Why People Buy Vintage Weapons and Milsurps

[@Mr-6666]

One reason why i like oldschool firearms because of the craftsmanship is different from modern firearms

[@russwoodward8251]

I buy milsurp rifles because I can't afford milsurp armoured vehicles. I would rather own a historic Sherman M4 or a German Panzer IV, but those are out of my range. I can own a rifle that's been through a war and has a great historic value though. I find that endlessly fascinating. Thanks Dan!

[@BattlefieldCurator]

I would like this vehicles too

[@davycrockett-u9s]

Because they are a link to a better time past.

[@geoechidna]

Another thing that people rarely talk about is that old guns are often the bridge between people who might otherwise be anti-gun and pro-gun. In my experience very few people, whether they’re liberal, conservative, leftist, etc. are TRULY “anti-gun” to a fault; most just have not shot before and get all gun info from the news. Maybe they are afraid of guns, but chances are they’ve used an M1 or an AK in a video game before and seeing one IRL gets their interest going. I’ve taken several new shooters out to the range and almost without fail they ALL love the SKS. I don’t tell them it’s basically the same general concept as an AK, just with a fixed magazine and old appearance that looks like Granddad’s hunting rifle and not a spooky AR. Milsurps are an excellent gateway to other more practical firearms. While never truly anti-gun I used to be something of a Fudd, but rationed that “well, an SKS isn’t too different from an M1, right…?” then “well an AK is pretty close too I guess…” to “damn that retro AR looks rad”. I imagine many people had a similar path as I did.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

That is true. And there are people that enjoy the history enough to start to delve into old weapons.

[@TubeRadiosRule]

I like the fact that antique (pre-1899) guns, at least in the USA, are unregulated by the feds. Frankly, they should ALL be unregulated, but at least you CAN still buy perfectly functional and practical guns that DON'T require paperwork. If they don't know you have it, they're more difficult to confiscate.

[@Joe3pops]

I like the Prussian built drilling in 10x10x45-70 because obviously this was built custom for a North American client in the north west, 1880s or early 1890s. An era of frontier history that will never be duplicated ever again.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Indeed ! Extraordinary times 🍻

[@ewfisher89]

I like the history. Also, most modern firearms have no soul.

[@historical_usa]

It is all about the history for me.

[@zakaryperrin7126]

Same here. Shooting these rifles is like a portal to that time

[@MayumiC-chan9377]

my husband owns a Martini Henry and trapdoor rifle he loves both rifles because they also had place in his heritage

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Very cool… it’s fascinating when a relic or gun can be tied to actual family history

[@gregcampwriter]

A lot of hunting rifles made today have Mauser actions that are essentially the same as Mausers made for World War I. And the Browning tilting barrel design is in most semiautomatic pistols currently on the market. If the gun is in good condition, it's still useful. And it's interesting to examine the might-have-beens and blind alleys in firearms design with examples that I own, rather than looking at through a display case's glass.

[@jacspring5459]

Once you get a few "practical" guns, the really interesting ones are the old ones.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Indeed

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

Why buy an old firearm? Because Dan of Battlefield Curator told me to. 😅😊 That and the U.S. Rifle and Carbine caliber 30 M1 are too iconic to pass up. The 3 line Russian bolt action is my favorite. 👍🔥💪🇺🇸🗽🦅

[@BattlefieldCurator]

lol 😂

[@zakaryperrin7126]

There’s more character to these rifles compared to modern rifles

[@JohnPublic-dk7zd]

I'd think most firearm owners would love to have an antique or two in the safe, especially if functional...such guns used to be extremely affordable, even the more rare models...those days are pretty much over, but a good deal might still be found...i look, the oldest gun in our safe only 65 years old, a newborn compared to many...in style, that is purely subjective, the eye of the beholder...

[@behindenemylines3361]

Because they are there “If you sell, they will come (and buy it).

[@ohlordy2042]

The history. The old-world craftsmanship. The copious, fine, hand machining and fitting that demonstrates the incredible effort, skill and cost of gunmaking back in the day. Performance.....not part of the equation.

[@JohnPublic-dk7zd]

Don't sell performance short...some of the older firearms Earned ferocious reputations for reliability and lethality...

[@ohlordy2042]

@@JohnPublic-dk7zd Fair point. But "performance" is not WHY I love to collect antique firearms. If performance was the main motivator, then my collection would include nothing more than about 30 years old.

[@JohnPublic-dk7zd]

@@ohlordy2042 i understand your viewpoint...craftmanship (both new and old world) is not what it used to be, no question...

[@vincentsilva5663]

It's the history behind them :)

[@Zombiehunter2086]

I've been collecting for over 20 years, and to be simple about it. Ar15s and glock are boring, but useful. Old guns are just fun.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Yea I’d agree

[@timblack6422]

It’s all about linking with history..and different designs are extremely interesting. Oh, and it’s my “tism”

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Lol

[@ADRay1999]

The oldest gun in my collection is an original Winchester 1887 (made exactly in 1887) And newest gun in my collection is my Glock 45 Acquired in January 2021 (Very early serial number 78)

[@Goresmog]

Do you have more old guns or new guns, which do you prefer and enjoy shooting the most?

[@Front-Toward-Enemy]

The Boogaloo boys might laugh at these weapons for not being practical. They might not be fast but a 30-06 or 8mm mauser is going to vibe check anyone wearing level 4 plates. It might not penetrate the armor but the guy wearing it ain’t fighting anymore.

[@KossoffFan]

I just like the older stuff. I'm the same with my guitars and amps....I like stuff designed in the 50s and 60s. I don't even own an AR. I have one AK in 5.56 that I bought specifically for SHTF or Anti Tyranny. Everything else is lever or bolt action.

[@jamessaltzburg9549]

Back in the day milsurp was way cheaper than modern hunting guns , my first hunting rifle was a 303 ishapore cost 45 bucs wish I hadn't Hard mounted a scope mount with epoxy due to drift now( due to value ) but still worth it. Now they are just cool

[@navyvet7665]

Yep

[@noreply-7069]

7:20 Human species*

[@jarodcrazyindian]

Hidey, Dan.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Howdy! 😎

[@NOLIFENECKBEARD]

Autism 🤷🏻‍♂️