Mosin Nagants: still the cheapest quality surplus rifles?

[TruthTellers]

After many years of surplus Mosin Nagants being available, and with Russian sanctions currently in effect, are Mosin Nagants still the best bang for your buck surplus rifles or has another surplus rifle usurped it?

 

[justin22885]

thought some of the arisakas matched the MNs prices, if not being cheaper? i could be wrong

 

[desidog]

I've seen some crazy prices for 91/30's versus a year or three ago...and i wouldn't call a Mosin "quality." Well, maybe if it's a real nice Finn.... but overall i think of Mosin's being the foremost entry-level Milsurp based on price point and volume.

I think that the Italian Carcano is a better deal these days, with good examples still being found for +/- $150. They tend to have better fit and finish than most Mosins, too.

 

[carbine85]

I don't think they are worth the $225 - $250 price tags I'm seeing. For $100 more you can find a Enfield or Yugo M48. Both are better quality and more accurate.

 

[Turftech1]

A yr ago, you could pick up 91/30s for $150-170 all day long, and M44s for about $250.

I was shocked the other day when I saw a shop asking $299 for a 91/30.

Luckily the ammo is still cheap.

I saw a real nice Enfield for $300 the other day, and the shop that wanted $299 for a good 91/30 also had a pretty good Yugo Mauser for $275.

Ohhh, that I were a rich man! Saw a guy selling a nice K-31 with nearly 500 rounds of mil-surp for $400 last Friday.... that went fast.

 

[Turftech1]

Oh, I will add that I still think Mosins are a bargain, if you can find someone selling a 91/30 for under $200, or a carbine for under $275 ish.

I love shooting for $0.19/round, and the Mosins are super easy to maintain and work on.

 

[Driftertank]

I have an M44 Mosin, still in original condition. Nice condition, good bore, bought it about 10 years ago for $79. I've seen really rough ones going for twice that these days, and it makes me chuckle a little.

Used to have a co-worker who had an M44 that he bubba'd up, cut the stock and bolt, drilled it for a scope mount and ground off the bayonet mount. He kicks himself these days...

 

[atblis]

I think the K31 is a better value based on what you get for your money.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I think the Yugo M48's are a better rifle than the Nagant and now are around the same price ($250 or so).

When it gets more than $300 I think you're better off getting a used modern rifle (or even a new Ruger American for $400)

 

[Turftech1]

I have an M44 Mosin, still in original condition. Nice condition, good bore, bought it about 10 years ago for $79.

I'll give you $89 right now. $10 profit, free & clear!

 

[Gun Master]

^^^^^^ and up $ 10.

 

[joem1945]

I'm surprised at the prices of 91-30's, M44's and Yugo SKS's these days. I paid $79.00 for a M44 and $98.00 for 91-30's. I should have ordered 25 of each. Another shoulda, coulda, woulda. I hate when I do that.

 

[TruthTellers]

I think the Yugo M48's are a better rifle than the Nagant and now are around the same price ($250 or so).

When it gets more than $300 I think you're better off getting a used modern rifle (or even a new Ruger American for $400)

I feel the exact same way. To me a Mosin is not worth $300 because like you said, you can get better quality from other surplus rifles or newer makes like a Savage or Mossberg.

The one great thing about Mosins is how inexpensive the ammo is, but I think if someone went with a Savage, Mossberg, or Ruger, you'll be getting brass ammo and can start reloading it for better quality and cost efficiency.

But for less than $200, I don't see how a Mosin isn't a great buy.