[Joshua M. Smith]

Gents,

I've caught a contagious, incurable disease. I believe it lived in the cosmoline with which my M44 carbine was packed.

I have an unsatiable desire for the following:

Full length Mosin-Nagant, possibly with a repro rifle 'scope and properly bent bolt handle

M1903 Springfield

M1 Garand

M1 Carbine

Martinis - several flavors

Enfields

Mausers

I can't stop! I only meant to post two: The M1903 and the Garand.

Help?

Josh <><

[budroe]

Josh - don't forget that 1898 Krag in .30-40!!!

[7.62mmFMJ]

Wait til you get to leverguns :psycho:

[Antlurz]

And of course several of these have carbine versions, and even the Garand has a tankers version. You are doomed, boy. Doomed, I say. Accept your fate like a man.

(Then pray you can come up with the money without losing your pride...)

Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk...... :D

Ron

[Old Soldier]

Joshua M. Smith, You sir have Gunitis

Gun affliction strikes any age, any time

I have contracted a case of chronic rifleitis, a condition similar to shotgunitis, both of which are can be lumped together as gunitis.

This particular episode came on after several trips to local gun stores while I was treating my son for his own bout with rifleitis.

Symptoms of both are identical. The afflicted may sit for hours leafing through gun catalogues. On a trip to buy pingpong balls, one may be inexplicably drawn to the gun counter.

Gun counter guys are enablers of the worst degree. They are only too happy to let an obviously suffering soul stroke the forearm, swing the barrel and finger the action of a rifle all afternoon long.

Gunitis can attack without warning. A person with no obvious symptoms might just up and buy a gun on the spur of the moment. That is often less painful than a long, slowly developing case.

In my case, I find myself longing for a ... well, that might be too much information.

This is particularly embarrassing because the hunters in my circle would not be caught dead handling a rifle. These bowhunter purists wouldn't even pick up a compound bow, efficiency be damned.

Once I listened as a recovering rifle hunter exhorted us to give up gunhunting.

Put the gun down and take that next step, he said. For a moment I felt ashamed that I had ever enjoyed shooting a gun. But, I got over it.

I enjoy shooting anything — bow, rifle, shotgun, paintball marker, slingshot. Heck, I get a kick out of spitting into chasms — I once expectorated into the Royal Gorge from the nation's tallest suspension bridge.

After years of shotgunitis, my friend Rick has simply given in and proudly proclaims that he buys a gun a year. Family sources, though, report that Rick is in denial and that many years he buys way more than one gun per year. He is well above 40 guns and now has begun buying guns for family members. Tsk. Tsk.

Gunitis may be gender specific although in some cases both the female and the male of the human species can be infected. Either way, spouses seldom understand.

Symptoms also include delusions of grandeur, making a poor man think he is wealthy.

Early in this latest episode, I just wanted a nice Remington 700 CDL in a .25-06, a sort of Buick in gun world.

But the other day, I got caught looking at the Dakota Arms Web site, where a $7,000 rifle is about typical. When the IT folks searched my hard drive, they found I had downloaded images of the latest Model 8400 from the Kimber Web site.

I have a perfectly good .30-06, but most scientists agree that practicality is pointless in the case of gunitis.

"It's OK," a friend told me. "It just means you're a man."

There also is pistolitis, from which I suffer only mildly.

My son is almost over his bout with rifleitis. He began a miraculous recovery after purchasing an old standby remedy, the Ruger 10-22.

The only remaining symptoms, at least in Nick's case, are morning and evening bouts of lobbying, as in "Dad, when can we go shoot our rifles?"

You're gonna be OK, son.

Reach Tribune Outdoor Editor Michael Babcock at triboutdoors@sofast.net or at (406) 791-1487 or (800) 438-6600.

Originally published June 1, 2006

[26 Charlie]

You never get over the itch, I sold collection in 1999 for a F 150 pick up. Low and be hold it came back in 2005. Latest item M1 Grand form SOG good price. It's in the blood

[Pathfinder]

Joshua M. Smith, You sir have Gunitis



Incorrect, he has the mutated strain, it's milsurpitis.

God can't help ya now Joshua.:D :up:

[2quads]

There is no cure.

[Antlurz]

Since you apparently have the H4 variant, I'd appreciate it if you didn't stand too close. It's taken me half a century to get over it, and according to all known studies, a person doesn't build up an immunity and will always be susceptable to reinfection under the right conditions. For now, I'm just happy to keep it in the dormant state.

Ron

[7.62mmFMJ]

Ooh. You also need an Arisaka :up:

[CA357]

What's the actual company name for SOG please? :D

[7.62mmFMJ]

Southern Ohio Guns

[CA357]

:up: Thanks. I need a fix. :D

[Saunders]

Make sure you get a K-31. Not kidding. It will amaze you.

Move it up to #1 priority.

[OFallon]

Suggest you look at Springfield's version of the M14, which they designate as the M1A. While not surplus, it is a verbatim copy of the best military rifle ever produced in the US (my opinion) and you are unlikely to find an M14.;)

[Popeye]

Make sure you get a K-31. Not kidding. It will amaze you.

Move it up to #1 priority.
:agreed:

[shoey]

Make sure you get a K-31. Not kidding. It will amaze you.

Move it up to #1 priority.

Agreed again. And do it soon before dealers fully realize what these guns are worth....

[EssPete]

Sorry to resurrect an oldish thread but I have MilSurpitis on a college budget and trying to save for a wedding!!!!!!!1!OneOnEOneELeventy!

I've been kicking myself in the butt multiple times a day for the past 4 years when I passed on buying a moderately excellent M1 for $500. It was a Winchester but I could have cared less if it wasn't SA... I am still looking for another picture of an International Harvester made M1 but another story.

I was shooting my friends AK-47 variant, not a CAI WASR-10 but an American made reciever and Romanian component POS and outshooting him consistantly at any range (12" group at 100 yards) and wanted something of my own. I would have preferred an M-16/4 or AR variant but lack the money so I bought a Yugo m59/66 SKS instead. :D

I'm still jonesing for an M1 and wish my dad would have gotten the k98 my grandfather traded some Jap rifles he brought back from the pacific for but my uncle got the k98 and my dad got the luger. Anyways, seeing captured and reworked k98 from russia has me wanting one of those. The Yugo mausers don't seem too bad and all the K31 talk on this site has me looking for one of those now aswell. I'm wondering if an M44 would be fun but I can only shoot my buddy's 91/30 about 20 times before my shoulder says no more...

Holy wall of text! I'll quit ranting over my latest condition. My SKS, SR9, MKIII 22/45 and 10/22 will just have to last me when I'm not trap shooting for taking the brittany dog out for grouse and quail.

I have it bad don't I? Also anyone want to get rid of a Ruger m77 in 30-06 or .223 >:) I kid I kid!

[Fuelburns1]

You are indeed doomed by this affliction. I only recently managed to subdue my milsurpitis and even then only out of necessity. :psycho: Good luck with it.

Suggest you look at Springfield's version of the M14, which they designate as the M1A. While not surplus, it is a verbatim copy of the best military rifle ever produced in the US (my opinion) and you are unlikely to find an M14.;)

It is indeed a fine rifle to have and highly recommended by myself as well. Accessories are expensive but worthwhile. :up:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/Fuelburns1/M1ABP.jpg
Also consider the Russian SVT-40. I love shooting this commie firestick. Think of it as a rapid fire MN 1891/30 but with more resale value.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/Fuelburns1/SVT40lowres.jpg
No collection is complete without one of these. I already regret selling it. :(
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/Fuelburns1/Garand.jpg
Wish I never sold this one either.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/Fuelburns1/C96Left.jpg

This one's only half MilSurp but still fun to shoot. :D
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/Fuelburns1/AR15.jpg

[Popeye]

What is that thing hanging out of the bottom of the C96?

[2quads]

A tack driver? :D

[EssPete]

Most of these rifles ammo cost is getting up there. $0.50 is something I'm not prepared to pay to shoot the toys as much as I can at the moment. It is so nice to have a rifle/pistol range at a state park 10 minutes drive from my current apartment.

Looks like my SKS will have to suffice until I get a Mini-14 or AR variant though I am not a huge fan of black guns... they look too militaristic for me, more so than the real milsup rifles in the C&R categories. ... may have to pick up an M44 or save up for a new production M1

[Fuelburns1]

What is that thing hanging out of the bottom of the C96?

A 20 round mag. It was a 712 machine pistol before it was imported. Briklee Trading Company assembled the guns with semiautomatic frames to make them legal for import and marketed them as model 714s if I remember correctly.

[sharps_74]

OS, one thing that you didn't mention in your well written post to Josh was what can happen as the affliction runs its course. The afflicted may start building his own weapons from parts kits or (as some have) buy a milling machine and start making a weapon from stock. Some, myself included, have started to collect the info. to register and build a silencer. I've found that it helps to buy a few weapons with the ideal of selling them at a profit to support this ailment.

[Vibe]

Ooh. You also need an Arisaka :up:
http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6625&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1166713787 (http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6625&d=1166713787)

:D Type 44

[Popeye]

Is that Type 44 yours?

[douglasb]

it only gets worse , hyperventilating at the thought a rifle is on its way to you that very moment. when it arrives you auotomatically start to contimplate your next deal ,gathering lesser rifles in mass to use as bargaining chips to fuel your addiction. i love it

[Vibe]

Is that Type 44 yours?
Yep. Grandmoms brother brought it back, way back when they could. It apparently has the sling from his M1 carbine on it.

[Popeye]

You may want to hold onto that carbine.

[Urzandowski]

Quote "I've caught a contagious, incurable disease."

Its not so bad, I have it too! Just accept the fact youre infected and go with it. :D

[Vibe]

You may want to hold onto that carbine.
Thanks. I've been doing exactly that for the last 35 or so years. :D
The Mum is ground though. I think it was done aboard ship on the way home.

[bobotech]

Thanks. I've been doing exactly that for the last 35 or so years. :D
The Mum is ground though. I think it was done aboard ship on the way home.

That sound exactly like my step kid's dad's arisaka.

His grandpa brought it home from the war but when he went to bring it back, they ground off the mum. It was like his CO or something that was required to do that.

I'm not sure which model it is but I think its the carbine too. His has all matching numbers including the dustcover.

A rather neat strange looking weapon.

[Popeye]

A ground mum is not that big of a deal.

[Vibe]

That sound exactly like my step kid's dad's arisaka.

His grandpa brought it home from the war but when he went to bring it back, they ground off the mum. It was like his CO or something that was required to do that.
They were "required" to do exactly that by the terms of the surender. So all of the rifles that were brought back after the date of surrender were ground. Only those which came home before this managed to avoid it.

I'm not sure which model it is but I think its the carbine too. His has all matching numbers including the dustcover.

A rather neat strange looking weapon.
Alas, I have no dust cover. And I would have to check again for the numbers matching - not that I'm that concerned about it. It's in the same condition it's been in for 35 years :D
From what I understand there were "only" 100,000 Type 44s made.

[texasalien]

OS, one thing that you didn't mention in your well written post to Josh was what can happen as the affliction runs its course.

Tradeitis is a risk after you have been afflicted for a while.

[EssPete]

I just ordered my first 1000 round case of ammo,Golden Tiger 7.62.39 124gr FMJ. I am indeed truelly lost into milsurpitis. This is only the beginning as I save up for more and have old rifles just magically appear in the closet with the future missus asking where they came from and making sure I got a good deal on it. At least she doesn't mind as long as I still pay for what I'm supposed to and put some into savings. She is a keeper :D

[PaulMcD]

Josh May God not only have mercy on your soul,I pray He'll have mercy on your Bank account.For God's sake guy be careful.It looks great and catches your fancy,and you cannot resist it.When you get it home or take it to the range the awful truth hits you right between the eyes.it's worthless you bought a pig.I had the same malady until I decided what I really wanted.I'm not saying don't buy them I'm saying use your good common sense. Old soldier summed it up well.Gun show hawks as well as retailers know Gunitis when they see it.They'll sell you the moon if you let them. I keep my collection down to less than 10 rifles Believe me I pass up a lot of stuff that grabs my fancy in favor of that which I really want. Lots of luck Josh Paul M

[Doug Bowser]

Too bad you did not have the military rifle bug in 1959 . Here are the prices that were in effect then


Full length Mosin-Nagant, possibly with a repro rifle 'scope and properly bent bolt handle Without scope $9.95

M1903 Springfield Hi # $29.95

M1 Garand NM from DCM $115

M1 Carbine From DCM $20

Martinis - several flavors $45

Enfields No 1 $8.88

Mausers Nice K98k $25

Hard to believe isn't it.

Doug Bowser

[Saunders]

Well, the minimum wage was a buck per hour.

[Popeye]

Prices for milsurp firearms, after adjustments for inflation are made, have been lower during the last ten years than at any time in recent history (since 1900).

[PaulMcD]

The thing that I find hardest to accept is the unrealistic prices asked for American made rifles like the M1,and Carbine..I can readily understand where real historical weapons are concerned like the Trap door,the Henry,and yes even the Krag. I wouldn't bat an eye lash where an authentic Pennsylvania long is concerned.These represent the true history of this country.Why is it I can buy all the foreign rifles I want for a song,and have to pay a bloody fortune for anything American Made

[loknload]

Why is it I can buy all the foreign rifles I want for a song,and have to pay a bloody fortune for anything American Made

Because it was, 1. American Made and 2. American History and some of it being due to the conditions they came to be and under some of the circumstances they were used!
Also I believe you'll find that older collectors will want what they used to hit the Beach when they did it, plus younger collectors will want what dad used to hit the beach and didn't bring one home! ;)