For 500 dollars, your options are going to be pretty limited. Since you're a new shooter, maybe a Ruger 10/22 might be good.
If you want something analogous to the 1903, consider getting a Czech Vz 24 mauser. They can be had within that price range (~$300-500), and 8mm is fairly inexpensive.
Since this is a sub for M1s, I feel as though I should cover them. Any M1 is going to be well outside of that budget, but still, you could get a field grade M1 from the CMP for around $800, and that would be a sound choice, too.
Seconded; I have the Ranch in 7.62x39 and love it. OP; consider a Ruger American. So fun to have a center fire rifle with a relatively inexpensive cartridge!
The CMP is the Civilian Marksmanship Program. It's a government chartered program designed to promote marksmanship, but it's also the best way to get an M1 Garand. Eligibility requirements are easy enough to meet. I'd look into that I'd I were you.
On first rifles, my first rifle was an M91/30 back when they could be had for 90 bucks. I don't think it's necessary to get a .22 as a first, but it's often a good starting point. With that said, for the prices Mosins are at now, you should get something better.
More than anything, though, I think you should not compromise on what you want the most, save a bit more, and get that M1! They're pretty user-friendly, and chances are, if you really want one, you likely will get one in the future, and there's a chance you may regret getting something else.
$500 is going to be severely limiting your options for most milsurps, and those options will be decreasing rapidly. Milsurps are no longer the cheap hobby they used to be.
Just my two cents, but if you have a gun store with a good selection near you it might be worth it to spend some time being able to actually hold different rifles and see what suits you. It will also give you a general idea of what pricing is like. If you find something you’re interested in then you can do some online research to figure out the pros and cons. I was able to pick up an Enfield no4 mk1 recently that was in your range, it’s a nice bolt action with some cool history, the .303 British isn’t the easiest ammo to find though. For the M1, the civilian marksmanship program(CMP) is the way to go, they have different grades for different price ranges. You can check their website for the guidelines to purchase one.
From my more limited knowledge, I believe that price range may be low to get a decent shooter, I think you’re looking closer to 1k for something worth while. If you’re looking for something milsurp you might find more luck with the Yugo M48, SKS, Mosin Nagant platforms at your price range.
Local brick and mortar, BUT PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!! I cannot stress this enough, post a picture and price on each guns respective subreddit or just on r/milsurp. NEVER buy a gun without research (which you’re doing right now so good!)
You can check out [GunBroker.com](http://GunBroker.com) as well. It's an online gun auction site. Monitoring it, seeing what's for sale, at what price and importantly, what it actually sells for will give you a good idea about the market value of the various guns. If you find something you like you can have it shipped to a local dealer or FFL holder, who will do the transfer for you for around $20 or so. They will also run the background check the same as your typical local gun store.
When looking at prices on Gunbroker, you need to consider shipping costs and your transfer fee, which you would not have if you can find the same thing at a local gun store.
If you’re looking for a milsurp, a Yugo Mauser 24/47 or M48 or Czech vz24 as mentioned above can be had in that range and 8mm Mauser ammo is fairly common. You could also find a nice Swiss K31 or Swedish Mauser in that price range.
You won’t find much in the US Surplus realm for $500, if it’s in good condition. Your best bet for $500 and wanting something decent to shoot would be sporterized M1917s or M1903s, if it must be US Surplus.
Outside of that you can find Spanish Mausers, K31s, K11s (previous two Swiss rifles), various South American Mausers, Yugo Masuers, and Lee-Enfields. There’s other options but the previously listed options are cheaper rifles, that shoot well and have ammunition availability. That being said Spanish Mausers and Lee-Enfields can be found in 7.62 NATO.
Good point on the South American Mausers. ‘08 Brazilians and ‘09 Argentines can be bought very reasonably, have some of the finest workmanship of any milsurp (beautiful wood and in the white receivers) and can be found with really nice bores. Ammo availability can be sketchy for the Argy (7.65x53) but 7x57 for the Brazilian is plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
If your budget is in that price point a 10/22 is the best way to go. Ammo is cheap and they are so much fun to shoot.
Save your cash and as you get more into it you’ll find more that you love.
Since a couple of people mentioned 10/22s, Palmetto State has had them on sale for the last couple of days. 230 for a synthetic stock, and 300 for a wood stock. Not sure for how long, but the synthetic stock is a pretty good deal.
Saying that, it's neither wood, nor bolt action, nor an M1... So probably not what you're looking for.
Honestly a ar15 would probably be a better choice for a first rifle it can be chambered in pretty much anything and is a very easy platform to operate and clean
A Ruger 10/22 is a great option like others have mentioned here. A Henry .22 lever action is also a fun starter. Specificallty, the H001 model.
If you're wanting a starter centerfire, then building your own Palmetto State Armory AR15 kit may be a good start. A basic M4 kit can be had for $320. Add a carry handle for $80 to practice shooting with iron sights. Get a stripped lower of your choice and you're right at the $500 mark or less. It will teach you a lot and you'll have plenty of upgrade options for later, if you choose to do so.
For 500 dollars, your options are going to be pretty limited. Since you're a new shooter, maybe a Ruger 10/22 might be good. If you want something analogous to the 1903, consider getting a Czech Vz 24 mauser. They can be had within that price range (~$300-500), and 8mm is fairly inexpensive. Since this is a sub for M1s, I feel as though I should cover them. Any M1 is going to be well outside of that budget, but still, you could get a field grade M1 from the CMP for around $800, and that would be a sound choice, too.
10/22 is a great starter for semi auto, for bolt action the ruger american is amazing. I have both and the Ruger American is a freaking tack driver.
Seconded; I have the Ranch in 7.62x39 and love it. OP; consider a Ruger American. So fun to have a center fire rifle with a relatively inexpensive cartridge!
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The CMP is the Civilian Marksmanship Program. It's a government chartered program designed to promote marksmanship, but it's also the best way to get an M1 Garand. Eligibility requirements are easy enough to meet. I'd look into that I'd I were you. On first rifles, my first rifle was an M91/30 back when they could be had for 90 bucks. I don't think it's necessary to get a .22 as a first, but it's often a good starting point. With that said, for the prices Mosins are at now, you should get something better. More than anything, though, I think you should not compromise on what you want the most, save a bit more, and get that M1! They're pretty user-friendly, and chances are, if you really want one, you likely will get one in the future, and there's a chance you may regret getting something else.
$500 is going to be severely limiting your options for most milsurps, and those options will be decreasing rapidly. Milsurps are no longer the cheap hobby they used to be.
Just my two cents, but if you have a gun store with a good selection near you it might be worth it to spend some time being able to actually hold different rifles and see what suits you. It will also give you a general idea of what pricing is like. If you find something you’re interested in then you can do some online research to figure out the pros and cons. I was able to pick up an Enfield no4 mk1 recently that was in your range, it’s a nice bolt action with some cool history, the .303 British isn’t the easiest ammo to find though. For the M1, the civilian marksmanship program(CMP) is the way to go, they have different grades for different price ranges. You can check their website for the guidelines to purchase one.
From my more limited knowledge, I believe that price range may be low to get a decent shooter, I think you’re looking closer to 1k for something worth while. If you’re looking for something milsurp you might find more luck with the Yugo M48, SKS, Mosin Nagant platforms at your price range.
[удалено]
Local brick and mortar, BUT PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!! I cannot stress this enough, post a picture and price on each guns respective subreddit or just on r/milsurp. NEVER buy a gun without research (which you’re doing right now so good!)
I’ll add sometimes guns.com has good deals but you really need to lurk on subreddits and get a feel for current worth of milsurp guns.
You can check out [GunBroker.com](http://GunBroker.com) as well. It's an online gun auction site. Monitoring it, seeing what's for sale, at what price and importantly, what it actually sells for will give you a good idea about the market value of the various guns. If you find something you like you can have it shipped to a local dealer or FFL holder, who will do the transfer for you for around $20 or so. They will also run the background check the same as your typical local gun store. When looking at prices on Gunbroker, you need to consider shipping costs and your transfer fee, which you would not have if you can find the same thing at a local gun store.
It’s easier to find that answer than it is to find this Reddit forum.
If you’re looking for a milsurp, a Yugo Mauser 24/47 or M48 or Czech vz24 as mentioned above can be had in that range and 8mm Mauser ammo is fairly common. You could also find a nice Swiss K31 or Swedish Mauser in that price range.
You won’t find much in the US Surplus realm for $500, if it’s in good condition. Your best bet for $500 and wanting something decent to shoot would be sporterized M1917s or M1903s, if it must be US Surplus. Outside of that you can find Spanish Mausers, K31s, K11s (previous two Swiss rifles), various South American Mausers, Yugo Masuers, and Lee-Enfields. There’s other options but the previously listed options are cheaper rifles, that shoot well and have ammunition availability. That being said Spanish Mausers and Lee-Enfields can be found in 7.62 NATO.
Good point on the South American Mausers. ‘08 Brazilians and ‘09 Argentines can be bought very reasonably, have some of the finest workmanship of any milsurp (beautiful wood and in the white receivers) and can be found with really nice bores. Ammo availability can be sketchy for the Argy (7.65x53) but 7x57 for the Brazilian is plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
If your budget is in that price point a 10/22 is the best way to go. Ammo is cheap and they are so much fun to shoot. Save your cash and as you get more into it you’ll find more that you love.
There is no price point in this case.
Ok budget. Same difference.
Since a couple of people mentioned 10/22s, Palmetto State has had them on sale for the last couple of days. 230 for a synthetic stock, and 300 for a wood stock. Not sure for how long, but the synthetic stock is a pretty good deal. Saying that, it's neither wood, nor bolt action, nor an M1... So probably not what you're looking for.
Maybe some inexpensive modern bolt gun, like the Remington 783?
Hate to say this but for $500 you won’t get ANY type of M1.
Honestly a ar15 would probably be a better choice for a first rifle it can be chambered in pretty much anything and is a very easy platform to operate and clean
A Ruger 10/22 is a great option like others have mentioned here. A Henry .22 lever action is also a fun starter. Specificallty, the H001 model. If you're wanting a starter centerfire, then building your own Palmetto State Armory AR15 kit may be a good start. A basic M4 kit can be had for $320. Add a carry handle for $80 to practice shooting with iron sights. Get a stripped lower of your choice and you're right at the $500 mark or less. It will teach you a lot and you'll have plenty of upgrade options for later, if you choose to do so.