5 Best Surplus Rifles Under $500 | TFBTV

This review covers newly imported French MAS 49/56 semi-automatic and MAS 36/51 bolt-action rifles. Both are chambered in 7.5x54mm French and have undergone French government refurbishment. The MAS 36/51 features an integral grenade launcher, while the MAS 49/56 utilizes a direct gas impingement system with a critical safety note regarding its firing pin.

This review of a modified Mosin Nagant, presented by TheFirearmGuy, covers its history as a budget surplus rifle and its combat longevity. It details modifications like an ATI Monte Carlo stock and bent bolt, demonstrates loading and bolt removal, and discusses maintenance for corrosive ammunition. The speaker, exhibiting high expertise, notes the diminishing availability and affordability of these rifles and their associated ammunition.

This video reviews the top 5 accessible surplus rifles: the SKS-45, Swiss K31, M1 Carbine, K98 Mauser, and M1 Garand. It details their actions, calibers, and historical significance, highlighting the M1 Garand as the greatest battle implement. Honorable mentions include the Lee-Enfield and Mosin-Nagant.

This video delves into the history and specifics of the Finnish m/91 pienoiskivääri, a .22 rimfire Mosin Nagant trainer rifle. Developed in the 1920s by the Finnish Defense Forces for cost-effective marksmanship training, these rifles featured barrels converted using the Salerno process or new barrels from Tikkakoski. The video explains their production numbers, their use during World War II, and their eventual sale as surplus. It highlights their scarcity in the United States due to not being sold in bulk to major importers.

This video focuses on a "Ski Trooper" variant of the Finnish M28 rifle, exploring "Adventures in Surplus." The description also promotes a Kickstarter campaign for a book titled "Forged in Snow," suggesting content related to historical firearms, winter warfare, or snowy environments. The M28 is a Mosin-Nagant variant, commonly chambered in 7.62x54mmR.

This video provides an expert-level inspection of a Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine from 1943. The speaker, demonstrating high authority, details how to identify the M38 variant, its historical context, and key features like the lack of a bayonet lug and specific arsenal markings. The review emphasizes the importance of examining stock condition, serialization, and bore quality for collectors and enthusiasts.

This TFBTV episode identifies the top 5 most reliable firearms across different categories: Glock (handgun), Uzi (SMG), Mauser 98 (bolt-action), Remington 870 (shotgun), and Galil (self-loading rifle). The selections prioritize mechanical simplicity, proven track records, and resilience in harsh conditions, often outperforming more complex designs. The video highlights specific features contributing to their reliability, such as the Uzi's single moving part and the Galil's robust construction.

This review highlights five hilariously impractical firearms for concealed carry. It details the slow, complex loading of black powder firearms, the impractical size of the Mauser C96 and full-size .22 pistols for concealment, and the dangerous accidental discharge flaw in the Type 94 Nambu. The video emphasizes that while historically significant, these guns are unsuitable for modern self-defense.

The Ruger Mini-14 offers distinct advantages over the AR-15, including a lower profile, better stock trigger on modern variants, superior maneuverability with folding stocks, a longer sight radius, and a cleaner piston operating system. Modern Mini-14s also boast improved accuracy (around 2 MOA), cold hammer-forged barrels for durability, and optional all-stainless construction for corrosion resistance. While the AR-15 remains more modular and generally cheaper, the Mini-14 excels in specific areas.

This video critically examines five firearms often considered overrated, including the Mosin Nagant, Gewehr 43, Armalite AR-180, IWI Tavor, and Thompson Submachine Gun. It highlights specific design flaws such as poor accuracy, fragile components, terrible ergonomics, and excessive weight, challenging popular perceptions based on historical significance or perceived coolness.