great balls of fire (mosin-nagant)

[vaupet]

Went out to shoot my 1953 polish mosin 44.
Had a ball (well, several balls -> of fire, that is)

What causes this? (unburned powder at the muzzle? )
Can it be dangerous to fire a mosin carbine at an indoor range?

Greeetings

Peter

 

[merlinfire]

What causes this? (unburned powder at the muzzle? )

I'm thinking this. But not sure. This is pretty common with Mosin's, especially if you're firing a carbine.

 

[Robert]

What causes this? (unburned powder at the muzzle?

Yes.

Can it be dangerous to fire a mosin carbine at an indoor range?

Most indoor ranges that I have been to are not rated for rifles. Things may be different in Belgium so you'd have to check with the specific range. It has less to do with the fire ball and more to do with high velocity rifle rounds are not as easy to stop as pistol rounds.

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[SmokeySam81]

Probably some unburned powder in the short barrel, there is also an overbore of around .45 or 12mm that is about an inch deep, rather than a standard muzzle crown, so this may make for a nice chamber to form said fireball.

On another note, I took my m44 that has had a scope added to the range the other day. A guy came up to me and asked me if it was an M-1 Garand, I resisted laughing and very graciously educated him on what it really was, that being my 80 dollar elk rifle.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

The ammo was spec'd for a rifle with a 26 or 29 inch barrel. You shoot it in a 20 inch barrel. You will get fireballs. Accept. Enjoy.

(I own a 91/30 and a Type 53 both.)

 

[Snowdog]

Late at night you sometimes fight the urge to hold your rifle over your head and shout "Wolverines"

Oh man, that kills me!

 

[GCMkc]

AWESOME! I love shooting my Mosin at the range. Loudest thing there usually. In honor of fireballs and freedom, here's my contribution.

FEG AMD-65:

 

[sarduy]

if you are worry about the "ball of fire" from a mosin, take a look at this video.
i show some fireballs at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3SayWW9M7A

 

[ball3006]

You will get the best fireball from Russian ammo........chris3

 

[karlsgunbunker]

54r was originally ment to be used in the Model 1891 Mosin.
Barrel length was 31 1/2" (80cm).
M44 has a barrel length of 20 1/4" (51.4cm).
Ref: http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinSpec.htm

The Counter bore was done to repair the rifling and is normal for Refurbished Russian Rifles.

I'm sure it's un-burned powder.
I get a big fire ball from my FPK Paratrooper with an 18" Barrel and Muzzle Brake.

Enjoy your Russian Flame Thrower.

 

[Cosmoline]

I believe the "unburned powder" business is pure myth. The powder all burns almost instantly. What you're seeing are hot expanding gases which arise from slower burning powders being fired from a barrel much shorter than the 54R was originally designed for.

 

[nathan]

I notice that too using Albanian light ball FMJs with my M 44 Ishevsk. Its fun to shoot and scares the shooter to the right and left at the range.

 

[WardenWolf]

Nothing like seeing a massive fireball. The PSL with a 22" barrel and a non-hiding brake puts out a nice one, too.

 

[Diggers]

It's so you can figure out where to aim you next shot in the dark.

Yes, short barrel, big case.

I just saw a slow motion video of a black powder cap and ball revolver being shot over in the Black Powder section. Talk about a fire ball.....twice!!

I'll try to find it and link it here.

Ah here it is, found it on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBvkTUFnQVQ

 

[thralldad]

You are good at the indoor range as long as the guys on your left and right aren't too close!

1932 91/30 and 1952 Polish M44 (love this one!!)