[Nick1911]

I had an opportunity to shoot a Mosin Nagant M44 over the last weekend. I liked it. A lot. :D . I want one (or two or three...) and I like the looks of the 91/30, although I haven't shot one. I'd imagine that they don't have quite the muzzle flash and BOOM of the M44 (altogether probably a good thing :uhoh: )

So now that I want one, I figured I'd ask you guys about 'em. For you guys that have them, are you happy with them? What options/models are on the market? What are the going prices these days? Anything in particular to watch out for or cool features to look for when buying one?

And a quick aside about the ammo - most of the surplus corrosive I assume? Does that present any problems?

Thanks,
Nick

[George S.]

I have a Mosin 91/30 that I picked up from the local Big 5 Sporting Goods store earlier this year for $79.95 plus tax. It's a 1931 Izvhesk Arsenal model with a hex receiver. All of the components are serial-numbers matching and it's in very good condition. Big 5 usually runs weekly sales where you can find 91/30's, M44's and even M38's.

At 100 yards, I can usually get 4-6" groups using Czech milsurp ammo. Only have about 60 rounds thru it at this point and I can probably get more accurate with it as I shoot it more and get used to it. The barrel rifling is still sharp and the crown is in good shape. The rear sight on the rifle is solid and the rifle was set at the arsenals with a 200 yard battle zero.

There are a variety of old military surplus ammo types from different countries and it seems that Czech, Albanian and Russian are the most common. Bullets weights range from 147gr (Czech and Albanian) to 205gr (Russian). Most of these have lacquer coatings on the cases and I had to work at getting rid of years of buildup in the chamber as the bolt would stick after firing and I had to use a rubber hammer to get the bolt to slide back.

Wolf now has some decent ammo that comes in brass unlacqured cases. Nearly all of the milsurp ammo is corrosive, but spraying the bolt face and chamber with Windex with Ammonia takes care of the corrosive salts found in the old primers. Do this immediately after shooting and follow with a normal cleaning once you get home.

Here's a few links to some Mosin sites:
http://www.7.62x54r.net/
http://www.surplusrifle.com/russianmosin189130/index.asp
http://www.mosinnagant.net/
http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/phpBB2/index.php

These are fun rifles to shoot and cheap to buy. My range has occasional pre-WWII Military Bolt Action shoots and it's fun to be able to shoot at a 600 yard range to see how accurate the old rifles really are.
The 91/30 doesn't kick anywhere near as much as the M44 does, probably because of the longer barrel.

[BamBam-31]

For a little more, you can get a Finnish version of the Mosin Nagant. My M39 shoots El Cheapo Wolf ammo into sub 2" groups at 100 yds. off a bench. Not too shaby.

Available here: www.gunsnammo.com. I've got a Sako unissued, my buddy's got a "B" Barrel and a Chat. Great shooters, all. And darn purdy, too.

[Plain Old Bill]

Bam-Bam's right...the M39 is the best. 91/30s are great as well. You can currently buy a rearsenaled 91/30 or M44 or M38 (M44 without the bayonet) for 60 or 70 dollars each. M39s and Finn-rearsenaled 91/30s go for 150-200.
These are robust, simple weapons (think peasants). If you want to go real fancy, get one of the 91/30 snipers (500 and up).
Got 'em all and enjoy them immensely. Ammo's cheap, too, and despite what some folks say, a little hot water down the barrel before you clean keeps the corrosion away.
Never will be a better time to acquire these!

[armoredman]

I have an M38 I love, and she gives me 3.5 inch groups at 100 yards, with Wolf ammo. I will be trying Albanian and Czech Silvertip corrosive soon, but I also ended up with a reloading setup to try on 7.62x54r....
You just can't beat the high quality of the rifle with the low cost, and plentiful surplus ammo - remember, the round is STILL in use....

[jobu07]

Yep, let me reccommend the M39 as well. Those Finns man, wow. They knew thier stuff when it came to nagants. It's a real tack driver for less than a hundred bucks. Where else can you get this much bang for your buck? Honestly, and ammo this cheap? Pick up a 39, and a 44, and a 91/30, and heck, get the 38 also! Why not, shop around and you could get all of them for less than two bills! Of course, that elusive 91/30 sniper... That's another story. But boy i'd like one of them too :)

[MrMurphy]

The M39 is the most accurate. The 91/30 is Communist made and is zeroed in meters on the rear sight. The M1891 if made pre-1917 is sighted in for arshins, which is something like 18 inches per arshin (I can look it up, it was some pace-equivalent in old Russia).

The M44 is a boomer as you noticed. The 91 and 91/30 are more accurate than the M44. I shot a M1891 made in 1917, a 91/30 from 1935, and a M44 all within one hour once at the range..... a guy and his dad brought all those and a Yugo SKS, I showed up with my AK... we had the entire Russian arsenal except for an SVT-40. :)

[Greg L]

And to throw the relatively unknown little brother into the mix .... :D .

There is a model 91/59 which is a cut down version of the 91/30 done, surprisingly enough in 1959. It is identical to the M38 in every way but the rear sight. The M38's rear sight only has graduations out to 1000m. The 91/30 goes out to 2000m :eek: . With the 91/59 the rearsenal job ground off the outer 1000m off of the sight.

A great family of weapons anyway that you look at it. And with the price of ammo at 0.08/round or so, it is cheap to feet for an all day plinking session :D . As was mentioned, most all surplus ammo is corrosive so immediate cleaning is needed.

Greg

[WhoKnowsWho]

www.allansarmory.com had some 91/59 models a while ago I believe. Really can't go wrong with any of them. And I forget the site, I think it is one of the ones George S. listed, but one lists things you can do to help lessen the stuck bolt phenomenom. The instructions included certain places to polish and to cut a few coils off the firing pin spring. Haven't tried it yet though.

I have a M44 from Big 5 a few years back, and just received a 91/30 from AIM for cheap.

[cracked butt]

I really like my 91/30, also have a M44 which I never much cared to shoot.
The 91/30 seems to balance really nicely and is a joy to shoot.

[Okiecruffler]

Even tho' I sold off a batch a little while back, I still have a closet full. I've got everything but a finn or a chinese. The 91/30's on the whole are the most accurate of the soviet makes. The best shooter I have is a Hungarian M44 that will shoot consistant 1.5" 5 shoot groups at 100yrds.

[Bridger]

Love mine, an M44 and M91/30. Both were in great condition from www.aztecguns.com and at 50 and 55 dollars each pretty much.

[mountaindrew]

Sorry but I have to state my anoyance at all you folks talking about m39 for under a hundred and m39 or m44 for sixty or seventy bucks. Where are you getting theses deals? The cheapest m39 (online) I have seen are about 150 plus shipping (and transfer for those of us without an ffl) I have found one store in town (st louis) with m44s and m38 for about $90 plus tax. where are you guys getting your deals?

[jobu07]

I bought my M39 and M44 together at a local gunshop for one bill. Got'em at the same time and he cut some money off the price. Shop around, not everything is online ;) I've even seen some sweet deals on them at gunshows. Remember, you need to use your legs, because the gun's don't have any. They won't just walk up to you and offer you a great deal, but then again, they will just jump up, walk over and shoot us senator kerry would have you believe...:rolleyes:

[armoredman]

mountiandrew, get thee a C&R FFL from the ATFE website. A little paperwork, and $30 to the Feds, and you too can order these good deals direct to your house....

[Roon]

All of this conversation about Mosins got my mouth a waterin'. Did the search and found a nice M39 at gunsnammo for around $160, bought it, and headed down to the local pawn so he could send off his FFL.

While I was there, I just happened to notice an M44, 1946 Izhevsk, stock in excellent condition, clean barrel, a little external rust, $60.

Needless to say, I bought it.

These things could get a little addicting! ;) Guess I better get my C&R.

[Cosmoline]

Here's a run-down of the ones I'm familiar with. In general the Finns have better quality control and are MUCH more rare than the Ruskies, but they aren't all that much more expensive.

Finns:


M-91: The standard Finnish rifle from independence through the wars. Produced with many variations. Very, very long but surprisingly easy to handle. My current favorite. Under $200 usually.

M-27: An attempt at making a new rifle from the M-91. Shorter, heavier barrel. Very accurate. Issued to the regular army as I understand it. Under $300. Often beat up.

M-28 & variations: The true rifle of the white death. Similar to the M-27 but issued to the civil guard units. A bit pricy for Mosins. Often beat up badly due to the Winter War. Probably more of these saw front line use per capita than any other rifle in history.

M-91/30: Looks just like the Ruskie 91/30 but with a blade front sight and a nice two-pice birch stock. Possibly the ideal Mosin as it combines the 91/30's excellent weight and balance with the accuracy of a Finn. Under $200 usually, often mismarked as a Ruskie.

M-39: The standard model from the Continuation War, the less intense war that followed the Winter War. The M-39 was the final incarnation of the full-length Mosin. Very well made, very accurate, but a bit heavy. Usually found in great shape. Can still be had for under $150. Some were produced in the late 1960's and early 1970's even.

RUSKIES:

M-91: The standard rifle during WWI. Many were produced by US companies and never used. Not as cheap as they once were, but still affordable.

M-91/30: The USSR's standardized version of the M-91 dragoon variation. Over 14 million produced, probably more. From $40 to $150 depending on year of production and condition.

M-38: A very short, light carbine intended for rear troops. Priced similar to 91/30's, but many have been coutnerbored.

M-44: A new carbine actually made to replace the M-91/30 as I understand it. Has a famous folding bayonet. Can be found unissued. Still very cheap.

And so on.

The 7.62x54R is a great cartridge. Archaic, but still blowing things away over 100 years after its birth. The ball is corrosive. The Wolf & Barnaul may be corrosive (assume they always are). The Norma, Lapua and Winchester are NOT corrosive. The Ruskie bores tend to be .311" or so, but you can use .303 bullets for them. The Finn bores prior to the M-39 tend to be .309 to .310 and can sometimes shoot .308" bullets better than the .312" bullets.