Good entry-point rifles

• Mosin-Nagant — rugged, historic, and chambered in 7.62x54R. The classic first milsurp; learn to read Tula vs. Izhevsk arsenal marks.
• Finnish M39 — widely considered the most refined Mosin variant, with a heavier barrel and Finnish accuracy standards.
• Mauser K98k — the benchmark WWII German bolt action; watch for matching numbers and arsenal codes.
• Lee-Enfield — the smooth, fast British battle rifle in .303.
• M1903A3 Springfield — an American classic; Smith-Corona and Remington examples are popular.

See what’s currently in stock in the rifle catalog.

What to check before you buy

• Bore condition. A bright, sharp (“mirror”) bore matters for both shooting and value. Pitting and frosting drop the grade.
• Headspace and mechanical condition. A safe, properly headspaced action is non-negotiable on a rifle you intend to shoot.
• Matching numbers. Bolt, receiver, and other serialized parts matching adds collector value; mismatches lower it.
• Import marks. Small importer stamps are normal on surplus arms; their placement affects originality and price.
• Refurbishment. Many surplus rifles were arsenal-refurbished. That’s fine — but it should be disclosed, not hidden.

Curio & Relic — a collector’s advantage

Many surplus firearms over 50 years old qualify as Curio & Relic (C&R). A Type 03 C&R FFL is inexpensive and lets eligible C&R firearms ship directly to you — a popular route for serious milsurp collectors. Plenty of the rifles above are C&R eligible.

Buy from someone who grades honestly

The single most important thing for a first-time buyer is an honest description. At Old Steel Arsenal in Plano, every rifle is bench-inspected and hand-graded — bore, headspace, numbers, and finish described plainly. If you’re shopping from Plano, Dallas, Frisco, or anywhere across North Texas, come handle the actual rifle before you buy. Need one shipped in? We handle transfers too.