Using Military Surplus Guns for when SHTF

Generally speaking, military surplus weapons are usually not the first thing most gun owners think of when finding a useful, reliable, and accurate handgun or rifle. However, while they can often be old, beat up, and not in the best of condition, they are usually inexpensive, reliable, and even quite useful in many situations, particular when the SHTF.

When military gear starts to get old or obsolete, they will often get replaced with new gear which means that hundreds of thousands, if not more weapons get placed into military surplus even though they may still be quite useful. While some may get shipped to other countries to use in their military or perhaps certain law enforcement units for their needs, at some point they will all wind up as military surplus where they will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

What to Look for in Military Surplus Weapons

Obviously, you will want to start your search by looking for the types of weapons that you have always wanted. The good news is that military surplus versions are often a fraction of the price and many are still in remarkably good shape depending on their age. However, it is rare that you will find the exact weapon that you want, so here are a few tips

Ex-Law Enforcement Weapons: Military weapons that were handed down to law enforcement agencies are often good finds as they have been kept in remarkably good condition over the years. Weapons like the AR-15, Remington 870, and Mossberg 500 are easy to find and while they might be a bit worn, they will be in very good shape having been properly taken care of over the years.

Cold War Weapons: You will often find a host of Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, and Korean weapons that were used in the post-World War II era. The SKS for example is one of the prime weapons from that era that you will find and they are usually in very good shape with ammunition that is dirt cheap. If you enjoy target shooting, then this may be the weapon of choice for you.

Classic Firearms: Weapons like the Russian 91/30 Mosin Nagant is an old, but powerful rifle that is known for its durability and can be used in all types of weather conditions and using 7.62×54 ammo that is very similar to the 30.06 in terms of sheer power and punch.
Handguns: Here, you’ll want to focus on the law enforcement angle and select from the many revolvers and semi-automatic weapons that are available. You can find plenty of Glock pistols or handguns, but there are also plenty of other manufacturers which include the Sig-Sauer P229 as an example.

Good tips for shopping military surplus weapons start by knowing when new weapons are arriving so that you can be ready. A police department that is getting rid of their P229 handguns for example means that you will only have a limited amount of time to make the purchase. So, it pays to be ready and to go when the types of surplus rifles, handguns, and shotguns that you want hit the market.