Top 6 Best-Value Military Surplus Rifles

There are so many reasons to shop military surplus. Sure, it can be a mixed bag in terms of quality, and there are definitely some military surplus rifles out there that have not been kept, shall we say, fastidiously.

But every once in a while, you can find a real gem in a stock of surplus rifles, and sometimes you can even get that gem for a steal.

With that said, here are some top-quality military surplus rifles in terms of value.

Carcano M91 Cavalry Rifles

When it comes to low price and overall value, it’s hard to beat a Carcano M91 Cavalry rifle, if you can find one.

We carry them, and are selling them for around $150. Some of them have cracked stocks, but you just can’t beat that value.

They’re not the best, or the most handsome rifles on the surplus market (and 6.5x52mm Carcano can be expensive), but they’re extremely tough and dependable, and that makes them a bargain at the low prices for which they typically sell.

SKS Rifles

SKS rifles are on pretty much every article we’ve written about surplus firearms in the past, and there’s a reason.

They’ve been widely produced since 1945 and used in countless countries around the world, from Russia (obviously) to Vietnam.

As a result, SKS rifles are in no short supply. You can easily find them in many gun shops, and they usually command very fair prices. Depending on where it was made, you can usually find surplus SKS rifles for anywhere between $200 and $600, with Chinese SKS models being among the cheapest.

Also, the 7.62x29mm is an excellent round, one that’s suitable for everything from hunting to competition to defensive applications, and usually very readily available. There are even producers like TulAmmo that sell quality 7.62 ammo at very affordable prices.

1908 Brazilian Mausers

We have a number of 1908 Brazilian Mauser rifles with very good bores (and a bunch with bores in good condition). While Brazilian Mausers may not be at the top of your list in terms of Mausers (the German-made G98s are among the best) when it comes to price and value, these are up there.

They’re old, but they’re in good to very good condition with fairly well-kept bores, so if you want a Mauser at a great price, this is definitely a good option.

Mosin-Nagant Rifles

The Mosin-Nagant was the Russian Empire’s predecessor to the Soviet Union’s SKS, and while these bolt-action rifles don’t necessarily break records for accuracy or reliability like Mausers do, they do win in at least one category: price.

They’re often fairly easy to come by, and when you can find one in good condition, they’re usually quite affordable as well, going for anywhere from $100 to $300.

The downside to the amazingly low prices of most Mosin-Nagant rifles is the ammo. Chambered in the hard-kicking, harder-hitting 7.62x54R, these rifles are powerful enough to hunt most big game species in North America - but the ammo is difficult to find and fairly expensive.

Lee-Enfield Rifles

Lee-Enfield rifles also make appearances on our other lists of “best of” military surplus rifles, and this time it’s for value.

Millions upon millions have been produced over the past century, and the rifles have seen service in every corner of the globe, so they’re not always so hard to come by. They also hold their value well. While they’re not as affordable (generally) as Carcano or Mosin-Nagant rifles, they’re still usually fairly affordable.

Also, you’ll appreciate the short throw and smooth operation of the action, and while it might be a little tough for you to find ammo, these are good rifles for both competitive shooting and hunting.

M1 Garand

Here’s the thing about the M1 Garand. They’re usually pretty expensive, so the only reason they’re appearing on this list is because we’re concerned with value and not just price.

So, even though the rifle itself is likely to be expensive, it’s usually easy to find parts, as well as gunsmiths that are capable with the platform. Moreover, these make excellent sporterized rifles and are good for both competition shooting and hunting.

Which brings up another point. While you might have a hard time finding ammo for a Carcano or Mosin-Nagant, you won’t have a lick of trouble finding .30-06.

All major ammunition manufacturers still load .30-06 and it’s not like its outrageously expensive, even though there are much cheaper centerfire alternatives.

Still, it’s a great cartridge that has a lot of applications, and almost always easy to find.

How to Shop Military Surplus Rifles

These are our top picks for military surplus rifles in terms of value. Now all you need to know how to do is how to shop for them.

Admittedly, it can be stressful shopping for a used gun, just like shopping for a used car. You may not know what to look for “under the hood” whereas new guns are covered by warranties and the like.

So, we put together a guide on how to shop for them. Check out the following link on “What to Inspect on Surplus Firearms: A Quick Guide.”

Then, if you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us and we will be happy to help.