The Surplus Guns Gold Rush When Communism Fell (w/ Val Forgett)
This video delves into the 'gold rush' of surplus firearms that flooded the market after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Val Forgett of Navy Arms, alongside Ian McCollum, recounts the chaotic but lucrative period of importing vast quantities of Soviet and Eastern Bloc weaponry, including Makarovs, SKSs, and Mosin-Nagants. The discussion highlights the origins of these firearms, the logistical challenges of international trade in the 1990s, and the surprising historical context of World War II era weapons being sourced from former Soviet republics like Ukraine. It also touches upon other significant surplus acquisitions, such as British L42 sniper rifles and Ishapore Enfields, detailing their market value then and now.













