Buying a surplus rifle can be an exercise in frustration if you go about it the wrong way. You could get a perfectly preserved firearm that hasn’t seen the light of day for half of a century, or you might receive a gun that was thrown in a box after being thrown in the dirt. Maybe it’s slathered in cosmoline, and now you need a deep clean with a pistol cleaning kit. Whatever the case, buying a surplus gun offers an entirely different experience compared to buying other used guns. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Surplus Gun?
In general, a surplus gun is an old military or law enforcement gun. It may have been used, or it may never have left storage after being manufactured or shipped. The military might not have ended up using them, or they could have seen use across multiple conflicts and been repaired as needed. Surplus firearms have often been rendered obsolete as newer models or new technology appears. Examples include the Short Magazine Lee Enfield from the British army during WWI or an older model Glock from a police department that upgraded their equipment.
How to Buy a Surplus Gun
Some surplus guns are easy to find, while others are in short supply. Depends on the gun and how many units might be left in storage. Local pawn shops might have a few in stock, but your best bet will usually be importers since many surplus rifles come from overseas. You can, however, often find models like the M1 Garand fairly easily. Most are older, so keep your trusty AR-15 cleaning kit on hand. You can even find modern firearms traded in from police departments. Many surplus guns are sold second-hand, as well, so asking the seller questions is essential.
Restoring a Surplus Gun
The good news is that because surplus guns were often manufactured in the millions, there are plenty of parts available. Since they are usually fairly new, law enforcement surplus guns usually make sourcing parts easy. Older guns are often dismantled for parts when they stop working, giving your gun a chance for a longer life. You will want to bring the gun to a gunsmith to see if it will still fire. If not, the gunsmith can tell you which parts need to be replaced to get it back to working condition.
Cleaning a Surplus Gun
Be sure you have the right cleaning tools when you clean a surplus gun. You might need an option that covers a range of calibers, especially for something like the .303 of an SMLE that isn’t widely used anymore. Be careful when using your rifle or shotgun cleaner—there might be dirt that has settled in areas that are hard to get. You should always do a thorough cleaning, especially if the gun was stored in cosmoline. It might have been decades since the gun was last cleaned and lubricated.
About Breakthrough Clean Technologies®
If you’re looking for an effective way to clean and maintain your firearms, Breakthrough Clean Technologies® has everything you need. From supplies to compile your own pistol cleaning kit to a ready-to-use rifle cleaning kit, the brand’s cleaning products are sure to become your go-to choice. Breakthrough Clean Technologies® offers non-toxic, eco-friendly, non-hazardous, non-staining, and odorless gun cleaning products that eliminate more contaminants than other leading brands. Maintain your firearm collection with their selection of lubricants, solvents, All-In-One gun cleaner CLP, and so much more. There’s no reason to settle for ineffective products that smell terrible. With Breakthrough Clean Technologies®, The Difference Is Clear™.
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