WW2 gun shopping

I have no idea where put so i put this in general but what gun of ww2 would be a starter for a collector, a kar? a garand? a colt .45? or recommend on so I could get when am older…remakes do too

How about something you would enjoy shooting and can get the ammo for cheaply?

Rifleman, it really depends on what collecting means to you. I see many pictures of people’s gun “collections” posted on the internet that are not so much collections but an assortment of firearms with no central theme besides that they are fun to shoot. There is nothing wrong with this, but it is not a “collection”.

A collection is a group of items that relates to each other in a manner that is more than superficial. With examples of those items which enhances that connection, in the best possible condition. Most collectors don’t regularly shoot their guns as it increases wear and tear and could decrease their value. Or they have less valuable examples that they shoot often.

So do you want guns to shoot for fun and want something not too expensive with a bit of history as well? If that is the case I would recommend something like a Russian Capture Kar98k or a Mosin Nagant m91/30 or a Yugoslavian SKS. Ammo is still plentiful and moderatly inexpensive.

If you want to start proper collection you need to decide on a theme. A theme helps you focus your buying decisions, temper impluse purchases and gives you goals. It could be something as broad as infantry weapons of WWII or as narrow as American M1 Garands. From there look at the auction / gun sites, web forums and find the most affordable entry point items and plan your budget from there. Because in true colecting the buying never stops and the prices only go up. i.e If you decide to collect German Kar98k rifles you likely to start with a $800 duffle bag cut bring-back with an mismatched bolt rather than a $10,000 genuine sniper.

What ever you decide. Good luck and have fun (the most important part!).

thank you very much and for ever changed the postioned of my thread thanks I will put in my future plans am still pretty young so i wont be able get my gun latter by when am older ill come back to this thread (if its still here) I will take your advice thank you again thats helpful for my plans

I would probably have to know what military you are in german NO LUGER, kar98k, american m1 garand, british lee-enfield, japan japaneese rifle that is what i would say.

Hi Rifleman,
Your site name is RIFLEMAN and you have a huge M1 Garand on everyone of your posts, so I say start with the M1 Garand. You only have to be 18 years old to buy yourself or have your father buy it for you now. Perfect first gun to buy for any collection.

Should still be plenty of ammo available, and clips too. just avoid any surplus French ammo you may come across, the cases are prone to splitting up the sides. That stuff should have been used up awhile ago, but you never know who has some stashed, and will sell it.

There’s also some dangerous .30 ammunition marked “DAG” which was intended for European made BAR type support weapons which should not be fired in a Garand

Do you know who produced the “DAG” ammo? also, there is still some Besa ammo out there, and though its 7.92 stuff that fits in any mauser of the caliber, its too strong for the older 8mm rifles, (model 88) it seems fine in the 98’s, but wouldnt try it in any other old military rifle.

Dynamit Nobel A-G, Troisdorf, Germany, (previously Geco and DNG Gustav Genchow, Karlsruhe)

The original 88 Mausers had barrels measuring .318", most were converted to the later .323" IS cartridge. The way to tell is whether there is a tiny cut out on the top part of the receiver at the front-end to allow the tips of the longer bullets to pass through during charging.

Start with a Mosin Nagant - the ammunition & rifles are still reasonably priced in the US.
Get a SMLE too, though .303 is becoming expensive.
A Kar98 is also a good buy.

A Garand will cost quite a lot more than those together…

Another reason to get the Garand first. These rifles are going up in value as the years go by, they will not be getting cheaper

crap i have to wait 5 freaking years untill i can a gun and the worst part is that my father does not like guns which makes everything wrost but you know patenice (dont exactly know how to spell good) is the number one rule of life

Dont worry, the time will pass, your spelling will improve, and you will be able to begin a fine collection. Stay in school, do well, and you will have the money you will need to gather what you want. In the meantime, do your research into all of the various firearms the different militaries used, and learn all you can about them. That will be a big help when you start to purchase weapons, so you know the best, and most collectible examples.

If you aren’t too worried about strictly WW2, Ishapore apparently manufactured a variant of the SMLE chambered for 7.62mm NATO. Might be worth a look.

You would be looking for the Enfield 2a in 7.62x51 or the .308
Price right now 99.00
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Enfield_2A_Shooter_Grade_Special_.308_NATO_7.62x51_Rifle.html

So what do you think is the average price of a original kar98k is cost, or a replica, or a
m1 garands price, just would like to know, and what would be the cheapest and reasonable price

The Question is when are you going to be 21 ?? Prices change daily with weapons

nowadays, you can get a good Kar98 for under $400. gun shows can get you a russian moisin nagant for $100. i have each, both are fun to shoot.

You only have to be 18 to buy a rifle in the U.S. and 21 to buy a pistol.

Try the CMP for a decent M1 garand rack grade shooter $445
http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/index.htm

edited to take out " I think"