The M91/30
- Thread starter COMPNOR
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What really gets you in trouble is when some dealer has a sale or they list something as a "gunsmith special". Here are a couple that I got:
Yugo 24/47: 2 for about $50 each. Both needed firing pins but otherwise great condition.
Yugo SKS: Got them for about $39 each, but the bores were pretty bad. Used one to build up a receiver and barrel that cost about $30, the other I kept and while the bore is pitted, it isn't too bad.
M44: Again, the gunsmith special was like $39 or something, but the only problem is that there is some pitting on the outside of the barrel and receiver. Looks real nice.
Yugo 24/47: 2 for about $50 each. Both needed firing pins but otherwise great condition.
Yugo SKS: Got them for about $39 each, but the bores were pretty bad. Used one to build up a receiver and barrel that cost about $30, the other I kept and while the bore is pitted, it isn't too bad.
M44: Again, the gunsmith special was like $39 or something, but the only problem is that there is some pitting on the outside of the barrel and receiver. Looks real nice.
COMPNOR
The major things you look for are bore condition and matching numbers on the receiver and bolt (at least) and if you want something with more collector value then the mag well plate (in front of the trigger guard) and buttplate should also match. Also, Tula made seem to be more desireable. They will have a large star on the barrel while Izhvesk with have a small triangle with an arrow inside.
I could go on forever about collectability of different variations and stamps but for your 1st one just buy the one that catches your eye.
Make sure you post pics when you get it. I live vicariously thru others!
The major things you look for are bore condition and matching numbers on the receiver and bolt (at least) and if you want something with more collector value then the mag well plate (in front of the trigger guard) and buttplate should also match. Also, Tula made seem to be more desireable. They will have a large star on the barrel while Izhvesk with have a small triangle with an arrow inside.
I could go on forever about collectability of different variations and stamps but for your 1st one just buy the one that catches your eye.
Make sure you post pics when you get it. I live vicariously thru others!
KiltedClaymore
Member
CHECK THE BORE!!!!!!! you want a brright bore with no(or minimum) pitting and strong rifling.
Drgong
Member
was going to buy one, but they where overpriced at the store I was looking at, perhaps I will grab some online.
Remember, he who dies with the most mosin nagants WINS!
Remember, he who dies with the most mosin nagants WINS!
Franco2shoot
Member
91/30 bore/rifle'ing
Here's mine at the mid point of bore cleaning
I kept after it with J&B paste, and here it is a little more shiney:
It shoots so accurate now that I'm afraid to continue to polish. Look for good clean rifle'ing and go from there.
KKKKFL
Here's mine at the mid point of bore cleaning
I kept after it with J&B paste, and here it is a little more shiney:
It shoots so accurate now that I'm afraid to continue to polish. Look for good clean rifle'ing and go from there.
KKKKFL
Well I did it!
Went back to the store, and there on the rack were three M91/30's. So I pick one up, start looking at it notice its got mismatched numbers. Pick up the second one, all the numbers match(bolt, receiver, butt plate, mag), and was made in the Tula works I guess because its got a star on it. Didn't bother to look at the third one, maybe I should have. Ah well. I'm happy with my purchase.
Attached are two images, neither very good. I haven't done a thing to the rifle yet. I did buy a pack of surplus ammo, but I probably won't shoot it until next week.
Went back to the store, and there on the rack were three M91/30's. So I pick one up, start looking at it notice its got mismatched numbers. Pick up the second one, all the numbers match(bolt, receiver, butt plate, mag), and was made in the Tula works I guess because its got a star on it. Didn't bother to look at the third one, maybe I should have. Ah well. I'm happy with my purchase.
Attached are two images, neither very good. I haven't done a thing to the rifle yet. I did buy a pack of surplus ammo, but I probably won't shoot it until next week.
Attachments
Cosmoline
Member
The 91/30 evolved from the "Dragoon" version of the M91 long rifle in the late 20's. It was the mainstay combat rifle for the USSR in WWII. It was to be phased out in favor of the M44 but lingered on for a decade at least and longer in allied communist nations.
The hex receiver models were made prior to about 1937 IIRC. They are less common than the subsequent rifles. Many on the market right now are counterbored and were rearsenaeld after the war. These may not shoot all that well. I've had my best luck with pre-war 91/30--hex or not--from Tula that have a good bore but no counterbore and no rearsenal stamps (the box with the slash through it).
The very best of the breed are the Finnish M-30's, which replaced the Finnish M91's. These are distinguished by modified front sights and frequently a two-piece stock, as well as an SA mark. Not all SA marked 91/30's have been finned. Some are part finn, part original. Others are all Soviet and just property stamped.
The hex receiver models were made prior to about 1937 IIRC. They are less common than the subsequent rifles. Many on the market right now are counterbored and were rearsenaeld after the war. These may not shoot all that well. I've had my best luck with pre-war 91/30--hex or not--from Tula that have a good bore but no counterbore and no rearsenal stamps (the box with the slash through it).
The very best of the breed are the Finnish M-30's, which replaced the Finnish M91's. These are distinguished by modified front sights and frequently a two-piece stock, as well as an SA mark. Not all SA marked 91/30's have been finned. Some are part finn, part original. Others are all Soviet and just property stamped.
Nice! Looks like a 43? Tula. You should have checked the 3rd Mosin but you still did good. That might be your next purchase.
I would suggest a thorough cleaning before going to the range. Below is a link on how to disassemble the rifle and bolt. It's easy. Another thing I like to do is run a 12 gauge bore brush (wet with your fave bore cleaner) attached to a power drill and clean the chamber area of any sneaky hiding cosmo. What happens is, as you shoot, any cosmo in the chamber/receiver area heats up and causes "sticky bolt syndrome." The action isn't the smoothest to begin with and this will definitely slow things down.
http://surplusrifle.com/russianmosin189130/index.asp
I would suggest a thorough cleaning before going to the range. Below is a link on how to disassemble the rifle and bolt. It's easy. Another thing I like to do is run a 12 gauge bore brush (wet with your fave bore cleaner) attached to a power drill and clean the chamber area of any sneaky hiding cosmo. What happens is, as you shoot, any cosmo in the chamber/receiver area heats up and causes "sticky bolt syndrome." The action isn't the smoothest to begin with and this will definitely slow things down.
http://surplusrifle.com/russianmosin189130/index.asp
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