Top 5 Surplus Rifles You Can Own

This expert review from Line45 breaks down six budget military surplus rifles that remain relevant and powerful in 2026. Host Luke assesses their performance, historical significance, and current market value, highlighting which are still smart buys and which are overpriced nostalgia. The analysis covers rifles like the Carcano, SKS, Mosin-Nagant, K31, Lee-Enfield, and M1 Garand, detailing their unique ballistics, reliability, and practical applications.

The Vz.52 is a unique Czech semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62x45mm, offering superior ballistics to the later 7.62x39mm adopted under Soviet influence. It features a distinctive forward-left ejection, a side-folding bayonet, and a short-stroke gas piston system. Despite its age, the rifle demonstrates impressive accuracy and smooth handling, making it a valuable piece of military history.

This episode of American Rifleman Television's "I Have This Old Gun" series focuses on Argentine Mauser rifles. The video likely delves into the history, features, and perhaps the shooting characteristics of these firearms, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts of classic military surplus rifles.

This video highlights five budget-friendly surplus rifles that offer exceptional value and performance, often surpassing modern AR-15 platforms in specific scenarios. The Chinese SKS Type 56, Mosin-Nagant, Swiss K31, Lee-Enfield, and Ishopore 2A1 are detailed for their reliability, historical significance, and potent calibers, making them compelling alternatives for shooters seeking robust and capable firearms without a high price tag. Instruction emphasizes their practical applications and enduring design.

This review covers ten notable military surplus firearms, ranging from the compact Italian M91 Carcano Cavalry rifle to the iconic Mauser K98k and the rugged Mosin-Nagant. It highlights their historical significance, typical price points, calibers, and key features like barrel length and magazine capacity. The content also touches on modern interpretations like the S&W M&P 15-22 and the unique CZ 52 pistol, offering a broad overview for collectors and enthusiasts.

This review of the Mauser Kar98k highlights its robust German engineering and historical significance. The demonstration covers the practical loading process using stripper clips and the adjustment of its tangent sights. Live fire tests confirm the rifle's accuracy and cycling speed, even in its post-war 7.62x51mm NATO conversion.

This review explores the Franklin Armory BSFIII 22-C1 binary trigger for the Ruger 10/22, demonstrating its unique fire-on-pull-and-release functionality. The video also highlights the use of Aguila Super Extra ammunition and ProMag 35-round magazines. A giveaway for a Nemo Arms Executive Order rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor is also featured, showcasing its premium components.

A retired SEAL Team Six commander details his preferred AR-15 build, emphasizing practical ergonomics and efficient accessory placement. Key choices include an EOTech Vudu LPVO with a top-mounted Aimpoint ACRO for rapid target acquisition, a B5 Systems stock for battery storage, and strategic placement of a vertical foregrip, light, and laser to avoid snags and maintain a clear sight picture. The build prioritizes functionality and speed, even on a budget-friendly base.

This review compares the Glock 17 and Glock 19, highlighting their physical differences, historical context, and practical applications. While the Glock 19 excels in concealed carry due to its smaller size, the Glock 17 offers a longer sight radius and higher capacity. Accuracy tests showed negligible differences for most shooters, with personal preference and hand size being key factors in choosing between them.

This video explores the top five firearm types for home defense, emphasizing personal comfort and training. It covers pistols like the Beretta M9A3 and FN FNX-45 Tactical, highlighting features for close quarters and low-light conditions. Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs) such as the CZ Scorpion offer improved accuracy and capacity. The AR-15 platform, exemplified by the Daniel Defense MK18, provides power but requires careful ammunition selection to mitigate over-penetration risks. Finally, shotguns, including the Remington 870 and bullpup models like the Panzer Arms BP-12, are discussed as classic yet effective options.