mortablunt
Member
The guns are cool historically and technically. However, ammo is rare that I've never found it even at major gun shows. The cartridge is not too powerful either and the trigger pull is supposedly dreadful.
Russian Nagant revolver????
- Thread starter bigdogpete
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harmon rabb
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Pros: dirt cheap, reliable, rugged, can shoot 32s&w, 32s&w long, and 32h&r mag in addition to the nagant ammo, holds 7 rounds, very compact for a 7rd revolver.
Cons: god awful DA trigger, take forever to unload, expensive ammo
Cons: god awful DA trigger, take forever to unload, expensive ammo
Dr. Sandman
Member
Don't Run Down The Nagant Revolver!
I have one of these and it is very fun to shoot. Mine is reasonably accurate, has a good and comfortable hand feel, and it is fun to shoot. The rumors about the DA trigger pull are true to some extent.
I just bought some ammo online for $22 per box from Palmetto State Armoury. I know 9mm is $10-12 for 50 and 32 is more like $16-20 for 50. So, $22 a box for a pistol that one only shoots occasionally is not terrible.
I understand that, for some reason, many security and prison guards in Asian and European countries still use this pistol, and many are being sold to private citizens in this country so ammo should be around for a while.
Buy one now! They really are pretty cool!
I have one of these and it is very fun to shoot. Mine is reasonably accurate, has a good and comfortable hand feel, and it is fun to shoot. The rumors about the DA trigger pull are true to some extent.
I just bought some ammo online for $22 per box from Palmetto State Armoury. I know 9mm is $10-12 for 50 and 32 is more like $16-20 for 50. So, $22 a box for a pistol that one only shoots occasionally is not terrible.
I understand that, for some reason, many security and prison guards in Asian and European countries still use this pistol, and many are being sold to private citizens in this country so ammo should be around for a while.
Buy one now! They really are pretty cool!
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NM strong point
I think everyone is missing the MN revolver's big plus. When I got mine it still had cosmoline in it. Made in 1941 and never cleaned. I fired it no problem before I broke it down for a correct cleaning. This gun will function reliably under ludicrous abuse and neglect. We Americans expect that from a revolver. European weapons don't have a history of being reliable without regular care.
The Russians call it the hammer, because it works so well for beating on things and still functions as a gun. Believe it or not, the security cops on the Trans-Siberian RR still carry the thing. They know it will work. If you were walking rail yards in -30 degree temperatures with blowing snow and ten foot visibility, how many weapons available for under $500 would you prefer over the old Moison-Nagant?
I think everyone is missing the MN revolver's big plus. When I got mine it still had cosmoline in it. Made in 1941 and never cleaned. I fired it no problem before I broke it down for a correct cleaning. This gun will function reliably under ludicrous abuse and neglect. We Americans expect that from a revolver. European weapons don't have a history of being reliable without regular care.
The Russians call it the hammer, because it works so well for beating on things and still functions as a gun. Believe it or not, the security cops on the Trans-Siberian RR still carry the thing. They know it will work. If you were walking rail yards in -30 degree temperatures with blowing snow and ten foot visibility, how many weapons available for under $500 would you prefer over the old Moison-Nagant?
Hamilton Felix
Member
I'm interested, but I need to know I can reload for it.
And frankly, I think handloading would give you much more effective small game ammo.
In any case, it's a unique and fascinating piece of engineering.
And frankly, I think handloading would give you much more effective small game ammo.
In any case, it's a unique and fascinating piece of engineering.
Roan
Member
Yes, reloading equipment exists for the 7.63x38r calibre. There are quite a few sites dedicated to that reloading project. It's a great weapon that I thoroughly enjoy.
mgmorden
Member
That, and there is also the .32ACP cylinders. If you can one of those you can even ream it out to .32 H&R Mag and fire/reload .32H&R Mag, .32 S&W Long, .32 S&W, or .32 ACP for it (without the bulge problems associated with using the original cylinder).
Robbins290
Member
i love mine. good gun for the money. i carry mine every now and then for the four legged bg's around my area when hiking
AlexanderA
Member
At the Nation's Gun Show at Chantilly, Virginia, this weekend, a dealer had a crateful of M95 Nagant revolvers in like-new condition for $115 each. I was tempted, but something like that just wouldn't fit into my collection.
mgmorden
Member
Nah - they're cheaper (used), and the design has some quirks, but the materials and workmanship that went into a Nagant revolver would make a Hi-point's head spin.
mgmorden
Member
Some were SAO, but the vast majority were converted to double action later. The SAO variants command a nice price.
Yours sounds like the cylinder fit needs to be looked at.
Snowdog
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Concerning departments still using the Nagant revolver... I sincerely doubt that's due to anything other than financial necessity. Those Nagants probably replaced their pikes or halberds in the dawning of the 20th century. Were any of the folks still using the Nagant offered to switch to a Makarov (let alone a Glock, Sig or such), I'd venture to guess most of them would without much hand-wringing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm one of the folks who actually enjoy the old revolver and it really does represent a good value for the money, as most military surplus firearms tend to.
However, simply because a particular firearm is used by some unit or department doesn't necessarily mean it's choice. Sometimes these folks aren't exactly given much of a choice at all, ya know?
Don't get me wrong, I'm one of the folks who actually enjoy the old revolver and it really does represent a good value for the money, as most military surplus firearms tend to.
However, simply because a particular firearm is used by some unit or department doesn't necessarily mean it's choice. Sometimes these folks aren't exactly given much of a choice at all, ya know?
AethelstanAegen
Member
There is a certain amount of truth to this with one main addendum, it is just a Nagant revolver; Captain Mosin didn't have a hand in this one.
I have heard stories that in severe cold weather the Nagant revolvers were preferred as they'd continue to operate when a Tokarev might freeze up. Now admittedly this may have been the rationale given by an officer to his troops to make them feel less bad about obsolete equipment but I have certainly seen my Nagant revolver hold up in the cold. Speaking of which, this thread needs some pictures!
Here's a picture of mine while I was doing a bit of fairly primitive camping in the winter's cold (any pictures with the flash were quite foggy given the temperature and I rather like it in the candle light). I like taking mine out on such camping trips against small varmin and I guess I get to pretend to be Vladimir Arseniev (a Russian explorer of the Ussuri Basin and Siberia who indeed carried a Nagant revolver). If you have similar interests, I highly recommend teh film Dersu Uzala about his expedition and the guide he met and befriended or Arseniev's translated book Dersu the Trapper.
Just in case someone wasn't sure what we were talking about.
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AethelstanAegen
Member
Haha. That is a nice looking Nagant? Are those wood grips? Mine has the bakelite and while certainly durable, I do rather pine away for a wood gripped Nagant (just don't tell my current one).
grendelbane
Member
If you must play Russian Roulette your odds are a bit better with the Nagant. One chance out of seven, instead of one chance out of six.
Which is why it was some times referred to as "the seven sisters of death".
Which is why it was some times referred to as "the seven sisters of death".
Snowdog
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Shows how much I know, I didn't know the Russians used Bakelite for their Nagant grips.
That actually sounds like a good idea. Not that I don't like the wood on my Nagant revolver, but I've always believed the grips on mine felt a bit on the fragile side.
Yes, "nice looking" is in the eye of the beholder. But then again, I am slightly myopic, so....
Seriously though, my Nagant is one of the ugliest revolvers I've seen, but it's ugly in a cute utilitarian Soviet way.
That actually sounds like a good idea. Not that I don't like the wood on my Nagant revolver, but I've always believed the grips on mine felt a bit on the fragile side.
Yes, "nice looking" is in the eye of the beholder. But then again, I am slightly myopic, so....
Seriously though, my Nagant is one of the ugliest revolvers I've seen, but it's ugly in a cute utilitarian Soviet way.
We have often misunderstood Ivan. Ivan was a peasant back in 1895. He wasn't very literate and was just emerging into modern military capability. The 1895 Nagant pistol satisfied the needs of the time. It was lighter than the Russian S&W 44, ammo weighed less and was exceedingly easy to maintain in the field. Granted it was black powder designed, it was still a forerunner of the S&W model 10. Ivan was forced to use the Nagant in single action, double action was an officers issue, this conserved ammo. If you don't think this is so you have never had a senior Sgt hit you in the back of the head and yell,"single fire!!! Idiot!!" As a side thought just consider, this pistol has been used longer than the 1911 A1, it just is not in use in this hemisphere.
At first I was burning 32 H&R mag through mine, however a Lee Loader for conversion of 32-20 brass, Trailboss, CCI primer, and 118 gr 311 lead has turned mine into minute of jack rabbit out to 100'. I never could do that with a 45 acp.
As long as we are talking Russian, I also have a 7.62 X 25 Tokarev. Shoots right up there with a 65-5 S&W 357 mag, but thats another thread entirely.
blindhari
At first I was burning 32 H&R mag through mine, however a Lee Loader for conversion of 32-20 brass, Trailboss, CCI primer, and 118 gr 311 lead has turned mine into minute of jack rabbit out to 100'. I never could do that with a 45 acp.
As long as we are talking Russian, I also have a 7.62 X 25 Tokarev. Shoots right up there with a 65-5 S&W 357 mag, but thats another thread entirely.
blindhari
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