Military Surplus Guns or MilSurps can be a great additional offering. I was first converted to milsurps about a year ago. I have since become a Crufler or Curio and Relic Firearms Licensed. Basically, it allows me to buy curios and relics, C&R firearms, both long and handguns, online or from a local dealer without a waiting period and have them shipped directly to my home. Now, before all the anti-gun wackos go on a rampage, C&R firearms are over 50 years old and/or listed as an heirloom by the BATF, so that’s pretty cool. Now on the subject. I collect and enjoy shooting any type of weapon, new or old. However, I prefer Milsuprs and here’s why.

First of all, they are cheap. My first Milsurp, a Russian Mosin Nagan chambered in the mighty 7.62x54r, I bought at Big 5 Sporting Goods for $79.99. In a matter of 20 minutes I was able to buy the rifle and a box of ammunition. This is a bolt action rifle and it was at least 4 feet long but still great.

Second the story. I’m not necessarily a history buff, but I do enjoy learning about the wars rifles may have served in. Seeing pantyhose and grime on old warhorses really wakes me up imagining the soldier sitting in a trench somewhere clutching that rifle for the life of him. There is much debate about restoring a milsurp, through extensive cleaning and stock resurfacing. I see both sides of that fence. It could be just as beautiful if it was re-sanded and stained, but the character that age gives it makes it beautiful too.

Third, it is addictive. They’re like French fries, you can’t eat just one. I currently have 6 Milsurps and can’t wait for my next purchase.
Fourth ammunition. For the most part, it is cheap and abundant in many of the sizes, both surplus and commercial. My SKS shoots 7.62×39 and I can buy a 500-round can of this caliber for about $40-$50 delivered.

CONS to milsurps.

they are cheap. Sometimes you get what you pay for. I’ve been lucky and haven’t gotten anything I couldn’t live with. I read stories of some real sewer pipes out there (horrible barrels). These are mostly limited to pawn shops and gun shows. Some people try to dump their garbage on others. Most of the big online dealers like Centuryarms, AIM, and SOG have pretty good grading criteria and will let you return things if you get one that didn’t go through the grading process. The Civilian Marksmanship Program is great and probably the only way to buy real American milsurps that have not been re-imported from borrowed governments, sorry guys there is never any select fire this includes M-14s and M-16s. I bought my M-1 Garand from them, it’s balls in a precise new barrel that clink and it only cost me $395.
Some are ugly. This one is questionable, beauty is really in the eye of the beholder, some like wood and metal, others like plastic and composites. It is a personal choice. I know for a fact that if I ever run out of ammo for my Garand in a firefight, I can always beat them to death with a few hits.

I have both milsurps and NIB, new in box, modern guns. Both have clear advantages and disadvantages. But when I’m on the range and someone asks me what I’m shooting it’s because it’s not another 10/22 or remington etc.