Top 5 Military Surplus Rifles 2024 Edition

[@hickok45]

Way back in the early days of KZbin, Iraqveteran8888 got me even MORE addicted to these old bolt guns. I don't recall the exact video, but it got me interested in rifles I knew little or nothing about, like the K31, Swedish Mauser, the Krag, etc. My addiction is not nearly as serious as Eric's, but I'm definitely a confirmed addict! :-) Thanks, Eric!

[@countryroadsoutdoors]

Hi Hickok!

[@HillbillyNitroUSA]

I had the same exact experience with your videos on old Smith & Wesson revolvers, Hickok. 🤷🏻 Confessions of a gun addict/junkie… 🤫

[@tommythetrain1945]

both you and Eric are dangerous to the wallet! lol thank u both for the videos!

[@juniorcopeland9082]

I watch and enjoy your videos too Hickok !! 👍

[@AKFF320]

I am a proud owner of a Krag

[@hickok45]

SKS, Swedish Mauser, 1903 Springfield, G98, Kar98k, 1861 Springfield, AK, etc.

[@Glocktuah]

Who da fook is that guy?

[@wallclock4648]

@@Glocktuahdon’t know but those are some bad choices

[@dictatorofsalt5902]

i love my gewehr 98 i just got done restoring it to original condition last night

[@NickThomasVocals]

@@dictatorofsalt5902I would love to have one

[@Teleoceras]

I wish I owned a G98. SIGH.

[@Tier1Slacker]

Milsurp used to be the cheap option. Now you can get a new intro level AR-15 for less than most milsurp bolt guns much less semi autos.

[@ramboxlegacy14]

More than likely the people purchasing these rifles are buying to fill a specific need that an M&P-15 won’t fill.

[@Agilepickleunite]

@@ramboxlegacy14there’s nothing these guns can do you can’t build an ar to do

[@ramboxlegacy14]

@@Agilepickleunite I’m not arguing that these platforms are equally as efficient to an AR compared to today’s standards, I’m saying that many of the people purchasing these guns are doing it for historical/nostalgic/sentimental purposes. Nobody is out there saying “I can’t find an Egyptian Hakim anywhere so I’ll just settle for basic AR-15”.

[@Sleeperdude]

It’s crazy I was just about to look up your older military surplus videos

[@gunnigundel1828]

Matrix

[@derickknowlton1506]

My biggest regret as an adult is that I didn't start collecting firearms sooner.

[@johnqpublic2718]

You're an adult?

[@Poooghost]

Me to buddy I squandered my money away on silly things when I was younger shouldve been buying silver gold and guns

[@douglasroberts2250]

there are people that did and they're diluting their collections , so don't give up on that

[@1945tigers]

Right 80s gun shows Colt ar-15 500 dollars ak47 300 dollars.

[@donttreadonmemes]

​@johnqpublic2718 I really wish I bought a house and crates of Soviet surplus ammo and rifles back in the 90's I really wish I was a more responsible baby.

[@madtownangler]

My friends backup rifle for deer hunting was an assortment of Mosin's. The cheapest ones that he got were $40 each. A friend was gonna throw them out and offered them to him before the garbage man showed up.. he drove over 100 miles to pick them up

[@DracoOmnia]

As one should when given the chance

[@Edmund_Mallory_Hardgrove]

When I was a teenager Rose's Department Store, which was a very small southern regional department store chain that was kind of like a Walmart back in the 1980s before there was Walmart in my area, you could buy all sorts of surplus firearms for $60.00 - $150.00 range. They'd get a shipment in and stack them in a round tub. I can remember Enfield and SKS rifles selling for around $100 in 1985 or '86. Actually I think the Enfields were less then a $100 and the SKS were slightly more than $100.00. I remember there being $69 rifles.

[@JohnSmith-f6o]

Yes! I remember always walking by those large stashes of military surplus guns looking at the new bolt actions. The old military guns were well under $100 for years and years until all of a sudden they jumped like a sky rocket in price and became more costly than new bolt actions! Mitchell's Mausers was the 1st place I recall selling the nice collectible German 98's for high prices. I never bought one because it made no sense to buy an old rough military gun with a bad trigger when I could get a Remington 700 that would shoot tiny groups for less. Wish I had bought a couple of the old Mausers now. :)

[@davidroberts4658]

Those where the good Ole day's

[@letsdothis9063]

Yup. I am PISSED that I didn't jump on that. As soon as I was old enough to appreciate milsurp, they stopped selling guns.

[@johnschiffermuller4930]

I remember wodden barrels of Turkish Mausers for $20 at Woolco.

[@Edmund_Mallory_Hardgrove]

@@johnschiffermuller4930 What's a "wodden barrel?"

[@jettsquirel9636]

When I first joined the Navy in 1984, I was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, WA and the local gun shop had walls full of K98 Mausers for $100. They would even throw in a box of 8MM ammo with every purchase.

[@praetorxian]

AH…the SKS. Canada’s favourite little semi-auto carbine. (Until Chairman Castreau tries his BS). Speaking of idiots in Government, don’t forget to vote my American neighbours and good luck!!! We’re all watching and hoping for the best for you.

[@JamesLyons-zx9di]

For sure eh!

[@jerryhammack1318]

Praying that both Canada and the United States get their governments straightened out ! Yes vote! If not it is a bloody problem.

[@hatimlaamri2132]

Hi, do you think poilievre will change the laws passed during tudeau's time? Thanks

[@philobeddoe7684]

He will, he is a badaz and speaks for the people just like The Don. MCGA!

[@seanomeirs8362]

My Peruvian Modelo 1935 carbine is interesting. As an American, I can appreciate that it was rechambered at FN for 30-06.

[@mishimposble]

I love the Swiss K31

[@theintrovertedcalifornian5047]

swiss k31 is probabley the best surplus rifle ever made.

[@loganvincent6117]

I just got mine last week, I love it

[@cipherzero1115]

Omg I Love Anvil Gunsmithing. Mark Novak is Phenomenal. I can't get enough of his videos. That's so freaking cool your rifle was fixed up by HIM

[@electrolytics]

Yes!!! You boys did good down there in Georgia!!! Thank you!!! Your friends up here in NY thank you!!!

[@leroybrown9828]

I remember most of those guns being sold at Dunham's for $85 a piece in the early 2000s

[@billsalcido7878]

I bought a couple mosin nagants from Big 5 $99

[@jasondoolin6476]

Dayum…

[@Grooove_e]

Hell, even up through the early 2010's. I got my mosin in 2012 for $90 and was able to get one with a decent stock and good rifiling by going through the bin of them

[@rushceek]

Yep, picked a yugo there for $130

[@miniaturefarmer464]

Yugo SKS with a shot out bore. I gave it to a friend. LOL!

[@richardturk7162]

Mark's videos have taught me so much and I never miss his videos.

[@russellridge8623]

Who’s mark?

[@ramblers32]

Fugly Mosin took me back to the FPSRussia era

[@misterroller-b6p]

the good ol days

[@vorpalblades]

Have nice day.

[@psychobeam99]

These retailers are smoking dope on some of these prices. Ill just keep my 1891 Mosin and be happy with what I have.

[@gonzalesrafael22]

The first four firearms I purchased were a direct response to the advice I received on this YT channel. Wow. That was over 10 years ago at this point. Thanks Eric for all you've done.

[@hatimlaamri2132]

Same here, at that time, the 5 milsurp were 1891 argentine mauser, the ljungman, the K 31, the kar98 K, and the M39 finnish mosin. i got infected by that addiction since then.

[@gonzalesrafael22]

@@hatimlaamri2132 Yup, my first purchase was a glock, followed by a mosin. Eric was a huge influencer. Miss gun gripes and RIP Barry.

[@rongarrett1366]

The SKS was reportedly popular on the Navajo Reservation.

[@kgmingled2235]

I know many family members on the rez with sks

[@johnk5061]

Rightfully so…..

[@dennisw.truman3325]

Why is it rightly so? I don’t understand.

[@rongarrett1366]

@@dennisw.truman3325 They are good weapons for the price.

[@lponm]

Your video so many years ago had convinced me to buy the finnish m39. I have 2. I'm glad the channel is still around and you're making videos like this.

[@BAKE440]

I knew exactly what gun you were grabbing with your intro to number 6. I couldnt help but smile at it. Great to be back to your roots making great videos!

[@vansongs]

The SKS. The brand new 1958 Russian SKS I bought as a gift for a friend is unreal. Shoots easy like a .22 She loves it. The thing is built like a tank. It would probably cost thousands to build today here. Canadian btw. p.s. short length of pull really suits her too.

[@clinkerclint]

This is wild, I was just thinking today that I needed to ask for this exact video... Thanks man!

[@stevemendez3535]

I don’t even have a clue of where to start looking for army surplus Firearms. It looks like you have a pretty good top five right there.

[@mikewashington-se6qw]

Great list! Love the Fugly! One of my favorites is my Carl Gustaf Mauser in 6.5 Swede. An outstanding caliber & an outstanding rifle.

[@DavidA20200]

If you haven’t voted yet, then for the love God, GO VOTE!!!

[@Montblanc1986]

Kamala 2024 baby

[@rossgreenzweig]

TRUMP 🇺🇸☝️

[@Jordan-s8y]

​@@Montblanc1986Yeahhh let's call their bluff on confiscation!!😂

[@jeffbetts4254]

Trump Vance 2024👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸.

[@AntoineWilliams7118]

Vote results aren’t counted, they’re manufactured

[@Rompet0t0]

Great video as always! We need a pistol top 5 as well!

[@gordtron]

SKS's featuresand abilities changed my whole perception of everything in life.

[@Z287899]

I remember back in the day picking up an sks for $100 and a 720rd spam can on stripper clips for another $100. Made for great plinking. Ran through that spam can in no time at all. Good times.

[@genenoud9048]

They was 100. Bucks the 30 cal was 75. The grande was 450. And a new 10/22 was 130

[@connorduffy8620]

Man!! Been awhile since I’ve tuned in! Eric you look great man! Strong and healthy!

[@charleshodge1873]

My vote for Fugly Mosin 👍 When you fix trigger and glass bed these mosins they are sweet. Just smoothing factory triggers and installing a return spring increases accuracy to a remarkable degree. Tweaking and experimenting with these old rifles is half the fun.

[@Dirty00002]

Always learning something new from you. Cool video

[@BattlefieldCurator]

My friend and I got to shoot a Snider carbine… my friend ended up getting a Snider rifle not too long after that awesome range experience 💥💨

[@JannyBesmircher]

SKS is every CAnadians first rifle aha. Some of us own like 4-6 of them just because they were so cheap at one point. A Russian SKS can cost about 700 CND which is insane to me. I Just wish we got some of the aftermarket stuff that Americans get for them to modernize them better.

[@dethmetel]

You think that price point is insane now? When I bought my SVT-40, it was $380 after taxes. Now if you can find one it is anywhere from $1500-$2000

[@OrdinaryAmerican]

Are you guys not able to purchase American parts online?

[@RichGallant]

@@OrdinaryAmerican nope between your laws and our laws very little can be shipped to Canada. I could not get some specific enfield bits shipped due to export regs

[@praetorxian]

@@OrdinaryAmerican Almost nothing due to ITAR (International Trade in Arms Regulations). The US is VERY strict about anything leaving their borders without lengthy, costly and overly bureaucratic export documentation.

[@JasonHartz-v8n]

Probably best off Keeping it original

[@junglebiker2363]

Swedish Mauser is one of my favorites; slick action and accurate. Finnish M39 is another. Tokarev SVT40 feels lighteight for a WWII semi auto, Staight pull Steyr carbine is lighweight, handy, fires a pretty powerful round (though 8x56R Hungarian is not always easy to find), and I have an oddball modified 1888 Commission Rifle shortened to a 17" barrel that I am super fond of.

[@brandonrich6342]

Amazing! I really enjoyed this video. Learning about firearms history and how good these rifles are and how well they could be used today. Fun video, is really enjoyed it.

[@AllAboutSurvival]

I think it's fascinating how these classic pieces of history can still perform well today.

[@Steven-js8yk]

When you said #6 was a Hog gun, suddenly it all made sense. That's a badass homemade Hog killer if I ever saw one. Well Done!!

[@jacobesper7981]

also i really appreciated the fugly mosin making an appearance as an honorable mention lol i think every gun enthusiast needs a mosin experience at some point just because it was such a staple of the surplus market for so long

[@wadefaulkingham2255]

Good on you, Eric! You’re looking to be in great shape.

[@Rohirin]

THE FUGLY!!!! Love it! After seeing the title, I expected to see the Swede, and you sir, did not disappoint.

[@albertorodriguez122]

Congrats to you and all 2A supporters, we made it again, God Bless you, God bless us all and God Bless America.

[@emavaz18]

Holy shit Eric! Looking good buddy!

[@smokemg42]

For me one of my top 5 rifles for 2024 has to be the Spanish FR8, its a large ring mauser and the best part is its in 308 and you can find that ammo everywhere. One problem you can run into with other mauser variants is that they are in their own European caliber and ammo can be tricky to come by at times. Having a firearms chambered in a NATO cartridge is a great advantage

[@timmyjackson8859]

Eric I hope you're doing well with all circumstances. Love your vids dude thx for staying consistent!

[@dougshelton69]

Hey man ..your looking better as a free man these days...stay strong🎉

[@joemarchinski914]

" Ballistic Marshmallow". You win the internet today Eric👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Blessed Be my brother 🇺🇸

[@frankcastle4435]

That is by far the most badass garbage rod I have seen. Eric I need to see a video of you shooting it one handed

[@giant3gaming290]

My lee enfield mk4 has been my favorite to own and shoot

[@paulkasson3117]

My 1918 smle is one of mine

[@1nfamyX]

U should play Fallout London

[@Ned609]

I was waiting for the mosin seeing how this channel pretty much single handedly doubled the price of them

[@AntoineWilliams7118]

I like your videos IV88, Why no glasses? Did you outgrow them mentally? The glasses are part of your recognizable, signature look.

[@WhoteewhosGarage]

This is the comment I was looking for

[@jrhunt414]

Weird not to see him in BCGs. He’s got the Goldberg look now.

[@jacobseraphin685]

I miss you Erik. I understand life happens and I hope everything is okay. I even got an Norinco SKS because of one of your videos. I’ve always hated the Mosin but watching this channel made me want one more.

[@MeekSith777]

Great video and great rifles and choices. Glad you that you seem to be on a good path in life. pseudo off topic and will admit is somewhat childish of me to say but these videos are easier to watch without the BC glasses you normally wear.

[@theintrovertedcalifornian5047]

love this video. Its nice to see these old guns get the love they deserve. I have been shooting my m/24/47 once a month. After I added a brasstacker scope mount with a long eye relief scope it is just as accurate as my remington 700 when shooting reloads out of it.

[@dragonhealer7588]

My daughter bought a Rashid back in the day. Super sweet shooter!

[@juniorcopeland9082]

I have two Rashid rifles, and a Hakim also, I had two Hakim's but sold one of them years ago for way to cheap !!

[@spaz13b]

@3:20 naww. The problem is a new Canik is less than that. A new PSA rifle is cheaper than that. These things need to go back to 200 bucks for them to be considered "affordable" again... IMO.

[@JamesKlyng1twofish]

I'm very surprised you didn't choose a K31. I saw your video of Swiss arms years ago and fell in love with them. Now I own a few Swiss rifles and they are a treasure to me.

[@rookriflerookrifle8286]

Excellent VIDEO👍👍

[@peterparsons7141]

Hilarious! When you put together the Mosant rifle, I remember thinking that if I was allowed to use a suppressed rifle where I hunt then that’s the gun I would hunt with. What more could you want in a bolt action hunting rifle, +plus added bonus of not having 3k in the rifle so you’re not worried if it’s going to rain, or you drop it from a tree stand, or damage travelling. I remember reading and article about barrel length testing on accuracy. Several older bolt rifles were chosen and then tested incrementally by shortening 1”, testing continued until there was no further benefit. There’s a sweet spot for barrel length, and you hit it with the Mosant.

[@spaz13b]

@16 damn bro, I been watching you for a min. I new what you were talking about before you even brought it out. 😂 Much love to Fugly! ✌️

[@helmargesel3972]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@otterconnor942]

My favorite that I own are the k11, k31, Finnish m39, p08, and trapdoor Springfield. *YOU* got me into these, and the m39 was my first gun when I was 18, back when they first got them at classic firearms in 2016. The gun that I wish I had is a Ljungman, and I don't think that I'd be able to find one in a condition and price that I could justify.

[@rossgreenzweig]

Looking buff my guy, great job!

[@xfirehurican]

At one point in time, I owned 58 SKS carbines. 90% of them purchased for ~$80 to ~$180. I kept the clean M21's, some Public Security's, the blade Type 56's, the minty spiker, lightening cut Type 56's, the Izhvesk Russians, one M59 and one M59/66, a Romy and an Alby; all matching, with no forced numbers. Sold off the remaining batch of thirty mixed but nice types btwn 2021 - 2024. No regrets. 😊

[@FirstLast-ff7qx]

U got a paratrooper model?

[@xfirehurican]

@FirstLast-ff7qx Yes. Just one.

[@FirstLast-ff7qx]

@@xfirehurican me too. Got it in like 2017. Its not the d model that takes ak mags its the fixed version. Almost all matching numbers.

[@DracoOmnia]

I can't read this and not think of how the media would interpret this post 😂😂😂

[@xfirehurican]

@DracoOmnia Indeed. And, the vast majority, like myself, of us are the 'featherweights' of the milsurp collector community.

[@TennesseeFrank]

I had a C&R for a while but the C&R market got so expensive that it's just cheaper to buy newly made firearms.

[@junkcollector93]

Probably my first mosin, then my 1893 Spanish mauser that was sitting in an attic for 100 years. This was a 1896 German made Spanish American war rifle and appeared to be hit by shrapnel as the stock was blown apart and splintered. Cleaned the gun, let the inside of the barrel soak in evaporust and replaced the stock and surprisingly it shot better than my mint 1916 308 Spanish Mauser.

[@maverickpaladin4155]

I'm not surprised @ Fugly. I'm surprised there were no K31s, but IV8888 without a Mosin of some kind ain't IV8888. As for me, that's a REALLY tough paring down to do. I'd have to include my 1943 Mosin 91/59, a Pattern 14 I have that's still in its original stock with the volley sight cutouts, my M28/76, my straight-stock M39, and an almost certainly Finn 91/30 sans Finn markings. The wild card would be my Molot factory 91/30 rebuild that's been somewhat modernized. That's off the top of my head, and I reserve the right to revise this list at any time. 😁

[@DuganMuller]

Eric , I'm super happy to see the top 5 milsurp videos again. Really digging the blackpowder rifle additions!

[@joejackson4202]

Best channel on KZbin.

[@MarineVeteran]

Yugo SKS, M1917, M39 Finnish, K98k, Enfield No4 Mk1 and many more =)

[@seanbrando_7456]

Great to see new content..........love me some Mauser's too. Heck who am I kidding I love anything that makes a loud enough boom lol.

[@zwpTHEbricklayer]

Nostalgia but with so many changes!

[@MaCabaret]

2016 election season I was watching Eric talk about the fugly in 5 guns videos. Now here we are.

[@shaolin_berserker9398]

lookin good Eric, keep it up.

[@timblack6422]

Morning, Brother

[@DirtE30]

A simple detachable mag conversion and a bit of trigger work makes a Norico SKS a hell of a formidable unit.

[@clinkerclint]

The Vergueiro is absolutely incredible. One of the smoothest bolts I've ever felt.

[@rongarrett1366]

our local gun store had cases of Mosin-Nagants for less than $100 per rifle a few years ago.

[@robertnelson1098]

2010. 2011. Maybe around then....LAST OF THEM.....HOPE AND KEEP THE CHANGE.....

[@ChrisSturley]

I love that this guy is wearing a Way Huge guitar pedal hat. This guy is into guns and guitars. I bet he's into fast cars and good lookin women too. All American. What a guy.

[@juniorcopeland9082]

I have two Rasheed rifles and one Hakim, in very good condition, I bought them back in the late 80s early 90s and bought my M/42B Ljungman rifle unissued unfired mint condition back in early 90s !! I love all them, and agree with you on your choice of them in your collection !! 👍I'm A military collector myself "was", and have a pretty good collection too...not even close to your collection though !!! I enjoy your videos and watch them all the time, keep them coming Eric !! And thank you for your military service !!

[@chuckray8389]

I like #6 just because it’s imaginative, outside the box, it works, and looks like fun.

[@jayslomine4280]

That Mosin would fit right in Fallout!!!!!

[@jesscobb2279]

Definitely my Norinco SKS. I would never sell mine. 30-40 Krag (unfortunately ammo is getting rare) and my 1916 French Berthier that I restored (with a lot of online help from Mark Norvak) in 8mm Lebel (Mark also gave me a good secret about where to find ammo for it).

[@DeimosPC]

I've wanted a Kammerlader ever since I saw your original video on it and the deer hunting video with it. They are such cool guns. I will find one, one day! They are such cool rifles.

[@rustyknifelover4463]

Awesome collection

[@theintrovertedcalifornian5047]

I would not call that last gun fugly I would call it a practical work of art. Took some serious skills to make that happen

[@robertsmith7580]

I'm surprised the M1 Grand didn't make the list !

[@wallclock4648]

Thanks for the video IV1488!

[@frostypreppersk3593]

The Fugly Mosin! That rifle is Epik! I remember the beginnings of that rifle!

[@danielmacdonald8358]

Nice got to love the oldies

[@Boomhower89]

Best shooting Mosin is like saying you’re the smartest kid on the short bus.

[@brianrepp6283]

I remember seeing surplus SKS's with attached bayonets selling for $89.00 new. I wasn't a fan at the time, but my buddy bought one and probably still has it. Now, I wish I had bought as many of them as I could have afforded. At least I still have an original new pre-Brady Ban AK with 3 of the good mags (if you know you know).

[@BioTheocentrist]

You are the best! 😊

[@joeputn7956]

Love those BP rifles you showed.

[@tingley428]

Literally lol'd when ya brought Fugly out cuz I knew that's what ya meant when you said the wildcard was "heavily modified"

[@dmw3086]

I wish Milsurps weren’t so expensive I’d love to have a few of them. I understand most aren’t made anymore but for the love of god some the the guys hoarding the milsurps I wish would sell them so guys like me could appreciate them

[@Grizzlyman420]

I don’t have much but I’m glad I snagged a VEPR years ago. Zastava is making great stuff right now I have a couple M70s. My recent was a PSA GF5 I said what the hell let me test her out 🤷‍♂️ runs great no issues

[@billbeam8069]

Good video, brother

[@limejeeper2445]

Yep wish I started getting more years ago. They arw so much fun! All the different designs and calibers. Not fair. The price of components it outrageous

[@Behappyyou43]

My opinion im sticking to is your original mosin videos are why the price jumped back in 2010 era