZ24 Mausers in 7mm for around $400.

[rodteague]

If I May ask, what’s your intended use for the rifle?

$300 or less for a milsurp rifle is going to get you a firearm that is probably de-milled(US milsurp) or even worse, a rifle that is so unserviceable or damaged, that it will be dangerous to fire.

 If it’s a wall hanger or prop, you’ll be gtg. However, If you plan to use it, that will require a few more Benjamin’s. Mosin Nagants have historically been the least expensive of the last century bolt actions, but now they are hard to find for less than $500 YMMV 

Best Regards

Rod

Edited Monday at 07:41 PM by rodteague

[Grayfox54]

The days of cheap Mil-surps is over. The supply has pretty much dried up and the few that are still for sale cost way too much. Mosin Nagants and SKSs that used to sell for $75 are now over $500. 

Sorry, but that boat has sailed. 

Edited Monday at 08:21 PM by Grayfox54

[Choatecav]

On 5/12/2025 at 3:16 PM, Grayfox54 said:

The days of cheap Mil-surps is over. The supply has pretty much dried up and the few that are still for sale cost way too much. Mosin Nagants and SKSs that used to sell for $75 are now over $500. 

Sorry, but that boat has sailed. 

30 years ago I bought a SKS in great condition for $99.  And a Mosin for not much more than that.  

I guess I can just reflect back on the "good ole days."

 

[spurge]

I remember being annoyed with the crates of Mosins everywhere. Maybe I should have picked up a few more!!

[rodteague]

16 hours ago, Choatecav said:

30 years ago I bought a SKS in great condition for $99.  And a Mosin for not much more than that.  

I guess I can just reflect back on the "good ole days."

 

Amen to that!
 

I acquired a mint, unissued Tula Arsenal SKS for $80 from my brother back then. Came with a SKS sling, oil can and chamber brush

He bought 2 crates of Russian SKS rifles back in the early 90’s. They were Christmas gifts for his men who worked in his construction company. One of the younger men actually cried when he held the Tula rifle in his hands. Told my brother this was the first rifle he had ever owned because he grew up in a very poor home. My brother later told me the kid took his first ever deer on a hunt with one of his supervisors. Good times in the good ole days

Edited 14 hours ago by rodteague
Spelling, grammar

[Grayfox54]

My late best friend was an avid C&R collector. He had about a dozen SKSs, at least 8-10 Mosin Nagants and a bunch of other Mil-surp weapons. He also kept good records. Including what he had paid for each.  The most he ever paid for any of them was $100 and that was for a new in factory wrap SKS. 

When he passed, I was put in charge of disposing of his collection. I sold all of them for 3-4 times what he had paid. They sold quick because I still had them priced a fair bit below the standard pricing at the time.

Today's prices are even higher.

We went to a gunshow with just over 100 guns. We came home with 11 and a huge profit. 

[Erich]

Old Sacramento Armory had three 55 gallon drums packed with M1’s for $79 to $89 during the 80’s.

I’d sorted thru them a few times intending on coming back on the following Saturday, but never did thinking they would always be there.  But not the case, wish I had

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Erich

[Garufa]

I bought this for that back in the day and my daddy got those sweet mil-surps he left me way cheaper in his time.

What was then really is irrelevant now.