Even though I love surplus firearms and mil-surp, I feel that the name is a little misleading. Surplus sounds like old raggedy handguns or rifles filled with loose nuts and bolts that you are going to have to work on or rebuild. That is so far from the truth though! Many, well most, surplus firearms have been issued to militaries or police agencies to be carried and used by soldiers and law enforcement officers. Some "surplus" has never actually been used much at all. What that boils down to is that surplus firearms have usually been very well taken care of, not only by the agency or branch that owned them, but also by the individual personnel that carried them and kept them well maintained because their lives depended on the assured operation in any given critical situation.

SHOULD I CARRY A SURPLUS PISTOL AS MY EVERYDAY CARRY?

Well, like anything else when selecting a new firearm, it is an individual choice. I can offer some great reasons why you could carry surplus pistols as your daily carry, and just like everything else, I can give you a list of cons as to why you may not want to choose a surplus pistol as your daily carry. I promise you though, it is never a matter of the firearms having operability issues, rather more an issue of weight, ergonomics, size, and available ammunition.

Beretta M1951 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol

CARRYING FOR CONCEALMENT

I probably would not carry a surplus firearm for a daily concealed carry firearm. The main reason for this is that for the most part, they are large frame pistols. That's likely they were selected and issued to law enforcement agencies and militaries all over the world. What are now surplus pistols were at one time intentionally selected to be carried as an exposed firearm for quick access from a holster on the exterior of a uniform. Who doesn't love shooting a 1911? It's a nice, smooth operation where weight is an asset in counteracting some of the recoil. Regardless of if the firearm is polymer or other, a full-size frame will offer a smoother shooting experience. Surplus offers you a wide variety of firearms and caliber selections, usually from .380 (smaller frame), and more commonly 9mm, .40S&W, .45Auto, and even 10mm, or 357 SIG. These calibers and firearms are by no means obsolete. The firearms and calibers are still very much in use and ammunition is readily available for most surplus firearms. I am very comfortable with a full framed firearm on my side because of endless training and wearing a full-frame firearm daily for years, so this is the most comfortable and workable choice for me. I have also found that carrying a full size framed pistol is very comfortable to wear in a thigh holster and in a crossover holster. I would definitely wear a surplus pistol as my open daily carry. You are not left out if you would like a surplus option for your concealed carry though. Surplus offers great mid-size frames as well. If you're shopping for a surplus pistol that you could use as your daily concealed carry, look for calibers in .380 Auto, some 9mm, Tokorevs, and Makarovs.

Beretta 85BB .380 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol

COST

Your cost is going to be significantly lower. I am talking hundreds of dollars. In this case though, don't you get what you pay for? But that's not the case here, you are getting something far more valuable than the amount that you paid for a surplus firearm. You won't be getting a piece of junk or a questionable firearm that you would be better off throwing at someone than shooting them with. Not any of that. You are getting a carefully assembled machine from a highly respected manufacturer that is trusted enough to protect troops and homeland. You are getting a well maintained and well-preserved sidearm at a fraction of the cost.

Yugoslavian M57 TT Tokarev Pistol

SURPLUS OR VINTAGE

So, I am a sucker for any vintage firearm. Some surplus is truly vintage. These firearms are a great way to start or add to your vintage firearms collection. With some manufacturers or calibers now being obsolete, once these surplus pistols are gone, they are gone forever. I consider vintage firearms living works of art and engineering. I love the history that I feel when I hold one and especially when I shoot one. However, don't count on all of our surplus being vintage. A lot of our surplus comes from law enforcement and militaries. These branches of government replace firearms frequently as they are always looking for the latest and greatest development to protect the troops and citizens. That doesn't mean that they necessarily get and issue better guns, it just means that the public expectation from those who serve is nothing less than the newest weapons on the market. You could say that militaries and law enforcement simply possessing the latest and greatest firearms, is itself a show of force, letting enemies and criminals alike know that they will not be outgunned. Pretty soon, you will likely see a lot of Glock surplus. Now, you wouldn't consider that an antiquated firearm at all, but it will be surplus when law enforcement agencies start transitioning to the newest, latest, and greatest.

Browning Hi-Power 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol

ON POINT

So the short answer is, of course. Carry your surplus pistol as a daily carry if you like a full-frame and a bit heavier pistol. Honestly, that's what I prefer. When my life is on the line, I would rather have something that says "Ka-Pow" than "pew-pew". Enjoy shopping for our surplus selections; pistols and rifles. You are not getting a piece of old junk, you are getting a pistol or rifle that is ready to start serving you and your family on day one! Shop All Military Surplus Pistols
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