Just starting out..

[Gdbyrd]

I sent out for my C&R at the beginning of the week.  Most people are reporting getting their license in about 30 days, so I'm on the hunt for my first purchase.


What would you guys consider the best starting point?  I have very little experience with older weapons.  I own a siamese mauser that was converted to 45-70 by Navy Arms, and when I was a kid my dad had a 1891 Argentine Mauser he shot a few times.  So I'm a little partial to mausers.


However, the K31s are very intriguing to me. 


For my first purchase I'd like to keep my budget less than 350-400.  I plan to reload.  My main focus is accuracy as I plan on using the weapons for hunting occasionally(just for the neat factor).  Availability is another thing.  I'd like to be able to order it without having to go nuts looking for it.

[Czech_too]

At first I was going to recommend a Yugo Mauser, but then I read "accuracy".  With issued sights my old eyes find the Mauser a bit of a challenge.  Now a K31 is a whole nother story and I see that Allan's Armory has a few on hand, easily under your $$ limit, so that's what I would go for as a first purchase.

[Frank46]

If its accuracy in a mil surp rifle that you are looking for then a K-31 at this time is you best bet. still affordable and both military and prive ammo are available. Paid $135 for mine some years back and not selling it anytime soon.
If mausers are your bag then a yugo mauser my be for you. Frank

[Huffmanite]

A couple of months ago, a gent I shoot with at range bought my K31 to add to his small collection of surplus rifles.  Gent is a serious hunter, benchrest shooter and reloader with many nice rifles.  He is much impressed with the quality of manufacture, uniqueness of its action, and accuracy of the K31.

[Skeeterbaymac]

Just my 2 cents worth:

There is a lot of C&R stuff out there. I have seen people go nuts buying one of everything.  They end up with a collection of stuff they never use and wouldn't have bought otherwise. I would try to limit my purchases to quality not quantity. Things I need or that fill a niche in my collection.

Also remember that C&Rs are not just military surplus guns.  Old Winchesters, Remingtons, Savage, Smith & Wesson and even some Ruger Flattops can all be purchased with your license. I realize that old Winchester rifles can be expensive now days, but how about a Savage 99 or a Reminton model 8 or 81. You can find them for the price you mentioned if you look around enough. They are fine old rifles, great hunting guns and IMHO an asset to a collection. Also If you live in a state that allows NFA ownership, some full autos are listed on the C&R list. That can save you both time and money.

All that being said, If your looking strictly for military surplus rifles then there are plenty out there to choose from. I would probably make my first purchase a Yugo Mauser while they are still cheap.  I have several different Mauser's and the most accurate one I have is a cheap Yugo 24/47. It will out shoot every K98 I own and I bought it for around $100.00.   

[tacklebury]

The K31's are cool, but the really accurate Swiss 7.5x55's are the 1911's.    This is mine:
 

 
This is what I load for it:
 

 
This was a 5 shot group at 250 yards with iron sights just leaning on elbows:
 

 
Available:
https://www.cogunsales.com/index.php/Curios-Relics/Swiss-Schmidt-Rubin-Model-K-11-Rifle/Detailed-product-flyer.html

[tdoor]

A good WW2 German Mauser is always a good place to start  also a Yugo mauser is good.  there are lots of US and forgen made rifles out there  be selective in what you get. Go where your interests lay.   I started with Krags and Mausers and never looked back.

[treeman]

Swiss K31 is an awesome rifle, but don't forget about the Swedish Carl Gustaf, a sweet shooting rifle for sure!

[shot1]

The Model 96 Swede in 6.5X55 sure is a sweet shooter but if you want to throw in hunting and want to use a scope get a K-31. You can get a clamp on scope mount for them that is really good and when you want to go back to military issue status just take it off. By the way for a rifle to be a C&R it can not have any modifications done to it like the stock chopped down to a sporter. It has to be in original condition and 50 years old or older.