#SurplusRifles

It’s finally happening, boys. The CMP has just announced that it will begin selling surplus M14 rifles. This has been a hoped-for but unlikely step for many years; however, it seems like it is coming later this year.

The iconic American rifle of World War 1 is the 1903 Springfield, but most of the Doughboys were issued a different gun. The US Rifle, Model of 1917, also known as the Enfield or P17, thanks to the vagaries of history, was the most prevalent US rifle by far. Over two million were made in a two-year span. So how does it stack up today?

One of the true gems of the surplus world is the Swedish Mauser. These rifles combine old-world craftsmanship with modern ballistics. I bought this one during the COVID lockdowns of 2020, and in the years since, I have shot it for fun on the range, in competition, and taken it hunting. Here are all the many reasons why you should buy one.

Picture this: You walk into today's gun store and announce you're going to sporterize a 1903 Springfield. The collective gasp would be audible from three counties away. Someone might actually call the police. Yet flip through this 1963 Williams Gun Sight catalog, and you'll see detailed instructions for converting virtually every common military surplus rifle, complete with before-and-after photos that would make modern collectors weep into their coffee.