Where do you find surplus arms?

[Gil Martin]

I read a current article in "Guns" magazine about surplus arms and how this is the best time ever to go shopping for them. I wrote a letter to the editor questioning the thrust of the story. There are some graybeards out there that can remember the bonanza days of surplus arms bargains in the 1950s and 1960s. We cannot turn back time, but I would just like to see some decent surplus arms at affordable prices.

Were are you finding surplus arms today? The local gun shops that I visit get a military rifle or handgun in from time to time. Most of them are in poor condition or overpriced. Just as bad are surplus arms dealers that overstate the condition of their guns. I have been disappointed in seeing what was supposed to be a rifle in "hand-picked, excellent condition" turn out to be NRA good.

Since I have never done well at gun shows, I rarely attend them. There is a military arms dealer in the next town that may show some promise. Anyway, good luck to you. All the best...
Gil

[Cal Sibley]

We're an aging population with many older shooters passing on.
I'm sure most widows don't want rifles cluttering up the house so there should be a lot of the surplus rifles for sale. I'm guessing they arrange for gunshops to take them on consignment. You might ask about. I've got my last couple of surplus rifles at gun shows, but even their numbers seem to have been reduced lately. You're not apt to find them in the classified ads either. Now that I think about it they are becoming rather scarce, and I'm not sure why. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreasl

[gumpokc]

Most of mine are from a pretty decent local surplus dealer, as well as a local gunshop/range that keeps it's eyes open for estate sales.

as Cal mentioend we are starting to see soem of the older collectors passing on, so things should open up abit.
whether prices are reasonable or not, is awhole 'nother story.

the local surplus dealer i use it pretty good all around.

the local gunshop/range can be slightly higher at times, but for the level of support and service they also provide, i don't mind paying a little extra.

[wrenchman]

I have a dealer order mine frome the shot gun news.
I dont find to much for surplus at the local shows.

[Gil Martin]

I agree with everything you said. About ten years ago, I visited a gun shop and asked a young clerk if he had any military rifles. He replied that a rare Japanes Type I came in that morning. I asked to see it and nearly fell over. It was mint, matching, with the bayonet and original sling. The price was $80 and I did the paperwork in record time. Seems the widow of a veteran dropped off some guns after her husband passed away. The secret is being at the right place at the right time. All the best...
Gil

[Gil Martin]

This morning I drove to a military surplus dealer a few towns away. He has a vintage shop with probably 200 or 300 surplus arms and maybe 100 sporting arms. There are piles of surplus equipment from shovels and mess kits to canteens and backpacks. I spent an hour and a half going over his racks. A lot of the stuff was in rough condition (like the Russian captured '98 Mausers) or very expensive ( such as some 1903 and 1903A3 Springfields). I concluded my visit with a Carcano 1938 7.35mm rifle in one hand and a Russian 91/30 with bayonet, sling and ammo puch in the other. I got a significant discount on two excellent rifles.

The Carcano 7.35mm is marked "SA" denoting its service in Finland during WWII. The Russian rifle had a hang tag marked "hand picked" and someone did a great job. I have been cleaning and handling these specimens and am thrilled. All the best...
Gil

P.S. If you want to know the name of the dealer, send a PM to me.