#Milsurp

In my last article on the K.43 I said that if I was able to get my grubby paws on an SVT-40 I’d do a comparison of the gas systems. Well, after getting extremely lucky on a GunBroker listing, I’m able to do just that.

Today’s Photo of the Day comes courtesy of my inability to keep my wallet closed. The Karabiner 43, or K.43, is a Second World War era semi-automatic rifle chambered in 8mm Mauser. Sometimes referred to as “Hitler’s Garand” (most notably by the book of that title) this rifle was created to replace the more finicky Gewehr 41. The Gewehr 43 (G.43) uses a gas system very similar to that of an SVT-40, a three-part short-stroke gas piston. In fact, a side-by-side comparison of the SVT-40’s gas system and the Gewehr 43’s gas system shows some parts that look almost interchangeable. Though of course, they are not.

Edelweiss Arms specializes in importing cool and expensive foreign guns, generally of Swiss origin. They also now import a new production 10-round magazine for the legendary K31 rifle. This is a major upgrade from the standard 6-round magazine historically used in that rifle.

As it happens, I like weird old guns. Ever since I watched the incredible Zulu (1964) a few years ago, I wanted a Martini-Henry. Specifically, a Martini-Henry Mk III, which is the model found in the movie. Mostly. They couldn’t get enough actual Martinis and had to use some Enfields, but it doesn’t matter. Unfortunately, the Martini-Henry is chambered in 577/450, a cartridge that is long out of production. Enter the Shooters Box 577/450 Chamber Adapter.

A batch of fully functional French FR F2 sniper rifles has recently been imported into the United States by Navy Arms, and are available through EuroOptic.com, and Navy Arms’ affiliate, Old Western Scrounger. The less than traditional-looking French FR F2 rifles were all decommissioned by France and have seen some use, so the prices will vary if you check out Old Western Scrounger’s website, whereas EuroOptic’s lot has a fixed price. The FR F2 is the 7.62x51mm version of France’s FR F1 sniper rifle designed for the 7.5x54mm French cartridge, and the F2 features a thermal sleeve that was designed to reduce mirage for the shooter and heat signature from the enemy. Let’s take a look at the fresh importation of French FR F2 rifles.

Hello boys and girls, it’s your favorite TFB writer (hah) once again doing my level best to bring you what constitutes a decent deal in these trying times. Guys, I hate to say it but I don’t think prices are going back down to pre-COVID until November. So buckle up, this ride is gonna stay bumpy.

I think that each and every one of us longs for the days of $20 Enfields in a barrel at the hardware store, but sadly the golden age of milsurp rifles has come and gone. With the exception of the odd lot of Mosins or Mausers being offered for sale at a reasonably good price I doubt we will see anything like shooters did 25 – 30 years ago.

The SVT40 was Russia’s equivalent of the M1 Garand during the Second World War: a hard hitting semi-automatic infantry rifle that would have exponentially increased the firepower of a soviet section. But they were never manufactured in high enough volumes to fully replace the Mosin Nagant, and so remained the domain of squad leaders and snipers for most of the war. These surplus rifles are widely available in Canada for under $500, and are a favorite of collectors and plinkers alike.

A week ago, Alex C. and Miles Vining pitted the Russian Mosin-Nagant against the German Mauser Gewehr 98 in a battle royale shootout to see which was the best rifle. Unsurprising to some, and outrageous to others, Paul Mauser’s masterpiece took home the gold and handily beat the Three Line Rifle, scoring more hits more quickly in all the shooting sessions.

It’s a good time to be into firearms history. Between Forgotten Weapons, Vickers Tactical, and other great series, what more could the gun history nerd ask for? Well, Othais of CandRsenal has started a YouTube channel that answers that question, covering in medium-length videos individual rifles and other arms of the period from 1870-1960. The first two episodes, covering the 1886 Lebel and the Berthier, are delivered in a format very well-suited to viewers just getting into firearms, but I still learned quite a bit: