Surplus arms at the range

[Gil Martin]

I was picking up brass at the state gameland range today and was amazed at the number of surplus arms on the range. Most were Russian 91/30 rifles and their owners were cranking off a lot of rounds. I saw a few Enfields from WWI and WWII. Does my heart good to see the old war horses being used. All the best...
Gil

[dovehunter]

Whenever I take my WW2 vintage (especially) Walther P-38 or my M-1911 to my club range nearly everyone else wants to examine and/or shoot them. Most everyone is surprised how good these two antiques shoot. Not only that, they're fun to shoot - they're both a piece of history.

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

Did they all abide by the PGC "Three-round rule?" I could never understand the PGC mindset and rules. That is why I bought a farm and let PGC rule on and on.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I think you see 'old war horses' because we aren't allowed to own 'new war horses'.......i.e. FNFAL, AR15, M-14, ect. Not only are restrictions on these guns numerous (and ridiculous), but the price tags are quite warm.
Mosins, SKSs, Mausers, Enfields, ect are still within the budget of the average working man (but for how much longer, who knows.....)

[wrenchman]

These older guns had craftsmanship to them that is something a new gun just does not have even a new hunting gun verses a new one night and day as far as i am concerned.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

These older guns had craftsmanship to them that is something a new gun just does not have even a new hunting gun verses a new one night and day as far as i am concerned.

I have to agree with you, wrenchman.....unfortunately, the guns that we hunt with won't be appreciated for some years to come.....plastic and alloys are all the rage nowadays; remember when duck guns, such as the humpback A5, were made of well oiled wood and blue steel? A thing of beauty, indeed!

[wrenchman]

the first gun i ever shot was a a5 sweet 16 my dads gun he has a 12 also i look at them guns now and no there is no one going to make a gun with scroll work on the still like that again and it be a factory gun.

[Joe Boleo]

They tend to generate questions from other shooters. I am amazed at how few folks can correctly identify even popular surplus arms. Take care...
Joe

[Seawolf1090]

My public range has a lot of milsurp shooters, so the Mausers, Mosins and Enfields are common. Seems everybody and his cousin has a Mosin M44!
But show up with a Swiss K31 or a Steyr M95, and it generates more interest!
Milsurp handguns are a bit scarcer, but one old gentleman commonly shoots his WWII-dated P38 and Luger pistols out there, along with his Japanese Arisaka rifles.