Featured Shooter
Joe V. of Eau Claire WI

I grew up during the sixties and as far back as I can remember my dad hunted and taught me and my brothers. I have always been curious and inquisitive about what experiences he had during WWII and what kind of guns he had during that time in history. One being the M1 Garand that he used in competitions with the Army Air Force he also was a tail gunner on a B24. I had my regular hunting guns and three bring backs that I inherited from my father in law after his passing. Seeking information about these bring backs I came upon Surplusrifle.com where I have been gathering useful information and experiences since. My collection is about 19 different kinds that I enjoy researching and shooting.

2. Do you have a focus rifle/pistol/era/country etc. that you try to collect only in?
 

Mostly US service rifles,K98s & Swede Mausers for their accuracy and looks.

3. What was your first mil-surp weapon? Is there anything special about it?
 

K98.T38 Arisaka, Colt 1911 all bring backs with a history behind them, a 91/30 my first milsurp purchase.

Swede, M1 Garand,K98’s Mostly target shooting for accuracy, deer ,turkey and pheasant hunting with my dog.

5. Do you reload, if so, what is your favorite companies for equipment, parts and supplies?

I am new to reloading, my sons got me a Lee anniversary loader for fathers day and now load for 45,06,6.5 swede and 30 carbine. I have gotten supplies from local stores but mostly from Midway.

6. What do you NOT like about mil-surp weapons?
 

Nothing, I have always been interested in firearms.

7. Do you have a favorite caliber?
 

8mm.3006,6.5 swede

Shooting a M1 not so long ago 1 a round didn’t go into the chamber. I ejected that round and slammed the bolt to load the next it didn’t chamber. I unloaded the clip and inspected the two rounds and found a light primer hit. Later that day I was looking for the cause and found a previous bullet at the chamber end of the barrel on a previous round only the primer went off and not the wet powder. Thank God I didn’t have a slam fire.

9. How do you collect your weapons, that is, what is your favorite way of getting "new" ones?
 

Local shops, pawn shops and online.

10. What are your favorite sources for mil-surp information?
 

Surplusrifle.com

11. What is one mil-surp weapon that you really want, but can’t get?
 

AR,M38 swede

12. Did you serve in the military at all? When/where/what?
 

No military, I was going to enlist in the Air Force Academy in the early 70s to fly or repair aircraft before I would have been drafted but things changed back then and the draft was eliminated about a month before I would’ve had to report.

13. Any match shooting secrets?
 

My technique is to breath, hold & squeeze, take your time and be steady. My dad taught me this and I teach my sons the same they both are actually better shots than I.

The last postal match with my son’s 1903 Springfield. While shooting this match after zeroing the scope I felt I couldn’t miss. This was the best multiple target shooting I have done in awhile with my reloads.
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Last Apr. 15th with the help of other surplusrifle forum members, I started a spring shoot get together so we could meet other surplusrifle members on my side of the state that I have been conversing with online. So far I’ve met snotsucker,Gaston and their crew in a similar meet last new years eve day, Yoslick, wild bill, Krzjamm, beau. singchr, mr greg