Which Mosin-Nagant should i get?

In all honesty hop on over to http://www.mosinnagant.net/ and learn what makes a Finnish mosin better. Learn how to identify them.

Got that part? Good.

Now learn the local pawnshops. Frequently visit them, make nice with the owner/s and learn how to pawn shop.

Done that? Great!

Now, be patient. I know... it's the hardest part. Buy a few smaller things here and there, but keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground. Visit frequently.

Eventually you will come accross a Finn. Probably an M-39, maybe a reworked M-91 or if your a really lucky bastard (and the karma fairy really likes you) it'll be an M-28/30.

Depending on the shop the owner will know what he has, or, quite often he doesn't. I mean, after all "A Mosin's a Mosin's a piece of junk."

I picked up my last M-39 for $85. It's a prewar stocked VKT with a counterbored barrel. And she can shoot.



-ek

Finns at AIM

What do you think of this Finn? As far as I can tell the wood is all that's a problem.
$179.95

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Gunsmith_Specials_.html

I'm tempted but I've just got my first M44s and really don't have the spare funds.

Meh. I don't care much for AIM. WGA has better deals. Plus you get to see detailed photos of *THE* rifle you're buying, not a sample of what you might or might not get.

I was wondering what happened to the million or so Mossins that Remington made during WWI? They were taken over by the US after the Russian Revolution and were used for training. After WWI I read they were sold under the Civillian Marksmanship program. There is little mention of them after this. 1 million rifles just don't go missing. Where are they? Safe queens, stored in abandonded mines or ????. I would think these to be really well made rifles.

They were the first Mosins on the US surplus market. The Czar's checks bounced, so most of them never left the US. Most were sold off in the 20's and 30's for absurdly low prices. The famous surplus outlet Bannerman's rechambered a very large number into .30'06 because at the time 54R was not easy to get stateside. I've seen about half dozen of these over the years. Many, many more were bubbafied or customized to some extent. Usually a rechambering and chopping of the stock. The original mint condition US made Mosins can fetch a premium. Some have been going for over a grand on gunbroker in bidding wars. The cut ones are only worth $150 at most, though. It's a classic example of why you shouldn't hack and slash.

If you keep a close eye out, you can find these and other gems mis-marked and going for very good prices. I picked up an M28-30 several years ago that was marked as a "Rusian Moosin" and tagged for a C note. That one had seen the rough end of the Winter War. I picked my second 28-30 up mis-tagged as an M-39 and going for two bills. I've lost count of the M-91's mismarked as other things. www.7.62x54R.net has a great comparison guide.

i have an m44 that i havent shot yet because ive been working 6 days a week this month and when i get a day off its for family time (dont bother suggesting family time at the range my stepdaughter is 4 and gunshots scare her they are too loud for her even with muffs) anyway i read an article on mosins in the november issue of guns magazine and the author who was using 200gr ammo (dont remember what brand) said that he got groups of 1 7/8" at 100 yards with the bayonet out and groups about the same size but 2.75" lower with the bayonet folded to the side.

anybody shot thiers both ways and noticed this? and can i expect that accuracy from mine it was made in izhevsk in 53 if that helps. i plan to sporterize it and use it as a deer rifle so a 2" group is great esp since i usually only shoot 40-50yrds but i dont want to have to wander around with my bayonet sticking out.

My M44's groups open up and move a couple inches to 2-o'clock with the bayonet folded.

Another M39 vote here.

ammo selection for Mosin

from what I have read on the net:

When selecting ammo, keep in mind the following
a lot of milsurplus 7.62x54R is from machine guns purposes,
only Czech ammo was made for the rifles
many people (including myself) have problems
with laquered ammo as the bolt 'glues' to the chamber
and does not want to open after just a couple of rounds
(there are remedies though...)


the right number of Mosins (M91/30) to have is 2
and at least one with Darell's Scout Scope mount
(it does not require cutting off the bolt)

http://p077.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm85

also if the receive is not round, but instead hex, apparently it costs a little more

The M38 is the best choice over the M44 and the loooooong M91/30 if you are going to use them for hunting. Recoil can be reduced with a quick-detach muzzle brake. Many being sold on eBay and discount houses have been known to blow off the barrel with the first or second shot, but a quality muzzle brake is available at:

http://ShootersExchange.com/srchres...f=Mosin-Nagant&inv_id=&Submit=Search+Firearms

Most muzzle brakes are made for carbines. The M91/30 has a longer, more tapered barrel and the muzzle diameter is smaller than on the carbines. Muzzle brakes made for the carbines will be a loose fit on the M91/30 and will have to be fitted by sleeving the brake.

classic arms has Fin captured 91s on a special right now for $129 I think, if ya have an FFL ya can get a true sniper minus the scope and mount from Century directly for $229 these are not EX snipers they still have the turned down bolt, the stock and look like the mounts were removed recently probably by the bulgarians to sell seperatly, I've gotten 6 of them all 6 have shiny pristine bores and excellent wood, they are not rearsenaled so no crappy orange shelac slathered all over everything etc...and all 6 are totally original stamped matching, I will start replacing scopes and mounts as time permits.. unfortunatly will probably have to use reproduction mounts and scopes as the originals are super scarce. but the cutouts in the stocks are original and are much better done than the fake snipers being cranked out with cutouts that are clearly new work and poorly executed etc...

The 91/30 is a must have every collector needs at least one hex recieverd MN, forget the auction sites etc... look up

Classic arms

Empire arms

AIM Surplus

J&G Sales

SOG Surplus

Century international arms (need ffl account to get prices)

Dans ammo

Davids collectables

there are a ton of dealers online, if ya are in the FT Worth tx area drop in at Military gun supply they are under new ownership and have some really nice stuff hanging on the walls not listed on their site etc... Classic arms though is one of the better to order from if ya are buying sight unseen...