looking for something, just not sure what it is.

been looking around for my next purchase, and I've considered '03a3's mausers of various origins, and now Enfields. I must suck at looking, because i read people being able to find 03's in good shape for around 5-600 bucks and I haven't found a one in decent shape for that much. Then I tried looking for mausers, and i'm finding 8mm isn't what it used to be, so starting to turn away from them. Enfields are cool, cause it's something different from all my other C&R stuff. I know .303 aint cheap ans surplus is of questionable quality anymore(when you can find it) but I'm not sure what's a good price for one.

Basically I need help making up my mind if it's worth waiting trying to find an 03, already have a Garand, Carbine and a 1911 so i kinda want to finish up US WW2 small arms stuff. But I kinda want a new caliber to play around with.

There is still 8mm surplus ammo around, but it's not as plentiful as it used to be (nor quite as cheap). Same for the Enfield, but to an even lesser extent on the surplus ammo. As for prices, it's going to depend on what exactly you are looking for. You should be able to find a very nice No.4 Mk.I in the $250 range. The 03A3 rifles have recently taken a huge leap in prices. You might still find one in a shop for $500-$600, but that's becoming less common. The recent batch of rifles that the CMP got seemed to have changed the pricing. In my opinion, they were overpriced for the condition they advertised, but everybody snatched them up and it basically raised the entire market pricing structure.

how's 495 for a 1917 BSA No.1 MK.3?

About $200 too much.

really? Glad I asked first, what is a good max for A No.4 MK1 or 2 and a No.1 MK.3, I mean max. For excellent condition, not looking for a rare stamp or anything. All i want is a nice shooter.

If you don't want to break the bank, but want a new caliber to mess with, get an M95 carbine. They're cheap, Prvi makes the ammo, it's easily reloaded (Prvi brass is excellent) and they're nifty little straight-pull shoulder busters.

I may be a bit biased towards the Enfield, so I'll leave that question alone.

FWIW, I do have an M1903 as well. They're neat rifles but the rear sight is fiddly and the straight stock is uncomfortable (at least for me). The Lee-Enfield is more "comfy".

ETA- Pricing. Barring a rare subvariant, do not pay more than $300 for an SMLE, No. 4 Mk. I, or lightly-used No. 4 Mk. 2. An unissued/new No. 4 Mk. 2 will cost you (a lot) more. Avoid Indian-made .303 SMLEs - not because they're poor quality, the initial build quality was fine - but because they are generally in dodgy shape at best.

yeah, I've seen those, they look interesting to shoot, and I've just got into reloading so the m95's are looking more and more attractive. I'm not necessarily trying to keep cost as possible, just trying not to get a price for an Enfield that was made by so and so and it has this mark from this date so it's rare-er than most. Just got into reloading so the m95's are looking more and more attractive.

What about Argentinian mausers? Any experts on those?

The Argie Mausers were prime targets for Bubba back in the day; it's hard to find one unsportered now. If you do, it won't be cheap.

Other milsurps for the CR FFL 03 collector to consider that are still reasonable in price:

Schmitt-Rubin K31
Steyr M95
Mosin Nagant 91/30 or M44

The first two there is some surplus ammo out there in 7.5x55mm Swiss and 8x56R Hungarian, but not huge amounts anymore. For the Mosins there is tons of 7.62x54R out there.

Simpson's tends to be on the high side of things. They usually do have very nice rifles, however - and that one is no exception. But yes, it's a little high.

I got a M44 before when they were till around the $100 mark, and I bought a k31 a few years ago

You might try to collect some of the other Mosin Nagant variants... the 91/30 actually feels and shoots like a fairly different beast than an M44... and the M38, 91/59 and some of the other country Mosins like the Finn M39 or Chinese Type 53 are interesting too.

I bought a bunch of M44s a couple years ago when Centerfire Systems had them for $39 each if you bought 5 or more.

+1

You want a Madsen.

Think Im going to stick with an earlier plan and just get an m24/47 from samco. I know they can be/are slow, but is there anything else I should know about them?

I bought three 24/47's from Samco about 8 months ago. All were in excellent shape and worth the $. Place your order, wait about two weeks and it will just show up. No communications, and if you call you can't understand the people who answer. It takes about two weeks for an e-mail to get answered, if it even does. I've ordered SKS's too, same thing. All nice guns and I would not hesitate to order again.

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