72 usmc Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Many readers in the US looked forward to finding these special, once a year SURPLUS FIREARMS issue about surplus firearms by assorted authors. These were primarily informative & historical in perspective. Most never found or owned examples of specific firearms discussed in the magazines. These issues of Surplus Firearms provided a description of the firearm, its bayonet and other accessories. They provided expert tips on maintenance, ammunition, and shooting vintage firearms. In the late 1980s in the United States, it was an exciting time for collectors in the US because of a liberalization in post Kennedy assassination import regulations. Odd ball military surplus rifles and pistols from foreign lands were flowing into gun stores at great prices. It was a fun time, a new collector's bonanza of bargain military arms of antiquated types and mechanisms. The introduction of these exotic weapons and a lack of correct ammunition fostered the need for a magazine such as Surplus Firearms Magazine. Much later, similar magazines like Military Surplus by Tactical Life and Surplus Vintage & Classic Firearms by FMG made their appearance. By 2001 Paul S. Scarlata published Collecting Classic Bolt Action Military Rifles, a thesis on the commonly found bolt actions of the world. Later in 2009, a great book by Stuart C. Mowbray and Joe Puleo, entitled Bolt Action Military Rifles of the World, provided an in depth survey of the great military bolt action rifles. Both books are primary sources for those wanting to identify and purchase such military rifles. However, what started it all was Surplus Firearms Magazine. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 usmc Posted July 26, 2022 Author Share Posted July 26, 2022 This is my first attempt to post photos and get a document written on this forum, I hope the readers may find the list of issues and their contents of some value and historical interest. With the help of the great moderators and administrators of this forum I hope I can contribute. I offer my thanks to all the help. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 usmc Posted July 26, 2022 Author Share Posted July 26, 2022 Surplus Firearms Magazine, 1987-2012 An informative publication in the US during the second great golden age of surplus firearms, the late 1980s, all of the 1990s and into the turn of the century, was SURPLUS FIREARMS magazine. Surplus Firearms magazine was published from 1987 to 2012 by Guns and Ammo and started at $2.95 with the last issue costing $8.99. At first it was published periodically, with the first seven issues numbered with Roman numerals, then in 2005 they switched to just the publication date. In 1998 and 1999 Guns and Ammo came out with two “ Best Of” the past volumes issues. In 1998, the Best of Surplus Firearms, volumes I, II, and III was published and in 1999, the Best of Surplus Firearms volumes IV, V, and VI was published. After a short period of no publications (2001-2004), Guns and Ammo resumed publication of Surplus Firearms in 2005 with an annual issue published each year ending with the final issue in 2012. I decided to document these issues with the cover view as well as the table of contents view for each year. This is my complete set. 72 usmc There is a lot of nice data in the articles found in these old issues if you are into vintage military surplus firearms. These were published at a time when few books were available about the many surplus firearms that flooded the US market after the fall of the Iron Curtain and some import laws were eased in the US. After 2005, there was an especially abundant influx of surplus firearms at very reasonable prices. Hence, the magazine was published each year from 2005 -2012. These magazines are a hard to find item outside the US. They occasionally show up on Ebay. Some of the early issues go for top buck-- around 20-35 bucks. Volume I and II are hard to find, as well as the "BEST OF" big issues from 1998 and 1999. The first issue. Volume I 1987 Volume II 1988 Volume III 1993 Volume IV 1995 Volume V 1996 Volume VI 1997 Volume VII 2000 Volume 2005 Volume 2006 Volume 2007 Volume 2008 Volume 2009 Volume 2010 Volume 2011 Last issue Volume 2012 The Big Issue Best Of Volume I, II, and III was published in 1998. Note: not all the articles from the original issues are found in these. The pages are grey tone copies in this first reprint of old issues. See the lower example page. This is one reason that this is a hard issue to find. The manner or reproduction was of such low quality, I believe few issues were sold. The second big issue is much more common. The Big Issue Best of Volume IV, V, and IV was published in 1999. In this issue the pages are normal -no grey tone cheep copy. It appears similar to the high quality pages found in all the other issues. Here is the last issue good by: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Excellent article USMC, welcome aboard, glad you have mastered the forum, look forward to reading more of your posts 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddieq Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Hi USMC Does (did) this magazine have anything to do with the 2022 magazine published by FMG publications - Guns Magazine, Surplus Military & Classic Firearms (2022)? E 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 usmc Posted July 27, 2022 Author Share Posted July 27, 2022 No, both are different companies. I have both sets of issues. Let me look at my first issue and see when FMG started. Surplus Firearms Magazine was published Guns and Ammo Magazine as a special issue. Both Guns & Ammo and the surplus special issue are published by Intermedia Outdoors Company. Guns Magazine, Surplus Military & Classic Firearms started late in the game in 2013. It is published as a special surplus issue by Guns Magazine of Publishers Development Corporation and is still in print. It sort of tries to fill the void left by the termination of Surplus Firearms magazine in 2012. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 usmc Posted December 1, 2023 Author Share Posted December 1, 2023 It is interesting to note back issues of Surplus Firearms, when found in decent condition, seem to now command $10-40 per issue on flee bay with shipping and tax added. Shipping is nuts in the U.S. at $6- 10 per issue and approximately 5-8% tax depending on your state and location. At the last WI gun show issue #1 and #2 were priced $50 each. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 I remember catalogs and magazines like this, oh how I wish we could still those prices today... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.