The Best Military Surplus Firearms You Can Actually Afford (Under $1,000)

Key Takeaways:

• Military surplus isn’t just cheap, it’s a gateway to actual history. You’re not buying some mass-produced modern rifle; you’re getting a piece that was carried through real battles by real soldiers. Every scratch and ding tells a story you’ll never fully know, but that connection to the past? That’s something you can’t put a price on.
• Do your homework before you buy, but don’t let perfectionism paralyze you. Yes, matching serial numbers is nice, and original condition is essential for value. But honestly? A rifle with some honest wear that shoots well is way better than holding out forever for some museum-perfect piece that costs three times as much. These were working guns, not jewelry.
• The good deals won’t last forever, so take advantage of them while you can. Countries only have so much old surplus to sell, and once it’s gone, that’s it. The days of dirt-cheap Mosins and crates of SKSs are basically behind us. If you’ve been thinking about getting into collecting, stop overthinking it and start looking, because waiting means paying more later.

Look, I get it. You walk into a gun store, see those pristine new rifles with four-digit price tags, and think collecting firearms is only for people with trust funds. But here’s the thing nobody talks about enough: military surplus guns are where the real stories live. And weirdly enough, they won’t break the bank either.

Military surplus firearms are essentially guns that armies once owned but no longer needed. Think of it like when your dad finally cleaned out the garage and sold that perfect lawnmower at a yard sale, except instead of lawnmowers, we’re talking about rifles that saw action in actual wars.

How We Got Here (A Quick History Lesson)

The whole surplus thing really took off after World War II. Picture this: you’ve got countries sitting on literal mountains of weapons they don’t need anymore. What do you do with a million Mosin-Nagants gathering dust in some Soviet warehouse? You sell ’em.

It was practical, honestly. These governments needed money, they needed storage space, and suddenly, regular people could own a piece of history for the price of a decent used car. It was probably one of the better accidents of the 20th century for collectors.

These days, surplus releases are like Black Friday for gun nerds. Governments still auction off old stuff when they modernize their arsenals. I’ve seen grown men refresh auction websites like they’re trying to score concert tickets. The anticipation is real.

And then there are the importers, the unsung heroes of this whole world. These companies handle all the bureaucratic complexities of importing foreign surplus into the country. They grade the condition, handle the paperwork, and basically make sure that Romanian AK doesn’t get you in trouble with the ATF. Building a good relationship with a reputable importer? That’s collector gold right there.

Why Surplus Collecting Hooks People

There’s something almost addictive about holding a rifle that was carried through the Battle of Stalingrad or across the beaches of Normandy. Yeah, it sounds cheesy, but it’s true. These aren’t just guns, they’re artifacts. Each one has scratches, dings, and wear patterns that tell a story you’ll never fully know.

The money part doesn’t hurt either. While modern firearms keep getting more expensive (don’t get me started on what AR-15s cost now), surplus guns stay relatively affordable. You can build a respectable collection without eating ramen for six months.

Plus, the variety is insane. One day you’re looking at German engineering from the 1940s, the next you’re admiring Swiss precision from the 1930s. It’s like having a museum where everything still works.

The Heavy Hitters (Under $1,000)

Mosin-Nagant M91/30: The Tank of Rifles

If you only buy one surplus rifle, make it a Mosin. Seriously. These things are like the Nokia flip phones of the gun world, nearly indestructible, and they keep working.

The Soviets made millions of these during WWII, which means you can still find them for $300-400 if you’re patient. The design is straightforward: a bolt-action, powerful cartridge, built to withstand Russian winters. Soviet soldiers used these things from Moscow to Berlin, and somehow they’re still around to tell the tale.

Here’s where it gets interesting, though, the markings. Every Mosin has these cryptic stamps and symbols that essentially tell its life story: arsenal marks, date codes, and sometimes even unit designations. I spent way too much time one weekend trying to decode the markings on mine. It turns out that it was made in Tula in 1943, right when things were getting really intense on the Eastern Front.

Collectors get obsessed with finding “matching” Mosins, rifles where all the serial numbers on different parts match up. It’s trickier than it sounds because these rifles got rebuilt and refurbished multiple times over their service life. But when you find one that’s all original? That’s a special feeling.

SKS: The People’s Rifle

The SKS is what happened when the Soviets decided they needed something more modern than the Mosin but not as complicated as an AK-47. It’s a semi-automatic rifle that’s simple enough to field-strip blindfolded, yet reliable enough to trust with your life.

What makes SKS collecting fun is the variety of items. The Soviets designed it, but everybody and their brother ended up making their own version. Chinese Type 56s, Yugoslav M59/66s (the ones with the weird grenade launcher), Romanian models, Albanian variants; each country put its own spin on the basic design.

You can usually find a decent SKS for $500-700, which is honestly a steal for what you’re getting. The Chinese ones are probably the most common, but I’ve got a soft spot for the Yugoslav M59/66s. That grenade launcher attachment is completely impractical but undeniably cool.

Pro tip: if you’re buying an SKS, check if it’s been “sporterized”, basically butchered with aftermarket stocks and accessories. The purists hate that stuff, and honestly, it kills the historical value. You want one that looks like it just walked out of a Cold War movie.

Mauser K98k: German Engineering at Its Finest

Now we’re talking about a rifle with some serious pedigree. The K98k was Germany’s standard-issue rifle throughout World War II, embodying everything the Germans were famous for: precision, quality, and perhaps a touch of over-engineering.

These rifles are accurate as hell. Like, “pick off individual targets at 800 yards” accurate. The action is smooth as butter when it has been adequately maintained, and the craftsmanship is exquisite. You can see why these things earned such a reputation on both sides of the conflict.

Finding a genuine WWII-era K98k can be challenging and expensive, but here’s a secret: many countries continued to manufacture them after the war. Czech, Yugoslav, and other Eastern European countries produced K98k variants well into the 1950s and beyond. These post-war versions are significantly more affordable, often priced under $800, and are essentially the same rifle.

The downside? Age and hard use have taken their toll on a lot of these. Finding one with a good bore and original finish takes patience. But when you do find a nice one, especially with matching numbers and original accessories, it’s like striking gold.

Swiss K31: The Precision Machine

Switzerland remained neutral during World War II, which allowed it to refine its rifles rather than rushing them to the front lines. The result was the K31, a straight-pull bolt-action rifle that’s basically the Swiss watch of military firearms.

That straight-pull action is something else. Instead of lifting and pulling the bolt like on most rifles, you pull it straight back and push it forward. It’s faster, smoother, and honestly just more satisfying to operate. The first time you cycle a K31, you’ll understand why Swiss engineering has such a reputation.

But here’s the coolest part: under the buttplate of most K31s, there’s a small paper tag with the name and information of the Swiss soldier to whom it was issued. It’s like getting a letter from the past with your rifle. I’ve seen collectors spend hours researching these soldiers online, trying to piece together their service records.

K31s usually run $600-800, and for that money, you’re getting a rifle that was probably stored in climate-controlled conditions for most of its life. The Swiss don’t mess around with maintenance.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I: The British Workhorse

The Lee-Enfield is probably the fastest bolt-action rifle ever issued to regular troops. A trained soldier could get off 15 aimed rounds per minute with one of these things; that’s faster than some semi-automatics. The action is buttery smooth once you get the hang of it.

These rifles saw action in both World Wars and nearly every conflict in which the British Empire was involved. India, Burma, North Africa, D-Day, you name it, there was probably a Lee-Enfield there. The 10-round magazine was a huge advantage over the 5-round clips most other countries were using.

You can find Lee-Enfields for anywhere from $400 to $800, depending on condition and variant. There are a multitude of different models and markings to learn about, which only gets more interesting. Some were made in Britain, while others were made in Canada or Australia. Each factory had its own little quirks and quality standards.

The one thing about Lee-Enfields is that they’re workhorses, not show ponies. Most have seen hard use and show it. But that battle-worn appearance is part of their charm. These rifles have stories written in their scratches and dings.

Getting Started (The Real Talk)

Do Your Homework

I can’t stress this enough: research before you buy. There are more fake surplus guns out there than you’d think, and some reproductions are getting scary good. Learn the markings, understand the production history, and know what original parts look like.

Forums are your friend here. The old-school collectors on places like Milsurps.com have forgotten more about this stuff than most people ever learn. Don’t be shy about asking questions, but maybe read the FAQ first so you don’t ask if your Mosin is worth $5,000 (spoiler: it’s not).

Condition Matters, But Don’t Get Crazy

Yeah, condition affects value, but remember, these are military rifles that were built to be used, not babied. A little honest wear can actually add character. What you want to avoid is rust, pitting in the bore, or apparent modifications that hurt the historical integrity.

Matching serial numbers are nice, but don’t pass up a good rifle just because the stock got replaced somewhere along the way. Unless you’re building a museum-quality collection, a good shooter is better than a perfect safe queen.

Know the Law

This should go without saying, but make sure you understand the legal side before you start buying. Different states have different rules, and some surplus imports can be subject to weird regulations. When in doubt, ask your local FFL dealer; they deal with this stuff every day.

Find Your People

Collecting is more fun when you’re not doing it alone. Local gun shows are great for meeting other collectors and seeing items in person before you make a purchase. Some areas have surplus-specific collector groups that get together regularly.

And honestly? Don’t underestimate the value of a good relationship with your local gun shop. They might not always have surplus items on the shelf, but they often know when interesting things are arriving.

The Long Game

Here’s the thing about surplus collecting: availability isn’t unlimited. Countries only have so much old stuff to sell, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. The days of $80 Mosins and crates of SKSs are behind us, probably forever.

But that’s also what makes this hobby enjoyable. You’re not just collecting guns, you’re preserving history. Every rifle you save from getting sporterized or cut up for scrap is a piece of the past that gets to stick around for future generations.

Store them properly; humidity is the enemy of old steel. Clean them occasionally, but don’t go crazy trying to remove every bit of character. And for the love of all that’s holy, don’t “improve” them with modern stocks and accessories unless you’re planning actually to use them for hunting.

Why This Matters

Look, I know this all might seem obsessive to people who aren’t into it. But there’s something profound about connecting with history through objects that were actually there. These rifles didn’t just sit in a museum case; real people carried them through some of the most important events of the 20th century.

When I hold my K98k, I think about the German soldier who carried it. What was he thinking during those long winter nights on the Eastern Front? When I cycle the action on my Lee-Enfield, I wonder about the British infantryman who used it to defend his position at Normandy.

We’ll never know their names or their stories. But in a small way, by preserving these rifles and keeping their history alive, we’re honoring their memory. That’s worth more than any dollar figure you could put on a collection.

So if you’ve been thinking about getting into surplus collecting, stop thinking and start looking. There are still deals to be found, and still stories waiting to be discovered. Just remember, you’re not just buying guns. You’re becoming a custodian of history.

And that’s a pretty cool responsibility to have.

Frequently Asked Questions