Saving for a rifle....but what wwII one?

[desperado]

Here is a breif description on each of the bunch, Sadly the site only covers the russian owned mosin nagant's, other nations that used it had a better model it seems.

Lee enfield- http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl04-e.htm

Mosin Nagant - http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl03-e.htm

Springfield- http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl07-e.htm

Mauser- http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl02-e.htm

As many of you know I like old things so when I decided to take up marmenship this summer I decided for an old rifle, dont worry about hardness to find I have seen all of these rifles at a gun and knife show in one form or another. I intend on getting the sniper version (if the price is not overpriced at the next showing) since I intend on it being used for markmenship.

I would probably use my grandpa's old arisaka but finding ammo for that thing is quite difficult (it seems to be one of the hardest to find even though it is one of the most common to find of the wwII era rifles). Besides it is a cavalry version, the range around here will not allow live bayonets and as with most bayonet made rifles it shoots like a drunken monkey without the bayonet on....

So post comments on which one, give advice for different ones or I may consider a decently priced modern rifle if its different.

[Slater]

I've always liked the look of a Mauser... DO IT

[Linksquest]

I know practically nothing about guns, but the first one looked coolest to me. hehe.

[Doubleshadow]

I´m in favor of the Springfield rifle. I am a fan of its history.

[termyt]

I own an SMLE No 1 Mk 3 and a Mosin-Nagant. I also own a Thompson and have had a good bit of experience with the M-1, M-1 Carbine, and a Japanese rifle whose designation escapes me.

Of course, the American rifles violate the "must be a bolt action" clause and the Jap rifle I do not recommend because most of the ones in circulation are from late in the war and are of shoddy craftsmanship. My father owns on from early in the war and it is an excellent rifle. So, I will comment on the two on your list I am most familiar with.

In my opinion, the Lee Enfield is one of the most enjoyable rifles to own and fire. There's a lot of history and even more websites dedicated to discussing it, if you are into that kind of thing. The 303 ammunition is pretty easy to locate as well. The most endearing trait - and I'm not sure how the Mk1 and No 1 Mk 3 would differ in this respect – is the way the rifle feels as you fire it. It is very smooth and accurate.

The Mosin-Nagant, on the other hand, is probably the best crafted rifle I have ever owned. It’s balance is superb – a true sight to behold. The rifle practically holds itself up in perfect balance by simple grasping the forward hand grip. It feels good to fire this rifle as well, but it doesn’t have the same high-caliber kick as the Enfield. The ammo is also much harder to find. The only cost effective ammo has corrosive powder, which means you must keep the barrel spotlessly clean.

[Shinja]

i would go with a yugoslavian mauser, the m48's are probably the best but the 24/47's are very nice as well all for about 100 bucks, theyre in 8mm which isnt as nice as 30.06 but unless your shooting 600 yards you wont complain

[desperado]

Termyt, my grandpa's arisaka came when some marines attached to the ship he was on (I beleive it was a destroyer a the time) took out a Japanese supply depo. If my memory serves me correctly anyone on the ship who wanted one got one as long as they ground the serial numbers and such off. Seems decent enough but the thing feels like your strapping weights to a rifle and picking it up its so heavy. That is the thing that truly suprised me about the arisaka, probably the heaviest rifle I have ever picked up.

[termyt]

Really? Hmm. It seems likely my father's rifle is of the arisaka line - a 38, I would guess, but I don't remember it being overly heavy. The thing I remember most is that it is several inches shorter than other contemporary rifles. No doubt a function of the smaller stature of the Japanese.

[desperado]

Also something I beleive I forgot to note is that whatever rifle I find I am going to try to aquire the sniper rifle version of it. For one the sniper rifle version had a heavier barrel generally which would probably have survived better and most of the sniper versions seem to have modifacations that make them more desirable to me. A few of the guns such as the mosin I would HAVE to get a sniper because of me not being able to get a normal one because the requirement of having the beret attached to the end, and the shooting range here and the one in a couple cities over do not allow berets.

[Shinja]

well actully of the rifles you mention they all share the same contour barrel, you could allways have a mauser rebarrelled to something heavyer. but you wont find it on anything surplus. but thats not a bad thing if you want shear accuarcy go with a k31 and put a scope mount on it by far they are the nicest rifles ive had the opertunity to shoot

[mitsuki lover]

I'd go with the springfield or the mauser as they're the best known.

[Ingemar]

If you want a good deal, get a Mosin Nagant M1893/M44.

If you want perhaps the most popular, well made action in history, get a Mauser 98.

SMLE is pretty good, but the ammo is too scarce for me to reccommend.

Ditto any Japanese rifle.

[Saint Kevin]

Get a rifle from the M-1 Garand family of rifles. I shot an M-1 Garand, and it was SOOO much fun to shoot. Also, according to a Mythbusters episode that my friend watched, it can shoot through bulletproof glass. From the kick it gives, I'd believe it. Seriously, buy this weapon and have sobering thoughts of D-day (June 6th, 1944) every time you shoot it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Garand

[kaji]

Im surprised LA hasnt posted here yet. Anyway, I would go for the Springfield (are you sure its not the m1903?) if it were my choice. I like those old Bolt-actions. ^_^

Now as far as other historic rifles go, Im with SK. The M1 is one cool fire arm, not to mention it has an 8 round clip that 'pings' out as it discharges the last round.

*ping*

...cool. ^_^

[Ingemar]

Get a rifle from the M-1 Garand family of rifles. I shot an M-1 Garand, and it was SOOO much fun to shoot. Also, according to a Mythbusters episode that my friend watched, it can shoot through bulletproof glass. From the kick it gives, I'd believe it. Seriously, buy this weapon and have sobering thoughts of D-day (June 6th, 1944) every time you shoot it.

[[/url]

Ha ha ha, FAIL!

The man specifically said bolties only.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

GET THE M1 CARBINE!!!

It's very hawt... but not bolt action T_T

Get the Mauser

[termyt]

Ha ha ha, FAIL!

The man specifically said bolties only.

Not to mention a Garand costs about five to ten times as much as the other rifles mentioned.

[desperado]

Amen to that.....

[Alice]

I voted Mauser because, um, it sounds like Mouser. And I think my brother has one of those, and likes it.

[Link Antilles]

My personal favorite bolt-action from that time is the Swiss Schmidt-Rubin K31. However, it is not your typical bolt-action, it's a straight pull. No up and back or forward and down. Just straight back and straight forward. Faster cycle, but takes practice. It's very precise and built like a Swiss Watch, as they say.

There is a downside, it is kind of harder to find (but, not overly expensive) and the cost of the 7.5x55 Swiss ammo is around $.50. I'm sure it's a ton cheaper to reload the round, though.